Horizons, Issue 3 - June 2022 by SunnyvaleISDTX

I S S U E 3 | M AY 2 0 2 2

CLASS OF 2022

SISD PRESENTS THIS YEAR’S VALEDICTORIAN, SALUTATORIAN AND TOP TEN PERCENT! PAGE 6

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DESTINATION IMAGINATION

THE SUNNYVALE MIDDLE SCHOOL DI TEAM TRAVELS TO GLOBAL COMPETITION. PAGE 10

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TEACHER RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION

SISD FORMS SPECIAL TEAM TO SUPPORT EFFORTS TO HIRE AND RETAIN THE BEST. PAGE 16

CELEBRATIONS AND INFORMATION FROM THE

SUNNYVALE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

Proud Supporter of Sunnyvale ISD

From the Superintendent Congratulations on another successful year in the Raider Nation!

SUNNYVALE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT 417 East Tripp Road, Sunnyvale, Texas 75182 phone | 972-226-5974 fax | 972-226-6882 www.sunnyvaleisd.com Horizons is the magazine for the Sunnyvale Independent School District. Its purpose is to provide parents and students of SISD and other Town of Sunnyvale residents with useful information about SISD. It has a press run of 3,200 and is mailed to the same audience via postal carrier route through bulk mail delivery. Horizons is published three times annually by the Sunnyvale ISD Communications and Marketing Department. Articles are written by Director of Communications and Marketing Emily White and Communications Intern Karo Reese. Graphic Design is by Kristin Odom. Photography is by Emily White and the staff, students and community of Sunnyvale ISD. For questions about Horizons, please call 972-226-5974.

In this issue of Horizons, I hope you’ll notice not only the incredible accomplishments and hard work of our Raiders, but the passion and dedication of our teachers. Our teachers are innovative, hard-working and driven by a love for their students. Since the pandemic, teachers have risen to all sorts of educational challenges. From recreating school during the initial lockdown to preparing digital lessons for at-home students to now adjusting back to a typical school day schedule, Raider teachers are the true heroes of our classrooms. I am so proud to work alongside them. I am always struck by the relationships our teachers create with their students. I had the opportunity to see one of those important connections this spring, while traveling with the UIL One Act Play team from the high school. When director Daniel Gambill’s son, Grant, became ill, Mr. Gambill was unable to direct the team at the competition. However, because of the special bond between Mr. Gambill and his students, the company competed and advanced despite this unique predicament. You can read more about this special story later in this magazine. Four educators in Sunnyvale who are experts at developing relationships in the classroom are retiring this year: SES Counselor Glenda McMahan, kindergarten teacher Lisa Mackey, second grade teacher Renee Songer and SHS Spanish teacher Michael Fennig. These teachers have improved the lives of countless students in Sunnyvale over the years. We wish them well as they enjoy retirement. (Read more on Page 18) One of the goals of our strategic plan is to hire and recruit the best teachers to educate our bright and talented students. To do this, we must work to ensure that our educators are valued appropriately. Our SISD Recruitment and Retention Team is working toward that goal. I encourage you to read about this important team on page 16. Enjoy the summer and get ready for an exciting 2022-2023!

Raiders Rise! Doug Williams Superintendent, Sunnyvale ISD

In this Issue Town of Sunnyvale

Mayor Mr. Saji George mayor.george@townofsunnyvale.org

SIS Learning and Progress

SES Learning and Progress

To Have Faith is to Have Wings Soccer Trip to Regional Quarterfinals BPA Nationals

Quality Staff

SMS Learning and Progress

Engaged and Well-Rounded

Community Partnerships

Bright Futures: Future Readiness

SHS Learning and Progress

Sunnyvale ISD enjoys a strong partnership with the Town of Sunnyvale. Please contact Town Hall at 972-226-7177 or www.townofsunnyvale.org. Facebook @sunnyvaletx Twitter @TownofSunnyvale Instagram @ townofsunnyvaletx

Laissez le Bon Temps Rouler! Teachers of the Year Top Ten Percent Scholarships

Destination Imagination Show Choir

Math Project: Gone to the Dogs Mr. Stout’s Animal Lab Journalism Club

First Graders Look to the Future Heart to Heart Kindergarten Blood Drive

Recruiting the Best and Brightest Chief Financial Officer Brenda Rodriguez SISD Summer Camps Celebrating Our Retirees

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

! r e l u o R s p m e T n o Laissez le B Let The Good Times Roll! The Sunnyvale Education Foundation raised a record-breaking $229,000 net proceeds at its sold out annual silent auction and gala on March 6 at Gilley’s Southside Ballroom in Dallas. Special thanks to all our sponsors, including title sponsor Lineage Logistics and special sponsor Trinity Capital Bank.

