In The Know
An Internal Newsletter from the
Sherman ISD Communications Department
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May 23, 2023
Last Day of School
Thursday, May 25
Early Release
ECC Campuses: 11:55 a.m.
Elementary: 12:15 p.m.
Secondary: 1 p.m.

Graduation
Friday, May 26
Gates Open at 5 p.m.
Ceremony Starts at 7 p.m.

Summer Is Here!
Bearcat Retirees Honored For Service
Twenty-six retirees were honored Monday night for their service in education, and the district gifted them the traditional rocking chair. Enjoy the retirement life, and remember that you're always a Bearcat!

The retirees and their years of service are:
  • Cliff Arnold, Maintenance - 8 Years of Service, 8 at SISD
  • Diana Avila, SMS - 32 Year of Service, 32 at SISD
  • Donna Baker, Food Service - 19 Years of Service, 19 at SISD
  • Lisa Barton, Wakefield - 27 Years of Service, 5 at SISD
  • Matthew Casselberry, Piner - 32 Years of Service, 32 at SISD
  • Randy Davis, Transportation - 20 Years of Service, 6 at SISD
  • Onita Inez de Alejandro, Food Service - 19 Years of Service, 16 at SISD
  • Deborah Dent, Special Education - 22 Years of Service, 22 at SISD
  • Stephen Foster, Piner - 21 Years of Service, 21 at SISD
  • Lynnae Harrell, Wakefield - 23 Years of Service, 8 at SISD
  • Carol Hosman, Neblett - 19 Years of Service, 19 at SISD
  • Christopher Irwin, Special Education - 30 Years of Service, 23 at SISD
  • Sandra Kendall, Dillingham - 18 Years of Service, 18 at SISD
  • Sharry Jones, Food Service - 11 Years of Service, 11 at SISD
  • Lavonda Lavender, Dillingham - 25 Years of Service, 25 at SISD
  • Kimberly Lawson, Dillingham - 27 Years of Service, 19 at SISD
  • Cathye Lazenby, Special Education - 27 Years of Service, 27 at SISD
  • Jose Lopez, SHS - 13 Years of Service, 13 at SISD
  • Daniel Mabry, Custodial - 25 Years of Service, 25 at SISD
  • Blanche Null, Food Service - 30 Years of Service, 30 at SISD
  • Melba Runnels, Food Service - 42 Years of Service, 42 at SISD
  • Mariana Salazar, Washington - 19 Years of Service, 4 at SISD
  • Les Thomas, SHS - 22 Years of Service, 3 at SISD
  • Charles Tumlinson, Transportation - 13 Years of Service, 13 at SISD
  • Mary Vanderveer, Wakefield - 38 Years of Service, 17 at SISD
  • Beth Weeks, Neblett - 37 Years of Service, 37 at SISD
  • Susan Whitenack, Administration - 26 Years of Service, 7 at SISD
District Offices Closed on Fridays
between June 2-July 28
District offices will be closed on Fridays starting June 2 and ending July 28. Summer hours will be 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday. 
Remember to Complete Training For Next Year’s Exchange Days!
To satisfy the requirements for the two PD Exchange days in April 2024, you must do the following:

1. Complete all of your Annual Required Trainings by Sept. 30, 2023 (Fulfills One Exchange Day)

The required annual trainings for the 2023-2024 school year will be available through the Canvas Learning Management System. You will be enrolled in the course sometime in June and the trainings will be available beginning July 1, 2023. You must access Canvas through the Sherman ISD SSO page.

Not every training is required for every employee. The modules provide information about which departments or employee roles are required to complete the trainings. Please review ALL modules to determine whether it pertains to you or not.

2. Attend 6 hours of SISD Professional Development or any other PD approved by your principal or supervisor. (Paid PD sessions do not qualify for the Exchange Day requirements)

There are several opportunities to meet this requirement this summer. Check out our PD booklet to explore the courses available!
Thousands of Dollars in Bonuses Available to Current Employees
Sherman ISD is offering a $1,000 referral bonus for current employees who bring certified Texas teachers to work in SISD for the 2023-2024 school year. Tell your teacher friends about the great things happening in Sherman, and encourage them to join our Bearcat family!

In addition, all employees will receive bonuses totaling $2,000 next school year on top of their regular compensation. Additional details related to staff compensation for the 2023-24 school year are still being determined and will be finalized when the Board approves our budget in June.
Region 10 Principal Certification Program
Open Now
Region 10’s 2023-2024 cohort for the Principal Certification program is now open! This certification prepares candidates on the path towards principalship through non-tradition means as the program shows what the day-to-day life of principals and assistant principals looks like throughout Texas.

Program requirements are:
  • A master’s degree from an accredited college with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA
  • 3 years of teaching experience as a certified teacher
  • Valid teaching certificate (Texas or comparable)
TEA Taking Input on Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System (T-TESS)
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is collecting input regarding implementation, perceived effectiveness, and impact of the Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System (T-TESS). The data collected in this survey will be used to refine existing resources and to plan support for consistent and effective statewide implementation. Survey results are completely anonymous, and the data obtained will be used to analyze general observation trends across the state.

The survey should take approximately 10 minutes to complete and will close by the end of day on Friday, June 2, 2023.
Partnerships/Opportunities
Sherman Parks and Rec
Summer Camps
Sherman Public Library
Summer Reading and Events Guide
Tell Us Your News!
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.