SUPERINTENDENT MATT KIMBALL
The most successful communities share a vision for success among parents, students and community members. The partnership between these three groups is a crucial one, but a very special one.
In order to maintain the integrity of that partnership, SISD holds itself accountable to our partners annually by presenting this Community Report.
Since 2015, we have distributed this annual statement of accountability. Once again, this year I hope you’ll enjoy reading the data, stories and a look back at SISD’s 2023-2024 school year.
Community-based accountability is more than just a score garnered from our students on one day of testing annually. It’s a holistic evaluation of Sunnyvale ISD and those who attend our schools and those who work here. It tells a much more vivid story about all of our Raiders than just a letter rating. Our Community Report offers a deeper look into the lives of our students and who they truly are, in addition to their performance on STAAR. Likewise, you will see areas in which SISD needs to grow.
In addition to the state-mandated tests, we use the Community Accountability system to evaluate these seven “pillars.”
1) Teaching and Learning
2) Student Readiness
3) Engaged and Well-Rounded Students
4) Staff Quality and Professional Learning
5) Community Engagement
6) Safety and Wellness
7) Fiscal and Operational Systems.
To make this report a true product of our community, we relied on a group of parents, teachers, administrators, residents and business leaders to formulate key questions that drove SISD’s progress in each pillar. We hope you will note this key information from each pillar as you read our annual report.
I hope you enjoy reading about the progress of our students, but please know that we are well into the work of growing as a district in the 2024-2025 school year. We take the work of educating the next generation of Sunnyvale students very seriously and we work hard daily to make their futures bright.
Raiders Rise!
Matt Kimball Superintendent, Sunnyvale ISD
Our Mission
The mission of Sunnyvale ISD is to engage, equip and empower all learners for life-long success.
Our Vision Raiders Rise! Our Beliefs
Building relationships, promoting risk-taking, and inspiring learners of all ages and abilities encourages success.
Setting high expectations and providing diverse, meaningful learning opportunities supports student growth.
Educating independent learners, collaborative problem solvers, innovative thinkers, engaged citizens and effective communicators prepares students for their future.
Meeting the needs of all students and staff –academic, physical, social and emotional – promotes wellness and resilience.
Responsible fiscal planning and management enables us to provide safe, innovative learning environments for students, staff, and our community.
Strong community involvement and school pride fosters the success of our Raider family – four campuses, one school.
METHODOLOGY OF SURVEY RESULTS
Annually, SISD surveys parents, faculty and staff and students (grades 1-12) in an effort to gain feedback and understanding about SISD’s progress toward our stakeholders’ priorities. Throughout the Community Report, we hope you will find the highlights of these survey results helpful as a measure of additional transparency.
ENROLLMENT BY GRADE 2023-2024
Based on official snapshot data in October 2023
2023-2024
Student Ethnicity
Student Languages
Arabic
Bengali
Cantonese (Chinese)
English
Gujarati
Hindi
Ibo (Igbo)
Korean
Malayalam
Mandarin (Chinese)
Nepali
Panjabi (Punjabi)
Pilipino (Tagalog)
21 Total Home Languages
Telugu (Telegu) Urdu
PILLAR 1 | STUDENT LEARNING AND PROGRESS
MEASURES OF ACADEMIC PROGRESS (MAP) END OF YEAR ASSESSMENTS
Grades
TO WHAT DEGREE: …Are all students demonstrating growth? …Are all students achieving mastery of course expectations? …Is student data impacting the design of instruction for students who have not yet learned or who have already learned? …Are all students able to articulate their progress and learning need?
AP EXAMS: PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS SCORING 3 OR HIGHER STAAR/EOC 2023-2024 DATA
PILLAR 1 | STUDENT LEARNING AND PROGRESS
ELEMENTARY WRITERS GROW IN CONFIDENCE WITH AUTHORS’ SPOTLIGHT
Anewprogram,leadbyveteranteacherandInstructionalCoachKristenNester,showcasesyoungauthors’ writingoncampusvideoannouncements.Theresult?Growth,creativityandconfidence.
