Welcome to all new and returning teachers! In June, the Sherman ISD Board of Trustees approved a pay raise and two $1,000 stipends, and most campus employees will receive their first stipend with their August 25 paycheck. Please double-check your pay stub in the Employee Self-Serve to verify you’ve received the stipend. If there is a possible mistake or question about pay, please contact Jill O’Neal at joneal@shermanisd.net or ext. 2021.

It was great seeing all of you during Convocation 2023! It was a blast, from Superintendent Dr. Tyson Bennett giving a surprise dance performance with the Sherman Hi Steppers to Dr. Timothy Sloan, SHS Class of 1990 and Senior Pastor of The Luke Church in Houston, sharing an inspiring message about leaving a legacy. Coordinator of Character Development Reid Kirk spoke about the importance of the words you choose. Finally, community partners also had the opportunity to share their gratitude and support in our Partners Fair. We can’t wait for the year to begin!

New Teacher Academy was held last week, and we saw so many new faces! More than 120 new teachers have joined the Bearcat family this year, and we’re looking forward to them being integral to building up our students as future leaders and professionals.

Open enrollment for healthcare and other benefits ends on Friday! Along with a pay raise, the SISD Board of Trustees approved an increase in the amount the district contributes towards employee healthcare, and in September when benefits begin, SISD will contribute $400 a month towards healthcare benefits.

Due to IRS rules, employees who participate in a flexible spending or health savings account have to enroll annually. If you have one of these types of accounts and you did not re-enroll during our spring enrollment period and you would like to continue with your savings account, please re-enroll by August 11.

If you are a new hire or need to make any changes to your TRS Medical coverage, please enroll during this time. No action is needed if you are happy with your selections in the spring. You can enroll online here.

Before September 1, sign your receipt of the employee handbook and give it to your principal or director. Your principal or director may have a different due date for the signed receipt. Also by the same date, please print out your current certification or license and submit it to your principal or director.

Sherman ISD offers a sick leave bank to its employees, which provides additional sick leave days to members in the event of a critical illness, medically necessary surgery or temporary disability due to an injury. New employees and employees who did not join the bank last year should submit an application by September 8 to join. New employees must donate two days of local leave to the bank.

If you were employed during the 2021-2022 school year, you are already part of the bank and do not need to rejoin unless you used bank days last year. If you did receive bank days last year and would like to remain a member, please email joneal@shermanisd.net by September 8.

The required annual trainings for the 2023-24 school year are now available through the Canvas learning management system. The deadline is 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.

A scammer has resurfaced recently falsely claiming to be Dr. Tyson Bennett. These text messages are not associated in any way with Dr. Bennett. If you receive these messages, please do not respond.

Please look your best! Remember, employees must adhere to the student dress code as a minimum and are expected to maintain higher standards and model professional dress to students, parents and the community at all times. In addition, an employee’s attire and appearance must not be distracting or create a potential safety hazard.

Sherman ISD is excited to announce Carl Williams, a successful basketball coach with a proven track record winning championships, as the next head girls basketball coach at Sherman High School.

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

The Grayson Crisis Center is dedicated to providing a safe haven, crisis intervention and comprehensive support services to victims of family violence and sexual assault. They are further dedicated to breaking the cycle of family and sexual violence through community education while assisting victims in their transition to a more stable and self-sufficient life. Current volunteer opportunities include transporting clients to and from appointments and response advocate volunteers. Monetary donations can be set up as one-time or monthly donations, or designate one of your credit cards to round up all of your purchases to donate to the Center. For donation of new clothing, diapers, baby items, household or other items, please call the Center at 903-893-3909. Office hours are 8 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday.

When checking out from Books-A-Million at the Sherman Town Center, you can opt to purchase a book for the Summer Book Drive through August 20! The focus this year is Pre-K - 1st.

Let’s Pancake Denison!

Friday, August 25

7 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Sherman Municipal Ballroom

All-You-Can-Eat Pancakes, Sausage,

Coffee & Juice

We would love the opportunity to feature honors and recognitions received by SISD employees. Please send accomplishments and news to Todd Kleiboer at tkleiboer@shermanisd.net.