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GRAHAM ISD

Committed to Excellence

The GISD TeleGRAHAM: October 9, 2025

Posted Date: 10/09/25 (4:04 PM)

the gisd telegraham

Message from the Superintendent

dr mary johnston, superintendent
Graham ISD Community,

Happy Fall! It is an exciting and busy time of year for our school community. We have enjoyed cooler temperatures, actively engaged classroom learning and increased opportunities to do good deeds within the greater Graham ISD community. Our students have been participating in Pink Out activities to support Breast Cancer Awareness and recognize the resilient survivors in our community, and Graham ISD employees exceeded our United Way goal for the year, raising $8,502 for this year’s campaign. Thank you to everyone for your generosity and support of these initiatives.

The Texas Education Agency recently released information as part of the 2025 Accountability Ratings. Not only did Graham ISD improve from an overall letter grade of C to a B, but two of our campuses also received Awards of Distinction. Congratulations to the staff and students at Graham High School and Graham Junior High for earning the following distinctions:
Graham High School
  1. Academic Achievement in Mathematics
  2. Academic Achievement in Science
  3. Top 25%: Comparative Closing the Gaps
Graham Junior High School
  1. Top 25%: Comparative Academic Growth
  2. Postsecondary Readiness
At last night’s School Board meeting, Trustees approved the process for conducting a facility assessment and formation of a Facility Planning Committee to help create a five-year Long-Range Facility Plan for GISD. Details about the formation of this committee and a unique opportunity to apply for one of five at-large committee appointments are detailed in this month’s TeleGRAHAM and on our website. Please consider whether or not you would be interested in representing your school or community in this facility planning process. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 20.

This next week ushers in our annual Homecoming activities for the whole community. This cherished Texas tradition of mums, pep rallies, parades and football offers a wonderful opportunity to connect with Graham ISD alumni and former classmates. I would like to invite all our families to the parade, pep rally and bonfire on Monday evening, and of course to the game on Friday, Oct. 17. This week is not just an opportunity to cheer on the Steers & Lady Blues, but it also strengthens ties within the community and fosters school pride. Your presence at these events while supporting the students sends a strong message and gives them an opportunity to showcase their hard work and dedication. 

I hope your whole family will make plans to join us.

Committed to Excellence,
Dr. Johnston
 

School Board Meeting Highlights

school board photo posted in front of Graham logo and beside american and texas flags

School Board Votes To Shift To July 1 Fiscal Year

The Graham ISD School Board met for its monthly meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 8. Trustees approved a recommendation by the Administration to shift the fiscal year from Sept. 1 to July 1. The district’s Financial Advisors were present to explain the process and advantages of a fiscal year change. Part of the process involves the District submitting the required paperwork indicating the change to the Texas Education Agency Division of Financial Compliance. Instead of a fiscal year starting Sept. 1 and ending on Aug. 31, the district will join many other school districts across the state in following a July 1 to June 30 fiscal year. The 2025-2026 budget year will be shortened to 10 months with this transition. As a result Graham ISD will be able to benefit from one-time cost savings associated with this fiscal year update.
facility planning committee

Trustees Vote To Create Facility Planning Committee

The Board approved creation of a Facility Planning Committee made up of employees and parents from each of the district’s schools, as well as community leaders, taxpayers and secondary students. This group will serve in an advisory capacity to the School Board on a temporary basis during this school year. The committee’s work will be instrumental in developing a Long-Range Facility Plan that will serve Graham ISD students for the next five years.

Formation of this committee aligns with strategies identified by the Graham ISD Strategic Plan adopted in June of 2025 regarding Facilities:
  • 4.1 Create a sustainable and comprehensive long-term facility plan,
  • 4.2 Communicate and foster support for the facility plan as a vehicle promoting innovative, healthy, and welcoming environments.
Board Policy CS (LEGAL), updated in 2021, indicates that the process of developing the long-range facility plan shall consider input from teachers, students, parents, taxpayers, and other district stakeholders. The legal requirement for a long-range facility plan is met when a district completes the plan and presents it to the Board of Trustees. The need for community engagement as part of the planning process is a state requirement.