What led you to create the Student Author Spotlight for SES?
1. The Author Spotlight is just another way to celebrate our SES writing community. We want to show students that their voices, thoughts, ideas, and opinions are important and that writing is a very effective way to communicate. Writing is thinking. 2. You can’t get better at writing unless you have time to write. Author celebrations not only celebrate and recognize our young authors, but it is also a way to celebrate and recognize their teachers’ efforts to spend time on writing. 3. To nurture a “writerly identity.” When a teacher is willing to prioritize the celebration of writing, they are sending a powerful and important message to their students that they are valued and respected. Teachers do not just celebrate final products but also works that are first drafts; we celebrate the process and the uniqueness of students’ strengths and growth.
What is the process for the Author’s Spotlight?
The teachers select a writing piece and they fill out a form. The writing pieces may be from journals, writing lessons, reading responses, social studies topic writing , or even science
reflections. After filling out the form, the teacher attaches the form to the student sample and gives it to me. I go on the announcements and read the teachers comments while showing the student work. After the announcements, I take the writing sample and teacher form to the student author and I also give them a little notebook so that they can write more! Even though there is not enough time to recognize every student in this way, I also had self inking stamps made for the principal and assistant principal. The stamps say: “Great Writing! From: Your Principal” and “Great Writing! From: Your Assistant Principal” As they walk through the halls throughout the week, they carry their stamps and read student writing displayed to stamp the pieces that stand out to them in some way. This ensures that all of our little writers are recognized in some way.
Did You Know?
525 students at SES received a free book from the book vending machine for Read Across America Week. The book vending machine was donated by the Sunnyvale Education Foundation.
What do students gain from this process?
It is truly about students seeing themselves as writers and for them to have a bigger audience than just their classroom teacher. If classroom teachers are the only audience for our
student writing, we lose the opportunity for authentic engagement and real excitement about writing that can only be generated by a more diverse audience. When we celebrate via recorded announcements, all students, teachers, and administrators get to hear about the student author and what they wrote. The teacher is asked to select their favorite sentence from the sample and to tell why it is their favorite. Some choose to celebrate things like content such as, “I chose this sentence because it shows me that you have a kind heart.” Some teachers celebrate growth in the application of new skills such as, “I chose this sentence as my favorite
because you used adjectives so well, I was almost able to taste the cake while I was reading your sentence.”
What do you think this does for a student’s confidence?
When students’ efforts are celebrated, students feel valued and empowered. Praise provides the validation new writers need to believe in their abilities. This positive reinforcement cultivates the confidence students need to continue to explore their creative potential and to embrace trying “hard things” or new challenges.
TO WHAT DEGREE: …Are all students demonstrating growth? …Are all students achieving mastery of course expectations? …Is student data impacting the design of instruction for students who have not yet learned or who have already learned? …Are all students able to articulate their progress and learning need?
RISE TIME: RAIDER INTERVENTION, SUPPORT AND ENRICHMENT
UtilizingSmallGroupLearningatSunnyvaleIntermediateSchool
At Sunnyvale Intermediate School, administrators found time in students’ daily schedule for teachers to work with students in small groups based on their strengths and areas of needed growth.
“Based on each student’s MAP data, student groups are formed for targeted instruction to reteach, reinforce, and extend learning in math and reading TEKS,” Assistant Principal Natalie Barnes said.
Students utlize the SIS’ physical environment and remain in their homerooms as the core teachers rotate to each class throughout the week.
“When students are not in small groups with a teacher, they are actively engaged with peers as they complete station activities in all subject areas, including technology and enrichment. This provides another opportunity for reinforcement of previous learned concepts and student collaboration,” Barnes said.
K-2 END OF YEAR mCLASS DATA 2022-2023
How often do you access your Raider’s grades through Parent Portal?
