The Weekly Update #3-18

Steele Nation!

Last week was National School Counseling Week. A huge shoutout to our awesome Steele Counselor, Mrs. Sheneka Davis! Thank you for all that you do to support our Steele students, staff, and families!

Juniors (Class of 2027), the SAT School Day is only 4 weeks away (Wednesday, March 11th). All Juniors need to be practicing and working on SAT everyday. Research has shown that just 6–8 hours of study with Official SAT Practice is associated with a 90-point score increase from the PSAT/NMSQT to the SAT, or from SAT to SAT. And 20 hours is associated with a score gain of 115 points.

This Friday, February 13th, our Sophomores (Class of 2028), are going to the Dallas Museum of Art as part of their World History course.

This Friday, February 13th is the last day to take grades for Quarter Three Progress Report Card #2. The Progress Report Card will go out the evening of Tuesday, February 17th. Students need to make sure they utilize Power Hour tutorials and submit all graded assignments this week.

Let's make it a fantastic week in Steele Nation! Go Stallions!

We Are Steele!

Todd Rogers, Steele ECHS Principal

Congratulations to our Steele Debate students on their incredible success at the UIL District 7-4A tournament. Steele ECHS swept district placing 1st, 2nd, and 3rd! WOW! We have two teams heading to the 4A state tournament in CX Debate.

1st Place - State Qualifier: Sakruti Nemmani and Siehera Villanueva

2nd Place - State Qualifier: Orlando Roque and Preston Nnadi

3rd Place - Runner Up: Aamaya Smith and Laila Carthan

Last Wednesday, 14 Steele students went to Cox Elementary for Northwest Reads. They spent the morning reading to PK - 5th grade elementary students. I am so proud of our Steele students! They did such a great job being positive role models, reading to younger learners, and making positive connections. Great Job Stallions!

Huge Shoutout to our Awesome Steele Readers!

Mackenzie Allen-Nizamani, Madison Delgado, Stella Samoni, Amaziah Amani, Nathan Moose, Krystal Nnadi, Abigail Aguirre, Camila Nigaglioni Diaz, Desarae Montero, Savigne Russell, Aiden Hung, Valerie Abai, Addilyn Baumer, and Mackenzie Burgan.

Last week, our DECA students went to the Dallas Stars to learn more about the business side of the Stars. Then they stayed to watch the Stars win in overtime! Go Stars! Go Steele!

This weekend, 13 Steele StuCo student leaders are attending Advanced Leadership Workshops for Student Council. They are learning from state trainers and collaborating with other student leaders from all over the state of Texas. Go Stallions!

• Strengthen our leadership team
• Focus our student council leaders on the why of their activities
• Provide strategies to include all students
• Learn strategies for creating excitement, belonging, and memories

Hey Seniors! Graduation is getting closer and closer. Friday, our Seniors received their Graduation Cap-n-Gown. Woohoo!

Sam Houston State University (SHSU), founded in 1879 in Huntsville, Texas, is the state's third-oldest public university and a member of the Texas State University System. It is highly regarded for its nationally ranked Criminal Justice program, top-tier forensics, and teacher education. With over 90 bachelor’s and 50+ master’s degrees, SHSU serves nearly 18,000 undergraduates, boasting an inclusive 90% acceptance rate.




Key Details About Sam Houston State University:

• Location & Campus: Main campus is in Huntsville, Texas, with additional facilities like The Woodlands Center.
• Academics: Known for strong programs in Criminal Justice, Nursing, Business, and Education. It houses the nation's first Ph.D. in Forensic Science.
• Admissions: The university has a 90.3% acceptance rate, making it a nearly open-admissions institution.
• Student Life: Offers over 200 student organizations, a lively campus atmosphere, and is known for its "friendly" reputation.
• Tuition: In-state tuition is approximately $637 per hour.