The 52 members of the Facility Planning Committee will be appointed by Campus and District Administrators and the School Board. At least five positions on the committee will be appointed through an application process. Committee work will begin this fall and continue throughout the school year. If you are interested in serving on the committee, you can inform a campus principal and/or apply through the application process. Filling out an application does not guarantee placement on the committee which will have to be balanced to ensure all geographical areas of the district and various student programs have representation. If you are interested in applying for a committee spot, fill out the Facility Planning Committee Application by the 5 p.m. Oct. 20 deadline.
Read More
Apply for Facilities Committee
In other business, the Board of Trustees:
  • Approved the 2025-26 members of the School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC);
  • Adopted the Senate Bill 12 Parental Rights Resolution. Senate Bill 12 from the 89th legislative session relates to parental rights in public education and the resolution was signed in the interim until guidance is received for the Texas Education Agency. 
  • Made revisions to the Student Code of Conduct that reflects board policy. Because this is a legislative year, there will be substantive changes to the Student Handbook. Trustees on Wednesday approved two changes: 1) deletion of “Appeals for DAEP shall begin at Level III with the board.” from page 30 of the Student Code of Conduct. This change would result in grievances regarding DAEP placement following policy FNG through Levels I, II, and III and 2) amending the language for the Extracurricular Drug Testing Program appeals, on page 60, to state, “An appeal of the sanction may be instituted by the parent using the procedures in FNG(LOCAL).”
  • Voted to have the Administration create a process to allow specific administrators to engage in outside employment. House Bill (HB) 3372 of the 89th Texas Regular Legislative Session added new restrictions on certain administrators’ performance of outside employment. An administrator who is not a superintendent, assistant superintendent, or member of a board of managers may be exempted from this prohibition if the board allows it. As a note, this bill does not apply to outside employment at the University Level;
  • Approved a Board Resolution to nominate Z.T. Burkett as the representative for Graham ISD and Ben Wilson as the representative for NCTC for the Young County Appraisal District Board of Directors.
  • Approved the Consent Agenda, which consisted of previous meeting minutes, an enrollment report and financial reports;
  • Approved the Guardian List for the 2025-26 school year;
  • Heard a report on staff resignations and retirements; and
  • Met in Closed Session as permitted by Texas law.
The School Board’s next regular meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 12.
 
ffa students with board members at meeting
ffa students with board members at meeting

School Board Welcomed FFA Teams To Meeting

Trustees welcomed the FFA Leadership Development Event teams to Wednesday’s meeting as the students have been preparing for their upcoming competitions. The GHS FFA Public Relations and Agriculture Issues Team made two group presentations to the Board of Trustees. The students and sponsors extended their sincere gratitude to the Graham ISD Board of Trustees for serving as the audience for this practice. This meeting space is particularly valuable for our Public Relations team, as the Board of Trustees is their designated target audience. For our Agricultural Issues team, conducting a high-caliber forum is essential for success in their event. Thank you to Mrs. Cortney Trammell for her work preparing these students for these events.

  • Public Relations Team: McCrae Marin, Hadley Trammell, Emerson Taylor, and Maddison Erwin
  • Agricultural Issues Team: Neveah Shough, Makenzie Vacante, Baylee Aaron, and Ariel Tucker
 
HOCO 2025, lights, camera, action

Next Week is Homecoming in Graham ISD!

Homecoming Parade: Oct. 13
Homecoming week will kick off with a parade, pep rally and bonfire! The parade begins at Tractor Supply/Highridge Church Parking Lot and ends at the Baseball/Softball Complex for the Pep Rally and Bonfire.  

Join us on Monday, Oct. 13 for fun festivities.
  • Parade at 7 p.m.
  • Pep Rally at 7:30 p.m.
  • Bonfire at 8 p.m.
Last Chance To Purchase T-Shirts!
Graham High School Student Council recently announced the HOCO 2025 theme..."Lights, Camera, Action!" Click the link below to order your shirt or crewneck. But don’t wait, TODAY, Oct. 9 is the last day orders will be accepted. Go Steers and Lady Blues!

