Northwest News: Winter break comes in two weeks, congrats to student-athlete signees

Dec. 1, 2016

Winter break scheduled for Dec. 19 to Jan. 2

Students may have just returned from Thanksgiving break, but it's only about two weeks until they're off again for winter break.

Winter break will begin Monday, Dec. 19, and last until Monday, Jan. 2, for students. Additionally, the two days preceding the break - Thursday, Dec. 15, and Friday, Dec. 16 - will serve as early-release days for students. On these days, students will be released at the following times.

Elementary Schools: 11:40 a.m.
Middle Schools: 12:50 a.m.
High Schools: 12:40 p.m.
Steele Accelerated High School & Special Programs: 12:30 p.m.

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

Byron Nelson, Northwest student-athletes sign letters of intent to play collegiate sports

Byron Nelson's student-athlete signees

Northwest's student-athlete signees

Congratulations to the four Byron Nelson and 10 Northwest student-athletes who signed letters of intent to play collegiate sports this month! As a result of their commitments, the students will each next play for their respective colleges and universities after graduating.

To see the full list and photos of Byron Nelson's student-athlete signees, click here. To see the full list and photos of Northwest's student-athlete signees, click here.

OLC provides students with one-of-a-kind learning experience

Many subjects lend themselves naturally to textbook- or computer-facilitated learning. For nature, however, sometimes the best method of learning is engrossing yourself in the outdoors.

Students are learning that firsthand at Northwest ISD's newly renovated Outdoor Learning Center, which now features several buildings and trails designed to facilitate new vantage points of nature. The facility, which is composed of five buildings on 193 acres in Northlake, reopened for the 2016-17 academic year with a plan to foster unique learning experiences not found anywhere else.

To read about the OLC's learning opportunities, click here.

More than 30 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 30 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!

After making selections, bring your Virtual Angel Tree items unwrapped to the administration building at the address below by Friday, Dec. 2. Please attach a printed copy of the details to the outside of the bag or item.

Northwest ISD Administration Building

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.

Parent survey now available

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, is available at www.nisdtx.org/parentsurvey until Tuesday, Dec. 13, and focuses on:

Campus climate
Safety
Communications
Instructional programs
Support services

If you prefer a paper copy, please call 817-215-0171. Thank you for your participation in helping the district work toward achieving its mission of providing all students a premier education!

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 Tuesday, 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.

Packet pickup for Reindeer Romp taking place next week, registration still open

The ninth annual Northwest ISD Reindeer Romp run benefiting district P.E. departments will take place Saturday, Dec. 10, and packet pickup will take place next week for those who have already registered. For those who have yet to sign up, online registration is still open, and event-day registration will also be available.

Packet pickup will take place at the following times and locations:

5-8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, at Northwest ISD Athletic Department (1937 Texan Drive in Fort Worth)
5-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, at Lakeview Elementary (100 Village Trail in Trophy Club)
7-9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at Alliance Airport (2221 Alliance Blvd. in Fort Worth)

At the Reindeer Romp, 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. 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.

Deadline for GEM submissions is Dec. 12

Submissions for Northwest ISD's GEM - Going the Extra Mile - award are due by Monday, Dec. 12. The award recognizes a central office employee every six weeks who goes above and beyond helping the community (including families, teachers and anyone else).

The GEM award is designed to promote the district's goal of providing premier support systems for students and the community as a whole. It's given in partnership with Chick-fil-A of Roanoke, which sponsors the award and provides gifts for winners.

Kay Cannon ( administrative assistant to the executive director of fine arts) was selected as the winner of the first GEM award, while Josh Embry (electrical department head) was chosen as its second winner. Read about why they won the award by clicking here.

To nominate a central office employee for the GEM award, visit www.nisdtx.org/gem.