Happy July! I want to give a shoutout to everyone in the community who took part in planning, participating in or celebrating the Fourth of July parade in our community. What an amazing time in our country’s history to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our independence. It was fun to see all the red, white and blue, along with the students and staff representing Graham ISD. These types of events remind me how lucky we are to live in a small community.
I hope this message finds you continuing to rest, relax and enjoy some sunshine and family fun during summer break. In just four short weeks we will be welcoming students back for the 2026-27 school year. This month’s TeleGRAHAM has a lot of important news and information to relieve any Back-to-School stress or uncertainty you or your child might have. I encourage you to read through the checklist and make sure you participate in the new student online enrollment or returning student enrollment verification process. Our commitment to excellence continues as we prepare our facilities and our staff for the new year. There are a lot of wonderful things on the horizon for Graham ISD, and I look forward to sharing more with you in the coming year.
In the meantime, please take a few moments to participate in our Community Survey about communications and facility planning in Graham ISD. This survey offers you an opportunity to share your ideas and feedback with the district as we consider the future of GISD. The survey deadline has been extended until the end of the business day on Monday, July 20, so please take a few moments to participate. We value your input and will use what we learn to make informed decisions on behalf of the over 2,000 students who call Graham ISD home.
Committed to Excellence,
Dr. Johnston
Back-To-School 2026-27
It’s time for families to start thinking about the 2026-27 school year. The first day of school for students in Graham ISD is Wednesday, August 12. And while we know you are still enjoying these last few weeks of summer break, we have a few things on the Back to School checklist that require action from parents/guardians:
We are now offering an online enrollment process for both new and returning students using Skyward Family Access. Visit our Back-to-School webpage on July 20 to complete the process.
Graham High School Events
Schedule Pick-up: All students will need to have completed Online Registration (if new) or Online Enrollment Verification (if returning) to receive their schedules during laptop pick-up.
If you are unable to pick up your Chromebook at this time, you may go to another grade level time.
Booster Bash: Graham Athletic Booster Club (GABC) will host a Booster Bash at Newton Field on Monday, August 10 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. All Fall Sports are going to be recognized. Get your Steer & Lady Blues apparel here. High School Clubs & Organizations will have information booths onsite! All Graham ISD families are invited!
Chromebook Make-Up Day: Tuesday, August 11: Students in Grades 9-12 who missed their pick-up day can come to GHS between 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
NCTC Dual Credit Meeting: Tuesday, August 18 from 5 to 6 p.m. there will be a NCTC Dual Credit student & parent meeting in the GHS library. This informational session is for students and parents of students who are enrolled in Dual Credit courses for the fall semester.
Meet The Teacher Events Announced
Each campus in Graham ISD is planning to provide an opportunity for students to visit the school to meet with teachers and in some cases, pick up class schedules or athletic equipment. In addition, New Parent Orientation will be held at each campus during Meet the Teacher. Be sure to check the dates/times listed below so you won’t miss your child’s chance to visit the campus before the first day of school.
Friday, August 7 - Graham Junior High (Grades 6-8) from 4 to 6 p.m.
Monday, August 10 - Pioneer Elementary Grades ECSE, Pre K & Kindergarten from 8 to 9:30 a.m.
Monday, August 10 - Crestview (Grades 1-3) from 9 to 10:30 a.m.
Monday, August 10 - Woodland (Grades 4-5) from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Monday, August 10 - Graham High School (Grade 9) Fish Camp from 3 to 5 p.m. and (Grades 10-12) from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
GISD Offers New Shuttle Bus Route ONLY
New for this year, Graham ISD will offer a dedicated shuttle bus to transport students between GISD campuses without having to ride a route bus. This service will allow students to ride the shuttle bus between the campus they attend and a campus that is closer to their home. The shuttle bus will pick-up between 7 and 7:30 each morning, making a stop at the designated campuses according to the schedule below. Then, the shuttle will pick-up from 3:50 to 4:10 for afternoon routes, again, dropping off at each GISD campus. Seating is limited, so be sure to arrive at the school closest to where you live to catch the bus to your home campus.
