Northwest ISD's newsletter for families and the community
October 8, 2020
Advertisement
Early Release Friday, No School Monday
All Northwest ISD schools will release students early on Friday, Oct. 9. Students have no school the following Monday, Oct. 12, which is a teacher/staff flex day.

On Friday, early release times are as follows:
  • Elementary Schools - 11:40 a.m.
  • Middle Schools - 12:50 p.m.
  • High Schools - 12:40 p.m.
  • Steele Accelerated HS and Special Programs Center - 12:30 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 12, serves as a student holiday, so there will be no classes on this day.
Early Voting Begins Tuesday, 10/13 for NISD's Upcoming Elections
The early voting period — a set time registered citizens can vote before Election Day — runs from Tuesday, Oct. 13 to Friday, Oct. 30, with Election Day on Nov. 3.
Northwest ISD will have three elections on the November 3 ballot:

Board of Trustees Election: The annual school board election, which is usually held annually in May, was postponed due to the public health crisis. Three Board seats (Places 5, 6, and 7) will be on the ballot.

Bond Election: The May 2020 bond election, which was postponed due to the public health crisis, will now be presented to voters in November. The bond proposal is designed to address growth, aging facilities, technology, and student programs.

Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE): The Board adopted the 2020-2021 tax rate of $1.4663 which triggered a VATRE (formerly called a TRE or Tax Ratification Election).

The Board set the total 2020-2021 tax rate as follows:
  • M&O: $1.0463 (7 cents higher than last year) – This rate triggered the VATRE.
  • I&S: $0.42 (3 cents lower than last year)
  • Total: $1.4663

The bond proposal will be presented to voters as four separate propositions (Proposition A, B, C, D), as now required by law. The VATRE will appear on the ballot as Proposition E.
Free Developmental Screenings for NISD Infants, Toddlers & Preschoolers
Families living within Northwest ISD boundaries may request developmental screenings at no charge for infants, toddlers and preschoolers living in their household through the NISD Parents as Teachers program. 

Caregivers meet with a trained professional to check their child’s physical development, problem solving skills and personal social skills. They’ll receive information to help meet the next milestone, and referrals to other resources if more assessment is needed. 

Kindergarten Readiness Assessments are also available for children ages 3.5 to 5 years old.
Let's Talk About Intellectual Property
When and How You Can Use Images You Find Online
While Northwest ISD students are learning about digital citizenship in the classroom, parents can check out the Family Connections Hub for additional resources and ways to talk to your kids about being a good digital citizen.
In the Rights and Obligations of Intellectual Property lessons, students learn how copyright and intellectual property laws apply to content online.

Talk to your kids about the best piece or art they've made, or the best story that they've written. How would they feel if someone else wrote their name on the top of their work?
College and Career Fair Goes Virtual
Due to COVID-19 protocols, NISD's College and Career Fair will be held virtually on Oct. 19.
 
Students will have the opportunity to communicate live with college recruiters, visit with technical colleges, universities and industry representatives as well as participate in other training sessions.
 
For registration information, please visit the College and Career Fair website.
Watch NISD Football Games Live
If you are a Bobcat, Texan or Eagle football fan and will be unable to attend the varsity games this week, you can access the links below to view a live broadcast of this week's games. 
School Lunches to Feature Texas Fruit During Farm to School Month
Northwest ISD Food Services is celebrating the connections between schools, local farmers and ranchers by serving locally-grown fruits this month. Featured items include Texas Farm Fresh Royal Gala apples on Oct. 9, and Texas Farm Fresh oranges on Oct. 19 and 26.
New Fairview Asks for Feedback from NISD Families in New Survey
The city of New Fairview has asked Northwest ISD families to participate in a survey regarding park amenities. City officials hope to use this information to apply for a grant.