Using
Fun
to Expand Knowledge in Non-Fiction at the SES Library Is the Golden Ticket to Success
SES Library Teacher Kelly Dodson uses a fun strategy to encouraging reading non-fiction books. When students read a non-fiction book and find a “golden ticket” inside, they are given the opportunity to turn the ticket in to Dodson and report something they learned from the book. Mrs. Dodson then rewards them with a trip to the treasure box!
Did You Know?
circulated
PILLAR 2 | STUDENT READINESS
FUTURE FRIDAYS AT SUNNYVALE ELEMENTARY
Q&AwithSESCounselorLeeAnnHill:OfferingaGlimpseIntothe FutureforOurYoungestRaiders
What is the purpose of Future Fridays?
Future Fridays gives students the opportunity to learn about several careers throughout the school year that they may not be exposed to otherwise. We started Future Fridays to show the students that even at this age level, they can prepare for their future careers.
What is the process for welcoming community members to SES to showcase their career to our Raiders?
Classroom teachers took a survey at the beginning of the school year as to which careers students wanted to learn more about. I then try to reach out to community members to see if they would be interested in joining us on morning announcements.
If community members would be interested in helping us out, we are currently in need of Friday slots. They can email me at leeann.hill@sunnyvaleisd.com
Why is it important for kids at this age to learn about different careers?
It is important for students to have exposure to learn about different careers so that they can see that their passions and their gifts can one day lead to a career. The community members who have come to morning announcements always give the students wonderful advice about what they can do now to pursue their future goals and careers. They always say, ‘It is never too early to get started.’
I am giving the students a headstart on the College and Career Exploration TEKS that they will become more famiilar with in middle and high school. We also included Future Fridays as one our goals last year for our Campus Improvement Plan. Our goal was to have a Future Friday guest each grading period. We exceeded our goal by hosting 4 times that amount.
SMS Career Pathways Course
SMS students are required to take the Career Pathways course that follows the following units of study:
• Envisioning Success
• Post Secondary Options
• Programs of Study/Career Clusters
• Community, Finances
• Job Searching
This course exposes students to the opportunities available to them in high school and beyond.
Did You Know?
Did You Know?
SHS hosted a College Panel with three college representatives who answered questions about the college application process on January 22, 2024.
The SHS Class of earned a total of $90,000 in scholarships.
Did You Know?
SHS hosted three Military Mondays in which each branch of the military sent a representative to meet with prospective recruits.
TO WHAT DEGREE: …Are we supporting student identification of strengths and supporting pursuit of strengths-based paths? …Are we developing real-world skills, such as how to learn, plan, prioritize, and work through failed attempts? …Are we exposing and connecting students to varying industries and post-secondary options, including the design of secondary programs that lead to industry-based certifications? …Are we preparing students for success on college (ACT/SAT), career (IBC), and military-ready (ASVAB) measures?
CLASS OF 2024 COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMS
College and Career Readiness Events Held at SHS in 2023-24
• School Day SAT – Tested 116 students in grade 11
• PSAT Test – Tested 221 students in grades 9, 10 and 11
• College Fair – More than 100 colleges represented
• Career Fair – More than 20 careers represented
• AP Exams – 99 Total exams
SISD graduates have been accepted at more than 250 colleges and universities. Scan to view the complete list of schools.
PILLAR 3 | ENGAGED AND WELL-ROUNDED STUDENTS
THE POWER BEHIND THE HOUR BLOCKED LUNCH AT SHS
SHSPrincipalDr.AshleeGrahamoffersinsightintothepowerbehindaddingalittlefreetimetothedayforSHSstudents.
OF STUDENTS SURVEYED
INDICATED THAT THEY ENJOY THE HOUR BLOCKED LUNCH PERIOD.
SHS has utilized Hour
Blocked Lunch (or activity period) in the past, but students are responding to it more positively now. What do you attribute this success to?
