NHE News
January 20, 2026
Our School is Changing & Saving Lives!
By participating in Kids Heart Challenge, our students will learn how to keep their hearts, bodies and brains healthy while helping kids with special hearts live longer, healthier lives.
It's a fun and meaningful way for our students to learn lifelong habits of health and helping others, while supporting and earning rewards for our school.
Join us in spreading kindness, building healthy habits, and making a lasting difference. Together, we can create a healthier future, one heart at a time.
Northwood Hills Elementary School’s Kids Heart Challenge page:
http://www2.heart.org/site/TR?fr_id=12402&pg=company&company_id=534982
Middle-of-Year MAP® Growth™ testing window is January 12-23. During this time, students in grades K–6 will take MAP Growth assessments in Science, Math, and Reading. These tests adapt to each student’s responses, giving teachers a clear picture of what your child knows and is ready to learn next. Results will help teachers personalize instruction, set meaningful goals, and track growth across the year. We cannot wait to see how all of our students have grown!
1.21.26 | Grades 1-5 Spanish Reading
To help your child do their best, please make sure they:
Get a good night’s sleep
Eat a healthy breakfast
Arrive on time to school
Avoid outside appointments during testing if possible
After testing, you will receive a Family Report through Focus that summarizes your child’s performance and growth. For more information, visit NWEA Family Toolkit
January is School Board Appreciation Month, and we’re celebrating the incredible leaders who champion our students, staff, and community. Now more than ever, our Board of Trustees stands with public schools across the nation behind one belief: that Our Future is Public.
Thank you to our Board members for your vision, support, and commitment to our North Star
Goal: Every student, teacher, and leader will meet or exceed their academic growth goals.
During the months of January and February, the Live Wise Live Healthy focus will be on healthy relationships. All students will receive reminders about what to do if they think that they are being bullied, and how to report this to their teachers, counselors, or other trusted adults at school and at home. Posters will be hung up in the restrooms (secondary) and in/near the restrooms at elementary with information about healthy relationships and friendships.
Elementary students will participate in counselor- led lessons about friendship, kindness and empathy, and peer-pressure refusal skills (5th/6th).Secondary students will participate in bullying prevention lessons during their advisory period.
Relationship care is an essential part of daily life. RISD values healthy relationships
and the positive outcomes healthy relationships produce for all. January and February will concentrate on helping students, staff and community understand the value of healthy relationships.
During the week of February 9th-13th, students will participate in Kindness Week activities. Campuses will send out campus-specific information about Kindness Week on their campus.
Resources
Pacer National Bullying Prevention Center Parents Guide
Healthy Friendships Flyer for Elementary - English
We’re Excited to Welcome Lunch Visitors!
Here are a few reminders to help make your visit smooth and enjoyable:
One visit per week, please. This helps us manage space and make sure every family has the opportunity to visit.
Arrive on time. Plan to be here before your child’s lunch period begins.
Bring your photo ID. All visitors must check in at the front office and wear a visitor badge while on campus.
Enjoy lunch at the visitor table. For safety reasons, visitors should sit at the designated visitor table with their child only. Parents may not sit in the cafeteria.
Friends can’t join your table. We know kids love company, but we ask that you enjoy this time just with your child.
Put phones away. To protect student privacy and keep the focus on your child, please avoid phone use, photos, or videos while in the cafeteria.
Head out after lunch. When your child’s lunch period ends, please exit through the front office. Visitors may not walk students back to class.
Permission for guests. If someone other than a parent/guardian plans to visit, we need written permission from the parent ahead of time.
Thank you for helping us make lunch visits a safe, positive experience for everyone. We can’t wait to see you in the cafeteria!
