August 13 Staff Newsletter

Monday was an exciting day as we welcomed thousands of students on the first day of school, many of them walking in the front doors of their schools for the first time.

 As I mentioned at Convocation, behind every one in Northside, there is a story. 

Behind every student is a story of dreams, challenges, discoveries, and possibilities. Behind every teacher and staff member is a story of why they chose to serve. Behind every family is a story of hopes for the future. And behind every school is a community filled with people whose stories make Northside what it is.

Our theme, Northside: Driven With Purpose, is about recognizing those stories and understanding that every person has a reason for being here, a purpose that drives them forward.

Because what happens at Northside is about more than numbers, achievements, programs, or test scores. It’s about people. It’s about the moments that shape us, the relationships that inspire us, and the experiences that help us discover who we are and who we can become.

Every day, more than 100,000 stories unfold across Northside. Each one is different. Each one matters. And together, they tell the story of Northside.

Let’s have a great school year, Northside!

Jessica Palomares
Interim Superintendent of Schools

Almost 12,000 employees attended one of six Back-to-School Convocations to hear a message from the Superintendent and Board and be entertained by hundreds of "driven" Fine Arts students who certainly took the opportunity to "show their purpose!"  

On Aug. 10, almost 98,000 students and 6,000 teachers returned to the classroom as 133 schools reopened. With new backpacks filled with fresh school supplies, students and parents entered the schools on Monday with big smiles and wide eyes as many saw their classrooms for the first time. 

"It is always heartwarming to see the students and their parents coming to their campuses and seeing the excitement in their eyes," said Jessica Palomares, Interim Superintendent.

Pictures from Convocations and the First Day of School are available here. 

ClassDojo Trainings for Teachers

ClassDojo is now Northside ISD’s communication tool for teachers, and we are happy to see this platform is already utilized in many schools and being used to enhance communication for staff, parents, and students! To support this momentum and ensure a smooth rollout district-wide, ClassDojo will be offering virtual group training sessions this month to reach as many teachers as possible early in the school year.

Training Schedule

Long before the curtain rises, countless hours of creativity, collaboration, and dedication bring performances to life—and that commitment is now being recognized as Northside ISD earns Exemplary status in the 2026 Texas Educational Theatre Association (TxETA) Award of Distinction Program. The District is among only 28 in Texas to receive this prestigious honor, highlighting its dedication to advancing excellence in theatre education.

The Texas Educational Theatre Association’s (TxETA) Award of Distinction is a tiered recognition program that honors schools and districts demonstrating excellence in theatre education. Levels range from Recognized to Exemplary, with Exemplary representing the highest level of distinction. The award recognizes programs that excel in areas such as student achievement, quality performances, resources, community support, advocacy, and opportunities for students to grow through the arts.

Read the entire story here.

There was excitement in the air as 400 new educators gathered for New Teacher Academy, marking the beginning of their journey with Northside ISD. Among them were 130 new teachers preparing to step into the classroom for the very first time.

Throughout the two-day academy, new teachers connected with district leaders, explored the instructional tools and resources available to support their classrooms, and gained insight into the culture and values that make Northside unique. 

Click here to hear from three new teachers about what they look forward to on the first days of school. 

For one day, the colors didn’t matter.

Student-athletes from across Northside ISD—used to competing against one another on fields and courts—stood side by side, wearing the same jerseys and sharing a common purpose: leadership.

For more than a decade, the Northside ISD Athletic Department has hosted its annual Servant Leader Summit, bringing together approximately 200 high school student-athletes for a day focused on growth, connection, and impact. The summit challenges participants to think beyond the scoreboard and recognize their influence as culture-setters on their campuses.

Throughout the day, students engaged in activities and heard from speakers who encouraged them to reflect on their roles not just as athletes, but as leaders in their schools and communities. The summit centered on four key areas: discovering individual leadership styles, strengthening communication and listening skills, navigating conflict and peer accountability, and creating goals through campus action plans.

To read the entire story, click here. 

Start the school year on a sweet note! 

Receive a free Bundlet at Nothing Bundt Cakes- Northwest, West, La Cantera, Westover, and Boerne locations when you show the coupon linked HERE and your NISD employee badge. Offer expires Sept. 30, 2026.

A "rolling" grant opportunity

The Roller Skating Foundation offers grants to deserving schools, educators, and volunteers to assist with funding trips to local RSA roller skating rinks to enrich educational experiences and promote physical fitness. Click here to apply or contact the Grants Dept. at 210-397-8563. Deadline is Sept. 1. 

Click to enlarge image.