September Family and Community Bulldog Bulletin

Monday, September 8

7:00-7:40 A.M.

Like golden sunflowers, with love shining true,

Grandparents bring joy in all that they do.

So join us for breakfast, a morning to share,

With laughter and love—we hope you’ll be there!!

Complimentary pastries and coffee will be served.

Adults may purchase a breakfast tray for $4.00.

All visitors need to obtain a visitor’s badge by presenting a state issued ID.

To avoid long lines, a visitor badge maybe obtained prior to the day of the event at the front office.

Office Hours are Mon.-Fri. from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

✨ Back to School PTA Membership Glow Dance! ✨
Join us for a night of fun, music, and glowing good times! 🎶🕺💃

Sign up for PTA and be part of all the exciting events this year!
👉 www.joinpta.org {Select: Northside ISD & Raul B. Fernandez Elementary]

We’ll also have:
🍿 Concessions for purchase
👕 Spirit shirts available
🌟 Glow sticks to light up the dance floor

Get your PTA membership and help make this school year amazing. Don’t miss out on the fun!

Hello Bulldog Families! Please check out the Counselor Newsletter for this month which includes upcoming lesson topics, events, and NISD resources available to families. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me if you need any support or have any questions. I look forward to partnering with you for a positive and successful school year!

Counselor S'more Newsletter-> https://secure.smore.com/n/3cdpez

Every day in school matters! When students are present, they build stronger learning habits, connect with friends, and take important steps toward success. Missing even a few days can add up and make it harder for children to keep up with lessons and routines. By making daily attendance a priority, you are helping your child build responsibility, confidence, and a strong foundation for the future. Thank you for partnering with us to help your child succeed!  Over the last three years, Fernandez ES has seen a steady increase in our daily attendance rate.  This year our campus daily attendance rate goal is 95%.  

Here at Fernandez ES,  we love to celebrate students who show up ready to learn each day. We encourage strong attendance with a variety of incentives such as classroom rewards, school-wide recognition, fun celebrations, and special shout-outs for students who demonstrate excellent attendance. These positive reinforcements help students see that being in school every day is something to be proud of! 

Take a look below! 

Please be sure to communicate with your child's teacher and send a note in if they will be absent. Once a student has accrued 3 unexcused absences in the system, NISD will generate an Attendance Warning Notice that will be emailed to the parent/guardian. This Attendance Warning Notice is added to your child's school record. An example of what you will receive is shown here.

This month, we are joining schools across the country in celebrating Attendance Awareness Month. Regular school attendance is one of the most important factors in a child’s success—when students are present, they are able to engage in learning, build relationships, and develop good habits for the future. 

Throughout September, we will be sharing tips and reminders with families and celebrating students who show great attendance. Together, let’s help every Bulldog be here, on time, and ready to learn each day!

September is Attendance Awareness Month and we want to encourage great attendance!

To celebrate exceptional attendance, any student who has:

• ZERO absences (excused or unexcused)

AND

• ZERO tardies

AND

• ZERO early outs

for the entire month of September will be invited to a popsicle party in October.

🏆This month in celebration of Attendance Awareness, each class will work to have the best attendance!

The top 3 classes with the highest attendance percentage for the month of September will win a party! 

Each week, current standings will be shared. Show up to school each in September. Your class could be the winner! 

🏆1st Place will win a Pizza Party!
🏆2nd Place will win a Donut Party!
🏆3rd Place will win a Popcorn Party!

We are almost done with our beginning-of-the-year MAP testing. Kinder-5th Grade students are assessed 3 times a year in both Reading and Math. These adaptive assessments give our teachers in-depth information about how to best help your child make growth this school year. The information from MAP also helps us form our small groups so we can tailor our instruction to exactly what your child needs. Once all testing is complete, you will receive a Family Report that details your child's score and growth from prior years. 

Click HERE to learn more!

Texas House Bill 1481, also known as the "Phone-Free Classrooms" bill, mandates that all public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools in Texas must implement policies prohibiting students from using personal communication devices, including cell phones, smartwatches, and other devices, during the school day.

All personal communication devices must be kept in backpacks and/or out of sight throughout the instructional day and placed in a designated area (cubbies). This is consistent with our current practice but now includes all communication devices. Personal communication devices include, but not limited to, cell phones, SMART watches, personal tablets, Air Pods and other technology devices. 

As we begin the school year, we are getting our students used to the Morning Arrival procedures. You can help your child learn the routine too!

• Our doors open to students at 7:00 a.m.
• Breakfast is served from 7:00-7:40 a.m. in the cafeteria.
  • Students will go through the line. Parents may eat with their child.
• Students not eating breakfast wait in cafeteria 7:00-7:15 a.m.
  • Pre-K students report directly to the Cafeteria to wait with their class, even if they are not eating breakfast.
• At 7:15a.m., students walk to their grade level area to wait with a staff member. Parents may walk their child to their hallway during this time WITH A FAST PASS or Visitor Pass.
  • Pre-K will report directly to the Cafeteria to wait with their class, even if they are not eating breakfast.
  • ECSE & ALE students will report directly to their classroom.
• 1st Bell Rings at 7:40 a.m.
  • Students begin going into their classrooms to prepare for instruction.
  • Parents exit the school building.
  • Front Lobby doors close at this time and students walk to class independently.
  • Cafeteria stops serving breakfast.
  • Students eating breakfast head to class.
  • Late arrival breakfast is served at Front Lobby doors. (NEW THIS YEAR!)
• 7:45 a.m. Tardy Bell rings and classroom instruction begins
  • All visitors have exited the building.
  • Any student entering the building after this time is marked tardy.
• 9:00 a.m. Students arriving at school after this time are considered absent unless a doctor's note is provided. Student MUST be checked into the office by a parent or guardian if dropped off after 9:00 a.m.