Annette Burt

Sunnyvale Elementary School 2021-22 Teacher of the Year 4 | SUNNYVALE ISD HORIZONS

Taylor Silva

Sunnyvale Intermediate School 2021-22 Teacher of the Year

Cheri Chapman

Sunnyvale Middle School 2021-22 Teacher of the Year

Casey Reeves

Sunnyvale High School 2021-22 Teacher of the Year ISSUE 3 | MAY 2022 | 5

of ss a l C 2022 BRIGHT FUTURES: FUTURE READINESS

Congratulations Top Ten Percent Valedictorian Parker Heaton

Being a student at Sunnyvale ISD has been a huge honor and as a whole, it made me realize the importance of having a strong community behind me as a student and as a person. The staff and faculty at school have helped me dream big and the people in our community have been incredibly supportive. Sunnyvale has felt like one big family, and this has helped me tremendously. The close relationships I have been able to build in Sunnyvale are unlike any others I’ve made before, and when the pressures of school got hard, these relationships helped me push through and reach my goals. I started my academic career in another school district and before coming here I could never have imagined a community that has been as collaborative and welcoming as Sunnyvale. I am very proud to be a student of Sunnyvale ISD where the vibrant community truly supported me to work towards my goals. I will continue to lean on this incredible community as my life moves forward and I certainly will give back to this wonderful place in the future.

Emily Abraham

Soumaia Alkamsheh

Arlen Chacko

Grayson Gardner

Elisa Paul

Jonathan Samuel

Joanne Sebastian

Albin Thomas

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LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS

Salutatorian Jude Jolly I’ve spent my entire life at Sunnyvale, and because of this, I’ve learned the true importance of perseverance and hard work. There have been plenty of times where I’ve felt lost or crestfallen, and I didn’t know where to go or what to do. In times like these, I was able to find comfort in the wonderful people of my community. In other schools, people find it easy to get lost in the crowd, but at Sunnyvale, I felt pride in being part of such a close-knit group. Knowing that I had so many people backing me helped me find the ability to persevere, even in the toughest moments. I knew that even if I fell, I had people who would continue to push me to work hard and get back up.