Design includes the Steer on Front and HOCO 25 on back. There are multiple shirt, color, and size options to choose from...and we have crewnecks! Shirt Pick up will be Thursday, Oct. 16 in the GHS New Gym Foyer from 4-6:30 p.m.
Order Your Shirt Today!
homecoming week parade, pep rally and bonfire

Enter Your Parade Float!

Be sure to enter a float in the parade! Floats will be judged and prizes awarded for the best floats. The deadline to enter the parade is Friday, Oct. 10. Email Graham Athletic Boosters at grahamathleticboosterclub@gmail.com or message the group on Graham Athletic Boosters Facebook to sign up.
 
graham safe lockdown with lock icon

Safety Corner - LOCKDOWN

From time to time, Graham ISD schools may implement one of five Standard Response Protocols as part of the district’s emergency response plan. These protocols include Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, Shelter and Hold. We will be using space in our monthly community newsletters to review the procedures and purposes of each of these protocols.

The second protocol explained for the 2025-26 school year is a campus Lockdown. A Lockdown is typically announced over the intercom system to alert students and staff members of an imminent threat to safety happening inside or directed at the school.

During a Lockdown, protocol demands locking individual classroom doors, offices and other securable areas, moving room occupants to a ‘safe zone’ out of line of sight of corridor windows and having room occupants maintain silence. Students and staff who are outside of classrooms when a Lockdown is announced, should get into the first available classroom with a teacher or a room that can be secured. Teacher, staff, and student training reinforces the practice of not opening the classroom door, once in Lockdown. Rather, no indication of occupancy should be revealed until first responders or school administrators open the door.

During a Lockdown, we ask that parents/guardians NOT come to the campus until the Lockdown has been lifted and instructions have been shared. Allow school personnel and emergency responders an opportunity to manage the emergency situation first and then Graham ISD will communicate with parents as quickly as possible. If a student is ever injured, just know that GISD will contact the parent/guardian directly. 

Lockdowns are reserved for more serious situations with imminent concern for student and staff safety. Although it can be an anxious few minutes for parents who are unsure of what is happening, please trust that school officials and first responders will put student safety first when managing the situation. Notifying families of the facts and where to reconnect with your child if a Reunification is necessary will be the next priority. Reunification is the district’s plan to reunite families with their children following a serious emergency situation or evacuation. We’ll cover more details on the Reunification procedures in a future edition of the TeleGRAHAM.

If you ever have questions about any of the district’s Standard Response Protocols (SRPs), please don’t hesitate to reach out to your campus principal. 

For Our Parents: Watch for #GrahamSafe announcements through the ParentSquare mobile app.
 
silver steers and lady blues, oct. 16 from 9-10:30 a.m.

Silver Steers & Lady Blues Club

We will launch our Silver Steer and Lady Blues Club for our Graham Senior Citizens this month. Our first meeting will be Thursday, Oct. 16 from 9-10:30 a.m. at the Graham Learning Center, 701 Tennessee St.

Come join us and learn more about Graham ISD!
Register Today!
 
GISD is Hiring graphic

Graham ISD is Hiring

District Openings 
  • PEIMS/SkywardDistrict Coordinator
  • Elementary Curriculum Coordinator 
  • Diagnostician
Crestview 
  • Teacher - 1st Grade
  • Paraprofessional - Inclusion
Substitute Teacher Training
  • Oct. 15 at The Graham Learning Center 8:30 - 10:00 a.m.
View Openings and Apply Today
 

Finance Corner

committed to excellence, graham logo

Every Day Counts: The Importance of School Attendance

Consistent attendance is crucial for your student's academic success. Missing even a few days of school can mean falling behind, as classroom learning builds on itself. Please help your child prioritize being in school every day they are healthy. It truly makes a difference in their academic progress. It is our joy to see your students every day! Thank you for your partnership ensuring your student takes advantage of every learning opportunity.

