April 30, 2026 Staff Newsletter

On the cover: Spurs fans come in all sizes and ages. Adams Hill Elementary students showed their Spurs Spirit by wearing their favorite Spurs shirts and bling. Check out the Spurs Perk of the Week in this week's Staff Newsletter. Go Spurs Go!

Headed to the Finish Line

O’Connor High School student-athlete Diego Montes is turning heads as a standout distance runner—while also preparing to compete at the Special Olympics Texas State Summer Games.

Diego’s journey began with Special Olympics, where he explored multiple events but found his passion in distance running. The program helped him build confidence, discipline, and lasting friendships—skills that continue to shape his success today.

Now a member of O’Connor’s cross country and track teams, Diego has posted impressive times, including 4:45 in the 1600M and 10:18 in the 3200M. His 9:48 finish in the 3000M at the SOTX Area Meet qualified him for State in both the 3000M and javelin.

For Diego and his family, the biggest victories go beyond medals. His growth, perseverance, and confidence—along with the joy he brings to the sport—are what matter most.

Congratulations, Diego! The district is cheering you on at State.

Action Required: Complete the TIA Annual Evaluation Survey

The TIA Annual Evaluation Survey, developed by Texas Tech University, is administered each spring to teachers, principals, and human resources. The survey is designed to gauge perceptions and support for the local designation system after implementation. The administration of these surveys is required for continued system approval. Results are used as part of a continuous improvement cycle to monitor perceptions and the impact of the local designation system. 

Texas Tech will administer the survey to all recipients by May 4 and will close it on May 22. Teachers can expect the survey to come from the following email address:  noreply@qemailserver.com 

Schoology TIP: Creating a Semester Exam 

With the school year coming to an end soon, you may be planning to use Schoology to administer an online semester exam. If you plan to do this, be sure to review the resource at the following link before creating your Schoology assessment to ensure the grade is entered into TAC correctly. For other Schoology resources, visit the Schoology Support Site available on the HUB. For a listing of previous Schoology articles, click here.

Click here for the full schedule. 

Update Regarding Remind Services

Northside’s contract with Remind will officially expire on June 30. This change serves as a necessary budgetary measure as we actively pursue a new web provider for the upcoming school year. Our goal is to transition to a platform that offers expanded communication tools while providing significant cost savings to the district.

While the formal contract is ending, teachers can continue to use the basic functions of Remind through their limited free access tier. 

Important Changes for Teachers Regarding Remind Licensing

Please note the following restrictions that will be in place once the licensing is updated at the end of June 2026:

• Announcements: Limited to 140 characters.
• Chats: Limited to 300 characters.
• Class Capacity: A maximum of 150 participants per class.
• Account Limit: A maximum of 10 classes per account.

We appreciate your patience and flexibility as we work toward a more integrated and cost-effective solution for our school communities.

Student Device Collection: Staff Guidelines

It is almost time to begin the end-of-year student device collection! To support our Technology Support Specialists (TSS) and ensure our inventory is ready for next year’s distribution, please review the collection procedures.

Collection Priorities by Grade Level

• High Schools: All students must return their district-issued Chromebooks and chargers before the last day of school.
• Elementary & Middle Schools: TSS will collect devices by collecting carts from classrooms. However, if you have students who were issued a "loaner device" for home use, please ensure they bring the device and charger to school for collection.

Staff Action Items: Preparing Your Students

To ensure a quick and efficient collection, please assist your students with the following tasks before your scheduled collection date:

Pre-Collection Checklist:

• Charger Cables: Neatly roll up all chargers.
• Decals/Stickers: Remove all non-NISD stickers, labels, or personal decorations (leave the NISD barcode!).
• Sanitize: Clean the device surfaces (see Cleaning a Device: Do’s and Don’ts).
• Power: Ideally, students should return their devices fully charged.

On the Day of Collection:

• Power On: Have devices powered on before the TSS arrives.
• Damage Check:  Have students check for damage and report damage to TSS.
• Log Out: Ensure students have fully logged out of their NISD accounts.

Maintenance & Damage

Do not wait until collection day to report damage! If a student has a broken or malfunctioning device, please send it to your TSS immediately so that the repair process can begin before the summer rush.

