Staff Newsletter - Nov. 20, 2025

On the Cover: Career Days at campuses give students the opportunity to explore a wide range of potential careers they can consider. At Glenoaks ES, students had the opportunity to visit with many special visitors, including this little guy from SeaWorld.  

Despite the threat of rain in the forecast, it was a lovely evening to lie under the cloudy skies and read books, and that's what more than 300 people did at the third annual Literacy Under the Lights. Students and their families brought blankets, a picnic dinner, and books to enjoy a night under the stadium lights while sitting on the field at Farris Stadium. Students were asked to read for 15 minutes at a time, followed by a "brain break" between reading sessions. During this break, they danced to fun music, such as the "Chicken Dance" and "Baby Shark," while watching themselves on the big video scoreboard. Twenty-one elementary schools, five high schools, five middle schools, and the NISD Student Ambassadors participated. 

Click here to view pictures from the event. 

When students at Construction Careers Academy (CCA) show up for class, they don’t just study construction—they build it. This year, they’re building something even bigger: hope.

CCA, Northside ISD’s award-winning construction magnet school, enrolls 544 students—the second-largest magnet program in the district—and is working to grow female participation in its specialized trades pathways. But beyond blueprints and skill certifications, students are driven by something deeper: the belief that what they build should matter.

That belief is what sparked CCA’s biggest community project yet—a tiny home constructed from the ground up for a local female veteran and her child, part of the school’s new Home for a Hero initiative.

Click here to learn more!

The season of giving is here

The season of giving has begun, and many agencies are willing and able to assist Northside ISD families who need a little helping hand. Additionally, if you wish to help others, there are various ways to give to those in need.

Click here for details. 

Mastering Google Meet: The Power of Breakout Rooms! 

One of the most powerful new features in Google Meet is Breakout Rooms! This feature is a valuable asset that sets a new standard for focused discussions. 

What are Breakout Rooms?

Similar to Zoom, Breakout Rooms allow a meeting host to split participants into smaller, simultaneous groups during a Google Meet session. New breakout room features include:

• Host Control: As the host, you remain in the main meeting room and have the ability to join any of the breakout rooms to check in, answer questions, or monitor progress.
• Automatic Return: When the breakout session ends, participants are automatically brought back to the main room. 

How Can Breakout Rooms Be Used?

• Different Tasks: Assigning different activities or tasks to smaller groups based on learning needs.
• Group Projects: Allocate dedicated time for collaborative work on specific assignments.
• Peer Groups:  Pairing up for peer review or instruction. 

To learn more about the latest Google features, please visit nisd.tech/Google. 

Magic Bytes

Today's featured tool is the Image Generator—a quick way to create custom visuals for your lessons. Need a diagram, a scene from history, or a fun writing prompt image? Just type it in and generate it instantly.

Use the Image Generator to create:

Visual Learning Materials: Create custom images to explain concepts, such as historical scenes, scientific phenomena, literary settings, or geographic features, that bring lessons to life and help students visualize abstract ideas.

Classroom Resources: Create themed visuals for worksheets, bulletin boards, presentation backgrounds, and classroom displays that align with your lesson content, fostering a more engaging learning environment.

Student Engagement Activities: Design creative writing prompts, discussion starter images, character visualizations, or problem-solving scenarios that spark student curiosity and participation in your lessons.

Rawlinson Middle School partnered with UTSA for a special experience: UTSA Basketball presents “Rawlinson Night.” From delivering the game ball to the choir singing the national anthem, to the Rawlinson dancers performing in the half-time show, and student-athletes having their very own meet & greet, it was a “BirdsUp” opportunity to remember.  

Meet our 2025 Pillar of Caring, Dr. Akshay Thusu

Born in Mumbai, India, Dr. Akshay Thusu was destined for a life of service, catching the "Gotta-Help-People" bug from his parents, who were busy advocates and volunteers in the San Antonio Hindu and Indian community.

After arriving in Texas in 2003, Dr. Thusu powered through his education: excelling at Health Careers High, graduating magna cum laude from UTSA, and receiving his DDS from UT Health Science Center. But he didn't stop there!

This dental superhero has been a tireless champion for those in need, offering free dental care to thousands across Texas. Think of him as the Tooth Fairy of South Texas. He's a fixture at events like Texas Mission of Mercy (TMOM) and Dentistry from the Heart, ensuring everyone has a reason to smile.

He's not just drilling and filling; he's leading the charge! Dr. Thusu is currently chairing the massive 2026 San Antonio TMOM clinic and is a key player on the San Antonio District Dental Society Foundation Board. This Pillar of Caring embodies the belief that caring for others is not just a profession, but a profound way of life. 

When he's not saving smiles, he inspires the next generation as a passionate mentor, teaching students the joys of dentistry. His dedication has earned him major bragging rights, including Mastership in the Academy of General Dentistry and multiple Young Dentist of the Year awards.

For Dr. Thusu, caring for others isn't just a job—it's his superpower and his way of life!

In this and subsequent issues, you will meet this year’s Pillars of Character, each a successful Northside High School graduate with a story to tell. 

A 20+ year tradition at Mary Hull

Red Ribbon Week activities were held across the District. At Mary Hull Elementary School, the annual Red Ribbon Parade is a tradition that has spanned over two decades in this community. Every year during Red Ribbon Week, students pledge to say no to drugs and celebrate that commitment with a parade and rally. Parents and neighbors line the streets near the school with chairs and strollers to watch the festivities. Students and special guests take part in the parade, marching through the streets or riding on trucks and convertibles.

Enjoy the Largest Light Display in Texas at Sea World

Visit Sea World through January 4, 2026, to see millions of twinkling lights, Christmas shows, and Santa! Get your discounted tickets HERE.      

H-E-B MyCommunity Investment Program

The H-E-B MyCommunity Investment (MCI) Program supports nonprofit organizations operating within the H-E-B service area. Depending on the need, this program may contribute in-kind products, volunteers, or monetary funding towards activities, projects, and causes that make a visible and possible difference. Email Grants & Recognitions to apply or call at 210-397-8563. Rolling deadline

Click on the image to enlarge!