It’s an interesting dynamic. I think students have more structure now, but also maybe a little more freedom. In the past, they would have to give up HBL time for advisory period, but we created an alternate schedule for advisory that allows them HBL five days a week. Administrative team and teacher presence makes a big difference, because kids want to connect with our staff. Now that we have staff duties structured the way we do, they get to
Did You Know?
The Class of 2024 earned 8,213 hours of Community Service Hours.
OF STUDENTS SURVEYED
93% 88% 73%
BELIEVE HBL HELPS THEM FOCUS BETTER DURING AFTERNOON CLASSES.
interact with the adults in the building. We purchased more activities for them to do — ping pong, corn hole, etc. They get to eat lunch in a variety of locations, and we added a lot more flexible seating for them, too. I know it sounds crazy, but I believe furniture can change the overall feel of a place!
My leadership team is very intentional when it comes to HBL. I designated an exceptional HBL Coordinator from our staff to run the program, and we have an HBL Task Force of teachers and administrators who evaluate HBL periodically. It makes a big difference in the success of the program.
How does HBL benefit clubs beyond just the extra meeting time?
Of course HBL benefits clubs through the added time; but, that time also
OF STUDENTS SURVEYED
USE TIME AT LEAST WEEKLY TO WORK ON ASSIGNMENTS DURING HBL.
allows for greater exposure. People can’t be a part of what they don’t know about. We communicate with students about what is offered electronically via the website and email and also by posting HBL club schedules in the hallways.
Students have an approval process that they must go through to develop a new club. This helps us build leadership skills in our kids. They have to find a sponsor, make plans, complete forms, communicate to the masses, etc. Last year we did add a few new clubs. For example, the Zen Den, the Jesus Club and the Sunnyvale Raider Volunteers.
How else is HBL used?
In addition to providing time for clubs, HBL supports our students academically and behaviorally. We have a variety of supports available, including general tutorials, interventions for students
identified in need, a testing center and ABC – a platform for us to address academic behaviors that prevent students from being successful. If students don’t use their class time wisely, they are provided time in ABC to get those assignments taken care of. The testing center helps free up teachers from retakes and make-ups so that they can concentrate on students who need individualized support.
HBL also offers so much flexible time for students. I am a firm believer in recess, and research supports it, even at the high school level. This downtime supports their emotional and mental well-being. It also helps them socially. They have a variety of equipment to choose from for games during HBL: ping-pong, cornhole, life-sized checkers and chess, frisbees, etc. And of course, HBL is for eating!
Dr. Ashlee Graham
TO WHAT DEGREE: …Are students contributing to their school and community in a positive way? …Are students engaged in school activities both inside and outside the classroom ,that contribute to …passions and interests? …Are we celebrating and embracing the diverse cultures of our students? …Are students provided opportunities to develop effective communication and collaborative skills?
In 20232024, SHS Raiders competed beyond regionals in:
• Baseball
• Band
• BPA
• Academic UIL
› Poetry Interpretation
› Prose
› Informative Extemp
› Journalism
› Persuasive
› Math
› Science
• Baseball
• Boys’ Cross Country
• Boys’ Tennis
• Boys’ Track and Field
• Boys’ Powerlifting
• Cheer
• Choir
• Debate
• Girls’ Basketball
• Girls’ Cross Country
• Girls’ Golf
• Girls’ Powerliting
• Girls’ Track and Field
• HOSA
• Swim
• VASE (Art)
• Volleyball
• UIL One Act Play
ROLLING OUT THE RED CARPET FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS
When it came time for SISD to host the annual Special Olympics track and field event last spring, SISD diagnostician Autumn Krauska decided it was time to roll out the red carpet for the competitors who visited our campus.
Literally.
Krauska came up with the idea for a carnival-theme for the event, offering athletes a chance to not only compete, but enjoy a fun experience while visiting Sunnyvale.
So, when the 272 Special Olympics visitor came to Sunnyvale for the event, there was, indeed, a red carpet for them to walk on as they entered.