Samanta Habashy

Caroline Henderson

Chinaza Onungwa

Lester Uy

Mia Vaughan

Brent Winfree

TOP TEN PERCENT LISTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER

Mesquite Rotary: Samanta Habashy PTSA: Samanta Habashy PTSA: Caroline Henderson PTSA (Solid Award): Elise Ray Second Mile Award: Michell Frederiksen Raider Athletic Booster Club: Kate Van Vessem Raider Athletic Booster Club: Landry Laird Raider Athletic Booster Club: Joey Bruszer Raider Athletic Booster Club: Jake Pecina Raider Athletic Booster Club: Matt Leavitt Raider Athletic Booster Club: Sam Frank Raider Athletic Booster Club: Hannah Lawless Raider Athletic Booster Club: Lucy Jacobs Raider Athletic Booster Club: Zac Bartis Band Booster Club: Joshua Das Band Booster Club: Samuel Frank SEF: Soumaia Alkamsheh SEF: Chinaza Onungwa TC Lupton: Samanta Habashy Ronnie Henderson Community Service: Caroline Henderson SEF Fine Arts: Grayson Gardner SEF - CTE: Elise Ray SEF - STEM: Preston Conaway SEF - HST: Joanna Sebastian SEF - Education: Gracie James SEA: Ysabelle Matta SEA: Chinaza Onungwa SEA: Soumaia Alkamsheh SAR: Landry Laird DAR: Lucy Jacobs FFA Booster Club: Hanna Braddy FFA Booster Club: Halle Wigginton Dallas Ford Driving Dream: Angela Rillera Dallas Ford Driving Dream: Soumaia Alkamsheh Trinity Capital Scholarship: Jewelin Sunny Trinity Capital Scholarship: Chinaza Onungwa Sunnyvale Garden Club: Sophia Westwood Sunnyvale Garden Club: Leah Mathews Sunnyvale Garden Club: Hannah Lawless Sunnyvale Garden Club: Samanta Habashy Sunnyvale Garden Club: Brantly Baker Sunnyvale Garden Club: Emily Abraham Sunnyvale Garden Club: Grant Conaway Sunnyvale Garden Club: Preston Conaway Sunnyvale Garden Club: Jarrett Stewart Sunnyvale Alumni Association: Ysabelle Matta Sunnyvale Alumni Association: Joey Bruszer Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce: Caroline Henderson Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce: Joey Bruszer Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce: Hannah Lawless STAGE Scholarship (Theatre): Xander Goodin STAGE Scholarship (Theatre): Elise Ray STAGE Scholarship (Theatre): Antonia Swad

ISSUE 3 | MAY 2022 | 7

LEARNING AND PROGRESS

SHS

To Have Faith is to Have Wings BY KARO BEAZLEY REESE, COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT INTERN

SUNNYVALE HIGH SCHOOL

“To have faith is to have wings.” This phrase is more than dialogue in a play for the cast and crew of Vale Drama’s recent magical run of their One Act Play, Peter and The Starcatcher — which extended through the regional competition. The words became a rallying cry for the cast, crew and director Daniel Gambill throughout the entire One Act Play experience, which began with a scare that unfolded right before the district competition.

On March 6, Gambill experienced a family emergency just as his cast and crew prepared to compete at the district competition. His three-year-old son, Grant, was very ill. After rushing Grant to the hospital, doctors recognized that Grant — although very young — had a stroke as the result of a brain bleed. “The head of neurology made a preliminary prediction of seven days in ICU, a couple of weeks on the neurology floor, and a month or two of in-patient therapy/rehab,” Gambill said. “That’s a total of two and a half months of living in the hospital.” The OAP company worked through a scenario in which they would compete without their director. SMS counselor and former theater teacher Rae Harvill (who taught many of the students in the OAP company) was called in to accompany the team to their district competition.

8 | SUNNYVALE ISD HORIZONS

“I knew that hearing from Gambill would ease their nerves,” Harvill said. “They were worried about him and his family, it was at the forefront of their minds. After Facetiming him before their performance, a sense of relief washed over them and they were ready to go make him proud.” From there, the team and Grant continued to make excellent strides in a positive direction. “They [the medical team] began medicines to help his clot heal, and within 30 minutes he quietly said his first word,” Gambill said. “Grant was not able to speak or use the right side of his body. But he spoke.” The next day, Grant was already back to his playful self, performing sensory activities like throwing a ball to his dad and playing with play dough. “The doctor called it ‘remarkable’ and ‘unprecedented,’” Gambill said. “He said this is better than best-case scenario.” With the odds against them, faith prevailed. Just as it had with healing Grant so quickly, Sunnyvale went on to win first place at district competition. “Grant was discharged on Monday, March 7,” Gambill said in a March 16 Facebook post. “Our neurologist let us know that Grant is in the top 1% of pediatric stroke victims. ‘No one heals like this.’”

RAIDER SOCCER WINS BIG WITH HISTORY-MAKING SEASON BY KARO BEAZLEY REESE, COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT INTERN

The SHS Boys’ Soccer team made school and program history this spring after making a trip to the Area Championship on March 29. Altogether, the team broke 14 school records throughout their 2022 season. One of the record-breakers was sophomore Landon Marquez de la Plata, who scored a goal in the first ten seconds of a game.

Not only did the team make it all the way to the quarterfinals, but they grew closer as a team in the process. “The difference from this year and last year would be our chemistry as a team,” Marquez de la Plata said. “I view our team as a family and being comfortable with each other is a significant change.”

