Northwest News: Schools Reopen Monday, Steele AHS Student Named Nat'l Merit Semifinalist, COVID Reporting

September 10, 2020

NISD Schools to Reopen for In-Person Learning on Monday

Following six months of closures due to the COVID-19 global health pandemic, Northwest ISD will reopen its doors for In-Person Learning on Monday, September 14.

With the option to choose In-Person Learning or Remote Learning, approximately 19,000 students will return to an NISD campus on Monday, while approximately 6,200 students will remain as Remote Learners.

For the latest updates on the district's Return-to-Learn plan, watch the September 9 Facebook Live, view the slideshow from the presentation, or visit www.nisdtx.org/returntolearn.

Parents have been asked to pledge to not send their children to school sick or while exhibiting COVID symptoms.

Return-to-Learn Web Page

Video Created to Train Students and Staff on District's Health and Safety Protocols

In accordance with the Texas Education Agency's requirement to train every student and employee on our health and safety protocols, Northwest ISD will show this video to all In-Person Learners on Monday.

Steele Accelerated High School Student Named National Merit Semifinalist

The National Merit Scholarship Program has named George Peterson as a National Merit Semifinalist, placing him among the top-scoring PSAT-takers in the nation. Peterson is a senior at Steele Accelerated High School and has already started his application to become a National Merit Finalist. The program, one of the most rigorous in the nation, annually honors 16,000 students with the best test scores as National Merit Semifinalists out of the 1.6 million high school students who take a qualifying test during their junior year.

Online COVID Reporting Tool Added to School Websites

Northwest ISD has created two online forms for families and staff to communicate COVID-related information to their campus and district.

The I Have COVID Information to Report link should be used by parents or employees when they need to report a test-confirmed case of COVID-19, when a student or employee has been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID, or if a student or employee is experiencing COVID symptoms.

The I Am Ready to Return to School link should be used by parents or employees when students or employees are ready to return to campus after they've completed a required isolation, a required quarantine, or because they have recovered from a test-confirmed case of COVID-19.

A button has been added under "Important Links" on every school's homepage, and the links can be found at www.nisdtx.org/returntolearn/c_o_v_i_d_reporting. The district's COVID dashboard, which will show the number of test-confirmed COVID cases and recovered cases by campus, will also be added to that webpage on Monday.

COVID Reporting

Teachers and Staff to Use Friday Afternoon for In-Person Preparations

Northwest ISD teachers and staff will spend Friday afternoon (September 11) preparing their campuses for the return of In-Person Learning on Monday, September 14. Normal Remote Learning schedules (synchronous and asynchronous activities) will continue up until lunch. Following lunch, no Zoom sessions will occur, allowing staff time to make final preparations for In-Person Learning. Students are encouraged to continue working independently on their assignments in the afternoon.

A Cup of Coffee Supports NISD Students and Teachers

Enjoy a coffee or a sweet treat at Froth Coffee Bar on Thursday, Sept. 17 from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. -- and mention the Northwest ISD Education Foundation (NEF) when you place your order -- and Froth will donate 20% back to support students & teachers in Northwest ISD. RSVP for NEF Reminders on Facebook