September 11, 2025

College and Career Fair coming on September 23

Get a head start planning for your child's future by visiting Northwest ISD's College and Career Fair! Students of all ages and their families are invited to learn about college from university and district staff, and some career options will also be presented.

This year's event will feature more than 100 organizations participating, which will provide a great opportunity for students and families to visit in person with college, career and military recruiters from across the United States. The fair is Thursday, September 23, at Northwest High School from 6 to 8 p.m. Admission is free.

NISD opens free Student Wellness Center

Northwest ISD’s guidance and counseling staff are pleased to announce the opening of the NISD Student Wellness Center. The wellness center offers free counseling sessions (six sessions) for NISD students in grades 3-12. Staffed by NISD counselors, the wellness center is open every Tuesday and Thursday from 5-8 p.m. and is located at Northwest High School.

The mission of the NISD Student Wellness Center is to provide Northwest ISD students with short-term counseling that offers guidance, solution-focused strategies, and the development of healthy coping skills.

In order to visit the wellness center, students and parents must contact their school counselor and receive a referral to the wellness center.

Homecoming festivities begin later this month

Northwest ISD’s three comprehensive high schools – Byron Nelson, Eaton and Northwest – will host homecoming games and festivities over the course of the next month, with several family-friendly events available throughout the week of each game.

Eaton will host homecoming activities ahead of their game on September 26, Byron Nelson the week of their October 3 game and Northwest the week of their October 10 game. Each school will host a parade during the week leading up to its game.

NISD Band Showcase set for September 29

Northwest ISD bands will host a special performance at the district stadium on Monday, September 29, with proceeds benefiting band programs.

The eighth annual Northwest ISD Band Showcase, sponsored by Bell’s Music Shop, will begin at 7 p.m. at Northwest ISD Stadium. Marching bands from all three comprehensive high schools – Byron Nelson, Eaton and Northwest – will perform, plus all seven NISD middle school bands will be in attendance. The event will culminate with a combined performance from all 10 district marching band programs.

Gates will open to the public at 6 p.m. Tickets (purchase here) are just $5, with children ages 3 and younger receiving free admission. Additionally, all district band students who show their student IDs will receive free admission.

NOTE: NISD Stadium’s clear bag policy will be in effect for the Band Showcase.

Town halls scheduled for Prop A information, questions

Northwest ISD will host several town hall meetings over the next few weeks to provide community members with the opportunity to learn more about the district's operations funding election, listed as Proposition A on the ballot.

If approved by voters, the election would decrease class sizes and provide funding for teacher and support staff raises in exchange for a 3-cent increase in the tax rate. Even if voters approve Proposition A, the average Northwest ISD homeowner is expected to pay less in school taxes in 2025 than in 2024. See your expected tax impact at www.nisdtx.org/election. 

Voter registration for November election ends October 6

Have you moved or changed your name? There are several local and state elections coming up on the November 4 ballot. The deadline to register to vote is October 6. Check your voter registration status, update your information, and access a voter registration card at www.votetexas.gov. Early Voting will be October 20 to 31, and Election Day is November 4. Your vote counts!

Kara Lea Deardorff named Region Principal of the Year

The Texas Association of Secondary School Principals has named Byron Nelson High School Principal Kara Lea Deardorff as the Region 11 Outstanding Principal of the Year, the top honor in the area for her profession.

Each year, TASSP recognizes exceptional principals and assistant principals from school districts in each of the 20 education service center regions across Texas. Nominees are selected for their exemplary performance and leadership, with winners selected by their peers within each region.

“I am truly honored to receive this recognition,” Ms. Deardorff said. “The heart of my work has always been about serving students, and this award is a reflection of the incredible students, staff and community I get to work with every day.”

Cooper Lutkenhaus, Sanaa Barnes set for World Championships in Tokyo

Cooper Lutkenhaus and Sanaa Barnes will soon represent NISD on the global stage as each has been named to Team USA at the World Athletics Championships. The pair will be in action in Tokyo beginning next week with NBC and Peacock serving as the exclusive U.S. broadcasters of the event. Click here for details on when their events are scheduled.

Cooper, a junior at Northwest High School, took the track and field world by storm when he brought home a silver medal in the men’s 800-meter at the USA Track & Field Outdoor Championships in early August. 

Sanaa, a Byron Nelson High School alumna, also took home a silver medal at the USA championships, clearing a height of 1.94 meters (6 feet, 4 ¼ inches) for her new personal best in the women’s high jump competition.

Roanoke’s Silver Rangers making connections and serving their campus

Created in 2021 by the Roanoke Elementary PTA, the Silver Rangers is a group of grandparents who join the PTA with a desire to build stronger connections with their grandchild’s campus. They volunteer throughout the year and enjoy perks that are exclusive to Silver Rangers, including reading to classes on Grandparents’s Day.

“I love reading to the kids,” said Jill Boeth, grandmother to two Roanoke Rangers. “They’re so happy to see you. They look forward to it and they always ask if you’ll come back. They ask if they can call me GiGi, and it puts the biggest smile on my face!”

Click to learn more about the Silver Rangers. Programs similar to the Silver Rangers are also in place at other Northwest ISD campus PTAs. To see if your campus has a similar program, please reach out to its PTA officers or campus staff.

NISD unveils school colors for Barksdale Middle School

Northwest ISD has unveiled the official colors for Barksdale Middle School, set to open in the 2026-2027 school year near the Pecan Square community. 

The school’s primary colors will be gold and white, with dark gray as a secondary color. In mid-September, students from Daniel and Lance Thompson elementary schools, as well as Pike and Medlin middle schools, will vote on the school’s mascot. 

Located in Northlake, one of the district’s fastest-growing areas, the new campus will relieve capacity at Pike and Medlin middle schools. A rezoning process for Barksdale Middle School’s attendance boundaries is scheduled for this winter.

For the latest updates on Barksdale Middle School, be sure to follow the newly created campus Facebook page.

Support NEF and your campus on North Texas Giving Day

Join the Northwest ISD Education Foundation for North Texas Giving Day, the largest community-wide giving event in the nation. Your donation supports our local schools and makes a difference here at home!

Funds raised benefit NEF programs, including teaching grants, student scholarships and district initiatives like the NEF Resource Store and Library.

You can support your child's campus and PTA when you give! When you give to NEF through a campus campaign page, the PTA receives 50% of the total raised. Each mini-grant is intended to support teachers and students in a way that is meaningful and important to that campus community.

North Texas Giving Day is September 18, but you can donate starting now! Visit here to give today!

Mobile Food Pantry at new location in September

Due to construction in the area, the NISD monthly Mobile Food Pantry is changing location. Beginning on September 20, the monthly food pantry will move to Pike Middle School (2288 Texan Drive, Justin, 76247). Attendees can enter Texan Drive from FM 156 or TX 114. The Pike Middle School entrance is across the street from the previous pantry location. The pantry will remain a drive-thru service. Attendees should remain in their vehicle at all times, and food pantry staff will assist in the loading process.

The Mobile Food Pantry is a partnership between Northwest ISD, Tarrant Area Food Bank and the Northwest ISD Education Foundation. It is open on the third Saturday of each month from 9 to 11 a.m. or until food runs out.

Time: 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, September 20

Location: Pike Middle School

2288 Texan Drive, Justin, 76247

Interested in volunteering at the monthly food markets? Sign up today!