Route riders are those students who qualify for free bus transportation because they live two miles or more from their home campus. Either way, if your child intends to ride a GISD route bus or would like to take advantage of the new shuttle bus only, please first register as a rider during the enrollment verification process.
Facility Planning Committee Will Meet August 4 With Members of Graham ISD Strategic Planning Committee
Members of the Graham ISD Facility Planning Committee will hold a joint meeting with members of the GISD Strategic Planning Committee on August 4 to hear an update from the Administration on the work of both committees and to discuss topics for upcoming discussion by the Board of Trustees. The meeting will take place at 6 p.m. in the Graham Learning Center.
As a reminder, the GISD School Board approved the Strategic Plan in June of 2025 and work began on strategic goals and objectives during this past school year. The Facility Planning Committee recommendations that were shared with the Board of Trustees on June 3 include:
Prioritize Safety & Security projects and ADA accessibility needs districtwide. This includes fencing, lighting, drainage, building connectivity, security vestibules, surveillance cameras, etc.
Consolidate three elementary campuses into two to address critical maintenance issues, provide a more consistent learning experience and reduce transitions for young students, and decrease annual operating costs. This will allow GISD to use operating funds to recruit, retain and reward the highest quality teachers rather than using the day-to-day budget to pay for facility repairs.
Call a school bond election as soon as the Board of Trustees and Administration believe it is in the best interest of Graham students and local taxpayers to vote on proposed projects. Continue to educate the community that the longer Graham ISD waits, the more expensive these projects will become. Expediency will help avoid higher construction costs and greater inflationary impacts to taxpayers. November 2026 is the earliest possible date; the next option is May 2027.
Minimize to the extent possible the financial impact and debt repayment on the local taxpayer. The committee recognizes that not all projects can be completed with one bond election if we are also minimizing the impact to local taxpayers.
Include an ongoing, written Maintenance Plan for aging facilities and systems.
Create an ongoing, written Technology Device Refresh Plan to protect and maintain the district’s investment in student and staff technology.
Provide equitable facilities across the high school/middle school and student programs.
Concentrate on MUST DO/NEED TO DO projects on the FPC priority list.
Survey the Graham ISD community as soon as possible about priority projects and recommendations made by the Facility Planning Committee.
Review, edit and approve the proposed Five-year Long-Range Facility Plan for Graham ISD (in August).
One Last Chance To Take Graham ISD Community Survey
Nearly 500 students, parents, educators and community taxpayers have participated in the Graham ISD Community Survey this summer. The original survey deadline was July 15, however, the district still desires as many people to participate as possible. Therefore, Graham ISD will leave the survey open through the end of the business day on Monday, July 20. If you have not yet shared your ideas and feedback on district communications and facility planning, please follow the survey link below to register your responses before the extended deadline. Results will be shared with the Board of Trustees at their August 5 Board workshop.
The School Board’s next meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 5. It will be a Special Session including a Board Workshop and Public Hearing. Trustees meet in the Graham Learning Center. Among the items on the agenda will be results of the Community Survey and review of the DRAFT Long-Range Facility Plan.
The next regular Board of Trustees meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 11 rather than the typical second Wednesday of the month because the 2026-27 school starts for students on Wednesday, August 12. As a reminder, GISD shared School Board agendas on the district’s website in advance of the meetings. A summary of Board actions and discussion is also shared each month in the community newsletter, The TeleGRAHAM.
Graham ISD utilizes the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) to train the staff and students on actions to take in the event of natural or man-made emergencies. The Standard Response Protocol is easy to understand and implement. The SRP information used is available through a free partnership with the “I Love U Guys” Foundation. As we enjoy summer, Graham ISD wishes to share an updated written and video overview of the Standard Response Protocol actions.
A uniform, planned, and practiced response to any incident is the foundation of a safe school, safe business, and safe community. The SRP is action-based, flexible, and easy to learn. It rationally organizes tactics for response to weather events, fires, accidents, intruders and other threats to personal safety.
The SRP's development is ever-evolving, created with extensive collaboration between experts such as first responders, public safety, school, districts, and communities. Its tactics are data-driven, researched and based on experience and contemporary practices.
