August 17-21

Steps to Be Ready for the First Day of School this Thursday at 10 am

Check Tuesday Emails from NISD with Schedules

Middle school and high school students should receive their class schedules by email on Tuesday, August 18. The emails will be sent from no-reply@nisdtx.org. Emails to middle school and high school families will begin in the morning, but may arrive at different times throughout the day as our network servers work to disperse nearly 35,000 messages. This means that households with more than one child in a secondary school could receive emails at different times throughout the day.

If your child has not received his or her schedule by Wednesday morning, please email tjeffers@nisdtx.org or rebekah.chambers@nisdtx.org for assistance.

Meet Our Staff

Each of our staff has created an individual video for families posted to our FlipGrid Website.

Click here to meet us all!

Our Guest Code is wildcats2020.

Our principal, Mrs. Childress, has an opening video and then under the TOPICS tab, you will find the following:

• Our Teachers and Instructional Paraprofessionals listed by last name

• Our Office Staff that will support you

• Our Counselors and Assistant Principals (CAPS) team that supports your students

We know that having a face with a name makes all of the difference, so click and explore to see your new teachers (and see some of your old favorites too).

Click Invitation: Wednesday Emails from First Period Teachers Arrive

On Wednesday, all students will receive a link and directions from their first period teacher on how to log into their first class on Thursday morning at 10 am. Each class period, teachers will work with students to make sure they have the links to their next period, but getting ahead by enrolling in Moodle courses (our online learning management platform) will help.

Click here for how to enroll in Moodle courses.

Plan: Daily Schedule and Routine

Middle and high school students attend 4 classes each day with independent work times between each class period. Helping students set timers/alarms for when to log in is one way parents can support students and teachers on these first days of school.

Students can click the daily schedule below for a Google Doc to customize on their chromebooks. Students can add teacher names and zoom links for reference as well. Parents can click here for a printable version of the schedule.

*Note that our Monday and Friday advisory period does not begin until 8/24 (next Monday).

Archived Information for Reference

Chromebooks

As we prepare for Remote Learning, do you need to exchange a broken device or pick up a chromebook for the first time? Curbside pickup is now available Monday - Friday at the NISD Central Office from 8:00-3:00 p.m. The address is 2001 Texan Drive, Justin, Texas 76247. Arrangements can also be made at studenthelpdesk@nisdtx.org.

NISD Technology Resources Page is the best place to start for technology support and questions.

Attendance

Texas Education Agency has specific requirements, including showing progress and daily engagement. Per TEA guidelines, students must engage in learning on a daily basis.

All remote students are expected to participate in each scheduled class period every day. This is a significant difference compared to the Emergency Remote Learning this past spring.

MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL: Attendance will be taken for each scheduled class every day. All students are expected to participate in each scheduled class every day. When a student is marked as present for at least one class (participation in Zooms, face to face attendance, etc.), the daily attendance will indicate present. If a student submits an assignment or engages in learning as outlined in the asynchronous plan by 11:59 PM, the student will also be marked as present for that day within two days.

A Days = 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th period attendance or engagement via Moodle course assignment

B Days = 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th period attendance and/or engagement via Moodle course assignment

• "synchronous": face to face instruction or logging in at set times (real-time instruction via live zooms, etc.)

• "asynchronous": logging in on your own time (submitting assignments, etc.)

Our campus attendance contact is Rebekah Chambers, rebekah.chambers@nisdtx.org.

Immunizations

Please be aware that the state of Texas will continue to require all students to be fully immunized, regardless of whether they will attend classes in person or remotely.

All students, whether they will be on campus or at home, will need to meet Texas Minimum State Vaccine Requirements for Students Grades K-12 listed here.

Incoming 7th grade students and new to NISD students have specific requirements that will be verified by the school nurse by the first day of school.

There are a few exceptions. Notably, the requirements for students in pre-K or Early Learning are found under Texas Minimum State Vaccine Requirements for Child-Care Facilities. Also, Texas recognizes Conscientious Exemptions (more information found here).

If you have any questions, or need additional information, please reach out to our school nurse, Kristy Edney (kedney@nisdtx.org).

Click Image for Nurse's Newsletter

Food Service

We are so thankful for Northwest ISD's partnership with Aramark Food Service to begin curbside meal service starting August 20th. Families will have the option to preorder.

For Fall Food Service, meals are available to all NISD students, with prices reflected below.

Action Item: Families are required to verify student enrollment when picking up meals. Student Verification Form – please complete for EACH student.

Pick Up Locations Have Changed for Some Sites (see picture below). Wilson is now the local community site (change from Sendera Ranch Elementary in the Spring).

NEW: Families can preorder meals prior to pick up. Nutrislice Online Ordered Meals: Students may choose entrée, one side is automatically included, and if preferred students can select additional side. White or chocolate milk optional.

Curbside Meals (without online preordering): Students will receive one entrée, two sides (one fruit and one vegetable), with choice of white or chocolate milk.

Curbside Pricing Guide:

Breakfast - Free: Free | Reduced: $.30 | Paid: $1.35

Lunch - Free: Free | Reduced: $.40 | Paid: $2.75

To comply with the recommended CDC guidelines, all meals will be prepared for curbside pick-up. No group meals or congregating will be allowed. Meals will be served outside of the listed schools in front or back of the listed locations.

Food Service FAQs

Q: Does my child have to be free or reduced pay status to receive meals?

