Northwood News
April 20, 2026
Dear Northwood Community, Viva Fiesta! 🎉🌺 Please remember that Friday is a school holiday in observance of the historic Battle of Flowers Parade, one of the oldest and most beloved Fiesta traditions in our city. We are also right in the middle of our STAAR testing season. Our 5th graders will take the STAAR Science test on Tuesday, followed by our final round of STAAR testing next week for students in grades 3–5. These are very important days for our students, and we appreciate your support in ensuring they arrive on time, well-rested, and ready to do their best. For the security and focus of our students, the campus will be closed to all visitors on testing days. During this busy week, we invite you to take advantage of a simple way to support our school community. Enjoy dinner on Wednesday at Torchy's Tacos, where 15% of all sales will be donated back to Northwood. It’s truly a win-win—no cooking for your family and meaningful support for our students and programs. Thank you for your continued partnership and for helping make Northwood such a special place for our children to learn and grow. Have a wonderful Fiesta week! Warm regards, Mrs. Harper
One of the most exciting traditions in our city, Fiesta San Antonio, is here! This is such a fun week to celebrate Texas heritage and enjoy the rich culture of our community. Northwood will be joining in the festivities as our 2nd graders showcase their creativity with a special shoebox float parade, followed by a visit from the always-anticipated King Antonio. Be sure to have your students wear bright Fiesta colors on Thursday so we can celebrate together in style!
No School Friday
STAAR Testing
STARR testing for our 3rd - 5th grade students is upon us. One test down, two to go. Please mark your calendar for these very important dates. Please make sure your child is present and on time on these days. Also remember that these will be closed campus days, no visitors allowed. Thank you
Tues. April 21: 5th grade Science
Tues. April 28: 3rd-5th grade Math
Closed Campus April 14, 21 and 28
Fiesta Footsteps 5K
We’re excited to announce an inaugural event for all NEISD families and community—Fiesta Footsteps for Education, featuring a 5K Race, Kids Color Run, and Wellness Event, happening on May 9, 2026, at Heroes Stadium.
Join students, families, and colleagues for a fun, community-centered event celebrating wellness and connection. After the race, stay and enjoy our Health and Wellness Fair, with community partners, activities, and health resources for all ages.
This inaugural event is proudly presented by the North East Educational Foundation, NEISD Office of Employee Benefits, and Blue Cross Blue Shield. All proceeds directly benefit programs and projects that expand educational opportunities for NEISD students
👉 Register here: https://runsignup.com/Race/TX/SanAntonio/FiestaFootsteps
News from PTA
April 21: 5th Grade STAAR Science
April 22: Spirit NIght at Torchy's
April 24: School Holiday
April 28: 3rd-5th Grade STAAR Math
May 1: Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast
Carnvial Sponsors: A HUGE thank you to our amazing sponsors: Home and Patio, Park Place Recreation, IST - Integrated Shredder Technology, Theory Coffee, The Law Offices of Lisa Miller, Joy Nicewander PhD. PLLC, Tangram Athlete, 210 Ortho, J.C. Rubiola and John Harper - Rubiola Realty, Matt Stevens Landscape Architect, Ellavate Design LLC, Next Level Urgent Care, Chamberlain Hrdlicka, Frost Bank, Lee Irrigation and Lighting, The Beignet Stand, Kara's K-9 Retreat, HEB, Rico's the Hermes Family, Pape Family, Davis Family, Aaron Webb and the Ahrens Family for sponsoring the 2026 Northwood Carnival!!
Thank you all for your generous support!
New PTA Website
Northwood PTA now has a website! NorthwoodPTA.org is your new online hub for all PTA sponsored events, volunteer opportunities, and information. Please go to NorthwoodPTA.org and create an account. It only takes a minute and it’s free! You do not need to be a PTA member to create an account, but members do get special access to our new Online Directory. Never worry about losing that QR code or misplacing that volunteer link again, it’s all in one place! If you have already joined PTA this year, you do not need to purchase a membership again. Reach out to Lisa Miller at info@northwoodpta.org with any questions or for assistance with registration.
Elevate Your Impact: Join the PTA Today! joinPTA.org
Unlock a world of opportunities by becoming a part of our passionate PTA community.
Membership is $8.50 and your involvement is a chance to make a tangible difference in your child's education and school experience.
By joining PTA, you are showing support for your child and their education. There is no obligation to volunteer or take on additional responsibilities (unless you want to!)
Join fellow parents and educators to shape the future, advocate for quality education, and create a nurturing environment where students can thrive.
Amplify Your Voice, Forge Lasting Connections, Enrich Learning Experiences, Drive Positive Change, Shape the Future!
Join the PTA today and embark on a rewarding journey of collaboration, empowerment, and growth.
Together, we can create a brighter future for our children and build a stronger, more vibrant school community. joinPTA.org
Family Engagement for the Week of April 13-17
Monday, April 13th Walking for Wellness at 1:30 PM in room 10 Flyer
Tuesday, April 14th STAAR Testing - Closed Campus
Wednesday, April 15th Conversation English at Vineyard Ranch Wednesday from 9-11 in PLC room Flyer
Book Study - Being your Child's most Important Teacher (Section II) Flyer on zoom from 6-7 PM
Thursday, April 16th Walking for Wellness at 8:30 a.m.