“I wanted the day to be fun, memorable and exciting,” Krauska said. “Adding the theme made it so that I could add some touches to give the athletes something fun to do while they had down time between events.”
As students competed on the field at Raider Stadium, Autumn and her team coordinated booths with carnival-styled games, complete with a popcorn stand under the bleachers. Rounding out the carnival experience was a cotton candy machine! Entertaining students and staff under the bleachers also kept them cool and in the shade.
“Celebrating students with special needs boosts self-esteem, confidence and a way for us as a school district to recognize their achievements no matter how big or small they are,” Krauska said. “It sends a powerful message to these students that they are capable and their efforts are valued.”
One of the best parts was the inclusivity of the event. Nearly 100 SHS students attended to support their peers as they competed.
“I love having high school students help with these events because it promotes empathy, understanding and enhances learning for all the students involved,” Krauska said. “This fosters a more compassionate school environment and students become more engaged and motivated while helping with special education students.”
ThisisthefirstyearSISD’sSpecialOlympics athleteshavehadtheopportunitytoearnaletter jacket.Studentswhoarejuniorsorseniorswho participateinSpecialOlympicsinatleasttwo eventsareeligibleforajacket.
“Allowing Special Olympic athletes to earn a letter jacket was an ask of mine in the Fall of 2023, and Dr. Graham and Mr. Kimball didn’t skip a beat to get this approved. For our athletes to be supported and acknowledged is a huge victory! Seeing the kids’ faces light up when they received their jackets is a moment I will never forget. I am beyond proud of these students and SISD for supporting our Special Olympic athletes.”
– SISD Speech Pathologist and Special Olympics Coordinator Scan to watch the red carpet welcome at the SISD Special Olympics.
PILLAR 4 | PROFESSIONAL LEARNING AND QUALITY STAFF
2023-2024 iLEARN TEACHERS OF DISTINCTION
than 100 SISD Job Fair attendees resulted in four hires.
Superintendent Kimball welcomes staff members back with a fun activity during January 2024 professional development.
TO WHAT DEGREE: …Are we providing time for professional development and growth? …Do we recruit and retain high-quality staff? …Are we increasing diversity on our staff? …Are we developing effective, high-quality staff that can support the diverse needs of our students?
Professional Learning by Style:
• Book Studies
• Lunch And Learns
• PD in a Box
• Back to School and Dashing Through the Classroom Bingo
• Make and Takes
High School Team takes St. Louis for professional learning with Solution Tree PLCs for Singletons (April 2024).
PILLAR 5 | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Community Partners Program
Thanks to the generosity of our community partners, SISD raised over $60,000 in local sponsorships. Those funds stay locally in SISD without being subject to state recapture payments and are reinvested directly into our classrooms.
Our community partners include:
INCREASING TEACHER COMMUNICATION WITH THIRLLSHARE ROOMS
SISD launched Thrillshare Rooms in 2023-2024 as a way to increase teacher-parent-student communication. Parents can see classroom announcements, message teachers, and get district and school news and updates. Teachers can find all their messages on one platform. Students can message teachers directly with questions. This is a safe space for studentteacher communication that is monitored by administrators.
How would you rate the district app?
Average rating from 242 community responses.
4.2
How would you rate the district website?
Average rating from 241 community responses.
4.5
Epps
Gallagher
Parent Support Groups
Our parent groups support a wide variety of student activities around campus, most notably the funding of annual local senior scholarships. In total, $82,050 was donated for local scholarships for the Class of 2023 by parent support groups.
• Sunnyvale Education Foundation
• Sunnyvale PTA
• Raider Athletic Booster Club
• Raider Pride Band Booster Club
• STAGE (Sunnyvale Theater Arts Guild for Education)
• Sunnyvale Choir Boosters
ANONYMOUS REPORTING
• Sunnyvale FFA Boosters
• Sunnyvale Alumni Association
• SISD Gold Club (Seniors 65 and Better)
During the 2023-2024 school year, SISD utilized Anonymous Alerts, an online tool to anonymously report bullying, harassment, discrimination, suspicious activities, or any other important information. Anonymous Alerts is on the front page of all SISD websites and the district app. Tips are sent directly to the appropriate district personnel. Did You Know?