Academics and Specialty Areas

• Criminal Justice: The College of Criminal Justice is recognized nationally for its excellence.
• Forensic Science: Features unique, specialized facilities like the STAFS human decomposition lab.
• Teacher Education: Originally established to train teachers, it remains a premier institution for education degrees.
• Medicine: The College of Osteopathic Medicine is the third in Texas.
• Arts & Media: The James and Nancy Gaertner Performing Arts Center provides state-of-the-art facilities for music, dance, and theater.

Sam Houston State University Video

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Northwest ISD students will not attend classes on Monday, February 16, as schools close for a three-day weekend in observance of Presidents’ Day. Classes will resume on regular schedules on Tuesday, February 17.

It's Black History Month! Join us in honoring the generations of African Americans who have shaped and enriched our nation. As we celebrate Black History Month, take a moment to explore the powerful history of those who overcame adversity to pave the way for future generations. Learn more at www.blackhistorymonth.gov.

Hey Stallions! Q4 Sales for DECA Nothing Bundt Cakes has just opened! Bundtlets are $7 each and can be purchased through SchoolCash.

The last chance to order is February 20th. All orders can be picked up on Thursday, February 26th, 2026 in Mr. Escarsega's room (414). Sales are only open to Steele students and staff.

Scan the QR Code or order yours now at: tinyurl.com/DECAbundtcake

As the flu activity increases, families can take steps to prevent the illness by following CDC recommendations. This includes basic hygiene practices such as washing hands, covering your mouth when coughing and avoiding touching others. Flu vaccinations are also available, and covered by health insurance plans as preventative care, for those who wish to receive them.

NHS will be hosting the Spring Faire on March 6th from 4:30 - 7:00 PM. Join us for a medieval themed tournament! Admission is $5. This will be a faire to remember!

Northwest ISD's Expo showcase annually celebrates future-ready learning by involving fellow students, teachers and the community in an exhibition of Northwest ISD’s innovative and inspiring educational opportunities. The event gives students the chance to shine as they fine tune their presentation skills and communicate their innovative ideas in a variety of ways.

Please join us as we celebrate our student achievements from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, February 26, at Northwest High School, located at 2301 Texan Drive in Justin. For additional information, visit the Expo website.

This Spring, Steele is supporting the Tarrant County Food Bank by hosting a grade vs. grade food drive! Bring food items from Monday, February 9 to Thursday, March 5 and drop them off in boxes in the fishbowl.

Don't forget to submit your volunteer Green Cord hours. The last day to submit approved volunteer hours for this year's Green Cord program is Sunday, April 12th. Submit your volunteer hours in x2VOL.

In the last 10 months, Steele students have completed over 9,000 hours with volunteering and community service. Way to go Steele students! Great Job!

Hello Juniors,

Time is going by quickly because we are already a month into 2026! Meaning we only have four months left in the 2025-2026 school year. February is a very busy time for all the organizations. Student Council (StuCo) has Kindness Month, Rays of Health Social, and the Black History Month Social. National Honors Society has their annual Cultural Carnival. Therefore, try your hardest to be involved in your organizations as much as you can this month. With that being said Luis and I have worked very hard to gather all this information about February 2026 for all of you. If you have any suggestions for the newsletter or would like to add any of your club's dates, please email Luis or Mackenzie.

Northwest ISD is sharing this information about the district and your child’s campus with you as part of its obligations under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA) and the Texas legislature.

The following link to three reports: School Report Card, Texas Academic Performance Report, and the Federal Report Card. These reports include student performance and accountability data, including College, Career, and Military Readiness, from the 2023–24 and 2024–25 school years.

https://www.nisdtx.org/departments/academics/research-assessment-and-accountability/accountability

See the attachment below for the complete parent letter.

Calling All Steele Seniors – This Trophy Club Women’s Club scholarship is open to all Steele Seniors.

Don’t wait, apply today! The deadline this year is March 13 at 5:00 pm. If you need help with this scholarship, see our Steele Counselor, Mrs. Davis. We Are Steele!

