August 14, 2025

Welcome back, NISD!

Thank you to all of our students and families for making the start of the 2025-2026 school year so special! We hope you have had an incredible first week of school! Click below for full photo albums from across Northwest ISD!

Important back-to-school information

For lots of important back-to-school information, families can refer to last week's Northwest News (Back-to-School Edition). There you can find details on enrollment, ParentSquare, bus routes and much more.

Northwest ISD Spirit Shop Sale is Saturday

Looking for spirit wear to kick off the new school year? Come to the Northwest ISD Spirit Shop Sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, August 16!

Many items will be marked from 50% to 75% off, and the sale is open to the public. Byron Nelson Bobcats, Eaton Eagles and Northwest Texans clothing and apparel will be available. The spirit shop is located inside Northwest ISD Stadium, 1937 Texan Drive, across from the concession area on the home side of the stadium.

Free and reduced-cost meal applications available

A federally-funded program exists to eliminate or offset the cost of school meals for qualifying families. Families who think they may qualify should apply for the free and reduced-cost meal program. Students in this program receive numerous benefits, beginning with one breakfast and one lunch combo meal daily for their free or reduced-cost price.

SPECIAL UPDATE: For the 2025–2026 school year, students approved for free OR reduced-price meals will receive meals at no cost!

Meal prices (for those not a part of the free or reduced-price program) have been updated for 2025-2026 and can be found here.

Sign up now for Special Olympics bowling

The Northwest Navigators Special Olympics team is seeking any eligible students who have an interest in competing in bowling competition. If you believe your student may be interested and may be eligible for Special Olympics competition, please complete this registration form. Practice and competition information, including dates and locations, can be found on the form.

NOTE: The Navigators will only be accepting the first 40 athletes. Also, this medical form must be completed prior to August 22 to complete registration.

A student does not have to be receiving special education services from NISD in order to be eligible for Special Olympics but must meet the following criteria to be eligible to participate on the Northwest Navigators Special Olympics team:

• Ages 8-21 and enrolled in Northwest ISD
• Be identified as having an intellectual disability, cognitive delay, or significant learning or vocational problems due to cognitive delay that require or have required specially designed instruction
• For the safety of athletes, coaches, and volunteers, students must be able to remain in their designated area in the gym refraining from elopement or aggression towards peers per Special Olympics code of conduct

If you have any additional questions, please contact SpecialOlympics@nisdtx.org.

Operations funding election called for smaller class sizes

Northwest ISD has called an operations funding election to provide voters with the opportunity to decrease class sizes in exchange for a 3-cent increase in the tax rate. Because of tax rate compression, however, voter approval of the measure, listed as Proposition A on the ballot, would still result in a tax rate decrease from 2024.

Eaton student’s Eagle Scout project honors Dr. Leigh Anne Romer

When it came time for Conner Martin to complete his Eagle Scout Service Project — he had the perfect idea to honor someone very dear to his family.

The Eaton High School sophomore has created a beautiful memorial at J.C. Thompson Elementary honoring the late Dr. Leigh Anne Romer. Created by a "staff kid" that knew her well, the memorial offers the perfect place for the JCT community to come together and relive memories of a woman who impacted so many lives!

Texan junior sets world best, Bobcat alumna earns silver at USATF Nationals

Northwest High School junior Cooper Lutkenhaus stunned spectators at the USA Track & Field Outdoor Championships by running the fastest 800-meter time in world history for an athlete younger than 18. He set the mark while competing against professional athletes earlier this month in Eugene, Oregon, earning the silver medal in a time of 1:42.27.

Not only does Cooper’s finish stand alone as the top youth time ever, but he now ranks among the fastest 800-meter runners of all time, regardless of age. Cooper ranks as the fourth-fastest American ever in the event, and he is tied as the 18th-fastest runner in the history of the world. His 1:42.27 shattered the previous U18 world best time by more than a second.

The second-place finish qualifies Cooper for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this September, the equivalent of the Olympics in an odd-numbered year. 

In addition, Byron Nelson High School alumna Sanaa Barnes earned silver in the women’s high jump at the USA championships, setting a lifetime best in the event.

Sanaa cleared a height of 1.94 meters (6 feet, 4 ¼ inches) for her new personal best during the competition, finishing just behind national champion Vashti Cunningham’s jump of 1.97 meters (6 feet, 5 ½ inches). She is now tied for 20th in the world rankings in the event for the 2025 season. With her performance, Sanaa will also likely compete in the World Championships in Tokyo this September. 

NISD Athletics announces new Hall of Honor class

The Northwest ISD Athletic Department is thrilled to announce the Hall of Honor Class of 2025! This prestigious honor celebrates the amazing student-athletes, coaches and supporters who have made a huge impact on our school programs. 

Mobile Food Pantry canceled in August, new location coming 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!