64 anonymous tips were sent into the Anonymous Alerts platform during the 2023-2024 school year.
Approximately half of those reports were actionable or substantiated.
TO WHAT DEGREE: …Does our community consider it a benefit to partner with the school district financially (sponsors in marketing), as educational sponsors (partners in education) and/or as volunteers? …Do our community audiences (internal, external, new families) feel they are adequately informed about district events, activities, information via relevant communication modes? …Does SISD provide and inclusive framework for parent involvement and leadership? …Is SISD establishing a comfortable system for parents/family/community members to share comments, concerns and questions with staff?
How Do We
Communicate?
HORIZONS
SISD’s District Magazine
Mailed to all addresses in the 75182 zip code.
www.sunnyvaleisd.com July1,2023-June30,2024
• Total Visits: 137,827
• Total Page Views: 229,657
SUNNYVALE ISD, TX APP
iOS Downloads: 2,290
Android Downloads: 395
Active Guardians in Thrillshare Rooms: 1,833
TEXT MESSAGING
Text messages: 1,083,976
Email messages: 1,080,565 WEEKLY E-NEWS
Total Recipients: 4,652
2,560 deliveries via text
SOCIAL MEDIA
Followers: 7.1 K
Total Page likes: 6.2 K Followers: 1,076 Social Media Reach
TERA RABE, SMS CAMPUS COMMUNICATOR
What is the most important part of school communications?
I think the most important part of our communications strategy is getting information out in a timely manner and letting parents see the lessons and activities that their students are involved in during the school day.
What is your goal for communicating information to your audience at SMS?
I like being able to keep the parents, teachers and staff informed. My goal is to provide accurate and timely information in a way that catches their attention.
What is a typical day at work for you like?
First, I have morning bus duty (letting bus students into the building), then read alouds and lessons in the library with ELA classes, I then work on the SMS Weekly E-News and post information on the outdoor marquee, I also add information to the indoor digital signage and social media. Finally, I have after school office duty.
All District:
• Rowdy’s Reunion and Meet the Raider Night
• Homecoming Parade and Pep Rally
• All-District Pep Rally
• Chamber of Commerce Trunk or Treat
• Bonfire
SES:
• Meet the Teacher Night
• STEM Night
• Literacy Night
• Turkey Trot
• SES Dad’s Carpool Group
• Kindergarten Pig Out Picnic
• Mystery Readers during Read Across America Week
• Fall Feast
• Grandparent’s Day Luncheon
• Kindergarten Rodeo Day
• Holiday Parties
• PTA Partnership
SIS:
• Meet the Teacher Night
• Starbucks Partnership for “Starboooks” and Kindness Week
• Cici’s Spirit Nights
• STEM Career Day
• STEM Night
• Literacy Night
• Grandparent’s Day Luncheon
• Native American Speaker
• Thirdville Speakers
• Class Parties
• PTA Partnership
SMS:
• Meet the Teacher Night
• Real-World Parent Activities
• Local Business Partnerships
• Fifth Quarter
• Glow Bash
• Winter Dance
SHS:
• Meet the Teacher Night
• Parent University
• Career Fair
• College Fair
• PTA Partnership
Six Years at SMS
Tera Rabe
PILLAR 6 | SAFETY AND WELLNESS
WHAT DOES SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING LOOK LIKE ON SISD CAMPUSES?
In 2023-2024, SISD campuses offered ways for students to gain valuable character-driven lessons to help them develop social and emotional learning.
SES: Be a Raider Guidance Lessons
Sunnyvale Elementary School is building the character of the district’s youngest students through its Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) focus for the year titled “Be a Raider.” The campus-wide program hones in on five character traits that lay the foundation for scholarship and citizenship as students learn how to connect and interact with their peers and teachers.
