Dr. Howard's Headlines
August 18th, 2024
We are so excited to welcome students back to school on Monday! Our teachers and staff have been working throughout the summer to prepare for your child's return to the classroom. Over the last two weeks, all district employees have come together to make sure SISD is a "home" for every child we are privileged to serve. I have never known a group of educators who are so ready and equipped to embrace the work of educating your child as we have here at Sharyland ISD.
Our commitment to your family is that SISD is where your child will have a home away from home where their minds and hearts grow. Every classroom will be where they will find the courage to be their best selves. And they will be continually challenged with the very best educational experience possible.
I'd like to thank you for the generous welcome you have showered upon me since my arrival to the community. I am in awe of how deep the roots of Sharyland Pride are. I have yet to make it through the grocery store without being stopped by a student, parent, or community member to welcome me "home." Every time this happens, I walk away with a sense of belonging. I am grateful and honored to call you family!
There is no place like home. There is no place like Sharyland ISD! Get ready, SISD; this will be our best year ever!
Dr. Elaine Howard,
Superintendent of Schools
Traffic and Road Information
Jensen ES
Main Road (5 Mile) and Glasscock/Shary, expect delays.
Martinez ES
Updated drop off/pick up zones off Taylor Rd.; please refer to the information sent out by the Martinez ES administration.
We kindly ask everyone to exercise extra caution on the roads. Please be vigilant for children crossing streets and waiting at bus stops. Safety is our top priority!
To ensure a smooth start and end to the school day, please double-check your campus-specific drop-off and pick-up times and procedures. We also recommend allowing some extra time in the mornings and during dismissal, as traffic and ongoing road construction may cause delays.
Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our students safe and making the school day as seamless as possible. Your support is greatly appreciated!
Free Breakfast and Lunch for All Students
For the first time in Sharyland Independent School District history, all students will be able to receive free meals for the 2024-2025 school year. Sharyland ISD will now operate the Community Eligibility Program (CEP), which allows schools to serve free breakfast and lunch to all students at no cost.
The new program aims to reduce financial burdens on families and school administrators while helping ensure that students receive nutritious meals.
Students at all 14 schools will be eligible for the free meal program.
The Importance of Student IDs: Ensuring Safety and Convenience
At Sharyland ISD, student and staff safety is our top priority. To enhance security and streamline daily operations, high school students and all staff will be required to wear their IDs at all times.
Student IDs are essential for several reasons: they help us quickly identify individuals on campus, ensuring a secure environment. IDs must also be scanned at the cafeteria for meal services and on the bus for transportation, making daily processes smoother and more efficient.
We appreciate your support in reinforcing this important measure with your child. Wearing IDs daily helps maintain safety, fosters a sense of belonging, and supports seamless operations throughout the school day. Thank you for your cooperation!
We're excited to kick off the new school year, and we want to ensure that all students have a smooth and safe start. Our buses will begin their routes promptly at 6:30 AM each day. To keep everyone safe, please remember that campus-assigned barcoded student IDs or bus passes will be required starting the second week of school.
To help you stay connected, you can easily access bus routes online here and set up your "Here Comes the Bus" account here to monitor your child's daily bus trips in real time.
For our youngest students in Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten, it's important that an authorized adult is present to receive them at the bus drop-off point. If no adult is present, for your child's safety, they will be returned to their home campus at the end of the bus route.
We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to a fantastic school year ahead!
Hydration and Water Bottles
We encourage all students to bring their own reusable water bottles to school. This not only supports our efforts in conservation and recycling but also ensures that students stay hydrated throughout the day. To make this easier, we have water dispensers available across our campuses for easy refills. Staying hydrated is essential for health and focus, and we appreciate your support in fostering good habits and sustainability.
Visitors
Drop-Off Items
To prioritize the safety of our students, we kindly ask that no items be dropped off at any campus during the school day. This includes backpacks, forgotten items, lunches, food orders, or deliveries of any kind. We understand that occasional mishaps may occur, and please rest assured that we will support your child in resolving any issues that arise. While we recognize this may be an inconvenience, this policy is an essential step in maintaining a secure environment for everyone. We greatly appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
Technology Devices
At Sharyland ISD, we're committed to equipping every student with the tools they need to succeed. As part of our dedication to providing a top-notch education, we provide every student with a personal technological device to enhance their learning experience.
For our High School students, it's important to ensure that assigned devices are fully charged and ready to go each day. Bringing a charged device to school will help you stay engaged and make the most of instructional time.
