TO: Northwest ISD Students, Parents/Caregivers, and Staff

FROM: Ryder Warren, Superintendent

SUBJECT: Superintendent Update


Tomorrow is the big day for us all. On behalf of the NISD Board of Trustees and the entire faculty and staff of Northwest ISD, please know we can’t wait to have your children back in school for our new year! We are ready to welcome more than 26,000 students and celebrate the opening of our 20th elementary school – Berkshire Elementary. While I truly wish this school year could be more “normal,” we all need to be determined that, together, we will make it the best school year in history!
 
Health and Safety
With COVID cases once again on the rise, please remember that we strongly encourage everyone to wear a mask and to be vaccinated (if eligible). We must take personal steps to remain safe and positively affect the safety of others, as these are the best measures we can take at this moment. As you prepare for the first day of school, please remind your child of healthy practices (wearing a mask, social distancing, washing hands, using hand sanitizer, etc.), and that we will respect one another (students and staff) regardless of their mask choice. 
 
Please also use caution while driving – most especially our student drivers. Observe all school zones and follow your school’s traffic patterns for student drop-off and pick-up.
 
Bus Routes
Our new Northwest ISD Transportation Department is very excited to get rolling tomorrow. As I always stress at the beginning of the school year, please be patient with our drivers and our transportation department in general. Our drivers have been out on their routes for weeks, but there are always delays, especially during the first couple of weeks in the school year. While we always anticipate buses running behind as adjustments are made, Northwest ISD is also experiencing a shortage in bus drivers at this time. Our drivers have not been immune to the COVID challenge, so please know we appreciate your patience. (If you know of anyone who loves kids and is looking for a job with health benefits, click here.)
 
You can track your child’s route using the bus locator app MyView (available at www.nisdtx.org/transportation), and you can contact the transportation department at 817-698-1287 if you have questions or concerns. If you registered for transportation services during enrollment, you can confirm the route and times at: www.nisdtx.org/transportation.
 
Also remember in the world of COVID, if you are able to take your child to/from school, please do so. Limiting the number of students on each bus to those that need the service would be helpful in our effort to increase social distancing.
 
Class Schedules and Possible Changes
Class and schedule information for your child is available in the Home Access Center; simply log in at www.nisdtx.org/hac. Please be aware – especially at the elementary level – that some classes and/or teacher assignments could change at the beginning of the school year. One challenge we struggle with as a fast-growth school district is making sure that we have the right number of students and teachers in each classroom. With our rapid growth and the potential changes in offering a Remote Learning option, there is a possibility that we will need to move teachers and/or students to provide the best learning environment. If this happens, I can assure you that your family will be notified of the change … and while I know you will love your child’s teacher, the teacher you could be moved to will be wonderful, too!
 
School Meals and Reminder to Complete the Free and Reduced-Cost Meal Application
Click here for student meal menus. Elementary and middle school students can receive free meals again this school year.
 
All eligible families – including families who are uncertain – are encouraged to complete the Free and Reduced-Cost Meal application. Beyond meals, the Free and Reduced-Cost application provides students additional services and impacts programs and services available to schools.
 
At the high school level, new changes to high school lunches now provides students on the free and reduced-cost program the option of selecting food at all of the food service lines – increasing variety and equity across all meal stations.
 
Support Your Child’s Education
Continue to be your child’s biggest supporter and stay in contact with your child’s teacher(s) to share concerns and/or questions. I encourage you to join your local PTA/PTSA by registering at www.JoinPTA.org. This group of parents, caregivers, teachers, and students step up every year with their leadership and support, and we could not have a successful year without them.
 
Our vision is to empower learners and leaders to positively impact the world, and I’m glad you’re on this journey with us. Thank you for supporting your child’s education and our school district, and here’s to the best school year in history!

Ryder Warren, Superintendent
Northwest Independent School District