In the Know
An Internal Newsletter from the SISD Communications Dept.
SHERMAN ISD CELEBRATES STAFF OF THE MONTH HONOREES!
November Elementary Teacher of the Month
Karen Harper is a highly engaging second-grade teacher at Sory Elementary who uses interactive learning strategies as a tool to motivate students. Her strength is building relationships with students and their families so that there is trustworthiness. Mrs. Harper consistently displays a positive attitude which rubs off on her students. Each day her classroom is filled with laughter, love, and learning and she takes personal accountability for each of her students. She is always willing to try different strategies and techniques to help her students make connections between real life and learning content.
November Secondary Teacher of the Month
Courtney Hill is a bright light on the campus of Dillingham Intermediate. What makes her stand out is the fact that she is always searching for new ways to help students reach their full potential. As a sixth grade teacher, she is full of ideas that help her to enhance her students’ learning experiences. Mrs. Hill serves on the campus PBIS Committee and is known for being a very positive co-worker.
November Team of the Month
The Neblett Elementary First Grade Team has taken on the PLC and team planning with gusto. This semester, they have embraced the new reading curriculum and worked diligently with the campus instructional coach on RTI groups, guided reading, phonics, and math stations. Student reading levels are showing gains, and student behavior issues have decreased as a result of their hard work. The team has maintained a positive attitude and has been committed to doing the work to ensure students success.
November Employee of the Month
Sandra Melton has significantly enhanced the library services for the students of Neblett Elementary. She provides enrichment opportunities that align with lessons students are covering during their classes. This year, Ms. Melton has taken on managing the district’s pilot program for inventorying resources. Ms. Melton is an active community advocate and now serves on the Sherman City Council. Her love for her community is evident as she continues to bring in special guest speakers from members of the community to engage with students to enhance their learning experience.
The District's Organizational health survey will close Friday!
The Sherman Education Foundation Circle of Success grant applications are now open. All grants are designed to be innovative enrichment projects that enhance instructional approaches to fulfill SEF's vision statement. We welcome and encourage the submission of grant applications today!
- Read the Guidelines BEFORE completing the application.
- Technology-related grant applications should be submitted by January 18, 2019.
- All other grant applications should be submitted by January 31, 2019
- Send all grant applications to Kathy Bickerstaff at the Sherman ISD Service Center.
- Click HERE to access the Circle of Success Grant application.
SmalTalk with Smalskas
Assistant Superintendent of Student Engagement & Support, Dr. Tamy Smalskas would like to share helpful information on classroom procedures, management, discipline and student behavior. If you have any questions or helpful tips you may use inside of your classroom, please feel free to reach out and share with Dr. Smalskas at TSmalskas@ShermanISD.net.
How Much is Too Much?
As I visit classrooms to observe evidence of strategies teachers are using for classroom management, I've noticed something and would like to share it with you all. While observing, I search for CHAMPS posters, cards or visuals related to classroom management techniques and sometimes struggle to find anything because of all the decorations on the walls. If I cannot locate it to reference, how do your students discover that information to refresh their memory on what their teacher expects?
Did you know that too much visual stimulation in the classroom can be distracting to students? As a former elementary teacher, I remember working hard to decorate bulletin boards, create word walls, anchor charts and visuals to help my young students learn.
But how much is too much? An article from the Association for Psychological Science states “heavily decorated classrooms disrupt attention in young children.” This research provides evidence that too much of a good thing can disrupt attention and learning of younger students. Another resource“5 Signs Your Classroom Is Over Decorated and How to Fix it”, summarizes why cluttered or over-decorated classrooms are a problem, and then provides strategies on how to fix it. If you have no blank wall space in your class, I highly recommend reading some of the research presented here.
You may think you are doing what is best for your students; however, it may be at the cost of over stimulating your students which negatively impacts his or her learning. Take some time to evaluate your classroom, is it over stimulating for your students? Do you think your students can see your CHAMPS cards and can you easily reference them? If not, I highly encourage you to consider decluttering your walls.
A Study of Stimulating Versus Non-Stimulating Visuals in a Preschool Classroom
Around the District!
We have great things happening on each of our campuses. Here is a quick overview of some events and activities that have taken place over the last couple of weeks!
Mrs. King’s students learned the importance of adding detail to their writings after their teacher made PB&J sandwiches exactly how they described in their drafts. The class got to enjoy a nice snack after revising and editing their pieces!
Ms. Deaton's science class experimented to understand thermal equilibrium!
Principles of Health Science is learning to take and document vital signs today!
Wakefield Elementary
Katy Halk's third graders signed their first-semester goal sheet. Their focus was addition math facts, and they rocked it! This semester they are working towards their multiplication goal and looking forward to seeing some multiplication licenses!
Sory Elementary
Mrs. Roland’s Kindergartners practiced sight words on the smart board this week!
Fairview 4th graders have been working hard on equivalent fraction!
This week, Jefferson students got creative while showing some love for the SISD school board for School Recognition month!
During the first semester, Perrin students were challenged to have perfect attendance. The top 10 students with the best attendance entered a drawing right before Christmas break. Shown here is Mr. May offering congratulations to the winner of the Kindle tablet!
Students have been doing a great job at Crutchfield and receiving Rocking Rewards!
Do you remember the colorful parachute in gym class? Students at FDECC got to experience the excitement this week during PE class. We are sure they had a great time!
Congratulations to the top 3 finishers of the Piner Middle School Spelling Bee!
1st Place-Shomoy Kamal
2nd Place-Victoria Amtholz
3rd Place-Leif Inocian & Aubrey Wright
4th graders are starting a new lesson on American artist Jean-Mechel Basquiat! After studying his biography, the students completed a warm-up exercise to understand the feeling behind Basquiat’s work. This art lesson will ultimately lead to an expressive portrait painting inspired by his style.
We are happy to provide you with bond updates and information as we move forward with our projects. We are excited to report that the New SHS location is now seeing concrete piers poured in preparation for the foundation. #BuildingBearcats
Dell Computers Flash Sale - for SISD Employees
Dell Computer One Day Only Sale!
January 22, 2019 6:00am ET to January 23, 2019 6:00am ET
Offer: Sitewide10% discount on all PCs and Dell electronics
Please note that deals are for personal purchases only.
The deals will not be available on the website until the promotion launches on January 22. As a reminder, there are limited quantities so please shop early!
Click here to shop the deals with Dell, today!
Upcoming District Events
Jan. 21-27 - No Name-Calling Week
Jan. 21 - MLK Day (No School)
Jan. 21-SISD Board Meeting @ 7:00pm
Monday, January 21st from 7:15am-8:30am at Austin College
RSVP on Facebook
Jan. 22 - SISD School Board Meeting @ 5:30pm
Jan. 24-SISD PTAs Present Screenagers the Movie @6:30 at SHS Auditorium