Dr. Howard's Headlines

Whew! What a month October has been! This month, I served food in the lunch line and cleaned the cafeteria at North JH. I ran a race against two fast students at Shimotsu ES at the dismissal line, and they beat me! I rode a Harley motorcycle and followed our Shary HS Bronze Medalist Tennis team at their send-off celebration to the State Finals.

I was honored to induct the student council at Jensen ES. I hung out with Mr. Huddleston and the rest of the 4th grade team at Wernecke ES. I played Barbie at Pioneer HS and rode in the parade at Sharyland HS. I watched BL Gray JH v North play their snakeskin game; I sat at the goalpost to show my support for both teams. I attended the Rattler Round Up with the Pioneer HS and Sharyland HS CTE Ag students and met a goat named Clyde!

I helped decorate our principal's cars just for fun, met with the Parent Advisory group, and snuck into Ms. Garza's chemistry lab. I ate pie with the Mayor at Shary ES. Did you know there was such a thing as grapefruit pie?!?! And I'll be on the sidelines watching our "Bombdiggity" Marching Bands take the field at state on Monday.

The most rewarding part of this month has been spending time with you, our incredible community! Everywhere I was this month, so were you. You are special; it must be in the water. I have never witnessed such parent and community support as at Sharyland ISD. Thanks to all our moms and dads, Abuelos y Abuelas, friends, family, guardians, and others who "show up" for our kids. Your love fills in all the gaps and makes our school district whole! Thank you!

Our Board of Trustees and executive team participated in a Team of 8 retreat focused on governance, board operations, my evaluation process, and strategic planning for Sharyland ISD. The retreat provided an opportunity for meaningful conversations about our future goals and how we can work together to achieve them. I’m excited about the collaborative spirit we’re building for today and the future!

Our SHS Tennis UIL State Tournament bronze medalists and Region IV champions have given our community so much to be proud of—not just because they are amazing tennis players but also because they are amazing students and role models. The team took a "road tour" as they headed out of town, stopping by Martinez ES and Bentsen ES. Watching our elementary school students cheer on their tennis team celebrities during their send-off to state was so special.

Each team member took time to give high-fives and hugs and celebrate with their elementary school fans! I even saw the coaches and high schoolers shed a few tears of appreciation, which made me cry! I'm so glad we are family!

Okay, I'll be the first to confess that I only run to the refrigerator and back to the couch. I proudly announce that our high schools will be well represented at the State Championship race in Round Rock, Texas. Cross-country runners are a special breed of awesomeness; these are the long-haulers who can tune out the world and run for miles and miles at a time. This year's state qualifiers are Diamondback David Zuniga, Rattler's Nathan Solis and Sofia Garza! RUN ON! Sharyland ISD is so proud of you!

I want to extend a huge congratulations to the Pioneer Diamondback and the Sharyland Rattler Bands on their performances at the UIL Area G Marching Contest this past weekend! Both bands will advance to the state competition next week!

I am honored to have represented our school community in a meeting with the UIL Area G Executive Committee following concerns raised by a neighboring school district. You may have heard a reprimand has been issued for violating the UIL constitution regarding instructional minutes. The students were on a school bus when they should have been in a classroom. I accept responsibility.

The reprimand does NOT mean our students' integrity or musical abilities are void. Our students and band directors are worthy of their achievements. I will stand beside them should anyone say differently. After all was said and done, the committee affirmed our band students' eligibility to compete at state. So cheer them on as they make us proud!

Thank you to our Parent Advisory Group Members who joined me this month to discuss "What you hope your child will take away from their educational experience at Sharyland ISD." Here is what I learned.