The focus traits, which teachers collaborate on to define over the summer, are: Be Helpful, Be Honest, Be Kind, Be Positive, and Be Responsible.
Club is an after school club that promotes leadership and kindness at school, at home, and throughout the community. The goal of the club is to empower students to change the world with kindness. At each meeting the students spend time building friendships, learning about kindness, and engaging in a service project.
CARES CLOSET: A LIGHT OF SUPPORT IN THE HEART OF SUNNYVALE
The SISD Cares Closet is a community project spearheaded by SISD Counseling Services. The community may donate new or gently-used clothes, school supplies or individually wrapped snacks to support Raiders in need. During the holiday season, the Cares Closet also provides gifts for families through and Angel Tree project.
• In 2023-2024 SISD serviced a little over 100 students through the Cares
Closet food and other supplies.
• Each weekend, over 30 weekend snack bags were provided to students with food insecurity.
• The Cares Closet Angel Tree served over 70 children last year. Many thanks to the Sunnyvale Garden Club, Sunnyvale First Baptist, New Covenant United Methodist Church, Community Life Church and Trusted World for supporting this effort.
SMS: Be a Raider Monthly Character Lessons
Middle school Raiders learned valuable character lessons at their monthly, “Be a Raider” meetings.
The goal of the “Be a Raider” meetings was to build character among middle school Raiders and to provide them with helpful interpersonal skills that will ultimately help them become productive citizens. Meeting topics varied, but centered around soft skills and character development.
SHS: Mindful Mondays
SHS is being intentional about checking in with all students on Mondays. Students are grouped by grade level and then during this special advisory period, they are given lessons in social and emotional learning. To do this, they engage in community circles, service projects and teachers conduct wellness check-ins (example: grade checks).
SIS: Kindness Club Kindness
TO WHAT DEGREE: …Do our students feel safe at school? …Are campuses prepared for crisis situations? …Are students’ basic needs being met? …Is social-emotional well-being considered and included in classroom conversations, including the use of restorative practices? …Do we foster self-esteem by allowing students to express diverse viewpoints while respecting self and others?
Security Update
The safety and security of all Raiders — students and staff — is SISD’s highest priority.
Thanks to the passage of November 2022 VATRE, SISD was able to add four additional school marshals to the security staff during the 2023-2024 school year. The marshals, who all underwent extensive training, joined two other marshals and our School Resource Officers.
Other security updates:
• Updated alarm systems at SHS
• Faculty radio updates (walkie-talkies)
• Addition of speed bump at some areas of campus
• Security camera replacement in key areas
• Vape detectors installed at SHS
• Many other upgrades
SHS: I feel safe at my school. SMS: I feel safe at my school.
SEL AND TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE TRAINING FOR TEACHERS
At the start of the school year, Sunnyvale ISD teachers participated in a comprehensive training centered on Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) and Trauma-Informed Care. Building on last year’s focus on regulation strategies, this year’s training emphasized equipping teachers with practical tools to implement in their classrooms.
The training revisited the fundamentals of brain science and student regulation, then introduced specific classroom tools to help teachers create supportive, trauma-sensitive environments. One of the key aspects of the training was the importance of fostering a sense of belonging among students, which research shows is closely tied to several predictors:
• 70% of students feel they can be themselves at school.
• 77% report their school as welcoming.
• 80% are involved in non-academic activities.
• 72% feel connected to a teacher.
• 79% feel connected to other students.
During the training, teachers were introduced to the “SEL 6” strategies to help students feel this sense of belonging and
build relationships in a trauma-informed classroom:
1. Connection Before Content – Prioritizing relationships with students before diving into academic material.
2. Collaborative Class Norms – Encouraging students to co-create classroom norms, ensuring an inclusive and cooperative environment.
