August 2026 Parent 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 in Northside ISD

Starting August 7, 2026, Northside ISD teachers will have the option to message parents and secondary students directly and securely using ClassDojo Teacher-Student-Parent Messaging.

Please note: Campus participation may vary. If your child’s campus has chosen a different communication tool, you will not receive a ClassDojo invite.

What Students Need to Know

• Check your email for an invite from hello@classdojo.com.
• Follow the link in the email to set up your ClassDojo student account using your school’s Google login.
• Teachers will be able to initiate all chats; students cannot start new threads. All messages are visible to parents and school leadership.

 What Parents & Guardians Can Expect

• You'll be notified when your child is invited to join.
• View your child’s messages anytime in the app under Kids > Chats.
• Enjoy direct 3-way messaging between you, your child, and their teacher to keep everyone on the same page!

Questions about setting up your account? Review the FAQ guide here or contact ClassDojo support at help.classdojo.com.

College Board Assessments given in 2026-27

In the 2026-2027 school year, NISD will offer the College Board's SAT and PSAT/NMSQT assessments.

 On Wednesday, Oct. 21, the PSAT/NMSQT will be administered at high school campuses to 10th- and 11th-grade NISD-enrolled students who register in advance. There is a fee for this optional test for Grade 10 students. There is no fee for Grade 11 students, since the PSAT/NMSQT exam is the entry point to the National Merit Scholarship Program for 11th-grade students. 

 On Wednesday, April 7, 2027, all 11th graders will be able to take the SAT or TSIA2 at high school campuses.

Please read the attachments below for more information.

Detailed information for PSAT online registration will be available on the campus website beginning on Aug. 24, 2026, and registration will be open Aug. 24 - Sept. 23.

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.

NISD launched the Northside Virtual Academy with almost 200 ninth through eleventh graders starting with a short commute on the first day of school – just to their home laptops. 

In partnership with Graduation Alliance, the Virtual Academy offers a flexible and rigorous learning environment tailored to each student’s unique needs. Students will enjoy the best of both worlds: a personalized virtual experience with certified teachers and coaches, all while remaining enrolled at their neighborhood home campus. Virtual students follow the district’s academic calendar and grade-reporting deadlines, are required to complete daily attendance checks, and must be scheduled for 240 minutes of instruction per day. If they choose to do so, they can also participate in extracurricular activities at their home campus, such as band and team sports. 

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. 

Click image to enlarge!