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NHE News

April 28, 2026

NHE News April 28, 2026
NHE NewsApril 28, 2026
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NHE Family Handbook

A Note From Mrs. Smith A Note From Mrs. Smith

NHE Families,


I want to take a moment to celebrate a huge milestone: our students have officially completed the final round of STAAR testing!


Walking our hallways today, I was struck by the focus and determination in every room. Our students and teachers have worked incredibly hard all year long, and it truly showed. I am beyond proud of our kids for putting in the effort to "Level Up" and show off everything they’ve learned. Whether it was tackling a tough math problem or analyzing a complex passage, their perseverance was inspiring.


While we are celebrating this victory, we aren't quite at the finish line yet. We have one final round of assessments for all of our K-6 students: the End-of-Year MAP Growth assessments. These help us measure the incredible progress your child has made since August. Please see the specific schedule and details listed in this newsletter.


With only 18 school days left, the calendar is packed with school-wide and grade-level events. Please make sure to check the dates included below and the newsletters from your child's teacher so you don’t miss a thing!


Thank you for your continued support and for partnering with us to make this school year a success. Let's finish strong!


Warmly,

Jenni Smith

NHE Principal

Coming up @ NHE Coming up @ NHE

Please be aware of the upcoming events at NHE!

  • April 30: Lunch Hero's Day

  • April 30: NHE Site-Based Decision-Making Committee

  • May 1: School Principal Day

  • May 4-8: Teacher Appreciation Week

  • May 4: College Colors Day

  • May 6: School Nurse Day

  • May 8: 5th Grade Science Camp

  • May 4-14: End of Year MAP Assessment Window

  • May 4-8: Teacher Appreciation Week

  • May 4: College Colors Day

  • May 8: 5th-grade Science Camp field trip

  • May 12: Career Day

  • May 13: NHE Talent Show

  • May 14: Falcon Award Night

  • May 15: Field Day

  • May 18: School Speech Pathologist Day

  • May 19: 6th-grade Kickball and Picnic

  • May 19: Author Visit

  • May 20: 6th-grade Field Trip to Pinstack

  • May 21: PK/Kinder Promotion

  • May 21: Falcons Take Flight Event

  • May 21: 6th grade Honors Night

  • May 22: Last Day of School

  • May 22: Early Release

NHE Wins RISD Whole Child Campus Award NHE Wins RISD Whole Child Campus Award

We are thrilled to share that Northwood Hills has earned the 2025–2026 RISD Whole Child Campus Award! 🏆


Presented by the Richardson ISD School Health Advisory Council (SHAC), this honor recognizes elementary campuses that go above and beyond to support the whole child — academically, physically, socially, and emotionally.


Throughout the year, our campus earned this recognition by:

✅ Fully implementing the RISD Wellness Policy and Plan

✅ Providing nutrition education and healthy-choice initiatives in the cafeteria

✅ Meeting the 135 minutes of weekly TEKS-based physical education and daily recess for all grades

✅ Hosting wellness events and activities that encourage lifelong physical activity

✅ Supporting mental health, kindness, and anti-bullying awareness

✅ Engaging our families and community through wellness partnerships

✅ Championing staff wellness right alongside student wellness


A huge thank you to our teachers, PE team, counselors, cafeteria staff, PTA, and families for making wellness a cornerstone of our school culture. When we care for the whole child, we set every student up to connect, learn, grow, and succeed!

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Summer School Registration Extended to April 30 Summer School Registration Extended to April 30

Did you receive an email invitation for your student to attend Summer School? Don't miss out!

The final day to register is Thursday, April 30. Our summer program is designed to be both fun and engaging, providing a wonderful opportunity for your child to boost their skills and head into the next school year with confidence.


  • Deadline: April 30th

  • More Information: https://web.risd.org/summerlearning/elementary-programs/

  • Questions? Please reach out directly to your child's teacher.

Summer School Video Message
Summer School Video Message - Spanish

Important Upcoming Assessment Important Upcoming Assessment

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End-of-Year MAP® Growth™ testing window is May 4-14. 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!


NHE MAP Testing Schedule

5.5.26 | Grades K–6 Reading

5.6.26 | Grades 3–6 Math

5.7.26 | Grades 3-6 Science

5.11.26 | Grades K-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

    NHE Counseling Corner NHE Counseling Corner

    NHE Counseling Corner

    launch app.smore.com

    Library Information Library Information

    Library Volunteers Needed

    Please find a time to come in and shelve books in the library. Every week the library circulates between 1000 and 1500 books! Every little bit helps!


    April Sign-up

    https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090449A8A829ABF85-63312883-april

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    Spring State Assessment Dates Spring State Assessment Dates

    STAAR Dates:

    April 29: Make-up STAAR Math (grades 3-6)

    NHE PTA News NHE PTA News

    Join the PTA
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    Join PTA Here

    Teacher Appreciation Week Teacher Appreciation Week

    NHE is celebrating our wonderful teachers and staff on May 4-8 for Teacher Appreciation Week! Show your teachers some love by sending a note, something from their favorites list, or just telling them how much you appreciate them! Check out the flyer below to see what our PTA is doing for them as well! We LOVE our NHE teachers and we appreciate how hard they work for our kids!

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    Canes Spirit Night Canes Spirit Night

    We have another super fun spirit night coming up!! Mark your calendars for May 14th and head to Canes on Campbell Rd for a night off from cooking! Remember to bring your friends and mention NHE when you check out! Canes will donate 15% of our net sales to our school and every purchase counts!!

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    Field Day Field Day

    Field day is coming soon and we need your help! Click the link below for the Sign-Up Genius, and ensure you have completed the volunteer form to be approved before field day. The link for the volunteer form is on the sign up genius if you need it! Thank you for all your support and help in making this event a fun and successful event for our kids and teachers!!