3. Inclusive Learning – Creating lessons and classroom dynamics that embrace diverse learning styles and perspectives.
4. Calming Tools/Techniques – Providing students with methods to manage stress and regulate emotions.
5. Positive Affirmations – Using encouraging language to build student confidence and foster a positive self-image.
6. Restorative Practices – Implementing strategies to repair relationships and resolve conflicts in a supportive manner.
This training equips teachers with tools that not only address academic needs but also prioritize students’ emotional and social well-being, fostering a more inclusive and caring learning environment across Sunnyvale ISD.
TCHATT Provided Through SISD Counseling Services
Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine (TCHATT) provides telemedicine or telehealth programs to school districts to help identify and assess the behavioral health needs of children and adolescents and provide access to mental health services.
PILLAR 7 | FISCAL AND OPERATIONAL SYSTEMS
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY IS ALWAYS SISD’S PRIORITY
“Although the state has not increased the basic allotment for schools since 2019, we have still managed to give our employees raises and provide resources needed for our students and teachers to be successful.”
– Brenda McFalls,
CFO
SISD continues to operate in a fiscally responsible manner. While districts across the state are facing deficit budgets, SISD operated within a balanced budget in 2023-2024.
“Despite unfunded mandates, increases in the cost of doing business, and unforeseen costs such as the storm damage last May, I’m extremely proud of our finance team and the board for maintaining financial excellence in Sunnyvale,”
Superintendent Matt Kimball said. “Maintaining a balanced budget, giving our staff a raise, and not eliminating services for students is a remarkable accomplishment in today’s school financial climate.”
School district budgets are funded based on complicated state formula. At the center of this formula is the basic allotment, which is a per-student funding mechanism. School districts in the state of Texas currently receive $6,160 per student.
However, that number has not increased since 2019 — before Covid-19. Since that time,
Sunnyvale ISD was recognized as SUPERIOR in TEA’s Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) for the 2022 - 2023 school year.
inflation rates have soared and the cost of operating a school district — everything from gas, paper, food — has dramatically increased. For some school districts in Texas, that has meant cutting positions or even closing schools.
“Although the state has not increased the basic allotment for schools since 2019, we have still managed to give our employees raises and provide resources needed for our students and teachers to be successful,” Chief Financial Officer Brenda McFalls said. “We continue to monitor the budget closely and reduce spending where we can so that we can meet the needs of the district.”
If the state’s funding formula had adjusted to accommodate the increase of inflation, the per-student amount received would be $7,500.
“We look forward to the next legislative session and encourage legislators to consider public school funding as a priority,” Superintendent Kimball said.
Superintendent Matt Kimball Completes His First Year
Among the new hires of 20232024, SISD’s new superintendent Matt Kimball made his mark on the Raider Nation.
Attending most every student event — from swim meets to musicals — became his hallmark, showing support for all Raiders and their parents. He also ensured more Raiders were recognized at board meetings and that teachers and students had the support they needed.
TO WHAT
DEGREE:
…Are all facilities well-maintained and conducive to learning? …Do teachers and administrators have access to resources necessary to meet the strategic plan objectives? …Is SISD planning for and adapting to changes in population and levels of funding? …Is SISD working with the Town of Sunnyvale to maximize the use of resources related to traffic, land use and safety?
SISD Receives “Clean” Audit
Once again, the SISD Business Office received an unmodified or “clean” audit for its operations during the 2023-2024 school year from its external auditing firm of Morgan, Davis and Company P.C. SISD has received such an audit for several consecutive years.
“We are very satisfied with the opinion of our external auditors,” Chief Financial Officer Brenda McFalls said. “The rating our Business Office received was the highest possible rating and reflects the integrity of our department and district.”
BUS SECURITY CARDS ADDS EXTRA SECURITY FOR RAIDERS
Bus security ramped up during 2023-2024.
All SIS and SES students were issued bus cards as an added layer of security. Cards are attached to students’ backpacks. As students enter their bus, they scan their cards, which are linked to the SISD Bus App.
Parents may then access the Parent App and see the exact time their Raider gets on and off the bus.