The benefits of SRP become quickly apparent. By standardizing the vocabulary, all stakeholders can understand the response and status of the event.
For students, this provides continuity of expectations and actions throughout their educational career. For teachers, this becomes a simpler process to train and drill. For communities, it leverages the growing adoption of the protocols from residents of all ages. For first responders, the common vocabulary and protocols establish a greater predictability that persists through the duration of an incident.
People easily understand the practices and can reinforce the protocol. Additionally, this protocol enables rapid response determination when an unforeseen event occurs.
The Standard Response Protocol (SRP) is based on the response to any given situation not on individual scenarios. Like the Incident Command System (ICS), SRP demands a specific vocabulary but also allows for great flexibility. The premise is simple - any of these five specific actions can be performed during an incident. When communicating these, the action is labeled with a "Term of Art" and is then followed by a "Directive." Execution of the action is performed by active participants.
Hold is followed by the Directive: "In Your Room or Area" and is the protocol used when hallways need to be kept clear of occupants.
Secure is followed by the Directive: "Get Inside. Lock Outside Doors" and is the protocol used to safeguard people within the building.
Lockdown is followed by "Locks, Lights, Out of Sight" and is the protocol used to secure individual rooms and keep occupants quiet and in place.
Evacuate may be followed by a location, and is used to move people from one location to a different location in or out of the building.
Shelter and state the Hazard and Safety Strategy for group and self protection.
This 5-minute video, made available through the Texas School Safety Center, breaks down the five actions of the Standard Response Protocol (SRP): Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter. It covers what each action means and what to do in an emergency.
Special Education Paraprofessional: Self-Contained
GJHS
Counselor
Teacher, Reading/Language Arts
Special Education Paraprofessional, Self-Contained
Woodland
Special Education Paraprofessional, Inclusion
Crestview
Paraprofessional, Instructional
Please know that we will be posting these openings twice a month in our newsletters. If you are interested in looking at postings more frequently, they may be accessed in Quick Links through our District website.
Graham ISD would love to have a growing list of trained substitute teachers for the coming year. Training dates have been set up and are required before you can qualify to substitute in GISD.
Meeting Place: The Graham Learning Center
Time: 8:30 to 11 a.m.
Training Dates: (you need only attend once)
August 5
September 2
October 7
November 4
December 2
January 6
February 3
March 3
Career and Technical Education Annual Public Notification of Nondiscrimination
Graham ISD offers career and technical education programs at Graham Junior High School and Graham High School. Admission to these programs is open to every student.
It is the policy of Graham ISD not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex or handicap in its vocational programs, services or activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.
It is the policy of Graham ISD not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap, or age in its employment practices as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.
Graham ISD will take steps to assure that lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in all educational and vocational programs.
For information about your rights or grievance procedures, contact the Title IX Coordinator at robert.loomis@grahamisd.com, 940-549-0595, and/or the Section 504 Coordinator at joe.gordy@grahamisd.com, 940-549-3399.
Finance Corner
GISD Successfully Completes the Transition to a July Fiscal Year
Graham ISD has completed the transition to a July 1 fiscal year. In the past Graham ISD has begun its fiscal year on September 1, almost two weeks after the start of school. Throughout the current school year (25-26) GISD staff made preparations for the conversion to a July 1st start to the fiscal year. GISD applied with the Texas Education Agency and was approved for this transition in the fall of 2025. In January of 2026 budget planning began leading to the adoption of the budget by the Board of Trustees in June. The final steps of the process were completed throughout the month of June leading up to the changeover which happened on June 30.
As staff returns from the summer break they will have access to their budgets to purchase much needed supplies to begin the school year. This transition is a key component of our ongoing commitment to fiscal responsibility and transparency through the "Dollars & $ense" initiative. By moving our fiscal cycle forward, we are better aligning our financial planning with the natural cycles of the academic year, allowing for more streamlined resource management.
