October 4, 2023

Sherman ISD is engaging students, staff, families, and business and industry leaders to ensure our students are well prepared for the future. The purpose of the Texas Strategic Leadership initiative is to assess current district practices and develop a strategic plan and systems for continuous improvement. 

Staff members in instructional roles received a separate email earlier today with an invitation to complete an online survey. Please refer to your district email for the link to begin. 

Read more about this initiative at www.shermanisd.net/TSL. 

Don’t forget that Friday, October 6 is no school for students and a professional development day for staff! Monday, October 9 is a holiday. Have a great extended weekend!

These kids want to make sure you’re planning for the future, and Sherman ISD can help with our employee retirement match program! The district will match up your contributions to 1% of your pay!

The Sherman ISD Communications Department wants to hear about the amazing things you’re doing in the classroom! Tell us what’s happening so we can share it with others!

Share a lesson or activity with a hands-on approach or highlight how you’re using technology to deeply engage your students. Fill out the form, and we’ll try to stop by and share your story!

The annual United Way of Grayson County fundraising campaign has launched! Last year we raised $45,604.56; let’s see if we can raise $50,000 this year!

United Way of Grayson County provides funding for services that support those in our community who are employed, but struggle monthly to afford basic necessities, and families living with income below the Federal Poverty Level. Thank you for your generous support of United Way and the programs they fund in our community.

If you are currently donating through payroll deductions, your pledge will continue for 2024. If you need to change your current payroll deduction, start a payroll deduction or would like to make a one-time donation, please fill out a pledge form and return it to your campus coordinator. 

Staff who donate at least $120/year ($10 month) earn Jeans Days with a school/district shirt on Mondays ONLY starting November 6 – December 18.

Staff who purchase a Billy Bob United Way t-shirt for $10 can wear their t-shirt on “United Way Wednesdays” starting November 1 – December 20. Your campus coordinator has the order form.

A security software update will become available this Friday, October 6 and will display the pop-up window above with options to replace Sophos, the current software, with CrowdStrike. The installation can be delayed, but it will automatically start on October 14. Please do not interrupt the installation, which should take 10-20 minutes. If you have any issues or questions, please reach to the Sherman ISD Helpdesk at extension #8324 or 903-891-8324.

Texas is holding an election on 14 constitutional amendments on November 7 which cover a wide variety of issues, from raising the homestead exemption for homeowners to funding broadband infrastructure. One amendment, Proposition 9, would provide some retired teachers with a cost-of-living adjustment to their monthly pension.

The last day to register for the November 7 election is Tuesday, October 10. Early voting starts on October 23. You can read more about the amendments here.

Governor Greg Abbott is expected to call a special session of the 88th Texas Legislature to begin next Monday, October 9 for the purpose of providing private school subsidies, also known as vouchers or education savings accounts. The Legislature may also address potential school funding increases. 

Despite a historic budget surplus, state lawmakers failed earlier this year to provide extra funding for schools to pay for staff raises and address inflation. Public schools need more than $14 billion in new per-student funding to have the same buying power as in 2019. 

In March 2023, the Sherman ISD Board of Trustees passed a resolution opposing vouchers. Please stay tuned for more information in the coming days as the battle over vouchers and school funding heats up once again.

Did you know that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas offers health and wellness programs that can fit your schedule and lifestyle? You can start your fitness journey, have a virtual mental health check-in, or receive information about pregnancy from maternity specialists over the phone, all at no cost to TRS-ActiveCare members.

You can log in or create an account at the Blue Access For Members portal using your personal email and information provided on your BCBS card, which you should have received in the mail.

Sherman ISD encourages employees to get involved and connected in the community.

Family Promise of Grayson County

Family Promise of Grayson County envisions a community in which every family has a home, a livelihood, and the chance to build a better future where no child is homeless. Their programs address the range of issues that affect low-income families. These include direct services, educational curricula, prevention programs and more.

Volunteers are essential to their success and provide a wide range of services at the host congregation, like cooking and serving meals, entertaining children or helping them with homework, and interacting with guests with respect and compassion.If you are interested in volunteering or would like to make a donation, contact the Family Promise office at 903-771-0322. 

Trick or Treat on Travis Street

Thursday, October 26

6-8 p.m.

Downtown Sherman

Roo Boo

Trick or Treat

Friday, October 27

6-7:30 p.m.

Austin College

Windsor Mall if weather permits, Sid Rid Rec Center if bad weather

Railside Crossfit

1 Week Free For SISD Staff

AM and PM classes

Group Fitness and 1:1 training