September 20, 2023

Campus vaccine clinics will be held for staff next week, September 25-28, and will offer an array of vaccines, from the flu to the new Shingles vaccine. All vaccines will be covered under TRS-ActiveCare plans as well as some Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, Humana, United Health Care, Medicare Part B and Scott & White plans. Please bring a printed copy of your insurance card and ID. No electronic proof of insurance will be accepted.

The shots offered are:

• Quadrivalent Flu Vaccine
• High Dose Flu Vaccine (age 65+)
• Preservative Free Flu Vaccine
• COVID-19 Vaccine (Age 18 and up)
• Hepatitis A

• Hepatitis B
• HPV (Gardasil) up to age 45
• Meningitis
• MMR
• Pneumonia (Prevnar 20) ages 50-64 if using insurance

• Shingles (Shingrix) ages 50-64 if using insurance
• Tetanus Diphtheria Pertussis up to age 64
• B12 Injection

You can sign up here.

TRS-ActiveCare recently changed their pharmacy plan from Caremark to Express Scripts. If you have not received your new pharmacy card, you can print a temporary ID card at www.express-scripts.com/trsactivecare.

Letters from TRS-ActiveCare were mailed to those who may have been impacted by this change. If you’re on routine medication, it is a good idea to log into Express Scripts and check your current medication and pharmacy to see if the transition has impacted you.

Elementary Teacher of the Month

The Elementary Teacher of the Month is Shelly Hough, Deaf Education Pre-K Teacher at Fred Douglass Early Childhood Center. Shelly is responsible for integrating Frog Street Press and Foundations for Literacy for students who are hearing impaired; she does so with fidelity, attending to the individual needs of her students. Shelly is constantly finding innovative, creative and engaging ways to take curriculum and make it applicable to our deaf students.

Secondary Teacher of the Month

Robert Jewell was recognized as the Secondary Teacher of the Month. Jewell is the construction technology teacher at Sherman High School and has always supported and empowered students to compete in the SkillsUSA competition every year. His students have won several awards and been recognized at state competitions for their creations. He has challenged his students to stretch their potential, use their imagination, and be competitive in their work ethic and products.

Employee of the Month

The Employee of the Month is Martha Martinez, lead custodian at Piner Middle School. Martha has exhibited extreme dedication in helping Piner Middle School in any way possible on all projects. Martha was the lead custodian at Piner Middle School all summer, leading 7 other custodians in completing a multitude of maintenance projects around Piner to prepare for the new school year.

Volunteer of the Month

The Volunteer of the Month is Marilyn Stockman, who volunteers at Neblett Elementary School. Marilyn has been with Neblett Elementary as a foster grandparent for 10 years. Her 1st group of Kindergarten students are now in the 9th grade. She has helped in kindergarten classes as well as in the cafeteria, making a positive connection with many of the students who attend Neblett.

The Sherman community showed their support for Sherman schools at the 18th Annual SEF Arts Fest 5K & Bubble-K! Congratulations to the campuses that won awards based on participation as a percentage of their student enrollment: Sory (1st), Fairview (2nd) and Dillingham (3rd)! We’re so glad people came out to support educational enrichment at their campus.

You can also support the Sherman Education Foundation through monthly payroll deductions, which can be as little as $5 a month. To enroll, please fill out the authorization form, print and sign, and send to Kathy Bickerstaff at kbickerstaff@shermanisd.net. All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by the IRS.

The Major Saver Cards are now on sale! Each purchase benefits the Sherman Education Foundation.

Sherman ISD elementary and middle schools students can earn prizes by selling cards to family, neighbors and friends, and you can support them through online purchases as well! Just select the school and student you want to receive credit. A lunch and ice cream treat will be provided by the Bearcat Grill On Wheels to students who sell seven cards by the end of the campaign on October 3! Online purchases will still be available after October 3.

Did you know that Sherman ISD offers an employee match program for benefits-eligible employees? The district can match employee deferrals up to 1% of pay. More information about this program is outlined in the flyer above.

Sherman High School celebrated Homecoming last week and ended it with a dominant 44-20 win over Frisco Lebanon Trail! Enjoy the video highlights of the sights and sounds of Homecoming Week as well as photos from the coronation and game!

The deadline to complete annual required trainings is in less than two weeks on September 30.

Completing these trainings satisfies one of the requirements for the two Professional Exchange days this school year. To get credit, you should complete the trainings when you are outside contract time or off the clock if you are an hourly employee. Once you complete the trainings, you should print two copies of your certificates for each course; one copy for your personal file and one to be turned into your supervisor as documentation.

Also, please complete the cybersecurity awareness training from KnowBe4, which was sent in a separate email. It can be accessed through your SSO.

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

Home Hospice

Home Hospice of Grayson, Cooke and Fannin Counties is a non-profit hospice that has provided extraordinary care and support in our communities since 1982. Their staff, board, advisory councils and volunteers are dedicated to their mission to enhance the Quality of Life of all.

There are many ways to volunteer at Home Hospice, including direct patient and family support, office volunteers, food committee, creating flower arrangement for patients, and fundraising, just to list a few. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Niki Henderson at 903-868-9315 or niki.henderson@homehospice.org.

Sherman Ex-Students Association

Annual Luncheon

11 a.m. - 1 p.m., September 23

Sherman High School

Tickets: $20

Tickets can be purchased at the Sherman Ex-Students Museum or from Museum board members

Railside Crossfit

1 Week Free For SISD Staff

AM and PM classes

Group Fitness and 1:1 training

RooBound

Learn About Dia De Los Muertos!

Austin College

September 23, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

For Children K-5th

First Annual Sherman Crossroads Music Festival

Saturday, September 23

Pecan Grove West Park

Gates open at 4 p.m.

Red Dirt music headlined by Stoney LaRue