As a reminder, good attendance is a priority identified in the recently developed Graham ISD Strategic Plan. Our goal is to increase student attendance to a rate of 97% district-wide. As a result, GISD will implement strategies to improve attendance. One of those strategies will be to regularly communicate with parents or guardians about the benefits of good attendance for student learning and school funding.
every day counts, the importance of school attendance
 

Excellence in Action

Graham ISD is celebrating growth, curiosity, and achievement across all grade levels from our youngest learners to the district’s rising leaders.

In Elementary classrooms, Pre-K students are exploring the world through their five senses. Teachers are fostering curiosity and language development as students describe textures, identify sounds, and experiment with new hands-on, sensory stations. Kindergarten students are celebrating meeting goals, reading to the Principal and experiencing Pioneer Day.
we are learning about our senses in pre-k
letters and sounds, reading, cow milking at pioneer day
At the secondary level, academic excellence and leadership are being recognized through the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) induction ceremony. Students who demonstrate outstanding scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship were honored for their commitment to both academics and community involvement. Please join us in celebrating their achievement as they take this honor and continue to make a positive impact on our school and community. The New GJHS Pom Squad did an amazing job pumping up the crowd and cheering on our Steers! Your spirit and energy make every game brighter! Graham High is keeping engagement high with group work in hands-on labs in science classes.
national junior honor society
junior high cheerleaders
students working in science lab
students working in science lab
 

Staff and Student Shoutouts

SaraJo Carrico

SaraJo Carrico

Ms. Carrico and her STUCO officers organized and led an outstanding program for the Flag Raising event on Constitution Day. The Daughters of American Revolution members are proud of these students, as well as the student body of GHS. Ms. Carrico’s leadership is shown in the work of these students! 
  • Submitted by Ellen Morris
Carma Marrero-Davis

Carma Marrero-Davis

Carma goes above and beyond for her students. She shows up every day with a positive attitude and the best outlook for the day. She believes in all her students and celebrates every win, no matter how small! She is a wonderful teacher to all her students! 
  • Submitted by MaryAnna Griffin
rich barber

Rick Barber

We are so excited to have Coach Barber on staff at Graham ISD! He is proof to our Rompin' Stompin' Big Blue Band students that you CAN do it all. We discovered earlier this year that in addition to being a student athlete, Coach Barber was a part of the band throughout high school, even marching at the UIL State Marching Contest twice! Thank you, Coach Barber, for being an incredible ambassador and encourager for our students involved in a multitude of activities at GHS. You can join us in the stands any time!
  • Submitted by Joshua Kidd
Have a Graham ISD student or staff member that deserves a shoutout in an upcoming newsletter or social media post? Take a few moments to share information about the achievement or contribution the staff or student made and share photos if you have them using the form provided below.
Submit a Shoutout!
 

Good News in GISD

Custodian Day Celebration

On Oct. 2, Graham ISD celebrated our custodial and maintenance team! We’re so grateful for our custodians and maintenance team for their dedication to creating safe and clean learning environments. Thank you for keeping our schools in great shape!
admin with custodian
custodian with gift basket
custodians at pioneer
custodians at celebration

Pioneer Day

Students and staff at Pioneer Elementary enjoyed a fun Pioneer Day! This annual tradition is an interactive look at what life was like in Young County in the “Good Ole Days”. Students played hopscotch, potato sack races, tug-of-war, and more!
students with foam horses
students playing hopscotch
 

Pep Rally Information at Graham High School: Friday, Oct. 17 at 1:23 p.m.

In order to establish a safety-focused system and provide partnership with our community members who would like to attend our Pep Rallies, we will be implementing a process for visitors/ any adults for Pep Rallies this year. 

Parents/Community Members who would like to attend pep rallies will need to register (within link below) and provide the required information (This system is similar to processes for class parties at elementary schools.) This will need to be done for each pep rally by 8 a.m. the day of the pep rally. This will give our office staff enough time to print and organize the badges.

Here is the Day of Pep Rally Process:

  • On Pep Rally Day, Parents and Community Members who have pre-enrolled will enter through the gym doors and will receive their pre-printed badge.
  • If you do not enroll before Friday at 8 a.m., you may scan the QR code at the check-in table by the gym before the Pep Rally to receive your visitor badge.
  • Parents and Community Members will sit in the reserved area on the home side section closest to the gym doors. When the space fills, parents and community members will be directed to the upper section.

