The Husky Monthly

Spring is inching closer and our activities and events are picking up! There is much to see and support this week alone and we look forward to welcoming you in supporting our students!

• FFA Sectionals Contest at the Wasco Event Center, Tuesday 2/25
• Boys home state basketball playoff game, Wednesday 2/26
• Missoula Children's Theater production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Friday 7pm & Saturday 3pm

Additionally, we are in the beginning stages of planning for next school year already, and we are very excited to complete our team by securing educators to fill our already posted positions. Please help spread the word about what makes Sherman County a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

Please see the flier below as well as the link HERE to our job postings on our website.

Despite the disruption in the planning stages caused by the necessary calendar changes, the overall process that is working towards a long-term strategic plan remains on schedule with an aim of presenting the plan to the school board before the end of this school year.

The steering committee continues to work to review all of the data gathered from:

• surveys that were given to all stakeholders
• perspective interviews that were conducted with approximately 35% of the student body in grades five through twelve
• focus groups with families and staff
• school-wide needs assessments and data

Themes are beginning to emerge which will help us identify our strengths as well as our significant areas for opportunity, which will ultimately help us to develop our long-range strategic plan.

We continue to be grateful to the steering committee members who are made up of who have dedicated their own time to this very important long-range planning work.

We want to remind everyone about the importance of reporting concerns. In today’s teen culture, the term “snitch” carries a negative connotation, but it’s essential for our students to understand the difference between “snitching” and “reporting.” Reporting is a courageous act that helps ensure a safe environment for everyone.

Please encourage your student to use the Safe Sherman Reporting Form, if they have any concerns. Here’s some important information about the form:

• Purpose: Students are encouraged to report concerns that affect their safety or the safety of others.

• Timeliness: All reports are investigated promptly, typically within 24 hours.

• Communication: If students are unsure how to report, this form is a great starting point. It can be found on your student’s Google Classroom page. Parents are encouraged to reach out to the school directly via email or phone for any concerns.

Use this form to report the following:

• Bullying, harassment, or intimidation

• Illegal or dangerous items

• Self-harm or suicide

• Mental health concerns (for yourself or others)

• Any other safety or wellbeing concerns regarding our students

As we move forward, let’s keep collaborating to empower our students.

(Please see below for a snippet of the form that is available for student use.)

We are in need of 1-2 volunteer middle school track coaches to help support this spring's track coaches and team! As usual, we have a large number of students signed up for middle school track so please consider helping, even if you are only available a couple days per week. Contact Athletic Director Kennedy Martin (kmartin@sherman.k12.or.us) with questions, or contact the school if you have questions about the volunteer background check form and process.

PTO and Boosters is working hard to host events for our students this spring, and the events can't happen without the support of our wonderful volunteers. The PTO needs your help in pulling off the always popular Dr. Seuss Carnival on March 7th at 6pm. Please consider volunteering if you can! Sign up by clicking on the button below and download the volunteer background form if you are not yet an approved volunteer.

Email SCS-PTO@outlook.com with any questions about the event.

Contact the school with any questions about the volunteer approval process.

Actions Taken:

• Board approved the 2025-26 inter-district transfer numbers as proposed.
• Board approved the 2025-26 baseball co-op with Condon/Wheeler as proposed.
• Board read & approved policies GBNAA/JHFF, GCAA, JHFF/GBNAA

Other information shared

• See here for the monthly recognition of staff, students, & community members!
• Congrats to the celebrated students of the 2nd quarter! Emersyn Stanfield, Kenzie Hill, Kinsley Devlaeminck, Gage Simpson, & Ashley Galvan-Ornelas.
• Football co-op with Condon has been dissolved & Sherman will move to 6-man football for the 25-26 school year, with long-term plans & goals to move back up to 8-man football.

*This serves as a brief summary. Complete board meeting minutes are approved at the following board meeting.

Our school board is a vital part of our students’ education. These volunteers are role models and servants, guiding our schools’ direction and giving voice to our community’s values and concerns.

Every odd-numbered year, Oregon holds school board elections, and this year we have 3 positions up for election.

We want to find the best representatives, but it is an elected office, with forms and requirements to become a candidate. The Oregon School Boards Association is ready to help.

OSBA launched its Get on Board campaign in 2017 to raise awareness about the value of school board service and to encourage a broader representation of Oregonians to get involved. The Get on Board website includes answers to frequently asked questions, resources and testimonials as well as links to free webinars.

School board elections are approaching fast. We hope you will consider serving. Our students need caring and dedicated individuals willing to stand up for their success. The filing period opened Feb. 8 and closes March 20. The election is May 20.

Learn more: https://www.osba.org/get-on-board/

It is hard to believe that we are already half way through this school year! We made some exciting additions to our course offerings as we kicked off the second semester. First, we are thrilled to welcome Mr. Leach who has stepped in to head our music program. He is teaching music classes to our K-5 students, as well as middle and high school band courses. Welcome Mr. Leach! Additionally our high school elective offerings have expanded, as Mrs. von Borstel is offering a drama class, Mr. Stuart is teaching a game-based history course, and students can enroll in auto mechanics, led by Mr. Swenson.

Our Chess Club recently hosted the first Husky Scholastic Chess Tournament, an exciting opportunity to invite teams from all over Eastern and Central Oregon to compete right here in Sherman County. Our team took home six Plus Medals, meaning the contestants won more than half of their matches, and seven Even Medals, signifying winning exactly half of their contests. Additionally, Erin Burbank, Caiden Walker, and Simon Burbank finished in the top three in their division. This past weekend, 30 members of the team traveled to the Puddletown Chess Tournament, where they brought home four Plus Medals and ten Evens Medals. Gage Simpson also placed 4th in his division.

Is your child interested in being a part of the Chess Club? Any student kindergarten through 12th grade is welcome to join! K-5 students can participate through the SKORE after school program, and 6-12 graders can join the weekly Chess Club meetings after school on Thursdays. Currently, we have 19 active participants in the elementary level and 29 active participants in our middle and high school team. For more information, reach out to Kevin Stuart at kstuart@sherman.k12.or.us.

Mrs. Sallee recently recognized a large number of students who had excellent attendance, 95% or higher, during the first semester.

• 51 students in grades Kindergarten through fifth grade (38% of students).
• 34 students in grades six through eight (44% of students).
• 24 students in grades nine through twelve (35% of students).

Way to go students and thank you to parents and guardians for your continued support in your student's education!

February 24-March 1 - Missoula Children's Theater

February 25 - FFA Sectionals Contest

February 26 - HS boys state basketball playoff game

March 3-7 - Classified Appreciation Week

March 7 - Dr. Seuss Carnival

March 3 - First day of spring sports

March 10 - School Board meeting

March 12 - Booster meeting

March 12 - FFA State CDE showcase

March 14 - Middle school dance

March 17 - Middle school track starts

March 20-23 - State FFA Convention

March 20 - End of quarter 3

March 21 - No school, grading day

March 24-28 - Spring Break

April 1 - FFA food drive (all month)

April 2 - Family-Teacher conferences

April 3 - No School, Conferences

April 4 - No School

April 4-5 - State chess tournament