    SignUpGenius - Mobile

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    Join our PTA Team!! Join our PTA Team!!

    We're looking for parents to fill open positions on our PTA! This is a wonderful opportunity to make a meaningful impact in our school, support teachers and students, and help organize fun events and programs that enrich our school community. Whether you have a few hours a month or can commit more, your time and talents make a difference! See the open positions below and reach out to NomCom@nhepta.org to learn more and get involved!

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    Learning Community News Learning Community News

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    ⚽️ Thank you RHS Girls Soccer ⚽️ ⚽️ Thank you RHS Girls Soccer ⚽️

    We’re sending a huge shoutout to the RHS girls’ soccer team for their recent donation of soccer balls to our school. These gifts went to 15 dedicated students who maintained perfect attendance at our Level Up! Twilight Camp this spring. We are so proud of these students for their hard work and grateful to RHS for being such amazing partners in our community.

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    Elementary Fine Arts Culture Showcase Elementary Fine Arts Culture Showcase

    Tuesday, April 21

    5:30 - 7 p.m.

    J.J. Pearce HS Auditorium

    1600 N. Coit Road

    Richardson, TX 75080


    In a vibrant celebration of creativity, elementary art and music students unite to highlight cultures from around the world, representing the diverse backgrounds and traditions of RISD.

    View Flyer

    Bike & Roll to School Day Bike & Roll to School Day

    Join communities around the world to celebrate the benefits of bicycling, walking, and rolling to school!

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    Recurring Information Recurring Information

    What is for lunch?
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    NHE Breakfast & Lunch Menu
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    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.

      • NHE Lunch Schedule 25-26

    • 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!

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    New Volunteer Management System New Volunteer Management System

    Before participating in volunteer opportunities in schools and district facilities, all RISD volunteers must complete a background check and an orientation through our NEW Volunteer Management System. We are using Verkada, the same program already in place for visitor management on every campus. Click here to complete your 2025-2026 Richardson ISD Volunteer Application.

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    Opt-In & Opt-out Preferences - Important Parent Message Opt-In & Opt-out Preferences - Important Parent Message



    Texas legislation requires all parents and guardians to provide clear opt-in and opt-out preferences for their student regarding various activities and services such as:

    • Available access to health services (all grade levels)

    • After-school clubs (all grade levels)

    • Counseling opportunities (K-5 & 7-12)

    • Library Services (all grade levels)

    All RISD parents/legal guardians received an email from the district on Friday, August 22 with information to select your preferences for your student(s) in FOCUS. Please make sure that you check your email, you should have a message from Richardson ISD, with the subject line: Important Parent Message in Regards to Recent Texas Legislation.

    Please visit the FOCUS portal and use the newly created page to submit your preferences for each of your children.

    If you have additional questions, please submit a Let’s Talk here.

    Thank you for helping us ensure a safe and supportive learning environment for all students. We look forward to a great new school year.



    Helpful Parent Resources Helpful Parent Resources

    ✅Verify Your Student's Immunizations Are Up-To-Date✅


    By law, Richardson ISD must have an immunization record for each student on file. These records should be up-to-date at the time of registration. https://web.risd.org/healthservices/immunizations


    🔎Create a FOCUS Account🔍

    RISD provides electronic access to a student's grades, attendance, and other information via the FOCUS software system. https://web.risd.org/focus/


    📱Download RISD Mobile Parent App📱

    Access student information, view the latest news, receive important alerts, review an archive of parent messages sent by RISD, view school menus and lunch account balances, find your bus stop, access student schedules, assignment grades, attendance and more. https://web.risd.org/home/risd-mobile/


    🚍Need a Ride to School?🚍

    See bus route information and sign up for student transportation: https://web.risd.org/transportation/


    🥗Download SchoolCafe App🥗

    RISD’s school cafeteria payment system is called SchoolCafe. https://www.schoolcafe.com/

    District Links District Links

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    RISD Graduate Profile

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    Parent Information

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    RISD Student and Parent Handbook

    How to Upload Your Attendance Excuse for Focus

    25-26 Academic Calendar 25-26 Academic Calendar

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    ✍🏻Front Office Contact Information✍🏻 ✍🏻Front Office Contact Information✍🏻

    Jenni Smith, Principal
    (469) 593-4333
    jennifer.smith@risd.org
    Mark Bell, Assistant Principal
    (469) 593-4328
    mark.bell@risd.org
    Martha Menezes, Dean of Students (habla español)
    (469) 593-4275
    martha.menezes@risd.org
    Paige Pendery Counselor
    (469) 593-4332
    paige.pendery@risd.org, qwendolyn.dixon@risd.org
    Crystal Hunt, Nurse
    (469) 593-4250
    crystal.hunt@risd.org
    Sadaf Ramzan, Student Data Specialist/Enrollment
    (469) 593-4251
    sadaf.ramzan@risd.org
    Leslie Ledezma, Executive Assistant (habla español)
    (469)-593-4252
    leslie.ledezma@risd.org

    NHE News Archive
    See all of the newsletters from this year!
    Northwood Hills Elementary
    https://schools.risd.org/NorthwoodHillsES/

    Want to Sign Up for This Newsletter?

    Got this newsletter as a forward and want to sign up to receive future editions? Please click here to subscribe. Please note that parents of currently enrolled RISD students and current RISD employees are automatically sent newsletters from RISD and their school. It’s not necessary to subscribe. Parents or staff who wish to receive news from other RISD schools may subscribe using the link above.


    This newsletter was sent through RISD’s Blackboard system, and current parents should be aware that unsubscribing from Blackboard messages at the link at the bottom of this message may prevent parents from receiving future messages from their child’s school.

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