September 12, 2024

Six students named National Merit Semifinalists

Northwest ISD is proud to recognize six members of the Class of 2025 who have been named National Merit Semifinalists by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 6,870 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be offered next spring. Click below to read more and see the names of all six students.

NISD campuses commemorate Patriot Day

Schools and communities across Northwest ISD recognized Patriot Day on Wednesday, honoring and remembering heroes and victims who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.

Pictured are Kay Granger Elementary students who performed songs and raised the American and Texas flags with all in attendance participating in a moment of silence. Also pictured are scenes from Northwest High School's homecoming parade and pep rally which included a moment of silence in honor of Patriot Day.

Homecoming festivities have begun in NISD

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.

The activities began last night with Northwest High School's homecoming parade and pep rally. The Texans will play their homecoming game tomorrow, September 13 at NISD Stadium.

Eaton will host homecoming activities the week of October 4 and Byron Nelson the week of October 11. For information about all the activities for each school, view this news article.

NISD set to host dedication ceremony at Perrin Elementary next week

Alan and Andra Perrin Elementary School is Northwest ISD's newest elementary school and the Panthers are thriving inside their incredible campus in Wildflower Ranch!

NISD will hold Perrin Elementary's official dedication ceremony next Tuesday, September 17 at 6 p.m., but before then you can click below to read all about the Panthers and the ways they are creating a sense of belonging and pride. 

Also included in the story are details about next week's ceremony, which is open to the public.

September is National Suicide Prevention Month

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and Northwest ISD is taking steps to promote the mental well-being of students.

This month, the district is using the SOS Signs of Suicide program to educate all secondary students on depression and suicide prevention. Depression, which is treatable, is one of the leading risk factors for suicide. 

The program focuses on increasing awareness among secondary students, motivating them to seek assistance when necessary. For elementary students, age-appropriate lessons are provided on making healthy choices and showing care and concern for themselves and others. 

Partnering with community organizations for VATRE presentations

As Northwest ISD works to educate community members about the district's upcoming Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election, it will partner with local community organizations to provide presentations and answer questions.

Individuals who lead local organizations are encouraged to email Anthony Tosie, executive director of communications, at anthony.tosie@nisdtx.org with the date, time and location of an event to potentially schedule a presentation. Various district leaders will provide presentations in September and October. Examples of groups that may wish to schedule a VATRE presentation include, but are not limited to:

• Booster Clubs
• Homeowners Associations
• Real Estate Professional Meetings
• Retirement Communities
• School PTAs
• Youth Sports Associations

In addition to joining community groups to provide presentations, the district will host its own community presentations open to all in the coming weeks. All VATRE presentations are strictly factual in nature.

Voter registration ends October 7 for the November elections

Have you moved or changed your name? There are several local, state and national elections coming up on the November 5 ballot. The deadline to register to vote is October 7.

Check your voter registration status, update your information, and apply for a voter registration card at www.votetexas.gov. Early voting will be October 21 through November 1, and Election Day is November 5. Your vote counts!

Destination Imagination registration now open for K-12 students

Are you looking for a way to express your creativity or hone your storytelling skills? Maybe you are on the hunt for the ultimate engineering challenge or you’ve got a flair for the dramatic. No matter what you’re looking for, Destination Imagination is sure to have it.  

This creative problem-solving program focuses on collaboration and creating something from nothing. Students select a challenge to work on as a team over the course of a few months.

Families of elementary students can reach out to Marcie Conrad at mconrad@nisdtx.org for more information, and families of secondary students can reach out to Audra Rowell at arowell@nisdtx.org. Reach out to either Ms. Conrad, Ms. Rowell or your campus representative by September 20 to be involved! Teams can be registered on the Destination Imagination website.

NISD Band Showcase taking place October 7

Northwest ISD bands will host a special performance at the district stadium on Monday, October 7, with proceeds benefiting the district’s band programs.

