An Internal Newsletter from the
Sherman ISD Communications Department
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Bearcat Team,
I have read the results of our annual organizational health survey, which closed Tuesday. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and ideas. There were 671 responses this year, which is a 75% increase over last year and the most we’ve ever had.
Principals and department leaders, as well as our executive team, will study this data over the next few weeks. I will also ask principals and department leaders to share campus and department-specific data with you, and together we will determine some immediate actions we can take as well as some more long term goals that will make our working and learning environment even better.
Our district wellness committee will meet again next week and I am looking forward to building on the rich discussions that have already occurred. Our first action in response to committee discussion and recommendation was to to significantly increase pay for substitute teachers by 15-30% depending on qualifications. We also established a process where employees taking on unassigned classes would be paid for doing so. I am very grateful for the efforts of those serving on the committee!
I want you each to know that you are a valued member of our team. Please watch for ongoing communication in this newsletter regarding our improvement efforts as we work together to make Sherman ISD the very best!
Sincerely,
David Hicks, Ed.D.
Superintendent
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Updates from Human Resources |
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COVID-19 Rapid Testing Now Available for SISD Employees |
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SISD Employees,
Welcome back to school! I hope you enjoyed a wonderful holiday break. Now that we've been back on campus, I wanted to share some of what we are seeing in our staffing numbers and fill rate.
Due to the rise in COVID-19 cases with the new Omicron variant, we are seeing a shortage in available COVID tests and an increase in wait time for results.
If you are unable to get a rapid test, SISD has a limited number of tests available for Sherman ISD employees available during limited times. Our expert nurses have coordinated this effort to help colleagues who aren't able to get a test in another way.
If you are experiencing symptoms and need to be tested, please complete the SISD Employee Reporting Form. The HR department must approve all requests for testing. Once you have completing the reporting form, HR will contact you with further information on how to schedule a rapid test.
With the rising number of positive cases, I also want to emphasize the importance of using Frontline/TEAMS to report your absence as soon as possible. Entering your absence and notifying your principal as soon as you know you will be absent gives your campus and our team the best chance to find a substitute for your position.
We are also very excited to implement the new add-on rates for substitutes. We've also put into place payments for substitute jobs that are not picked up and are covered by current SISD employees:
- Teachers who work as a sub during their conference period: $25 per conference period
- Teachers who split a class (for the entire day): Teachers will split the long-term sub rate, which is $190/number of teachers who split the class
- Example: There are four third-grade teachers on a team. One is out without a substitute. The three remaining teachers split the class. They will split the long-term rate and each will earn $63.33 for the day.
- For staff members whose work assignment is changed for the entire day due to the lack of a sub in a classroom: $25 per day
Thank you for joining me in doing all we can to support our colleagues during this spike in positive cases. One of the best things about Sherman ISD is its staff members; working as a team, we will continue to make a difference each and every day.
Sincerely,
Jill O'Neal
Executive Director of Human Resources
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Updates from Student Engagement and Support |
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Revised Quarantine/Isolation Guidelines for Staff |
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Dear Staff Members,
We have incorporated revised recommendations from the CDC and TEA to our isolation and quarantine protocols, and I wanted to share those changes with you.
Under the new guidance, staff members can return to school from quarantine or isolation after five days under the following conditions:
• If you test positive for COVID-19, return to school on Day 6 if you are not experiencing symptoms. You must wear a mask until Day 10.
• If you are vaccinated for COVID-19 and you are exposed to someone who tested positive, you do not need to quarantine. You must wear a mask for 10 days.
• If you are not vaccinated for COVID-19 and you are exposed to someone who tested positive, you will need to quarantine for five days. You can return to school on Day 6 with a negative test and you must wear a mask until Day 10.
We will continue to watch our COVID-19 data and update our protocols as necessary. Thank you for all you are doing to support our students and families!
Sincerely,
Tamy Smalskas, Ph.D.
Assistant Superintendent of Student Engagement and Support
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Sherman Chevrolet Donates $40,000 to SISD Teachers for Classroom Supplies |
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We are so grateful for this generous donation from Sherman Chevrolet! If you would like to use part of this $40,000 for your classroom, please visit www.shermanisd.net/chevrolet and fill out the form.
The deadline to complete the form is Tuesday, Jan. 11. When the form closes, those who signed up will receive an email with instructions on how to order your supplies.
Thanks again to Sherman Chevrolet for their support of our Bearcats!
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COVID Reporting
If you test positive for COVID-19 during Winter Break, please complete the SISD Employee Reporting Form. The form will be monitored during the break. Impacted employees will be contacted on January 2 and a return to work date will be set.
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Virtual TRS Retirement Seminar - February 5, 2022
Whatever your years of school experience, you are invited to attend a virtual retirement seminar hosted by the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA).
Learn more about:
- General review of TRS benefits available
- Focus on retirement information
- Eligibility, tiers and calculation of benefits
- Retirement plans and death benefits
- Employment after retirement and insurance
If you are told the seminar is full, contact Cori Pratt, TRTA District 10 Retirement Ed Chairman at coripratt57@yahoo.com for assistance. |
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Don't forget to wear your United Way t-shirt (and jeans!) on United Way Wednesdays from now until January 26! |
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Notifications of Positive Case
Communication Guidelines for SISD Teachers and Staff
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The SISD Communications Department notifies families via email when an individual on their campus reports a positive case of COVID-19. These emails direct parents to the SISD COVID Dashboard for further information about cases on a certain campus.
If you receive questions about a notification from parents or students, please direct them to the SISD COVID Dashboard for further information.
The tabs at the bottom of the dashboard will open a campus-specific spreadsheet that gives additional information on each case. At the elementary level, cases are identified by positive test date, student/staff, grade and homeroom. At the secondary level, cases are identified by positive test date, student/staff, grade and extracurricular activities/clubs.
Due to privacy laws, we cannot release further information regarding individual cases.
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We would love the opportunity to feature honors and recognitions received by SISD employees. Please send accomplishments and news to Arena Blake at ablake@shermanisd.net.
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