Northwest News: Prepare for Thanksgiving break next week

Nov. 16, 2016

Northwest ISD schools on Thanksgiving break from Nov. 21-25

Thanksgiving break is less than a week away! All Northwest ISD schools will be closed for the holiday from Monday, Nov. 21, to Friday, Nov. 25.

Students will return from the break and schools will operate on their normal schedules on Monday, Nov. 28. Winter break will follow three weeks later, from Monday, Dec. 19, to Monday, Jan. 2. The two days preceding the break - Thursday, Dec. 15, and Friday, Dec. 16 - will also serve as early-release days.

Northwest ISD's staff calendar largely mirrors the student calendar, though Nov. 21 and 22 as well as Jan. 2 are staff development days. The two November dates are flex days for staff who have available time to use.

For more information about the 2016-17 Northwest ISD academic calendar, click here. To view the entire 2016-17 academic calendar, including early release schedules, click here.

Northwest Texans pick up first playoff football win ever

Congratulations to the Northwest Texans for picking up their first playoff football win ever! The Texans stormed back from a large halftime deficit to beat the Denton Broncos 31-29.

Next, the team will take on the Colleyville Heritage Panthers at The Ford Center at the Star, located at 9 Cowboys Way in Frisco, at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19. Tickets can be purchased online at Ticketmaster by clicking this link; tickets will also be available for purchase at the game. Northwest will serve as the home team for the game.

The Texans are looking to continue the best record in Northwest ISD history, as they are currently 10-1.

Northwest ISD elementary schools begin classroom Chromebook use

Elementary schools across Northwest ISD will all soon have Chromebooks for classroom use, expanding the district's philosophy of ensuring all students are future-ready learners.

Schluter was the first primary-level school to receive Chromebooks, due in large part because the school is already undergoing renovations. All elementary schools are slated to receive classroom sets of Chromebooks for the third- and fifth-grade levels by the end of the current semester. Th

For more information about the use of Chromebooks at the elementary level, click here.

More than 300 children on Virtual Angel Tree still in need of holiday assistance

You can help make the season brighter by adopting one or more angels off Northwest ISD's Partners in Education Virtual Angel Tree. This year's Virtual Angel Tree still has more than 300 children who need assistance this holiday season. Help make their holidays brighter by adopting one or more angels off the tree.

Northwest ISD uses the Virtual Angel Tree as a way for teachers, staff, student organizations, local churches and businesses to offer their assistance anonymously to qualified students who need extra help with clothing and gifts during the holiday season.

Adopting an angel is a quick process. Just a ccess the Northwest ISD Virtual Angel Tree by visiting angeltree.nisdtx.org and m ake your selections!

The Virtual Angel Tree items, including a printed copy of the details, will need to be delivered to the Northwest ISD Administration Building at the following mailing address by Friday, Dec. 2:

Northwest ISD Angel Tree

2001 Texan Drive

Fort Worth, Texas 76247

In addition to the supplies themselves, volunteers are needed to help sort and distribute Virtual Angel Tree items. If you're interested in helping out, please call Partners in Education with your availability at 817-215-0175.

We want your feedback: Parent survey available soon

Northwest ISD is seeking feedback from parents to identify strengths and areas needing improvement at each campus through a new districtwide parent survey.

The survey, which will be accessible online in both English and Spanish, will be available Nov. 29 to Dec. 13 and will focus on:

Campus climate
Safety
Communications
Instructional programs
Support services

If you prefer a paper copy, please call 817-215-0171. Thank you in advance for your participation in helping the district work toward achieving its mission of providing all students a premier education, and look for more information on how to access the survey after Thanksgiving break.

Community invited to Deep Dish Discussions with superintendent

Northwest ISD and the Northwest ISD Council of PTAs will host the final event in their Deep Dish Discussions series with Superintendent Ryder Warren at Northwest High School on Dec. 6, where community members can learn about the current state and future of the school district.

The event follows two previous sessions - at Byron Nelson on Oct. 26 and Eaton on Nov. 2 - and allows community members to join Dr. Warren and district leaders for the inside scoop on Northwest ISD's academic future, growth projections and details on the Texas Legislature's upcoming session. Attendees can enjoy a dish of ice cream while they collaborate on issues facing public education and Northwest ISD.

The meeting will take place 6-7 p.m. in the Northwest High School student union. Community feedback from each meeting will be used to help Northwest ISD prepare for the future.

Registration for ninth annual Reindeer Romp now open

The ninth annual Northwest ISD Reindeer Romp run benefiting district P.E. departments will take place Saturday, Dec. 10, and online registration is now open.

Runners can take part in either a 1-mile race at 8:30 a.m. or 5K race at 9 a.m. - or both at no additional charge - at Alliance Airport, located at 2221 Alliance Blvd. Registration now costs $20 for students ages 4 to 18 and $25 for adults. The event is sponsored by the Bell Helicopter Fort Worth Alliance Air Show and presented by the Highlands of Northlake.

Every runner who registers prior to race day will receive a T-shirt in his or her preferred size. T-shirts cannot be guaranteed for those who register at the event on race day.

To register or obtain more information, visit www.nisdreindeerromp.com.

Northwest ISD legislative priorities available now

Prior to each state legislative session, the Northwest ISD Board of Trustees and executive staff members develop new priorities for the district in support of its mission to provide students with the best education possible. With the 85th Legislative Session scheduled to begin on Jan. 10, 2017, trustees have approved new legislative priorities.

Some of the pressing priorities for Northwest ISD (and largely for every school district around the state) revolve around public education funding and the extent of high-stakes testing mandated by the state. Another major issue is the expansion of pre-kindergarten.

For more overall information and resources about Northwest ISD's legislative priorities, visit www.nisdtx.org/legislative. To view Northwest ISD's specific legislative priorities for 2017, click here.