We’re thrilled to support our students with this technology and look forward to seeing all the incredible things they’ll accomplish this year. If you have any questions or need assistance with your device, please contact your respective campus.
Attendance
Every school day is a valuable opportunity for your child to learn, grow, and succeed. Consistent attendance is crucial because every day truly counts!
We understand that there may be times when your child is ill or unable to attend school. In these cases, please communicate with your child’s school or teacher as soon as possible. Keeping us informed helps us better support your child and ensure they don’t fall behind.
Thank you for making attendance a priority!
Stay Connected: Update Your Contact Information for a Successful School Year
Staying connected is essential for your child’s success! To make sure you receive all important updates and communications, your contact information in Skyward must be up to date.
Please take a moment to review and update your phone numbers and email addresses in Skyward. Accurate contact information ensures you receive timely announcements, emergency alerts, and other vital information about your child’s education.
If you’re not receiving Remind alerts from your child’s teacher or campus, or if you notice any issues with your contact information, please get in touch with your campus directly for assistance.
Let’s stay connected and keep the lines of communication open for a successful school year!
SISD Employees Return Home!
We kicked off the school year with an unforgettable convocation, where Superintendent Dr. Elaine Howard inspired us all with her heartfelt words of encouragement. She reminded us that we each have the heart, brain, and courage to face the year ahead and proudly serve our stakeholders. The energy was electric as staff cheered, laughed, clapped, and even shed a tear or two. With dynamic participation from students, staff, the Board of Trustees, the Education Foundation, Parents, and community leaders, everyone played a vital role in making the day special. A big shoutout to BL Gray Junior High for winning the Traveling Spirit Award!
LevelUP: Educator YOUniversity, Equips Teachers for New School Year
SISD hosted its first-ever conference-style professional development for district teachers. The two-day event featured training options in teaching strategy, curriculum, innovative use of technology, self-development, and leadership and collaboration.
Teachers were able to make their own learning selections, enjoyed lunch provided by food trucks, and enjoyed building relationships with one another, in a casual and fun atmosphere.
A special thanks to our very own Education Foundation, who sponsored prize giveaways for staff!
LEADERship YOUniversity: A Transformative Retreat
In the last week of July, our administrators participated in Leadership YOUniveristy, a unique leadership retreat. This intensive professional development event brought together our dedicated administrators to explore essential leadership tenets in depth. Guided by Arrow Leadership, the retreat covered critical areas such as customer service, curriculum and instruction, assessments, safety, and budget updates.
Our directors, coordinators, and principals emerged from the retreat with valuable insights and practical strategies to enhance their leadership skills. They gained actionable knowledge and renewed their commitment to preparing their teams for a successful school year.
At Sharyland ISD, we are proud of our exceptional leaders and their dedication to creating an environment where every student can thrive.
Exciting News: New 18+ Transition Program Facility Breaks Ground!
Sharyland ISD is thrilled to announce the groundbreaking of our new 18+ Transition Program facility, located next to Garza Elementary School. This state-of-the-art facility is set to provide a college-like experience for students with special needs, focusing on essential life skills, job training, and soft skills development. The facility, slated to open by next Spring, represents a significant step in preparing our students for a successful transition into adulthood. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to support and empower our students!
Summer Training Update: Enhancing Safety with ALERRT
This summer, Sharyland ISD partnered with Mission PD and McAllen PD for Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT), ensuring our community’s safety is at the forefront.
ALERRT Background: Under S.B. 1852 (Flores/Metcalf), the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) now mandates that peace officers complete a minimum of 16 hours of active shooter response training developed by the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training Center at Texas State University, effective September 1, 2023.
Our collaboration with local law enforcement agencies through this training underscores our commitment to maintaining a secure and prepared environment for our students and staff. Thank you for your continued support in prioritizing safety!
Summer Leadership Development for Sharyland ISD Board of Trustees
This summer, the Sharyland ISD Board of Trustees engaged in a range of conferences and training sessions to enhance their leadership skills. As a distinguished team of community leaders, they are committed to innovating and shaping the future of our district.
Each trustee brings extensive experience and a passion for educational excellence, offering strategic oversight and unwavering support. Their collective vision and leadership are essential in maintaining Sharyland ISD as a beacon of academic success and innovation, ensuring an environment where every student can thrive.
Learn more about them here: Sharyland ISD Board of Trustees
