In this issue:
On the cover: WHO better to help out at dismissal time during the holidays than the man from WHOVILLE? The Grinch helped out the staff at Oak Hills Terrace Elementary School. All the OHT Owls "WHO"oted in excitement to see the big-hearted green guy.
The NISD Board of Trustees approved the instructional calendars for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years.
They are posted at https://www.nisd.net/schools/calendars.
Key dates include the first day of school on Aug. 10, 2026, and Aug. 9, 2027, with ending dates on May 26, 2027, and May 24, 2028. New for both years is a short fall break in October.
Work calendars are being reviewed by senior leadership and will be released in early spring.
CPS Energy presents rebate check to Board
Representatives from CPS Energy attended the Dec. 9 Board meeting to present NISD with a check for $688,992 in recognition of the district's participation in their Demand Response Program and for additional rebates collected.
HELPFUL HINTS
Tech Tip: Don't Forget Your Codes! Google Authenticator transfer
As the holiday season brings the excitement of new phones and device upgrades, make sure one of the first things you do is transfer your Google Authenticator codes to your new device!
If you use Google Authenticator for two-factor authentication to access district systems, this is a critical step. Failing to do so will result in being locked out of essential accounts. Be proactive in transferring your codes to guarantee seamless access moving forward.
Quick Steps to Transfer Your Google Authenticator Codes:
- Open the Google Authenticator app on your current phone.
- Tap on the three vertical dots in the top right corner.
- Select "Settings" and then "Transfer accounts".
- Follow the on-screen instructions to export your codes.
- Download the Google Authenticator app on your new phone.
- Import your codes onto your new phone using the Google Authenticator app.
Follow these steps to ensure uninterrupted access to MyPortal and other important online services. For detailed instructions and support, please visit nisd.tech/Portal.
Shared responsibilities for NISD devices
As students continue to use district devices for learning, please reinforce the key student responsibilities outlined in the Northside ISD Acceptable Use Policy (AUP).
We encourage you to direct students and parents to review the full AUP in the student handbook (under the Technology section) on nisd.net.
Key Expectations for Students:
- Device Care and Reporting: Emphasize that the device and charger are valuable property. Students must report any loss or damage to the school staff immediately. Remind them that parents can be held financially responsible for damage or loss due to negligence.
- Online Safety: Emphasize the importance of never sharing passwords or personal information (such as addresses/phone numbers). Instruct them not to click on suspicious links or attempt to access restricted content.
- Digital Citizenship: Promote the use of kind and respectful language online and reiterate that cyberbullying is prohibited. District devices are for educational purposes only.
- Academic Integrity: Ensure students understand that cheating, plagiarism, or misuse of tools like Artificial Intelligence (AI) to complete assignments is unacceptable.
- Home Use: While NISD uses content filters, remind students (and parents) that parents are responsible for monitoring device use and online activity when the device is at home.
Thank you for your assistance in maintaining a safe environment for our students. Your support is greatly appreciated.
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Access to upcoming courses in Schoology
With grading cycle 2 coming to an end, upcoming courses (cycles 3 and 4) in Schoology will be opened to allow teachers access to these courses, enabling them to prepare materials in advance of the next cycle. Visit the Schoology Support Site on the HUB for more information. For a listing of previous Schoology articles, click here.
Course combining and linking in Schoology open Dec 15-19
Course linking and combining will be available in Schoology next week. Teachers will be able to link courses on their own, but must submit a request for course combining. Please note that both course linking and combining will delete all Schoology materials and grades from these courses. It is essential that teachers back up course materials before linking or combining. For instructions and the form link, click here. Visit the Schoology Support Site on the HUB for more information.
CELEBRATIONS
Northside ISD students continue to excel and receive numerous honors and awards. The College Board National Recognition Program now includes the School Recognition Award, the First-Generation Recognition Award, and the Rural and Small Town Recognition, in addition to National Merit Finalists and Commended students. (The National Hispanic or Latinx Recognition Program, National Indigenous Recognition Program, and National African-American Recognition Program have been discontinued.)
O'Connor student wins People's Choice Award
Congratulations to Western Art Show winner Isaac Watson for his award-winning colored-pencil drawing, Fine Swine.
Watson, an 11th grader at O’Connor High School and student of art teacher Perla Tenorio, earned the People’s Choice Award and a cash prize for his exceptional work.
His piece will be displayed at the Briscoe Western Art Museum this February.
AROUND THE DISTRICT
CBC West Campus mobilizes volunteers to support NISD middle schoolers
Seventy-eight volunteers from Community Bible Church West Campus recently packed 900 hygiene kits for students at Rudder and Hobby middle schools. Each school received approximately 450 kits, which contained toothpaste, a toothbrush, dental floss, and shampoo/conditioner. Outreach Director Melli Melgoza said the effort reflects CBC’s commitment to “champion every person, in every place.” CBC West Campus is a new district-wide partner, focusing its outreach on campuses near its upcoming facility.
Jones students provide hand-painted holiday spirit
Very talented students from Jones MS and Jones Magnet added holiday spirit to the windows at a local Main Event. Their artwork can be seen at 8514 Hwy 151. These young artists are certainly the Pride of Pinn Road.
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Alumni Spotlight:
Emma McMyler, Brandeis 2020
Brandeis High School graduate Emma McMyler (Class of 2020) has officially earned her LPGA Tour card, qualifying her to compete on the world’s premier professional women’s golf tour.
McMyler launched her golf journey at Brandeis, where she excelled in both soccer and golf, maintaining a weighted GPA above 3.0, even as her senior season was cut short by COVID.
She went on to dominate at Xavier University, becoming the only three-time BIG EAST Player of the Year, before transferring to Duke University, where she competed as a top-ranked starter and earned her MBA.
With her LPGA Tour card secured, McMyler is now set to compete at the highest level of women’s golf
VIDEO OF THE WEEK
Third graders at Martin Elementary Schools helped bring cheer to patients in hospitals and nursing homes by decorating cards donated by campus partner Accuprint. Watch this heartwarming story.
PERK OF THE WEEK
Enjoy a San Antonio Spurs Game during Winter Break!
The Spurs are offering exclusive discounted tickets for school employees to several upcoming home games during the holidays on Dec. 23, 27, 29, and 31. Each ticket includes a Pre-Game Courtside Experience, and as an added bonus, the first 50 purchasers will also receive a complimentary parking pass. Click here for more information and here to purchase tickets.
GRANT OF THE WEEK
NEF Resource Grant
The Northside Education Foundation (NEF) Resource Grant (up to $750) is to provide classroom or department supplies that will positively impact district initiatives, students, and staff. Click here to apply or contact the Grants Dept. at 210-397-8563. Closes Feb. 12, 2026.
Click graphics to enlarge.
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