The seventh 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. Also performing will be all seven Northwest ISD middle school band programs. The event will culminate with a combined performance from all district band students.

Gates will open to the public at 6 p.m. for admission. Tickets 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.

Tickets can be purchased at the gate or by clicking here.

Elementary progress reports coming September 16

Families of elementary students will receive their first progress reports of the 2024-2025 school year on Monday, September 16. For elementary students, progress reports are sent once per quarter, between the fourth and fifth week of that quarter. Please be aware that this differs from secondary progress report schedules, meaning if you have a secondary student, the progress report timelines will not align between the levels.

For specials – including art, music and P.E. (or AMP) – assignments may have a numerical grade range of 0 to 3. In these cases, the following grade scale applies:

• 3: Excellent
• 2: Satisfactory
• 1: Needs improvement
• 0: Unsatisfactory

Progress report grades and report card grades for these classes will be displayed as an E, S, N or U, corresponding to the same scale as assignment grades. For more information about elementary grading guidelines, view this informational document.

NISD takes you Inside the Classroom

For the 2024-2025 school year, Northwest ISD has introduced Inside the Classroom, a series that visits NISD campuses throughout the year and highlights the magical moments that happen between teachers and students each and every day across the entire 234 square miles of NISD.

The first two editions of Inside the Classroom featured Beck Elementary and Berkshire Elementary. Click below to learn how Jasmine Juneau engages her fifth-grade math students at Beck, or to see how Casey DiBenedetto and Darcy Vasquez lead NISD's youngest learners in Berkshire's Early Childhood Program.

Upcoming editions of Inside the Classroom will feature Worthington Middle and Carter Elementary, so stay tuned!

Art teacher Connor Sasin is turning trash into treasure as NISD celebrates Arts in Education Week

At Berkshire Elementary, art teacher Connor Sasin is teaching students how to utilize any materials they have to make art, literally turning trash to treasure!

Click here to see how Mr. Connor is teaching students the skills necessary to succeed in life, including problem solving, decision making and creative thinking. All NISD art teachers work hard every day to create engaging, fun environments that welcome students to explore their capabilities.

It's National Arts in Education Week, and we say thank you to all the educators, students, administrators and families who find a way to celebrate the visual arts and know they are an essential part of a complete education!

Support schools, NEF during North Texas Giving Day

During North Texas Giving Day, charitable organizations across the region seek community support for their missions. This year’s North Texas Giving Day, taking place September 19, the Northwest ISD Education Foundation will seek support for its goals that benefit district students and schools.

If donors choose to support NEF directly, funds will go toward teacher grants, student scholarships and special initiatives such as the resource store that provides teachers with free items. Donors also have the option to support a specific school through NEF, which will donate 50% to the school PTA and 50% to NEF initiatives. For more information about the fundraising event, view this webpage.

Neffie mobile resource store and library makes first campus visit

Neffie, the Northwest ISD Education Foundation's new mobile resource store and library, made its first visit to an NISD campus this week. NEF served 79 educators from Worthington Middle School and several neighboring schools, and they're just getting started!

Mobile Food Pantry open September 21

Northwest ISD is partnering with Tarrant Area Food Bank and the Northwest ISD Education Foundation to offer a monthly mobile market to provide groceries and assistance to families in need.

Time: 9 to 11 a.m. - Saturday, September 21

Location: NISD Temporary Administration Building

2001 Texan Drive in Justin

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

Help restock immediate needs in the NEF Resource Store and Library

The Northwest ISD Education Foundation’s resource store and library provides support to NISD teachers and students through free resources and educational materials. NISD teachers can “shop” for school and classroom supplies, snack packs, books and more. All items are free to district educators! Already this year, more than 700 teachers shopped the store!

You can help by donating from the store’s online wishlist. Immediate needs include crayons, tissues, disinfecting wipes, books and 1-inch binders. You can also help by volunteering in the store! Volunteers help sticker and prep inventory, restock shelves and fulfill online requests from teachers.