Note: Specific collection times and campus-specific locations will be shared by your campus admin team. Thank you for your help in protecting our district technology!

Reminder: From Choice to Exchange Hours: What You Need to Know

Starting May 1, 2026, our professional learning program will transition from Teacher Choice Hours to Teacher Exchange Hours. For the 2026–2027 school year, designated staff must complete 12 hours of professional learning outside contract time between May 1, 2026, and April 30, 2027.

At least 6 hours must be devoted to Core Content instruction, with the remaining 6 hours devoted to Non-Core areas. This requirement applies to elementary, secondary core content, ESL, and SPED teachers. Sessions outside the district or book studies require prior approval, and hours cannot be earned on exchange dates or paid leave days.

Student Device Collection: Staff Guidelines

It is almost time to begin the end-of-year student device collection!  To support our Technology Support Specialists (TSS) and ensure our inventory is ready for next year’s distribution, please review the collection procedures.

Northside Artists Shine at State VASE 

Congratulations to our N ISD student artists who advanced to the State Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE). A total of 50 district artworks qualified for state, with 40 earning top ratings and State Medalist honors at this year’s competition in San Marcos.

From nearly 32,000 entries statewide, only 151 artworks received the prestigious Gold Seal—the highest honor awarded by the Texas Art Education Association. Northside earned three Gold Seals: Sarah Smith (Marshall HS, teacher Dr. Andra Ramirez), Emma Pittman (Sotomayor HS, teacher Marco Gorena), and Shamus Fagan (Marshall HS, teacher Samantha Gomez).

Northside students also earned scholarships: Emma Pittman (2-D Workshop) and Korina Carmona (Photography Workshop).

Community Comes Together at Resource Fair 

Holmes High School’s Special Needs Resource Fair on April 9 was a tremendous success, bringing together 200–300 attendees, including more than 100 families. The event offered valuable resources, connections with community organizations, and a fun, welcoming atmosphere—complete with exciting door prizes. The evening highlighted the power of community and collaboration in supporting students and families.

Go Spurs Go! Exclusive Round 2 Playoff Ticket Access for NISD Staff

The Spurs are headed to Round 2, and the organization wants the NISD family in the stands! They are excited to offer staff exclusive access to playoff tickets with special "home court" perks.

The Winning Lineup:

• Exclusive Pricing: Group rates below standard gate prices.
• Convenience: Discounted parking in Lot 7.
• Extra Savings: Save an average of 12% on fees compared to Ticketmaster.

Claim Your Seats:

• Link: spursgrouptix.com/playoffsschoolemployees
• Access Code: GROUP26

A “Slice” of Appreciation: Save 30% at Marco’s Pizza

NISD employees can enjoy 30% off their entire order through June 1, 2026! This exclusive offer is valid at three participating locations on Bandera Rd. and Culebra Rd.

• Discount Code: SAVE30
• Participating Locations: See the flyer for specific addresses.

Energize the Environment Grant

Quadratec Cares 'Energize The Environment' Grant Program is offering a $3,500 grant to individuals or groups pursuing initiatives that benefit our environment (such as trail restoration, litter prevention, or community education). Click here to apply or contact the Grants Dept. at 210-397-8563. Deadline: June 30. 

Public Notice and Input Requested/Aviso público y comentarios solicitados

Northside ISD is applying for federal grants and welcomes your input on how to use these funds to support students, staff, and families next school year. You can learn more about these grants here, and you can click here to give us your input and feedback on the 2026-2027 federal grant applications. Public comment is open from Tuesday, April 7, 2026, to Friday, May 22, 2026

Northside ISD está solicitando subvenciones federales y agradece sus comentarios sobre cómo utilizar estos fondos para apoyar a los estudiantes, el personal y las familias durante el próximo año escolar. Puede obtener más información sobre estas subvenciones aquí, y puede hacer clic aquí para compartir sus comentarios sobre las solicitudes de subvenciones federales para el año escolar 2026-2027. El plazo para recibir comentarios públicos está abierto desde el lunes 7 de abril de 2026 hasta el viernes 22 de mayo de 2026.