Beyond operational alignment, this shift provides tangible benefits for the district’s bottom line. The 2025-2026 transition year was shortened to 10 months, allowing the district to realize significant one-time cost savings. These savings are a vital step in helping Graham ISD navigate the complexities of public school finance, ensuring we can continue to prioritize our primary goal: providing excellent facilities and learning environments for our students. A great deal of work has gone into this transition, and GISD would like to thank all those who had a hand in the process.
Graham ISD Offices and Schools are closed on Fridays through July 31. All campus buildings are now open with the exception of the two remaining Fridays off, July 24 and 31.
Excellence In Action
Thank You, Volunteers
We appreciate our GHS and GJHS students who have been volunteering at our elementary campuses the last couple of weeks. Unpacking curriculum materials is a big job and our Steers and Lady Blues really were all in. Thank you to the National Honor Society, Lady Blues Soccer, Steers Football, and Lady Blues Softball to name a few. We also appreciate the coaches, parents who delivered students to our campuses and those who helped too. Our Academics team is grateful for the help to get so many reading and math materials into the hands of our youngest Steers and Lady Blues.
Lady Blues Soccer Coach Honored at Nexstar Sports Awards
Congratulations to our Lady Blues Soccer Coach, Casey Weil, who was celebrated at the 8th Annual Nexstar Sports Awards on Thursday, July 9. The event celebrates outstanding local athletes, coaches, teams, and schools from across Texoma. Over 500+ people attended the event at MSU’s D.L. Ligon Coliseum, along with thousands more watching on-air and online. Coach Weil was one of the top three coaches recognized in the Texoma Region in the category of Large High School Coach of the Year. Congratulations Coach Weil. Thank you for representing Excellence in Action.
Staff and Student Shoutouts
Throughout the 2026-27 school year, we hope that you will take a few moments to give a word of encouragement, thanks or a general shoutout for a job well done to a GISD student or staff member. GISD features Staff and Student Shoutouts each month in the community newsletter, the TeleGRAHAM. Shout outs are also sometimes shared on GISD social media accounts.
We hope throughout the next few months, you will take a few minutes to support our amazing students and staff. Give someone a shout out and watch for your words of encouragement to be shared publicly in an upcoming TeleGRAHAM or on social media.
Tuesday, Aug. 4: Strategic Planning Committee and Facility Planning Committee - 5:30 p.m. at the Graham Learning Center
Wednesday, Aug. 5: Board Meeting Special Session and Board Workshop - 5:30 p.m. at the Graham Learning Center
Tuesday, Aug. 11: Regularly Scheduled Board Meeting - 5:30 p.m. at the Graham Learning Center
Wednesday, Aug. 12: First Day of School
Friday, Aug. 21: No School
Tuesday, Aug. 25: Graham Junior High School Curriculum Night - 5-6 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 26: Graham High School Curriculum Night - 5-6 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 31: Woodland Elementary Curriculum Night - 5-6 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 1: Pioneer Elementary Curriculum Night - 5-6 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 2: Crestview Elementary Curriculum Night - 5-6 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 4 and Monday, Sept. 7: No School
Check out the Online GISD Calendar for a more comprehensive list of upcoming academic, athletic, fine arts and extracurricular activities.
Community Events
If you would like to host a flier in the Community Events section for upcoming monthly editions of the GISD TeleGRAHAM, send the information to communications@grahamisd.com.
Graham Athletic Booster Club (GABC) Booster Bash
Monday, Aug. 10
7-8:30 p.m. at Newton Field
All Fall Sports are going to be recognized.
Get your Steer & Lady Blues Apparel
High School Clubs & Organizations will have information booths onsite!
All Graham ISD families are invited!
Gear Up Graham
Free school supplies!
Sunday, Aug. 2 at Eastside Church of Christ
Arrive start times by parent last name:
A-M at 4 p.m.
N-Z at 6 p.m.
Free hotdogs, backpacks and school supplies!
9th Annual Skeet Shoot
Graham Steer Baseball and Lady Blues Softball 9th Annual Skeet Shoot is Aug. 22!
Through Aug. 7, First United Methodist Church will be serving meals at 11:30 a.m. For more information or transportation options, please call 940-549-0970.