• You want your child to have great memories of being a student at SISD
• You want all extracurriculars to be treated the same, about resources and support
• You want your child to feel safe without being scared about potential threats of danger and violence
• You want your child to have the flexibility to be involved in more than one extracurricular activity (it should be celebrated, not be discouraged)
• You want the district to instill the importance of having a college degree
• You want the district to improve the facilities
• You want students to have more social learning experiences, teaching them skills they will use in the “real world” working with others

This month, we celebrated Custodian Appreciation across Sharyland ISD, and I had the pleasure of personally delivering some treats to our hardworking custodial teams! Our custodians play such a vital role in keeping our schools clean, safe, and welcoming for everyone. Thank you for all you do to keep our campuses sparkling each and every day—your dedication truly shines!

This National School Lunch Week, I had the privilege of joining our incredible cafeteria teams, serving lunch and pitching in with cleanup. It’s hard work, and our staff does it every day with such dedication and care! Thank you to our child nutrition team for running such a tight ship and making every meal a positive experience for our students. This year’s theme, “Find Your Treasure,” couldn’t be more fitting—our child nutrition team truly are the treasures of Sharyland ISD!

This Principals Appreciation Month, we honor the incredible leaders who make Sharyland ISD a place of growth, inspiration, and excellence every day. Our principals are champions for our students and staff, working to create environments where everyone can thrive. Their dedication, resilience, and passion drive our schools forward, and we’re grateful for the heart and vision they bring to our campuses. Thank you, principals, for all you do—you truly are the foundation of Sharyland ISD’s success!

This October, Sharyland ISD proudly joined the fight against breast cancer, showing our support through events like the Volleyball Snakeskins Classic and staff pink-out days across the district. From classrooms to courts, our community came together in pink to raise awareness and honor those impacted by this cause. Thank you to everyone who participated and showed their support!

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who made the Sharyland ISD Education Foundation's Denim & Diamonds 2024 event with the Eli Young Band so unforgettable! It was a beautiful evening filled with good friends, wonderful music, and a true sense of community. We are incredibly fortunate to have a community grounded in generosity and dedication. Your support is vital in enriching the lives of our students and teachers. Thank you, Sharyland Education Foundation, for hosting such a fantastic event!

I invite our entire community to come together this Friday at 7:00 PM at Richard Thompson Stadium for the Snakeskin Classic! This year, the Sharyland Pioneer Diamondbacks will host the Sharyland Rattlers in a celebration of unity and spirit. Let’s gather under the Friday night lights as one community, where sportsmanship will shine and we proudly support all our district athletes. Together, we can create an unforgettable atmosphere of positivity and camaraderie!

We are thrilled to announce that Sharyland ISD recently hosted the TEPSA Elementary Student Leadership Clinic, welcoming elementary schools from neighboring districts to our service center. We extend a heartfelt congratulations to Wernecke Elementary for receiving the prestigious 2023-2024 leadership award! This recognition highlights your dedication to fostering student leadership and commitment to excellence. Thank you for inspiring our young leaders and demonstrating what it means to be a guiding light in our community!

I’m excited to present our October and September Student Spotlights, featuring Levi Garcia from Jensen Elementary (September) and Emma Koeneke from Shary Elementary (October)! Each month, we honor students in our monthly board meeting who exemplify leadership, service, and strong moral character both in and out of the classroom. These students serve as role models and positively impact our community. Our selection process, guided by campus principals, highlights those who truly embody the values of Sharyland ISD. Thank you to our parents and guardians for your trust and for allowing us to serve your families!

We had a fantastic time participating in two exciting National Night Out events alongside our local police departments! In the City of Palmhurst and the City of Alton, our community stopped by our booths to say hello, grab some cool swag, and enjoy fun games and student performances. A special shoutout to our Transportation Department for their efforts in enhancing community outreach and connecting with our students and families. Together, we’re building a safer, stronger community!

"Grace is our greatest ally; it teaches us to respond with kindness, understanding that every moment is an opportunity to nurture love and resilience in our children."

Thank you for choosing Sharyland ISD for your family. We are honored to serve you as partners in education. Your trust means everything to us, and we are committed to providing an exceptional Sharyland ISD experience. Together, we’re shaping the future, one student at a time. Thank you for being a valued part of our community.

Sharyland ISD...Excellence is Our Tradition