October 30, 2019

Students experience Princeton UniversityObi Ifunanya and Angela Ruiz, seniors at Communications Arts HS, are among 100 seniors selected nationwide to attend the Creative Arts and Humanities Symposium at Princeton University.

The symposium selects talented students from across the United States for an immersive weekend on campus to experience the creative arts and humanities at the university level. Among other activities, students might paint alongside outstanding visual arts faculty, write fiction or poems under the guidance of a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, or reflect and interpret literature and the arts with input from distinguished faculty critics and historians.

NISD represented in Military Drill Hall of FameThree JROTC instructors are #NISDLegends in a unique way. They have all been inducted into the Military Drill Hall of Fame.

MSgt (Ret) David Gonzales coaches drill at Warren HS; SMSgt (Ret) Tony Ruiz coaches drill at O’Connor HS; and MSgt (Ret) Ken Madden teaches and coaches drill at Brandeis HS. They are the only living NISD instructors in the Military Drill Hall of Fame.

Zombies take over Gus Stadium to raise hunger awarenessThe end of October is the beginning of the giving season and 800 middle school students participated in a “Thrill-A-Mill” event to benefit the San Antonio Food Bank. A total of 6,035 pounds of food was donated (compared to 4,288 pounds last year!)

The annual “Thrill A Mill” celebration brings hundreds of middle school theater and dance students out for a zombie walk and dance routine, and a finale performed to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”

 Leading up to the performance, all NISD middle school theatre and dance groups sponsored food drives on their campuses and learned about choreography and movement as well as special effects makeup, hence the zombie attire.

 “Thrill A Mill” allows the students to use what they’ve learned in the classroom to bring awareness to social issues that are faced by our community, providing them the opportunity to take an active role in fighting hunger in San Antonio and Bexar County.

The community service project began in 2009 with middle school theatre students and teachers.

For additional pictures from the event, click here.

World comes together at Colonies North ESColonies North ES is home to many refugees and “newcomer” students. To showcase the cultural diversity of the school, all students attend an annual Parade of Nations. In its 12th year, 41 countries were represented including Afghanistan, India, Iraq, Malaysia, Sudan, Brazil, Congo, Thailand, and many more.

Of the 645 students attending the school this year, 269 are English Language Learners (ELL). There are 36 identified languages spoken on campus. In addition, some students speak more than three languages.

The participants paraded around the cafeteria to their national anthem while carrying the country’s flag, similar to the Opening Ceremonies at each Olympic games. The last country in the parade was the United States. Students also shared facts about their native countries. At the end of the ceremony, the school choir sang “Together We Can Change the World.”

To view more pictures from the event, click here.

GRANT OF THE WEEK

NISD video of the week

At O’Connor HS, students are putting their best foot forward and showcasing their talent. The Rising Stars Dance Team pairs Applied Learning Environment (ALE) students with veteran dance team members. It’s a win-win collaboration that will leave lasting impressions and friendships. Click here to learn more.

PERK OF THE WEEK

Students showcase power with a purposeStudents in the Gifted and Talented (GT) program at Burke ES created pumpkins featuring high school #NISDLegends as part of their theme of Law and Justice. The pumpkins were carved for Supreme Court Justices that bear their names at many NISD high schools. Click here

for a complete line up of their Power with a Purpose pumpkin patch. Campus GT teacher is Maria Sandoval.

NISD students say “no” to drugsNISD schools celebrate Red Ribbon Week this week, Oct. 23-31, with rallies, parades, and special events to encourage people of all ages to stay drug-free.

Red Ribbon Week has been celebrated nationwide since 1998, following the murder of DEA Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena in 1985. Today, Red Ribbon Week is used to raise awareness about alcohol, tobacco, and other drug and violence prevention, early intervention, and treatment services.

Pictured are students from the Mary Hull ES Red Ribbon Parade. The annual event included the Jay HS band, ROTC, spirit, and athletic groups participating alongside their younger peers. (Photo Credit: Jay HS Journalism).

AIAA Foundation Classroom GrantThe AIAA Foundation awards up to $250 to worthy projects that inspire and advance the future of aerospace student learning. Teachers must be current AIAA Educator Associate members actively engaged in K-12th grade classroom education prior to receiving this grant. Deadline to apply is Nov. 16. Click here for more information on the AIAA Foundation Classroom Grant or contact the Grants and Recognitions Department at 210-397-8562.

They did the monster mashMonster Jam® is the most action-packed live event on four wheels. Discounted tickets for NISD employees are available for the 7 p.m. show on Jan. 18, and the 3 p.m. show on Jan. 19. To purchase tickets with no per ticket service charge, call (210) 226-5967 and ID yourself as a NISD employee. Click here for seats and prices.

Remember to set your clocks back one hour Saturday night.

November 2019 Generation Texas (GenTex) College Application and Financial Aid Awareness Month

3 Daylight Saving Time Ends (turn clocks back 1 hour) 5 Election Day 5 12th annual NISD HS Bowling Opening Ceremony, Bandera Bowl, 6 p.m. 7 50th anniversary celebration, Howsman ES, 6:30 p.m. 9 Nerdvana Con, Stevens HS, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. (doors open at 10 a.m.) 11 Veterans Day 11-15 American Education Week 11-15 School Psychology Awareness Week 13 Education Support Professionals Day 13 Public Hearing for Wernli ES boundaries, Bernal MS, 7 p.m. 18 Magnet School Fair, Northside Sports Gym & Paul Taylor Field House, 6:30-8 p.m. 19 Regular Board of Trustees meeting, CO Board Room, 7 p.m. 21 Groundbreaking ceremonies for “Galm Road area” HS, 9 a.m. 24 Lights on Afterschool Day 25-26 Student holiday/staff development days 27-29 Thanksgiving Break (schools/offices closed)