Staff Newsletter for October 23, 2025

Ghouls and zombies took over Gus Stadium this week as part of the Fine Arts Department’s annual Thrill A Mill celebration. More than 800 middle school theater and dance students came out for a zombie walk and a routine performed to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and other “spooky” songs. Admission to the event was a canned food item.

 “Thrill A Mill” enables students to apply their knowledge from dance and theater classrooms to raise awareness about social issues affecting our community, and provides them with the opportunity to take an active role in combating hunger in San Antonio and Bexar County by hosting campus food drives.

The community service project began in 2009 with middle school theatre students and teachers. 

To view pictures from the event, click here. 

Nominate your favorite teacher, counselor, principal

Each year, H-E-B presents an Excellence in Education Award to outstanding educators. Applications are open until Nov. 2. 

The awards program honors outstanding teachers, principals, school counselors, school districts, school boards, and early childhood centers to recognize their dedication and commitment. 

Since the program’s inception in 2002, H-E-B has awarded over $14 million in cash and grants to recipients. To learn more or to nominate someone, click here. 

Learning Zone closing their doors

We know that many teachers visit the Learning Zone for classroom materials, so we wanted to inform you that the Learning Zone located at 10531 Gulfdale has notified the District that it will be closing its doors on Nov. 15, 2025. They are having a store closing sale with 50% off all regular-priced items. 

SameGoal set to replace Frontline

We are happy to announce our new partnership with SameGoal - IEP, Section 504, MTSS, LPAC, and Medicaid Service Tracking Platform. This new platform will fully replace the Frontline Special Education and Interventions system and TASB Smart Solutions currently used within NISD for the 2026-2027 school year.  

SameGoal provides users with an improved user interface with upgraded tools that can help improve their workflow, such as: 

• Autosaves your work
• No longer need to archive documents
• Data validation safeguards that prevent errors
• Automatic transfer PDF documents archived in Frontline to SameGoal
• Ability for multiple users to edit simultaneously
• Improved translation, including information typed into fields and 100+ languages

You might be wondering what you need to do to prepare. Currently, there is no required action for most users. However, staff members who provide personal care or related services, such as Physical Therapists and ECSE teachers/IAs, will receive additional information and training on using SameGoal for service tracking in the next few months. We will communicate any transition steps and training plan for all other users during the second semester.  

This will not affect Frontline Professional Growth (T-TESS), as that is a separate application. 

Our goal is to provide you with the best tool possible to support your work, and we believe that this tool will meet all of your needs. Look out for future updates. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please send them to estarsupport@nisd.net.

Docs Just Got an Update: 
New Features to Boost Productivity! 

We're excited to announce new features for Google Docs! Here's a look at key new tools available to you right now: 

• Document Approvals: Easily set up a workflow to lock a document and request a specific colleague's official approval or review before it's finalized.
• Custom Building Blocks: Stop copying and pasting! You can now create and save templates for content you use frequently—like lesson plan outlines, curriculum guides, or common feedback statements—and insert them with a few quick clicks using the @menu.
• Built-in Timer and Stopwatch: Keep activities running on schedule! Insert a live @timer or @stopwatch chip directly into your Docs for in-class activities, planning sessions, or student assessments.
• Voting Chips: Need to quickly gauge consensus or poll a small group? Insert a @voting chip to gather feedback directly within a document.

These updates aim to put a little time back in your day, so you can focus on what matters most—your students. Explore these new features and start working smarter today!

Eliminate Teacher Selection on a Test in Schoolnet (CMS)

When students access an online test in Schoolnet (CMS) or Schoolnet Secure Browser, they are prompted to select a teacher. To ensure your students' test data is listed under the correct teacher, test creators can remove all the other teachers that are not associated to the test with 2 simple steps during the scheduling process. Directions for Scheduling Options: Removing Teachers not Associated to the Test, as well as other resources, are available on the Schoolnet (CMS) Support site found on the HUB - Instructional Systems Support.

Singing Zoologist visits Fernandez ES

Lucas Miller, the singing zoologist, visited Fernandez ES recently thanks to a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts. Miller cultivates new scientists with humor, creativity, and music by "singing the praises" of nature. According to his website, he started as a zoo educator and then began a business offering on-site multimedia performances that connect young people with science through the arts.

O'Connor Club shows kindness to others

After the deadly floods on July 4 in the Hill Country, O'Connor HS reached out to Ingram HS and Principal Brandy Guzman to see how they could help. Before school, they held a school supply drive and donated 300 backpacks and school supplies. 

For Homecoming, the O'Connor Kindness Club made mini mums for the staff of Ingram HS to celebrate their Homecoming on October 10. 

Congratulations to all our NISD bands who earned 1st Division Superior ratings at the UIL Region 29 Marching Contest on Saturday.They all now advance to the UIL Area round, which will take place over the next two weeks. 

Fall into Savings with Tickets at Work

Click here for the October Highlights Flyer, packed with fresh fall savings on travel, entertainment, wellness, and more.

New to TicketsatWork?

1. Visit www.ticketsatwork.com
2. Click “Sign In/Register”
3. Enter your company code: NISD
4. Create your account and start saving today!

An Awesome Grant Opportunity

The Awesome Foundation’s mission is to promote awe, wonder, and inspiration in the San Antonio community by awarding $1,000 grants every month. Click here to apply or contact the Grants Dept. at 210-397-8563. Closes at the end of each month.