📣 Calling all volunteers! Join our Pack Partners! 🐾
Help make our school amazing by lending a hand in fun and simple ways:

📎 Laminating, cutting, and making copies
🎉 Setting up events and celebrations
📚 Assisting in the library or office
💖 Supporting school activities

A background check is required. Sign up with the link below and be part of the fun!
https://forms.gle/gKmt3TbxEiSqCHQF6

Background Check Link: https://hrvolunteer.nisd.net/TempMod.nsf?Open

Northside ISD students will receive meals at no cost under the current USDA Waiver for the 2025-26 school year. In addition, your child's school participates in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 which allows for free meals for ALL students enrolled at the campus. Families at CEP schools are not required to complete a Free & Reduced-Price Meal application but must complete the following online documentation:  https://ecep.nisd.net

By completing this CEP form, additional funding for state and federal programs and services may be provided at Fernandez ES. If you have any questions, please call us at the office at 210-397-1900.

You can fill out the CEP form online at:  https://ecep.nisd.net 
You will need your child's student ID # and date of birth to fill our the form online. If you'd like to fill out a paper form, stop by the front office for a copy.

Thank you for your participation!

PTA SIGN UP LINK 

District: Northside         School: Raul B. Fernandez ES 

The Fernandez ES PTA helps support students, teachers, and staff! Joining PTA helps us provide that support. 

Some of the events they help with include:

• Field Trips
• Trunk-or-Treat
• Bulldog Day
• Student Incentives
• Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week
• and MUCH MORE!!

By joining, you can help support our school and our students! 

Our campus is filled with hardworking staff members who pour their hearts into our Bulldogs. Take a moments to shine a light on the awesome things that they do or just a simple thank you to brighten their day. Click the link submit a Pawsitively Awesome Shoutout!

https://forms.gle/aCfaE2gJJxBvsztU6

Safety is our number one priority. To maintain a secure environment for all students and staff, we will implement our "Fast Pass" system for parents and guardians who wish to walk their children into school each morning and visit during school lunchtime.

What is a Fast Pass?
A fast pass allows you to enter the building without having to scan your driver's license each time you visit the campus. Whether you are coming in for breakfast, lunch with your child, or stopping by to see a parade, have your fast pass ready to show our front door monitor each time you visit our school. If you forget your fast pass, be sure to bring a valid ID to get scanned by our front office staff. Fast passes and visitors badges must be worn and visible at all times while on campus.

What if I already have a Fast Pass from last year?

Last year's fast pass will not be valid for the upcoming school year. Every parent and/or guardian wishing to obtain a Fast Pass will need to scan their valid ID for the new school year.

How to Obtain a Fast Pass?
Stop by the front office to get your Fast Pass. Make sure to bring your current driver's license to be scanned. 

Background Checks

Although a background check is not required to obtain your fast pass, it will be required to be a volunteer on campus and on field trips. Click on the link below to fill out the NISD Volunteer Background Check.  A new background check must be completed every school year and take approximately two weeks to clear. Fill yours out now, so you don't have to worry about it later.

NISD Background Check Link

Are you a grandparent raising your grandchild? Texas Grandparents Raising Grandchildren is dedicated to providing resources, services, and support to meet the unique needs and challenges of grandparenting.

CLICK HERE to learn more about their services.

SchoolCafé is a single location for all your cafeteria needs...Connecting Families to School Nutrition! From the SchoolCafé app, you can: 

• access daily menus
• view nutritional and allergen info
• add money to your child's account for them to buy ice cream and other snacks
• get notifications about your child's cafeteria account

CLICK HERE to learn more

Northside's Learning Tree After School program provides on campus fun, learning, and low cost tuition! Enroll today for the 25-26 school year!

For more information about enrollment or employment, call 210-397-8108 or visit our website at https://www.nisd.net/district/after-school

NISD Threads is a a clothing closet that gives FREE gently used clothes to enrolled NISD students who need them. 

NISD students who need clothes can ask their school counselor for a referral to Northside Threads.
Parents of enrolled NISD students can also call their child’s school and ask the counselor for a referral to Northside Threads. 

A referral is required to get clothes. 

The NISD Market provides 25lbs of food a week at no charge for families that qualify. They are a partnership with the San Antonio Food Bank.

Open Tues-Thurs from 1:30-4:00p.m. Closed for all school holidays.

For more info, call 210-397-8930

Located at Northside Family Engagement Center, 5223 Blessing St., San Antonio, TX 78228

The safety and security of our students, staff, and families is a priority at Fernandez ES. 

Click HERE to read about the Safety Initiatives in NISD for the 2025-2026 school year and learn more about our Standard Response Protocol.