“It was definitely a year of emotions,” sophomore Landon Marquez de la Plata said. “I feel honored that I am a part of a team with such an amazing group of guys.”

Coach Jay Campos worked hard to lead the boys to victory during their season. While it may not have ended exactly the way the team had planned, it was certainly a win on many levels.

While soccer is an important sport to Sunnyvale’s spring sports lineup, many times it can be overlooked by other sports. This year, though, the team proved itself and turned heads in the Sunnyvale community.

“To be a successful program you can’t look back, nor look too far ahead,” Campos said. “We must stay focused in the present and take advantage of every day to get better and develop as a team, whether at practice or during a game.”

BPA NATIONALS Congrats to the Business Professionals of America group’s Broadcast Journalism team, who placed second at the national competition! The team is comprised of: Jewelin Sunny, Joanne Sebastian, Leah Mathews and Michelle Jacob.

ISSUE 3 | MAY 2022 | 9

LEARNING AND PROGRESS

SMS SUNNYVALE MIDDLE SCHOOL

The Frozen Fishies team is composed of 8th graders Albert John, Levi Benzy, Jacob Lawrance, Krish Patel, and David Segundo along with 7th grader Jonathan Mathew.

Show Choir at SMS The chorus of Elton John’s “I’m Still Standing” pumps through the choir room as a group of middle school students sing and dance along in perfect choreography. Director Cara Craggett offers suggestions and praise on their performance. The SMS Show Choir, Platinum — already winning awards in its inaugural year — provides students who have an interest in singing and dancing with a place to shine at SMS. 10 | SUNNYVALE ISD HORIZONS

“I have wanted to start a show choir in Sunnyvale since I first joined SISD,” Cragget said. “I saw the talent of these kids and knew they would be great. But more than that, I saw the need. We don’t have a dance team here and show choir is such a fun version of that.” Platinum helps students learn how to dance and perform while singing clearly, which is not easy, according to Craggett.

“We have objectives we are meeting of performing, stage presence, presentation, vocal strength, movement, and so many others,” Cragget said.

Destination Imagination Team Places 11th At Global Competition A first in school district history, the SMS “Frozen Fishies” team competed at the Destination Imagination Global Competition in Kansas City, MO. The team, advised by teacher Carolyn Baker, competed in the “Roll With It!” event, in which students solve an engineering challenge. According to the Destination Imagination website, the challenge was to:

• •

Design and build a structure that can roll down a ramp and collide with the structure tester. Test the structure by placing weights on it.

• • •

Create and present a story about how a character becomes a legend. Design and build a rotating object. Create and present two Team Choice Elements that show off the team’s interests, skills, areas of strength, and talents.

The team took 11th place and loaded 845 pounds on their structure! This was an over 300 pound increase from their firstplace winning total at the state competition!

WELL DONE, FROZEN FISHIES!

“Creating is such a healthy thing for a child to do, it accesses parts of their brain that are important for development.” Cragget said the team has provided a sense of belonging for her students, creating a culture that is safe and supportive. “My favorite part about show choir is that you get to express yourself through singing and dancing and it’s really fun to learn all these new and cool dances,”

sixth grader Brooklyn Bomkamp.

PLATINUM PERFORMANCE

Heading into next fall, Platinum already has an award under their belts. In February, they competed for the first time at a show choir competition. “The girls put in so much work to be ready for this competition,” Cragget said. We were so excited and shocked to walk away with 2nd place overall, beating out 7th and 8th grade auditioned groups. The girls worked hard for that and we are so ready for our competition season next year!”

ISSUE 3 | MAY 2022 | 11

LEARNING AND PROGRESS

SIS

SUNNYVALE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL

Math Project: Gone to the Dogs SIS students were recently tasked with hammering, sanding and painting dog houses for class. Sound like a lesson in home decor or construction? It’s actually a fourth and fifth grade math Engaged Learning Unit launched by Dr. Lisa Stovall. Stovall challenged her students with this standardsbased inquiry: “What professions or careers use perimeter, area and volume in their business and how?”