A: All NISD students can receive meals, however they will be charged based on their eligibility status.

Q: Will breakfast and lunch be served at the same time?

A: Yes. All daily meals will be served between 11:30 am and 1:30 pm, Monday – Friday.

Q: How are you planning for meals without waste?

A: NISD Food Service is working diligently to limit food waste during this time. The best way to help us minimize food waste is to utilize our online ordering system, Nutrislice. Nutrislice helps us better predict our food service needs.

Q: Are you going to publish menus for curbside pick up?

A: Curbside menus will be posted on the Food Service website and available on our online ordering system, Nutrislice.

Q: What steps are you taking to ensure your staff is healthy during this time?

A: Our kitchen staff are following the current CDC guidelines for COVID-19. Our employees have received additional training on safety protocols. Wellness standards, frequent hand washing, and social distancing are being practiced as part of our ongoing commitment to safety and wellness during this time.

Q: Am I allowed to pay cash for my meals?

A: Yes, cash will be accepted. For convenience and faster service, a contactless payment process is available so you can prepay at www.myschoolbucks.com.

Q: Are we required to receive milk with every meal?

A: Using Nutrislice, our online ordering system, will allow you to decline items and customize your meal.

Q: Will vegetarian options be available during curbside service?

A: Yes, everyday there is a vegetarian option.

Q: Will a la carte snacks be available?

A: For the most up-to-date menus, online ordering, and a la carte options please review menus and offerings on Nutrislice.

Q: Who can I contact if I have questions?

A: Please call (817) 215-0007.

Information to Support Families Planning for the School Year

We know there are a lot of questions about the 2020-2021 school year! The information below reflects the plans for Wilson Middle School and guidance from Northwest ISD, the Texas Education Agency, and local governance as of August 13, 2020. As we all experienced in the past few months, this information may change.

As updates or adjustments are made, our Wilson team is committed to Staying Connected and sharing that information with our learning community in a timely manner!

NISD is continuing to update information, and the current Return to Learn information is linked at the image below. As we prepare for an amazing year, please scroll down for protocols and staff contact information specific to Wilson as well.

Click the Icon Below for Quick Access to NISD Information

Curriculum and Instruction Information as of 8/13/2020

Electives and Course Offerings

Counselors are working to finalize student schedules for both in person and remote learners. If an elective is not offered remotely, a counselor will reach out to parents with alternate choices. Student schedules are expected to be released the week before school starts online in the Home Access Center.

Our counselors are:

6th grade: Ms. Alexandria Flores alexandria.flores@nisdtx.org

7th grade: Ms. Kimberly McKinnie kmckinnie@nisdtx.org

8th grade: Ms. Terry Harris tharris@nisdtx.org

School Supplies

For those planning in person learning, here are some of the items your child will need on site. Click here.

For those who preordered school supplies, a date will be sent out soon about when to pick up your items before school begins.

Special Services

Guardians of students receiving services were sent an email from NISD outlining the Return to Learn Plan. If you did not receive this email, please reach out to the following:

SPED: your child's case manager or our campus diagnostician Ms. Osmus, aosmus@nisdtx.org.

Dyslexia: Kelly Clower, kelly.clower@nisdtx.org.

504: Laynie Johnson, ljohnson@nisdtx.org.

EL: Angela Kokel, akokel@nisdtx.org. (Si tiene alguna pregunta o necesita información adicional, comuníquese con su intervencionista del campus y/o maestro)

GT: Heather Dodson, hdodson@nisdtx.org.

Fine Arts

The Fine Arts Department is evaluating safety standards and protocols for in-person learning within each program and will have information available soon.

We are working with district facilities and technology departments to offer streaming capabilities to concerts and performances. We are still in the process of determining what the performances will look like when we transition to in-person learning.

Private lessons will be offered in a remote learning format and will be available during a student’s fine art class.

For more information: https://www.nisdtx.org/departments/fine_arts/fine_arts_coronavirus_information

Still Need to Enroll?

All students who plan to attend Northwest ISD schools during the 2020-2021 school year will need to complete Online Enrollment. Families of returning students received an email the week of April 20, with a link and instructions on Returning Student Enrollment. Please log into Home Access Center, select the Registration icon, the Update Enrollment tab, and Start. Snapcodes are not needed. Students new to Northwest ISD, including incoming Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students, can complete Online Enrollment by visiting www.nisdtx.org/enrollment.

Online enrollment, including current proof of residence, should be completed as soon as possible in order for us to plan for class sizes and staffing. Families who need assistance or who do not have reliable internet access can contact their campus by phone at 817.698.7900 or email Tammy Jeffers at tjeffers@nisdtx.org.

Changing Learning Plans (Remote or In Person)

The current guidelines say that requests to transition from remote learning to in person learning or in person to remote learning will be granted at the end of a grading period.

Requests should be submitted to the grade level counselor prior to the last week of a grading period to allow time for the campus to create a new schedule for your child. The change will begin within the first week of the new grading period.

Our goal is to minimize transitions, preserving a student's schedule with respect to the course, the teacher, and the class period as much as possible. That being said, we also have to balance the size of classes, so changes may be made when moving from in person to remote or vice versa. If a schedule change is made, guardians will be notified.

Our counselors are:

6th grade: Ms. Alexandria Flores alexandria.flores@nisdtx.org

7th grade: Ms. Kimberly McKinnie kmckinnie@nisdtx.org

8th grade: Ms. Terry Harris tharris@nisdtx.org

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