In this issue:
On the cover: Sept. 6 was National Read a Book Day, and this first grader shows off one of his favorite books to read at the Reed Elementary School library. In the words of the immortal Dr. Seuss, "You can find magic wherever you look. Sit back and relax, all you need is a book."
From Classrooms to Technology: A look at our Bond Proposals
NISD will place three bond proposals on the Nov. 3 ballot. Here’s a more detailed look at those proposals.
Bond propositions fund long-term capital needs. Bond proceeds can be used for projects such as constructing, renovating, and improving school facilities, acquiring property, purchasing buses, and upgrading technology and security. Bond funds cannot be used for teacher or other day-to-day operating expenses.
The three proposals are:
Proposition B: General School Facilities
Includes safety and security improvements, campus renovations, transportation needs, technology infrastructure, and other facility improvements.
Proposition C: Instructional Technology
Provides $56 million for lifecycle replacements of student and staff devices across the district.
Proposition D: Athletics
Provides $65.5 million for the replacement of the George Block Aquatics Center.
View the detailed list of projects included in the 2026 bond propositions.
Northside ISD has earned the highest rating available through the School Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (School FIRST) for the 24th consecutive year, continuing a longstanding record of excellence in financial stewardship and accountability.
School FIRST is the financial accountability system used by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to evaluate the quality of financial management practices in Texas public school districts. The system is designed to encourage sound financial practices, promote transparency and ensure districts effectively manage resources in support of student instruction.
For the latest rating cycle, Northside ISD earned an A – Superior Achievement rating with a score of 98 out of 100. The state awards an A rating to districts earning between 90 and 100 points.
HELPFUL RESOURCES
What Staff Need to Know About the New Parent Portal
As part of our commitment to instructional transparency and in alignment with Texas House Bill 1605, Northside has launched the new Parent Portal. This portal offers parents a direct and secure view of the high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) that have been TEA-designated and district-adopted for use in our classrooms.
Here is what you need to know about the Parent Portal and how it impacts our families:
The Opt-In Process
To comply with privacy laws, access is not automatic. Parents must have explicitly opted in to have an account created.
- Initial Enrollment: Parents received an email with a digital opt-in form in May 2026.
- Access Timeline: Login details were released to opted-in parents in July 2026.
Managing Changes (Opting In/Out at a Later Time)
It is important for campus staff to be aware of the process for parents who want to change their opt-in status:
- Campus-Based Changes: Any parent who wishes to opt in to the Parent Portal or revoke their portal access (opt-out) must report to their child’s campus to make that change in person. Attendance Secretaries can follow these steps to update parents’ opt-in status in eSchool.
- Parent Portal Guide: Campuses can share the Parent Portal Guide with parents, which includes directions for accessing the Parent Portal.
Why This Matters
HB 1605 is centered on empowering parents as active partners in the educational process. By providing easy access to our high-quality materials, we are strengthening the bridge between school and home, ensuring parents are well-equipped to support their students’ daily learning.
Thank you for your continued dedication to providing top-tier instruction to our students!
DecisionEd Student Summary Report
Need help preparing for an upcoming parent conference, MTSS, ARD, LPAC, or 504 meeting? Check out the Student Summary Report in DecisionEd to see attendance, assessment, and grade data, with eye-catching visuals to highlight talking points. It’s a great supplement to the Cognos Parent Conference Report! How to access the Student Summary Report and additional resources are also available on the DecisionEd Support Site on the HUB.
SameGoal Support Opportunities
In addition to the SameGoal-required self-paced course all teachers must complete, teachers can attend a drop-in session for system support. These will be held virtually once a week over the next few weeks and are intended to give teachers the option to receive live support with SameGoal.
The flyer below provides the dates, times, and link to the sessions. No need to pre-register, as they are drop-in sessions.
AROUND THE DISTRICT
2026 NEF Annual Giving Campaign Is Here!
From Sept. 14 through Oct. 5, we have the opportunity to directly uplift our district. Your contributions to the NEF Annual Giving Campaign go straight to innovative grants and classroom resources that make a real difference every single day.
Every gift counts—join us in supporting our education family by clicking on the icon on your portal or visiting the NEF website at nisd.net/nef!
PERK OF THE WEEK
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 two days earlier!
Click here for how to join.
GRANT OF THE WEEK
Firstmark Education Grants Now Open
Since 1932, education has been at the roots of everything Firstmark Credit Union does. To honor educators' tireless dedication to students, Firstmark is proud to offer education grants to eligible members. Click here to apply or contact the Grants Department at 210-397-8563. The deadline to submit applications is Oct. 12.
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