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On the cover: Students at Scobee Elementary School showed their patriotic spirit by wearing red, white, and blue in celebration and recognition of Freedom Week.

������ʮ�˽���� proudly salutes our nation’s heroes during America’s Heroes Week, ������ʮ�˽����t. 25–27. Each year, the District recognizes active-duty service members, veterans, and first responders for their courage and sacrifice. As a token of appreciation, anyone with a military ID or in uniform, including first responders, will receive free admission to all varsity football and volleyball games throughout the week. Click here for more details. 

Decision of Respect Signing Day on Oct. 3

On Oct. 3, all NISD students and staff will be invited to sign a Decision of Respect as part of the District’s anti-bullying initiatives. Counselors have been equipped with training, materials, and lessons for classroom presentations that teach necessary skills to students to promote a safe, respectful, and healthy school climate. Members of the Board of Trustees signed their own Decision of Respect as a show of support for the program spearheaded by the NISD Counseling Department, led by Elizabeth Flores. Dr. Craft signed on behalf of the NISD staff. 
 

The 2025 Northside Education Foundation (NEF) has announced its new Pillars of Character, a group of exceptional individuals who embody the values of the Northside Independent School District (NISD). This year's class will be honored at the NEF Pillar Recognition and Banquet on Nov. 12 at the Boeing Center at Tech Port. The event, a vibrant evening featuring musical performances, a lively live auction, and a celebration of community, is attended by approximately 700 business partners, community members, and educators.

As the NEF's largest annual fundraiser, the gala's proceeds directly support grants for NISD faculty and staff. Last year, the foundation awarded more than $360,000 in Resource, Innovation, and Team grants, empowering educators to create new opportunities for students.

Click here to learn about the 2025 Pillars of Character. 

Safe gun storage saves lives

Texas law requires school districts to distribute information to parents and guardians about the safe storage of firearms. The information below will help you learn about options for, as well as how to talk to your child and others about, the safe storage of firearms.

It is unlawful to store, transport, or abandon an unsecured firearm in a place where children are likely to be and can obtain access to the firearm. Under , a person commits the offense of making a firearm accessible to a child if the child gains access to a readily dischargeable firearm, and the person with criminal negligence:

• Failed to secure the firearm; or
• Left the firearm in a place to which the person knew or should have known the child would gain access

The penalty for allowing a child access to a firearm can range from a Class C misdemeanor (punishable by a $500 fine) to a Class A misdemeanor (punishable by a $4000 fine, a year in jail, or a combination of the two).

Texas exempts the purchase of firearm safety equipment from the .

Remember, a gun should be stored unloaded in a safe or locked container, with ammunition stored elsewhere. The Texas Department of Public Safety offers additional resources at . 

Learn more about how you can help keep 'em safe, Texas, at .

Preparing for Testing: Your Child's NISD Device

Testing season is approaching, and your child's district-issued device is a vital tool for their success. NISD is hard at work to ensure that devices are ready to go for testing, but your partnership can provide a stress-free testing experience.

Here’s how you can help:

• Bring it Daily: Please remind your child to bring their device to school every day, especially during the testing window if applicable. Even if your child uses a personal device for classwork, they must take their tests on an NISD-issued device to ensure the security of the testing program.
• Charge Your Device: If your student takes their device home, ensure they charge it fully the day or night before their testing day.
• Report Issues Immediately: If your child notices any problems with their device, such as damage or a technical issue, please have them alert their teacher or campus Technology Support Specialist (TSS) as soon as possible. Our campuses are committed to resolving any reported issues quickly to minimize disruptions to learning.
• Handle with Care: Please remind your child to handle their device with care to keep it clean and working properly.

Your collaboration in maintaining device readiness ensures a smooth and equitable testing experience for all students. Thank you for your support!

Keeping Your Children Safe Online; 
NISD's Commitment to Digital Safety

Northside Independent School District (NISD) is dedicated to providing a secure digital learning environment for all students, backed by rigorous data security measures and strict adherence to legal requirements. Here's how NISD protects your child's data and ensures a safe online experience:

Thorough Vetting of All Digital Resources

Before any application or online service is used in NISD classrooms, it undergoes a meticulous vetting process to guarantee student safety.

• Dedicated Review Committees: Specialized committees—App Vetting/EdTech, Program/Hardware, Data Privacy, and Internet Safety—thoroughly evaluate all software, hardware, and privacy requests through a multi-layered expert review.
• Mandatory Data Privacy Agreements (DPAs): NISD mandates a Data Privacy Agreement (DPA) with all digital resource vendors. This legal document details student data collection, usage, and protection, ensuring SCOPE Act compliance.
• Transparency through SDPC: NISD is a member of the Student Data Privacy Consortium (SDPC). This valuable resource provides parents with a comprehensive and transparent list of all approved applications used within the district, offering them greater insight and information.

Smart Internet Filtering 

To maintain a safe and productive online learning environment, NISD uses a Content Filter to ensure students access sites appropriate for their age.

Resources and Transparency for Parents

NISD prioritizes transparent communication with parents regarding student data. For comprehensive details on our data privacy, security, and legislative compliance,

Now Enrolling for After-School Program

The NISD Learning Tree After School Program offers on-campus fun, engaging learning activities, and low-cost tuition for families.

We're also hiring!
Join our team and gain valuable experience—perfect for future teachers! Enjoy TRS benefits and work weekdays from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m..

 For more information about enrollment or employment, call 210-397-8108 or visit . The flyer below provides more information. 

Featured Video: NISD Learning Tree

The Northside Learning Tree is NISD’s After-School Enrichment Program. Not only does it provide after-school care and learning opportunities for students from PreK through middle school, but it also enhances the lives of some high school students by employing them as teachers

Click on a graphic below to enlarge.