Thank you for your continued support of safety on our campus. Go Steers and Lady Blues!

Mr. Adam Anderson
Register Today!
 

Graham ISD Special Programs Presents GRIT Events

If you have a child and/or adult individual with an intellectual disability and would like to meet with a Helen Farabee IDD intake specialist to review, Graham ISD has a representative in the district on the dates below scheduled throughout the school year. This resource is open to the public. Stop by Graham ISD Special Programs office at 1001 Kentucky Street between 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on the designated days. Monday, Nov. 3 is your next opportunity to take advantage of this part in the community engagement opportunity.

Meet with Tracie Ortiz, Helen Farabee IDD Intake Coordinator, to learn about services and supports for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Tracie specializes in intakes, the Statewide Interest List, discussing eligibility requirements, sharing resources, and answering additional questions for parents and community members. (Possible areas of eligibility for services: intellectual disability, autism, related condition, and/or developmental delay.) 
grit events
 

Important Dates

Mark Your Calendar

  • Oct 9: End of 1st 9-week grading period
  • Oct. 10: Professional Learning for all Employees /No School for Students
  • Oct. 13: Homecoming Parade, Pep Rally & Bonfire
  • Oct. 17: Homecoming Pep Rally and Game
  • Oct. 18: UIL Region 7 Marching Contest
  • Oct. 24: Graham ISD Closed
  • Oct. 25: UIL Area Marching Contest
  • Oct. 31: Graham ISD Closed

Check out the Online GISD Calendar for a more comprehensive list of upcoming academic, athletic, fine arts and extracurricular activities.
 

PTO and Parent Class Officer News for You

If you still would like to pay class dues for your student, please click below.

11th Grade: Class of 2027

QR Code to Pay $20 Dues
Please note: user must have the Venmo app to access this payment form.
Class of 2027 Payment

10th Grades: Class of 2028

QR Code to Pay $20 Dues
Please note: user must have the PayPal app downloaded and QR code payments set up.
paypal qr code

9th Grade: Class of 2029

QR Code to Pay $20 Dues
Please note: user must have the PayPal app downloaded and QR code payments set up.
qr code

8th Grade: Class of 2030

QR Code to Pay $20 Dues
Please note: user must have the PayPal app downloaded and QR code payments set up.
paypal qr code

7th Grade: Class of 2031

QR Code to Pay $20 Dues
Please note: user must have the PayPal app downloaded and QR code payments set up.
qr code class of 2031

6th Grade: Class of 2032

QR Code to Pay $20 Dues
Please note: user must have the Venmo app downloaded.
qr code class of 2032
 

Community News

young county community resource fair

Young County Community Resource Fair

A day of fun in Graham Downtown Square!
Saturday, Oct. 11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Join us for bounce houses, face painting, and more activities.

Find representatives from various non-profits, community resources and churches.
2-25 5k race and 1k fun run graham texas nov. 8

Spivey Hill Challenge: 5K Race and 1K Fun Run

Saturday, Nov. 8 at 9 a.m.
Fireman’s Park in Graham
join us for a free meal and take home pantry items, nov. 8

Food For Life Free Meal

Saturday, Nov. 8
Highridge Church, 1545 Fourth St.

Enjoy a free hot lunch and take home some food pantry items. Spaces are limited. 
kids grow fast, most budgets dont

Just Between Friends Resale Event

Oct. 9-11
Sikes Center Mall
Wichita Falls, TX

Thursday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
Friday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
Saturday, Half Price Sale! 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
Domestic Violence Awareness Event

Domestic Violence Awareness Event

Graham Crisis Center invites the public to join them in a moment of peace and awareness for Domestic Violence warriors, survivors and change.

Young County Courthouse lawn
Friday, Oct. 17 from 1-2 p.m.
 
graham isd logo

Graham Independent School District

400 Third Street | Graham, TX 76450
940-549-0595