The Husky Monthly

Sherman County School Newsletter - July

Introducing The Husky Monthly

Sherman County Families & Students,

I hope you and your family are having a safe and enjoyable summer break.

I am excited to begin preparing for the 2023-2024 school year as your Superintendent. Please know I do not take on this responsibility lightly. Between growing up with my father as an administrator, being in education for over 16 years (4 in administration), and since joining Sherman County last year, I see, know and understand the level of responsibility I'm taking on and I am honored to be your next Superintendent.

I'm just as excited to bring on Mr. Trent Kroll as our next school Principal. Mr. Kroll visited the school in mid-June and was able to join a staff meeting before the end of the school year to meet the staff. I'm confident he will be a great fit for our school community and look forward to working alongside him as we lead our team of strong staff into another school year.

This newsletter will be shared monthly on our school website, app, via email, on our social media accounts (please see the bottom of this newsletter for our new Facebook link and our Instagram link), and posted in the community. The intent is to continue to improve our communications with families and the community. I always welcome feedback and conversation, and am always looking for ways we can improve as I highly value continuous growth and improvement, open communication, and prioritizing what is best for students and staff.

What we have here in Sherman County is not the norm. We are fortunate. And I give you my word that I will do my best to continue the work to make our district the best in the state; for all students, staff, and families.

Sincerely,

Julia Fall

6th-12th Grade Updates

Middle School Model & 6th-12th Grade Electives

We are excited to be transitioning our junior high to a true middle school model. In doing this, our 6th-grade students will also now have a 7-period day along with the 7th-12th grade students. We have been working hard to also expand our offerings for electives for all secondary students and so the incoming 6th-grade class will get to have some of those same new opportunities. Some of the potential new middle school classes include Art, Guitar, Digital World, Student Success, Animal Science, and Technology & Engineering. Our previous elective offerings remain for middle school students, such as Agriculture, Band and Health.

For grades 9-12 we are looking forward to new and/or expanded offerings such as Anatomy & Physiology, Psychology, Probability & Statistics, Guitar, Organized Sports, Lifetime Fitness, and Home Economics. All of these courses are in addition to our previously offered courses.

Middle School & 9th Grade Orientations

We are planning an orientation night for incoming 6th & 7th-grade students and families to get familiar with their new schedules, teachers, and the middle school model. In addition we are planning a 9th-grade orientation night to invite families and students in to learn about high school opportunities and requirements.

Stay tuned for dates and times for these events.

Staffing Update

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Trent Kroll

Mr. Trent Kroll will serve as our next Sherman County School Principal. Mr. Kroll joins us from Hood River Valley High School where he served as the Assistant Principal/Athletic Director. Prior to his five year administrative assignment, he was a Spanish teacher and wrestling coach for 19 years.

He received a Bachelor of Arts in Modern Languages, a Master of Arts in Teaching, and his Principal License.

Mr. Kroll is a seasoned educator who is dedicated to

creating a safe and supportive environment where all

involved feel valued and empowered to reach their full

potential. His student centered approach, bilingual

skills, understanding of athletics, and 25 years of

coaching experience are a welcomed addition to

Sherman County School.

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Montana Walters

Miss Montana Walters will be our K-12 School Counselor starting in the 2023-2024 school year. Miss Walters worked this past year for the ESD as a Special Education teacher, primarily with our students in grades 6-12. She brings a variety of past experiences, including having been a foster care specialist, and an intern advocate through victim witness services.

Miss Walters earned her bachelor's of science in criminology & criminal justice and also holds a master of arts in coaching and athletic administration. She is on her way to earning a second masters degree as well. We are excited to add her to our team to continue to strengthen the counseling and supports we are able to provide to our students.

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Allison Vassar

We are excited to welcome Allison Vassar as our Kindergarten Teacher for the 2023-2024 school year. Miss Vassar comes to us having taught 3rd grade this past school year in the North Wasco School District. Prior to that she spent three years at St. Mary's Academy in The Dalles teaching Physical Education and teaching and supervising in the after-school program.

She has completed undergraduate classes at Columbia Gorge Community College, is currently attending Grand Canyon University, working towards a Bachelors in Elementary Education, and will be properly licensed through TSPC (Teachers Standards and Practices Commission).

We're confident she will be a great addition to our staff and community and are excited to have her teaching and guiding our youngest students.

Join Our Team!

Please help spread the word! We are looking for highly qualified educators to join our outstanding staff and team.

Please note the State of Oregon vaccine mandate expired on June 17, 2023.

Job postings and links are below.

Additional 2nd Grade Teacher

Instructional Assistant

Bilingual Instructional Assistant

We are so appreciative of all of the support this past school year from the below groups, and look forward to continuing to strengthen our partnerships as we all have the same goal of supporting our students and preparing them for their futures.

Education Foundation
Athletic Foundation
Scholarship Committee
The Booster Club
PTO
SCHoLaRs reading volunteers
Lunch Buddies volunteers
Classroom/field trip/coaching volunteers

New Opportunities Thanks to the Weir Foundation

Thanks to the wonderful support and generosity of the Weir Foundation, the 2023-2024 school year is already looking promising.

Our newly revived and formed chess club, with advisor Mr. Stuart, was awarded a sizable grant to continue in it's development.
Thanks to Mrs. Miller's grant request, our Physical Education department will be receiving funding for a variety of new activities such as a pickleball/badminton net system, table tennis equipment, Stridor bikes, floor scooters, & a 9-hole disc golf setup.
Our FFA chapter, led by Mr. Swenson, will have the opportunity to attend the FFA National Convention.
And lastly, Mr. Dearborn's grant request was awarded to our STEAM/Science department and will be bringing some very exciting opportunities with the new equipment such as: 2-multi-filament 3D printers, a lab set of laptops, a lab set of video microscopes, a mobile promethean board setup, a set of terrariums, and a set of 4-single filament 3D printers.

Odds & Ends & Upcoming Events

School supplies will be provided by the district with the exception of personal items such as backpacks, lunch boxes, & gym shoes.
Yearbooks are here! You can pick yours up in the office or wait until the fall and they will be handed out when school starts.
School & athletics registration will open in August.

July 23-29: Sports Moratorium Week