The Book of Lost Names Book Study Chapters 26- end at 10-11 a.m. in room 10 Flyer
Avoiding the Summer Slide 11-12 pm in room 10
Friday, April 17th Basic ESL Class on Zoom
Upcoming Events:
Wednesday, April 22nd Book Study - Being your Child's most Important Teacher (Section III) Registration Link coming on zoom from 6-7 PM
Friday, April 24th - Student and Staff Holiday. Enjoy time with your kiddos.
Wednesday, April 29 - Forming Healthy Tech Habits FLYER (with Spanish session in a separate breakroom)
Wednesday, May 6 - Bereavement Support FLYER (Spanish session on May 7)
Friday, May 8th Mother's Day Cake's
Wednesday, May 13 - Summer Learning and Family Fun FLYER (English with Spanish interpretation available)
Thursday, May 14th MAC Family Engagement Leadership Academy Closing Ceremonies from 10-1 PM - Location: TBA
For more information please feel free to contact me.
Elizabeth "Lisa" De La Rosa, M.Ed.
(210) 407-5465
Family Liaison for Northwood/Vineyard Ranch/Wilderness Oak
Northwood Elementary (Monday/Tuesday and Thursday)
519 Pike Rd.
San Antonio, TX 78209
School Lunch
We have a wonderful cafeteria that serves breakfast and lunch daily. This year meals are provided at no charge to ALL students as part of the Community Eligibility Program. Click THIS link to watch a short video about what is included on the school breakfast or lunch tray and what items are an extra charge.
If your child wants "extras" beyond the regular school tray, you need to add money to their cafeteria account by visiting schoolcafe.com or sending in a check or cash.
Visitors to Campus
- All visitors to campus will be required to present an ID to enter the building and receive a visitors badge through the Raptor system during the school day. This includes on the first day of school. We understand that this may not be convenient, but it is necessary in order to ensure safety.
School Absences
Our goal is for all of our students to maintain outstanding attendance (at least 95%).
The best way to learn is by being present at school and on time, ready to learn at 7:25 am every day! If your child needs to be absent due to illness, please be sure to send a note to school the day they return explaining the reason for the absence. Absences for illness and medical appointments will be excused with a written note. A student can have no more than 18 absences in order to recieve credit for the course/grade level.
Morning Drop Off 6:50 -7:20 am
- Students may be dropped off no earlier than 6:50am. There is no supervison before this time and students will not be allowed into the building.
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🤚 Passenger Side Only
For Safety, students should exit the vehicle from the passenger side only. If they are unable to exit by themselves on the passenger side, please pull into a parking spot and assist them.
- Breakfast is served from 6:50-7:20 am. Students arriving after 7:20 am will need to have breakfast at home.
- Students who arrive before 7:20 will report to the follow locations to wait for their teacher:
- Kinder - 1st grade: K/1 Hallway
- 2nd - 5th grade: Gym
- Teachers will pick up the students at 7:20 and walk them to the classroom.
- The tardy bell rings at 7:25 am, so please allow plenty of time to get to class.
- In order to ensure the safety of all of our students, we ask that parents not come into the building in the mornings. We will make sure that everyone gets to class safely.
After School Dismissal 2:45-3:00 pm
In order to ensure the safety of all our students everyone picking up a student from school at dismissal is required to present an official Northwood Dismissal Tag, whether it is by car or walk up. If you need a dismissal tag, please come to the front office and present your ID. All students will wait inside the building for dismissal which will start at 2:45 pm
Parent Pick Up will line up on the sidewalk near the marquee, with their dismissal tag and wait to be called.
Car pick up will hang their tag on their rear view mirror, line up on Rockhill and turn right into the school driveway. Wait for your child's name to be called and pull all the way forward. Please stay in your car. If you need to help your child with their buckle, please park and walk up.
🤚 Passenger Side Only
For Safety, students should enter the vehicle from the passenger side only. If they are unable to get in the passenger side please pull into a parking spot and walk up so that you can assist your child
We understand that this may take a little longer, however, we want to ensure that everyone goes homes safely. Thank you for your cooperation.
School Hours 7:25 am - 2:40 pm
Threre is a change to our school day this year. The tardy bell rings and 7:25 am and the dismissal bell rings at 2:40 pm. Please make plans to get up a few minutes earlier so that your child is in class ready to learn at 7:25 am. Students who come into the building after 7:25 am will be counted tardy and parents will need to come into the office and sign them in.
Skyward Family Access
Skyward Family Access is an important tool for all parents to stay informed with their child's education. This is where check grades, update contact information, complete forms and more. You should have received an email earlier this week to complete important beginning of the year forms. Please take some time to log in or create an account if you have not already done so. click and open the document below for full instructions. Click THIS link to login and for all the information you need.
Catherine Harper, Principal
Email: charpe5@neisd.net
Website: https://www.neisd.net/northwood
Location: 519 Pike Road, San Antonio, TX, USA
Phone: 210-407-5400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NorthwoodNEISD
Twitter: @northwoodneisd