Hello Stallions! February is Kindness Month and Wellness Ambassadors have partnered with student councils DASH committee in order to plan activities for each day along with a social, called the Rays of Health Social on February 19th. Each week of February also has its own focus of who to be kind to. For example, week one is focused on being kind to the community, week two is focused on being kind to peers, week three is kind to yourself, and week four is kind to staff.

More details to come, but make sure you are participating in every activity and practicing kindness throughout the month!

StuCo DASH Committee and Wellness Ambassadors

Northwest ISD will offer multiple webinars in the coming weeks to help students and families prepare for future plans such as advanced academics in secondary schools, saving for college, college selection and more. All webinars will take place in the evening to provide the opportunity for more families to attend. Webinar links will be sent to all Northwest ISD families via ParentSquare. For additional information, visit www.nisdtx.org/ccmr.

Previous webinars can be viewed on this YouTube page.

Click HERE for article.

The Northwest ISD Education Foundation student scholarship application is open, providing graduating seniors in Northwest ISD with the opportunity to apply for dozens of scholarships. This year, NEF will award more than $190,000! 🎓💸

Review the scholarship information guide and start your application today! Learn more: https://bit.ly/NEFscholarships

Steele Early College High School PTSA needs you!

Membership dues are only $15 each school year! Seniors, remember that if you will be applying for a PTSA scholarship, you need to be a member of PTSA. Click on the button below to join.

Seniors – You are doing a great job of applying to colleges!!! Please use the instructions below to request transcripts.

Transcript Request/Graduation Verification

Northwest Independent School District has partnered with ScribOrder to offer a convenient and secure way to request transcripts, enrollment histories and education verifications online.

Click Here - https://www.nisdtx.org/students-families/records-management/transcript-request

If you need your TCC college transcripts, you can request them online through TCC.

You can order an official TCC PDF e-transcript or paper transcript online. PDF e-transcripts or paper transcripts can be sent to any college or university, or to any individual or third party, via email or postal mail.

Click HERE - https://www.tccd.edu/services/district-admissions-records-office/transcripts/

Sheneka Davis, Counselor

Steele Early College High School

sdavis01@nisdtx.org

As we continue through a period of the school year where inclement weather affecting the school day becomes more possible, we'd like to remind families of our procedures for inclement weather and potential school closings.

One of the most important aspects of this process is that if no announcement is made, schools are operating on their regular schedules. When possible, Northwest ISD will attempt to communicate any school closure due to inclement conditions the day before school, though the district's goal is to make a decision no later than 5 a.m. If schools close, communication would arrive in a variety of methods, such as through ParentSquare, a phone call, social media and the district website.

District leaders and transportation drivers personally drive roads across all major areas of Northwest ISD to monitor conditions, as safe roadways are the most important aspect of inclement weather decisions. Additionally, district leaders meet with regional weather-response services for their guidance. To reiterate, if no announcement is made, schools will proceed on their regular schedules. Plan for school unless you hear otherwise directly from the district, as we will directly let you know of any change to normal operations.

For more information about inclement weather and school closings procedures, please read these frequently asked questions.

During the school year, every Wednesday is "Where Are You Going Wednesday". All students and staff are encouraged to wear a college/university, military, and/or trade school shirt to school. This supports our campus culture of preparing and focused on post-secondary after high school. What school or military are you going to be representing? We Are Steele!

In compliance with state law, Northwest ISD has implemented a new personal device policy for students. This new policy prohibits students from using personal communications devices at any point during the school day, including lunch and passing periods. Examples of prohibited devices include smartphones, smartwatches, wireless earbuds and more.

Click HERE to see information and details about the Northwest ISD communication about Cell Phones.

See the two attachments below for additional NISD information and details.

• Students can not access their cell phone from 8:15 am - 3:40 pm.
• Cell phones must stay turned off in the backpack.
• Parents can still email their child using the student's NISD email address.
• During Power Hour every day (11:15 am - 12:30 pm), students are at lunch, tutorials, clubs, and more. If you need to pick your child up during Power Hour, please make sure your child knows what time to be in the front office to meet you.