“When I include a build with these TEKS [Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills], not only is it a hands-on learning experience that they will remember forever, they never forget how to calculate perimeter, area and volume,” Stovall said. “Making math fun and memorable, helps students enjoy instead of dread math.” To fulfill this challenge, fourth and fifth graders created the dog houses in groups by measuring and calculating perimeter, area and volume. The groups then painted each dog house and applied shingles to their roofs. The dog houses were auctioned off to the Sunnyvale community and the funds were donated to the Sunnyvale Animal Shelter. In the past, Stovall has led students to create garden boxes, hen nests, cornhole boards, bird houses and porch painters for this project. “I change the build every year to keep the engagement and excitement up,” Stovall said. “This project was to help increase interest in math. It also helps to show students that even they can create something that can help others in many ways.” 12 | SUNNYVALE ISD HORIZONS

Mr. Stout’s Animal Lab JEREMY STOUT - 4TH AND 5TH GRADE SCIENCE

WHAT TYPES OF ANIMALS DO YOU HAVE IN YOUR LAB? I currently have 6 animals: 1 Turtle named Myrtle, 2 Axolotls named Dani and Axel, 1 Catfish, 1 Tortoise named Tank, and a Crested Gecko named Sunny.

WHAT LED YOU TO INCLUDE ANIMALS IN YOUR CLASSROOM? Mostly because of the responsibility they teach, but also because at the end of the year we have a big Life Science unit and they are great references when we talk about adaptations, traits, life cycles, and ecosystems.

HOW DO THE ANIMALS ENHANCE YOUR STUDENTS’ LEARNING EXPERIENCE? It gives them a reference point when we talk about different life science topics. It also helps them understand what it takes for some of these animals to survive. What living conditions must be met and how to take care of their needs to ensure they are healthy and safe.

HOW DO STUDENTS INTERACT WITH THE ANIMALS? I have students feed them and some of them are allowed to hold if the animal is ok with that. There are certain areas in each habitat that if the animal is in there we are not allowed to disturb them. I sometimes even have the students help me clean the habitats.

SCAN FOR CLUB INTERVIEW

Journalism Club Builds Writing Skills and Friendships The world of journalism, media literacy and recognizing the hallmarks of truthful information is an important aspect of education in today’s society. Fifth graders at SIS have an opportunity to learn all about the world of journalism by participating in the Journalism Club, led by teacher Karla Watson. “I have a passion for writing and wanted to provide an opportunity for students to experience writing in a different setting so that maybe they could see the joy in expressing themselves in a variety of ways,” Watson said. “I believe this has also helped them be more aware of their school and community.” The students in the Journalism Club produce

a quarterly E-Newsletter entitled The Vale Gazette, which is e-mailed to SIS students, parents and teachers. Students collaborate by writing, editing, revising, researching and publishing stories and videos for their audience. Watson believes student gain more than the technical skills involved, however. “Students gain self-confidence,” she said. “They pay attention to the things going on around them more and look for opportunities to write and share information.” Fifth grader Jeremiah Roberts joined the club this year and says the club is a way to express himself. “My favorite thing about being in Journalism is writing the stories,” Jeremiah said. “I kind of get

to think of them by myself when I write them and I kind of just get to be myself, you know?” Watson says the group has improved over the year. “They are not as shy as they were at first. They are becoming better writers and planners.”

SCAN FOR THE VALE GAZETTE

For fifth grader Jalia Green, writing is important but she also loves being with her pals. “I like writing and being with people from different pods and friends,” Jalia said. “And Mrs. Watson, too - she’s a great teacher.” ISSUE 3 | MAY 2022 | 13

LEARNING AND PROGRESS

SES SUNNYVALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

First Graders Look to the Future With Time Capsule Project Brighter Futures is something Sunnyvale ISD has always specialized in. However, the Class of 2033 has taken future readiness to a new level with a special project they worked on in first grade teacher Britney Koepp’s class.

