Snyder ISD

On Tuesday, January 14, 2020, TEA Commissioner Mike Morath notified Snyder ISD of his intention to honor the parent petitions requesting he close Snyder Junior High. SISD believes we have proposed a strong plan, however, Commissioner Morath informed the district that he would not approve the proposed realignment plan that would create two educational pathways for our 2nd through 8th grade. The plan to realign grades and restructure academics has been the subject of multiple community meetings, staff meetings, and focus groups since October 2019. One criteria for reopening the campus was the campus must offer a significantly different academic program and is the commissioner’s decision that the proposed Inquiry-Based Learning Academy did not meet that threshold. Additionally, Commissioner Morath is appointing conservator, Keri Barnett, to the district. The role of the conservator is to monitor and report back to Commissioner Morath the district’s progress with regards to improving the academic performance of our students. The district has until no later than January 30, 2020, to submit a revised comprehensive plan for campus closure that will meet the statutory requirements and receive approval from Commissioner Morath. The options for reopening campus remain the same; signing an agreement with a Charter to operate the Junior High Campus, or reopen the Junior High with the majority of the grades different and a distinctly different academic program. The district remains steadfast in our commitment to provide the best education to our students. We will diligently explore all available options for our Junior High and our District. We will keep you informed as updates become available.

Community members are encouraged to attend the Potential Innovative Partner Presentation held at the Snyder Junior High cafetorium. This meeting will provide information on upcoming possibilities affecting our students. Please join us on January 30th at 6pm in the SJHS cafetorium.

Due to scheduling conflicts, the January 16th meetings have been canceled. So that we can still provide the necessary information to as many people as possible, we will soon release the updated information to you online via video. We will share this informational video on the SISD social media outlets as well as the SISD website. Please help keep your friends and family informed by sharing this post. As always, if you have any questions, please email us at socialmedial.snyderisd.net or call the administration office at 325-574-8900.

Classes will resume tomorrow (Wednesday, Jan. 8th.) Please make sure that all classroom devices are fully charged! We have missed our students and are excited to begin the new semester! #webelieveinSISD

SISD Community Meetings will resume this month on January 16th. Two opportunities will be made for you to connect with SISD administrators and be informed on the "Next Steps" occurring in our district. Please join us on Thursday, January 16th at 2pm in the Colonial Hill Baptist Church FLC or at 6PM at the Snyder Primary School cafetorium. Both meetings will contain the same information. On Thursday, January 30th, SISD Administration will host a presentation on the Potential Innovative Partner. This meeting will be held at the SJHS cafetorium at 6pm. Community members are highly encouraged to attend.

We hope everyone is enjoying your time off! SISD is working hard to keep you informed on upcoming changes and other events in our district. Click through to read the December newsletter for updates on the TEA visit and upcoming community meetings. https://5il.co/c0fl

It's a great day to be a Tiger! With only 5 days remaining in the semester, it's important that we stay focused and finish strong! SISD student, faculty and staff will begin their winter break on Monday, December 23rd. Staff will return on Monday, January 6th, 2020. Students will return on Wednesday, January 8th, 2020.

Game on!! Game Changer Awards are coming in hot! Be on the lookout over the next few days for all of your SISD Game Changers! They've been working hard and making changes that will result in winners! #webelieveinSISD

Snyder Bus number two was involved in a minor accident this morning at the intersection of College and 37th St. EMS checked out the students and the driver of the bus and everyone was ok. The bus was not damaged and delivered the students safely to school.

Parents- The lost and founds at all campuses are overflowing! Please remind your students to check the racks for lunchboxes, coats, hoodies, t-shirts, and jackets! Any item that is not claimed before the break will be donated! Thank you for your help!

Reminder! The December Update Community Meeting will be held this evening from 6-7 in the Primary campus cafetorium. Our guests are asked to park and enter through the back entrance of the building to access the cafetorium. Stay informed and up to date on the changes occurring within our district. We look forward to seeing you tonight!

