May 14 Staff Newsletter

On the cover: Senior Walks are a meaningful full-circle moment that brings graduates back to where their journey began. They give seniors a chance to reflect and thank the teachers who shaped them, while also inspiring younger students who see what their future can hold. In just a short walk, years of growth, connection, and possibility come to life.

Beard Teacher named NISD's Trinity Prize recipient

Beard Elementary third-grade teacher Celena Sweeney was honored with a Trinity Prize for Excellence in Teaching and recognized during a special ceremony at Laurie Auditorium at Trinity University on May 8.

Selected as one of just 16 recipients from more than 130 applicants, Sweeney earned the prestigious award for her leadership, student impact, and mentorship.

With 21 years in education, she had a lasting influence on countless students through her creativity, dedication, and commitment to engaging, real-world learning experiences. A former Beard Elementary Teacher of the Year, she also contributed beyond the classroom, including leading the campus’s popular Barn Dance community event.

Northside ISD celebrated Sweeney’s well-deserved recognition and the meaningful impact she made in her students' lives.

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

Seesaw Transition for 26-27

Beginning in the 26-27 school year, the district will no longer purchase Seesaw for Schools for PK-Gr 1 classrooms, and teachers will have the option to use the free version, Seesaw Starter. There are changes to your current practices that must be implemented to use the free version.  One important change to note is that the district will not be able to create your class or load your student roster into Seesaw Starter. For those interested in using Seesaw Starter, this document provides the answers to frequently asked questions about this transition. Please note the following critical timeline: Teachers will have full access to the current Seesaw for Schools features until June 30, 2026. After this date, those interested will be responsible for creating and maintaining their own classes in Seesaw Starter.  We will be providing additional information in July on how to begin working with Seesaw Starter via the Seesaw support page on the HUB.  

Coming Soon: New Parent Portal

Starting this summer, the district is launching a new secure Parent Portal to give families a direct look at the state-approved K-12 Mathematics teaching materials used in Northside classrooms, as required by Texas House Bill 1605. The parent portal is optional; parents must officially "opt in" to gain access. A digital sign-up form will be sent out via School Messenger the week of May 15, and the deadline to join is May 29.

After this initial launch, any parents who opt in will gain access to all newly adopted High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM)

Parents who sign up will receive their Parent Portal access on July 10th. Additional information will be shared to ensure teachers and campus staff are prepared to answer parent questions at the beginning of the 2026-2027 school year.

New Way to Assign Google Material to Students

Starting next school year, Google Assignments will be created using a new process. Google has released an updated Schoology app called Google Assignments, which all Schoology customers will adopt. This new app will be turned on after Spring Break, so you can begin exploring and using it. Beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, this will be the new way for assigning Google work in Schoology, as the previous app will be retired. Here are some resources to assist you in this transition. 

This will be the new app you will see when creating Google Assignments. If you have any questions, please reach out to continuous.improvement@nisd.net. For a listing of previous Schoology articles, click here. 

2025-2026 Student Device Collection: Staff Guidelines

It is time for our annual 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.

As a reminder, High Schools remain in a 1:1 environment, while Elementary and Middle Schools are now utilizing a classroom cart model.

Collection Priorities by Grade Level

• High Schools: All students must turn in their individually assigned 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 know to bring that 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.
• Sanitize: Clean the device surfaces (see Cleaning a Device: Do’s and Don’ts).
• Power: Ideally, students should return their devices fully charged.
• Damage Check:  Have students check for damage and report damage to TSS.

On the Day of Collection:

• Power On: Have devices powered on before the TSS arrives.
• Report: Make TSS aware of any damage or missing equipment.
• 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 them to your campus TSS immediately so 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!

Earn hours at the Instructional Systems Institute. Click here for the full schedule.

A Life-Changing Gift: CCA Students Build Home for Local Hero

Big things come in small packages, and that is definitely true at the annual Construction Careers Academy (CCA)Tiny Homes Showcase, where students displayed incredible craftsmanship, showing off everything from custom furniture to professional-grade sheds and even a school bus converted into a "Skoolie."

The heart of the event was the "Home for a Hero" presentation, where students and local partners gifted the keys to a stunning 970-square-foot tiny home to a local female veteran and her child. This two-bedroom home served as a powerful testament to the skill and compassion of our student builders.

"I am so touched and overwhelmed that students built this, and now it will be my home," said Army Veteran Kara Turner. "I had no idea that programs and resources like this were available."

It was an unforgettable day of celebrating hard work, community partnerships, and a very special homecoming. 

To view pictures of this special day, click here. 

Open an account with RBFCU for free!

NISD employees can establish free membership with RBFCU, with no monthly maintenance fees and minimum balance requirements, and receive direct deposit 2 days earlier! 

Click here for how to join.  

Energize the Environment Grant Program

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. 

Click on graphic to enlarge.