“Our students created a time capsule that they started on 2-2-22,” Koepp said. “They worked on it during the month of February and added things to it throughout the year. They will open it on March 3, 2033 (3-3-33). At that point, since they are in first grade right now, most of them will be in their senior year in March, about to graduate.” Included in their time capsules are worksheets that prompted students to think about what

14 | SUNNYVALE ISD HORIZONS

the future may look like in 2033. Students were asked fun questions such as, “Do you think cars will fly in the future?” and “Do you think a robot will make your food?” Students also included writing entries about some of their thoughts about themselves and their goals and dreams for the future.

INTERVIEW VIDEO

“I want to be scientist so I can be very smart and I can build flying cars,” student Lily Mejia said. Parents wrote letters for them to open in 2033, as well. Some students also included small toys and items to remind them of what 2022 looked like. Students will be able to reminisce about their first grade selves as they are about to walk the stage into their futures as graduates. “I want to be a astronaut and a babysitter and a game maker,” first grader Cole Rideout said.

Heart to Heart:

ELEMENTARY STUDENTS RAISE OVER $20,000 FOR THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION

Mrs. Dodson’s Class Organizes Blood Drive for Community Member WHAT LED YOU TO WANT TO HOST A BLOOD DRIVE IN YOUR KINDERGARTEN CLASS? We hosted the drive for the sweet mom of one of my former Kindergarten students. Her name is Gabrielle Wawiernia. She was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in December. She immediately began chemo and had to have multiple surgeries. She has two young children and no family in town. When I asked her how I could help her family, she suggested donating blood. Blood banks are running dangerously low because of Covid-19. So, I reached out to Carter Blood Care about hosting a blood drive here at school so that teachers could donate while they were here. It was a success! The drive had 17 donors register. We hit the goal of 15 donors and provided the community with 42 units of blood products.

HOW DID THE KINDERGARTNERS HELP WITH THE BLOOD DRIVE? Thinking back on elementary P.E. may stir memories of relay races, jump ropes, dodgeball and (if you grew up in SISD) legendary kickball games. However, under the leadership of Coach Ashley Broom, SES P.E. students learned valuable lessons of empathy, kindness and community spirit while raising an astounding $22,672.34 for Kids Heart Challenge. “Our kids and their families blew my mind this year with the work that they did,” Broom said. “Our original goal was $8,000. I had to raise it after the first two days. It seems like we raised our goal by about $5,000 each week!” The American Heart Association uses funds from the Kids Heart Challenge to support the scientific research and outreach programs which assists technological breakthroughs to improve health outcomes while creating healthier communities.

My students decorated a banner to advertise the blood drive.

HOW DOES PARTICIPATING IN A SERVICE PROJECT OF THIS NATURE BENEFIT STUDENTS OF SUCH A YOUNG AGE? It sparked a great conversation about helping people in need.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE ABOUT THIS EXPERIENCE? We don’t know for certain that Gabrielle got any of those specific blood products, but we know we helped MANY people. I am also happy to report that Gabrielle is now cancer-free and home with her family after having to spend a lot of time in the hospital to protect her immune system.

“If you have ever walked into a PE class at SES you would see that our kiddos are SUPER competitive! They LOVE a good challenge,” Broom said. “ I love this about them because I tend to have a competitive spirit myself! We make sure to encourage them daily but to try to always remind them that what they are doing is helping others. These lessons will hopefully develop into our kiddos wanting to do good in their community, school, and eventually workplace.” ISSUE 3 | MAY 2022 | 15

QUALITY STAFF

RECRUITING THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST FOR SISD Employing and retaining quality teachers and staff is one of the most important goals of Sunnyvale ISD. In order to fully understand SISD’s recruitment and staff retention needs, the district has established a Recruitment and Retention Team to support the Staff Quality and Recruitment goals of our Strategic Plan. The team is made up of a group of teachers, students, administrators and community members and follows the tradition of SISD’s special project team model of seeking community input for important goals. “Attracting and retaining a talented faculty and staff is one of our most important priorities,” Superintendent Doug Williams said. “It’s vital that our district seek community input in this important endeavor.”

16 | SUNNYVALE ISD HORIZONS

Factors such as the nationwide teacher shortage, benefit, and state funding disparities are issues that the team will discuss.