As of this morning, only 5 toys and one coat has been donated to the SHS Student Publications Annual Coat/Toy Drive. A challenge has been issued to all students and community members to join together and make those donations! Don't miss the December 11th deadline! Donations can be made at the SHS glass office. #givingseason

December updates are being discussed at the SISD Community Meetings. If you were unable to attend the Dec. 3rd meeting, we encourage you to attend the Dec. 5th meeting. Please join us from 6-7 at the Primary campus cafetorium. Stay up to date on the changes occurring with SJHS & SISD. See you there!

SISD Community meetings resume on Tuesday, December 3rd and then again on Thursday, December 5th. Stay up to date with accurate information provided directly from those working to build a better district!

Snyder ISD is now accepting referrals for students who may need Gifted/Talented Services for the school year. This program is designed for students who exhibit intellectual and creative thinking abilities at an extraordinary level not normally served in the regular classroom. Services are provided only upon identification of education needs of the student. Anyone wishing to refer a student attending Snyder ISD in kindergarten through twelfth grade this school year is asked to go by the student’s campus office and request a copy of the referral form. This form must be returned to the school by November 22. Those unable to go by the school should call the campus to request a form be sent to them. El Distrito Escolar de Snyder esta aceptando referencias para estudiantes que puedan necesitar servicios de Gifted/Talented (programa para estudiantes que tengan talentos/inteligencia mas alta que sus iguales) para el ano escolar. Este programa esta diseñado para estudiantes que muestran habilidades intelectuales y habilidades inventivas de nivel extraordinario que normalmente no se sirve en las clases regulares. Los servicios son prestos únicamente cuando hay identificación de necesidades educativas del estudiante. Cualquiera persona que quiera referir a un estudiante en grados de kínder hasta el grado duodécimo dentro del Distrito Escolar de Snyder puede ir por la oficina de la escuela del estudiante para pedir una copia de la forma de registro. Esta forma necesita ser devuelto a la escuela para el día 22 de noviembre. Personas que no puedan ir por la escuela deben de llamar a escuela para pedir que se le envié la forma.

Reminder! Thanksgiving break is November 25- 29th! Enjoy your break!

Snyder Junior High Parents: If you received an attendance call this morning, please disregard it if you know your child is at school. There was a mistake made and we are resolving the issue. We apologize for the interruption in your day. Thank you.

Snyder Junior High parents, A survey will be headed your way throughout the day! The survey link and access code will be distributed via email and SMS via the mobile app. If you have not downloaded the app, please do so today!

An eagerly awaited meeting with Snyder ISD leadership and the TEA Commissioner came to fruition in Austin today. Eddie Bland, Ed.D., Superintendent of Snyder ISD, Ralph Ramon SISD Board of Trustees President, and Brad Hinton, SISD Board of Trustees Vice President, met with Commissioner Mike Morath to discuss sanctions against the district for Snyder Junior High’s academic rating. Texas Education Code §39A. 112(b) allows for parent petitions to direct the Commissioner’s decision. On October 31, 2019, Dr. Bland was presented with 313 petitions, a sufficient number to require the closure of the campus. In addition to the parent petitions for closure, Dr. Bland was presented with 486 parent and community petitions supporting the reopening of Snyder Junior High with a grade realignment. The petitions will be delivered to the Commissioner no later than December 1, 2019. The next step will require SISD to develop and submit a comprehensive plan to reopen the campus, with the majority of the grades realigned. “These next steps will require planning and partnership," states Dr. Bland. "We look forward to collaborating with parents, teachers, district leadership, community members, and the TEA to do what is best for our students." To receive the latest news and updates, please be sure to like the Snyder ISD facebook page, visit snyderisd.net, or subscribe to mobile notifications by downloading the "Snyder ISD Tigers App" available for iPhone or Android

The SISD TECH dept. is joining forces with campus admin and office staff to improve communication. Tech Director Jeff McGinnis is leading the way!! Be sure to upload the SISD app from your Apple or Google store!