December 11, 2019

Student wins holiday card contestBenjamin Case, a 5th grade student at Fields ES, was chosen among hundreds of student artists as the elementary level winner in the Education Service Center (ESC)-Region 20 Holiday Card Contest. His art work will be showcased on holiday cards sent from the ESC throughout their region. Case will receive a set of cards with his design, a poster with his artwork, and a Visa gift card. Pictured is Benjamin Case with art teacher Laura Hoffmann.

Lee wins prestigious teaching awardWilliam Lee, a Latin teacher at Clark HS, won the Society for Classical Studies Award for Excellence

in Teaching at the Precollegiate Level.

Lee has taught at Clark HS since 2003 where he has grown the Latin program from a half-time teacher with fewer than 100 students to two full-time teachers of over 200 students in one of the largest Latin programs in Texas.

For additional details, click here.

If you are looking for activities to attend to help you get into the holiday spirit, look no farther than Northside ISD campuses. Since the beginning of the month, more than 250 holiday programs have been scheduled to include thousands of NISD students in dance, choir, band, art, and theater performances. Most events are free, and all are open to the public.

This year, NISD will hold three Winter Dance Spectaculars.

The 12th annual High School Winter Spectacular will be tonight, Dec. 11 at Brennan HS and the 2nd annual Middle School Winter Spectaculars will be on Wednesday, Dec. 18 and Thursday, Dec. 19 at Stevens HS.

The middle school performances are being split into two evenings to accommodate a growing number of dancers at the middle school level. Schools starting with the letters B through L will be held on Dec. 18, and schools beginning with the letters N through Z will be held Dec. 19.

The event’s theme this year is “Everyone Dances” and it will feature dancers performing in various genres including ballet, tap, jazz and hip hop to name a few. This year’s high school event will also feature a performance accompanied by renowned flamenco guitarist Alejandro Antonio.

Admission is free but space is limited so arrive early. Doors open at 6:30 pm. Show begins promptly at 7 p.m.

For a complete list of holiday performances, click here.

Lots of options to enjoy student holiday performances

NEF awards more than $83KChristmas came early for some NISD teachers and excitement was in the air as community and business volunteers fanned out across the District on a mission to surprise teachers and staff. The Northside Education Foundation (NEF) Grant Patrol visited 73 campuses and awarded $83,000 in NEF Resource Grants to 125 employees.

Pictured with Apple Annie at Knowlton ES are (far left) Blair Raker, music teacher and 2nd grade teacher Elizabeth Rodriguez. Raker’s grant is titled “Unleashing Students’ Musical

Superpowers,” and Rodriguez plans to use her grant for STEM stimulation activities.

For additional photos at other surprise presentations, click here.

GRANT OF THE WEEK

NISD video of the week

When you return from the holiday break, you will notice that the District’s website looks vastly different. Click here to learn about this new streamlined design that will serve as a marketing tool for the district.

Pets in the ClassroomPets in the Classroom is an educational grant program that provides financial support to teachers to purchase and maintain small animals in the classroom. Click here for more information on Pets in the Classroom or contact the Grants and Recognitions Department at 210-397-8562.

Home away from home for petsWhether you need a pet boarded for a day or while you’re away on an extended vacation, The Pets Inn is taking reservations. NISD employees with a valid employee ID receive 10% off pet boarding, daycare, and grooming.

PERK OF THE WEEK

Marshall HSFor the third year in a row, cheerleaders from Marshall HS are winners in the San Antonio Sports All-Star Cheer Challenge. The squad won a $1,000 grant and will be cheering at the All-American Bowl to be held Jan. 4.

McAndrew ESMcAndrew ES held their first College Fair to celebrate Generation Texas month. Fifth graders researched a college or military academy of their choosing, and then presented their findings to kindergarten through fourth graders in a college fair style.

“It was a great event to teach students about different options for higher education,” said School Counselor Sandi Vasquez. “We hope fifth graders and our younger students learn about all the great opportunities a college education can give.”

“We hope to motivate students at an early age so they can begin to dream big for their future,” Vasquez added.

Pictured is fifth grader Alexis Diaz and her younger sister, Miranda.

Internal Customer ServiceJust a reminder from page 10 of “The Northside Experience” booklet. Friendly “customer service” also applies to our interactions internally.Sometimes, personalities can clash in certain situations. As an employee of Northside, you are here to help not only our external customers, but to support your fellow Northside team members in a professional, friendly manner.