RECRUITING VIDEO

“Our goal is to listen to our stakeholders to learn what’s important to our community in recruiting and retaining quality employees,” Assistant Superintendent Dr. Christi Morgan said. “Our goal will be to enhance practices by listening to our community and learning from those on our team.”

SISD Names Brenda Rodriguez New Chief Financial Officer Sunnyvale ISD’s Board of Trustees has named Brenda Rodriguez the Chief Financial Officer for SISD. The board approved Mrs. Rodriguez’ hiring at a meeting of the Board of Trustees on April 25. Ms. Rodriguez’ first day at SISD will be July 1. “We are fortunate to have Brenda, who is a skilled administrator with over 20 years of experience in school business and operations,” Superintendent Doug Williams said. She joins SISD after serving as the CFO at Mabank ISD a position she has held since 2019. Prior to that, she served as the Director of Finance for Italy ISD for a year and before that, worked for Ferris ISD for over 18 years. Her knowledge of school business practices offers SISD continued success on the financial front. “In my years in school finance, I have only had Superior FIRST ratings, as well as clean audits, and have been part of successful bond elections and a TRE election,” Ms. Rodriguez said. “As each year brings new challenges, and every year does, I will continue to budget conservatively and be the best steward of the district funds. I believe the experience and knowledge that I will be bringing with me will ensure that we continue to be successful. Ms. Rodriguez recognizes the established success of SISD’s business and finances and is eager to build upon it. “The Business and Operations Department currently functions very well,” she said. “My goal right now is to spend some time getting to know the processes currently in place to see if there are ways to enhance upon the processes to make the department the best it can be for the district.” Ms. Rodriguez and her fiance, Scott McFalls, currently live in Waxahachie. Together, they have five adult children, two of which are in public education. They also have eight beautiful grandchildren, ranging in age from 16 to 2 months old. ISSUE 3 | MAY 2022 | 17

ENGAGED AND WELL-ROUNDED

CELEB

SISD SUMMER CAMPS

Michael Fennig SHS SPANISH TEACHER 24 YEARS OF SERVICE, ALL WITH SISD

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING FUN TO DO OVER THE SUMMER? NEED TO KEEP THE KIDS BUSY?

Little Raider Tennis Camp Incoming Grades 2-4 June 20-22 8:30 a.m. - 10 p.m. Raider Tennis Camp Incoming Grades 5-9 June 20-23 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

SCAN FOR REGISTRATION AND TUITION DETAILS:

FOR SPORTS CAMPS, VISIT: www.RaiderCamps.com

LOOKING BACK… Without a doubt, I sincerely enjoyed working with young people. The majority of my students seemed to appreciate my sense of humor and I always felt like I could just be myself. I already miss the students. There are a lot of memories. I brought soccer to the district and led the first team to an undefeated season. I was extremely proud to have performed with my band for the Sunnyvale High School Student Peace Alliance. And I was ecstatic to work with Ben Wright in pranking other colleagues. LOOKING FORWARD… I am tackling some home renovations that have been long overdue. I now have time to devote more effort into my music. My band, FENNIG, is recording a second album. In June, Amy and I will head to Austria to do a walking tour of the lake districts in the mountains. Believe it or not, I have been looking at ESL (English as a Second Language) positions at the university level.

R AT I N G O U R R E T I R E E S Lisa Mackey

Glenda McMahan

Renee Songer

SES TEACHER

SES COUNSELOR

SES TEACHER

24 YEARS OF SERVICE, 23 YEARS WITH SISD

30 YEARS OF SERVICE, 21 WITH SISD

28 YEARS OF SERVICE, 18 WITH SISD

LOOKING BACK… One of my favorite things about being in Sunnyvale has been doing guidance lessons with the students. I sincerely hope that as a result of the guidance lessons I have in some way changed their lives for the better.

LOOKING BACK… I have watched this district grow from a one-building schoolhouse to four campuses, but the feeling of family has never left. I’ll miss many things: seeing new discoveries through the eyes of children, getting to champion that one kid each year who really needs it, laughing and telling funny kid stories with my coworkers. Sunnyvale really has some of the most amazing teachers.

