In this issue:
On the Cover: Third grade students at Northwest Crossing Elementary explored the Lunar New Year and its special traditions. Students created decorative scrolls, learned calligraphy and how to write the Chinese character for “horse,” and enjoyed cookies and chocolate coins. They also received red envelopes filled with gold coins.
Students participate in Black History Month project
Valley Hi
Valley Hi
Valley Hi
In honor of Black History Month, the 3rd-grade classes at Valley Hi collaborated with campus librarian Jennifer Grimes on a social studies and art-based service project. One class created a collaborative poster, and the other class worked on a Freedom Quilt after their library lesson on Black Heritage Month and a shared read-aloud of Ruby Bridges's autobiography. The students were so joyful to see how they are part of a bigger picture and can make a difference just by spreading positive messages and working together.
Looking for the next NISD Student Ambassadors!
The 2026-2027 Student Ambassador Application is open. Northside ISD is seeking passionate students eager to lead, represent, and make a difference in their schools and community. This program provides a unique opportunity to amplify student voices, develop leadership skills, and contribute to meaningful initiatives. The Student Ambassador program is open to students who will be juniors and seniors during the 2026-27 school year. Applications close on March 23. To apply and for more information, click here.
NISD: A World of Choice for Every Learner!
Parents and students continue to enjoy a wide range of educational choices in Northside ISD—and soon, NISD will introduce another exciting option with the launch of Northside Virtual Academy.
Opening in August 2026, Northside Virtual Academy will offer a flexible, innovative learning experience designed to meet the evolving needs of students and families. Planning is underway, and more details will be shared soon. To learn more, visit the Northside Virtual Academy website.
HELPFUL RESOURCES
View archived courses in Schoology
Archived courses will be enabled for students to access in Schoology. This will allow students to access course materials from archived courses (courses that ended after cycle 1 or 2). This may be helpful for AP students who need to access course materials from semester 1 as they prepare for their AP exams. Click here for student instructions on accessing archived courses, or follow these steps below.
1. Go to Courses in the main menu bar.
2. Select My Courses on the right side of the page.
3. Under the My Courses tab, select Archived.
4. Click on the course name.
For other Schoology resources, visit the Schoology Support Site available on the HUB. For a listing of previous Schoology articles, click here.
New in Google Forms: Set it and forget it with automatic closing
We have some exciting news for anyone who uses Google Forms for sign-ups, surveys, or classroom quizzes. Google has just released a feature that lets teachers and staff automatically stop collecting responses!
In the past, you had to remember to manually toggle off "accepting responses" at a specific time. Now, Google Forms can handle that for you, giving you back valuable time and ensuring your deadlines are strictly followed.
What’s new?
You now have two powerful ways to automate your forms:
- Set a deadline: You can pick a specific date and time for the form to close. This is perfect for field trip permission slips, event registrations, or homework submissions.
- Set a response limit: You can tell the form to stop accepting entries after a specified number of responses. This is a game-changer for sign-ups with limited spots, like club memberships or professional development sessions.
How it works:
- Open your form and go to the Responses tab.
- Look for the new settings to enable a close date or a response limit.
- Set your parameters, and the form will automatically shut down once that goal is met.
Teacher Work Day Child Care Program
Need a little help during Teacher Work Days? The Northside Learning Tree is offering a Child Care Program on the upcoming Teacher Work Days on March 16, and May 22.
The following campuses will host exciting activities in a safe space to grow your child during District-wide Teacher Work Days: CAST Teach HS, and Cole, Franklin, Kuentz, Leon Valley, Linton, Locke Hill, Mary Hull, Mireles, Raba, Reed, and Steubing elementary schools.
CELEBRATIONS
Spanish Spelling Bee Champs
Three NISD students participated in the ESC-Region 20 Spanish Spelling Bee. Mateo Rawls, a student at Briscoe Middle School, brought home the gold by placing first at the middle school level. The winning word? Cúspide. This is Rawls's second time, after placing first last year in the elementary competition.
He will represent all Region 20 Middle Schools at the State Competition in June at El Paso.
In addition, Vanessa Acosta from Glenn ES and Mario Martinez from Communications Arts HS showed incredible poise and talent while representing NISD at their levels against a tough field of competitors.
Spanish winner
spanish winner
spanish winners
AROUND THE DISTRICT
Know an outstanding NISD alumni? Pillar applications open through May 15
Nominations for the Pillar of Character award are open now through May 15! Any NISD graduate who exemplifies one of our core Pillar characteristics—Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, Citizenship, or Learning—is eligible. Honorees are celebrated at our annual Pillar of Character Gala, visit schools to inspire students, and serve as the focus of classroom lessons on these seven values, reinforcing that everyone has the potential to be a Pillar of Character!
Join the fun at LibraryPalooza on Feb. 28
Northside ISD is once again giving students and San Antonians a chance to meet their favorite young adult authors, and it’s all for free.
The “LibraryPalooza, That Author Thing!” will be held from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28, at Brandeis HS. Doors open at 9 a.m. LibraryPalooza is a chance for readers to meet bestselling young adult authors through Q&A panels, breakout sessions, and book signings.
“This is an amazing line-up of award-winning authors who are well-known and loved by millions of teen readers,” says Lucy Podmore, librarian at Clark High School.
Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase books on site (or bring from home) and have them signed by the authors. Although geared toward middle and high school students, the event is open to anyone. There is no cost for the event, and no advanced registration is required. Food will be available for purchase (cash only) during the lunch break, including food trucks and student concessions.
For more information on the schedule and the authors, go to their website.
Growing up in the digital age
Join us for a community screening of Screenagers on Feb. 23 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Northside Activity Center.
Screenagers is an award-winning documentary that explores the challenges families face in the digital age.
A panel discussion will be held following the movie for parents to ask questions of District counselors.
RSVP through the QR Code on the flyer attached below.
We’ve crossed the 60% mark, NISD!
We are in week 3 of our United Way campaign, and NISD is showing up in a big way. So far, we’ve raised $102,900 to support our neighbors in need!
Our goal is to reach $169,000 by March 3, and every contribution helps us get there. Whether it’s a small monthly pledge or a one-time gift, you can direct your donation to any organization in the United Way Giving Guide.
Ready to give? Visit giveuw.org; Login Info: UserID ‒ Your work email; Password ‒ 6-digit e-number (with the e) + first 4 letters of last name (CAPS) + last 4 of SSN (If your last name has fewer than 4 letters, use the fewer letters.)
PERK OF THE WEEK
San Antonio Home + Garden Show: Special thank-you to educators
To show appreciation for your hard work, the San Antonio Home + Garden Show is offering FREE admission to all local teachers on Sunday, March 1. Simply present a valid school ID at the Alamodome box office between 11 a.m.-6 p.m. to claim your free ticket. Click here for more information about the show.
GRANT OF THE WEEK
Healthy Choices Grant encourages better habits
The Oliver Foundation's goal is to encourage Texas children, families, & communities to improve students' eating and physical activity habits from pre-K through high school. Healthy Choices Grant Level 1 offers funding $750-$3,000. Click here to apply or contact the Grants Dept. at 210-397-8563. Deadline is April 15, 2026.
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