October 23, 2019

Region 20 announces state ESL winnersTwo NISD employees will be recognized for their contributions to English as a Second Language (ESL) programs at the 2019 Region 20 W.O.R.L.D. Language Conference.

They are Cynthia Gongora, Stevens HS, ESL Teacher of the Year; and Faustino Ortega, Ross MS, Administrator of the Year.

The awards were established to recognize the efforts of outstanding educators teaching in the ESL classroom setting within the ESC-20 area. Award winners will be recognized at a luncheon during the annual ESC-20 Language Conference on Nov. 7.

Warren HS has two national winnersIt was double the surprises at Warren HS as two teachers were surprised with national awards.

Math teacher Walter Meyer is one of five winners in the nation for the Texas Instruments “Spread the Math Love” Contest! He was nominated by a former student and will have his math wish granted - a trip to MIT to sit in on math classes.

CTE teacher Bryan Haecker placed second in the national Voya Financial Unsung Heroes Contest. He was awarded a $12,000 grant to fund his project “Sleep in Heavenly Peace,” which will build beds for children in need. 

For pictures of the surprise events, go to the District’s Facebook page.

Nerdvana Con coming soonNISD will host the third annual and only event dedicated to encourage awareness and appreciation of the artistic and literary depth of anime, manga, and graphic art with Nerdvana Con on Saturday, Nov. 9. The event will be hosted at Stevens HS from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with doors opening at 10 a.m.

The event is geared towards secondary students and was created as a literary outlet for readers of anime, manga, graphic novels, and comic books.

Keynote speaker will be Kazu Kibuishi, the author of the Amulet series.

Attendees will experience gaming, makerspaces, cosplay, and an escape room, along with having merchandise, books, and food for sale. Attendees can view and vote for the winners of numerous contests such as an art contest, 90-second film contest, and graphic novel contest.

For more information, click here.

Friday is the last day for Annual Enrollment! Be sure to complete your insurance enrollment by midnight, Friday, 25 by clicking here.

Serving those who serveFor the third year in a row, Timberwilde ES held a breakfast in honor of first responders. Student Council members served as wait staff taking and

filling orders. According to Principal Wendy Tiemann, the idea is to serve those who selflessly serve the community on a daily basis.

Staff and parents donate the food and any leftovers are taken to Fire Station #41 which is closest to the campus and serves the Timberwilde community. Students across all grade levels write special notes of appreciation to the First Responders.

Pictured is fourth grader Maxx Maldonado with NISD Police Officers Fred Morris and Matthew Villarreal.

For pictures from the event, click here.

GRANT OF THE WEEK

NISD video of the week

A reason to smileSmile Structure Dentistry and Braces is offering NISD employees, with a valid District ID, free teeth whitening for life. Whitening refill trays are given at the end of every checkup. All veterans get 20% off whitening treatment for a year with military ID or code DD214. Start smiling brighter here.

PERK OF THE WEEK

Leon Valley ESLast week was National School Lunch Week. The 1,100 members of the Child Nutrition Department serve over 80,000 lunches a day and approximately 20 million meals a school year. The department prides itself on service with a loving smile and students across the District say they definitely feel it.

State Rep. and former NISD Trustee Ray Lopez celebrated National School Lunch Week at Leon Valley ES by serving lunch.

Pictured are Risa Riepman, District Dietitian; Ricardo Ponce, Area Supervisor; Sandra Luna, Vice Principal; Rep. Lopez; and Michelle Villarreal, Cafeteria Manager.

Driggers ESFourth grade students at Driggers ES are putting their math skills to the test. While “shopping” at Gobin Grocery Store (named for campus math specialist Jenna Gobin), students were given $20 to spend. Working in teams, they practiced estimating, budgeting, and decimal skills. Pictured are (from l-r) Maddison Vasquez and Luz De La Cruz.

Brauchle ESYoung scientists in the STEM Lab at Brauchle ES turned a traditional Halloween candy into a science lesson. Fourth graders conducted an experiment to see how candy corn reacts in various liquids like baking soda, vinegar, and salt water. First graders used the sweet treats to build shapes with toothpicks. Pictured is Serenity Salas.

Firstmark Educator GrantFirstmark Credit Union is offering $500 grants to eligible K-12 teachers who are members to be used for classroom supplies and materials. Click here for more information on the Firstmark Educator Grant or contact the Grants and Recognitions Department at 210-397-8562.

It’s a little bit like Inspector Gadget, but NISD employees collaborated to help the dream of a Villarreal ES fifth grade student come true. Click here to learn how a device created by a 3D printer is helping this student make beautiful music for the first time.