LOOKING BACK… My favorite thing about SISD has been living in the town where I have taught, as well as my sons going to school with me. I will definitely miss the kids and their families that I have gotten to know and love over the years. I have taught multiple kids and cousins from the same family. My favorite SISD memory was when Mr. B [former superintendent Gwinn Blankenship] hired me! There was only one Kindergarten teacher at the time, and I became the second Kindergarten teacher.

I know that I am going to miss the students’ hugs, smiles, and their excitement coming in for their guidance lesson. I have been blessed to work with an amazing staff over the years. I think my fondest memory was when the new elementary building opened. It was a sight to behold and the space was simply amazing.

LOOKING FORWARD… We are looking for land to buy in either East Texas or Oklahoma and build a house. I plan on traveling, learning to quilt, continue with ancestry research, read a lot, knit, garden, spend time with my family, catch up on other things I have put off over the years and enjoy my time with my husband Trent.

LOOKING FORWARD… My husband and I plan on doing some traveling and reconnecting with relatives who we don’t get to see often. I love cruises! We want to go to Alaska to see the whales, snowcapped mountains and remarkable blue waters. We also enjoy going with our granddaughter to volleyball tournaments. I will enjoy gardening, watching my chickens and fishing.

My favorite memory is getting to be the first third-grade team to take the entire grade level to NASA. When we pitched that idea to admin, no one was more surprised than us when they said, “Do it!” LOOKING FORWARD… My husband and I are building a “skoolie,” a short school bus that we’re converting into a solar-powered home on wheels. We’re going to travel, go rockhounding, hiking, kayaking — all the things I love to do! I also plan to learn how to play the guitar, learn more about wire wrapping to make jewelry, and make lots of lye soap!

ISSUE 3 | MAY 2022 | 19

Sunnyvale Independent School District 417 East Tripp Road Sunnyvale, TX 75182

****ECRWSS**** Rural Route Box Holder Carrier Route Presort Sunnyvale, Texas 75182

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Mesquite, Texas Permit No. 256

SUNNYVALE ISD ADMINISTRATION DIRECTORY Mr. Doug Williams Superintendent

Mr. Buck Baskin Director of Technology

Mrs. Kristen Nester Literacy Coach

Mr. Michael Tillinghast Network Administrator

doug.williams@sunnyvaleisd.com

buck.baskin@sunnyvaleisd.com

kristen.nester@sunnyvaleisd.com

michael.tillinghast@sunnyvaleisd.com

Dr. Christi Morgan Assistant Superintendent

Mrs. Stacy Bellows Director of Human Resources

Mr. Jacob Pipak Fine Arts Coordinator

Mrs. Amy Tutle Director of Assessment and Accountability

christi.morgan@sunnyvaleisd.com

stacy.bellows@sunnyvaleisd.com

jacob.pipak@sunnyvaleisd.com

amy.tutle@sunnyvaleisd.com

Brenda Rodriguez Chief Financial Officer

Mrs. Melissa James District Crisis Counselor

Mrs. Robin Plett Director of Child Nutrition

Mrs. Emily White Director of Communications and Marketing

brenda.rodriguez@sunnyvaleisd.com

melissa.james@sunnyvaleisd.com

robin.plett@sunnyvaleisd.com

emily.white@sunnyvaleid.com

Mr. Keith Adams Director of Operations

Mrs. Sherrie Koerner Dyslexia/EL Coordinator

Mrs. Jennifer Settle Director of Professional Learning

Mrs. Stacie Wilson Federal Programs and At-Risk Coordinator

keith.adams@sunnyvaleisd.com

sherrie.koerner@sunnyvaleisd.com

jennifer.settle@sunnyvaleisd.com

stacie.wilson@sunnyvaleisd.com

Mrs. Aimee Bartis District Librarian

Mrs. Erica Lawless Director of Special Programs

Mr. John Settle Athletic Director

Mr. Karl Williams Director of Transportation

aimee.bartis@sunnyvaleisd.com

erica.lawless@sunnyvaleisd.com

john.settle@sunnyvaleisd.com

karl.williams@sunnyvaleisd.com

Horizons, Issue 3 - June 2022

Articles inside

SHS Learning and Progress

SMS Learning and Progress

Community Partnerships