NHE News

Dear NHE Families,

It’s hard to believe we are already wrapping up our first nine weeks of learning and growing together! Our students have been working hard to level up academically and socially, and we are so proud of all they have accomplished so far. We will wrap up these nine weeks with several exciting celebrations and events!

This Thursday, we will celebrate our first SOAR Awards of the year! These awards recognize students who exemplify our NHE core values each and every day—showing respect, responsibility, and a commitment to excellence. We can’t wait to honor their hard work and positive example. The award ceremonies will be followed by a celebration for all students hosted by our PTA.

We’ve also been celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month here at NHE! Students have been learning about the rich traditions, history, and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx communities. To continue the celebration, we invite students to wear Hispanic cultural dress this Thursday in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Also on Thursday, thanks to our amazing NHE PTA and the Texas Commission on the Arts, we will experience a “Day of Drumming”! During your child’s specials time, every student will have their own djembe drum to play in an energetic, hands-on workshop. Our music classes have been learning about West African countries, culture, and drumming to prepare for this exciting experience.

And that’s not all—our PTA has leveled up recess with brand-new equipment! Students now have access to balls, frisbees, and jump ropes to make their playtime even more fun and active. A huge thank-you to our PTA for their continued support and generosity!

As we head into the next nine weeks, let’s keep working together to help every student Level Up at NHE—in learning, in character, and in community.

With gratitude and excitement,

Jenni Smith

NHE Principal

• October 9: A Day of Drumming (during specials classes)

• October 9: SOAR Awards & Celebrations

• October 10-13: Fall Break

• October 15: PTA Movie Night

• October 18: Saturday School

• October 20-24 National School Bus Safety Week

• October 20: 4th and 5th grade bilingual field trip

• October 20: Tutoring

• October 20-24 National School Bus Safety Week

• October 22: 3rd-grade field trip to the symphony

• October 23: Coffee & Conchas

• October 27-31 Red Ribbon Week

• October 25: Saturday School

• October 27: Tutoring

• October 31: PK-2 Story Book Character Parade

• November 3: No School - Parent Teacher Conferences

• November 4: No School - Teacher Professional Development

• November 5: Progress Reports

• November 8: Saturday School

This month, NHE is proud to celebrate Hispanic Heritage! Each morning, students will hear facts about Hispanic culture and learn about influential Hispanic figures who have made a lasting impact on our world. In October, we’ll continue the celebration with some fun dress-up days to honor Hispanic heritage and traditions.

We look forward to learning, celebrating, and honoring the rich contributions of Hispanic culture together!

RISD elementary students in grades K-6 may test once per year to determine if they qualify for gifted/talented services. The window to refer your child/ren for testing opens October 3, 2025 and closes October 17, 2025. If you would like your child/ren to be tested to determine if they qualify for gifted/talented services, please complete the appropriate referral form linked below. Referrals will not be accepted outside the referral window.

• 2025-2026 Kindergarten Referral for GT Testing

• 2025-2026 Grades 1 & 3-5 Referral for GT Testing

Please see the information below to determine if you should refer your elementary school child/ren to participate in testing for potential gifted identification.

• kindergarten, 1st grade, 3rd-5th grades: referral form required

• 2nd grade: Do not complete a referral. All RISD 2nd grade students are universally tested.

• 6th grade: Do not complete a referral. All 6th grade students are universally tested.

• GT2 students: Students who are identified for GT2 services (30-45 minutes per week) may retest for potential qualification for GT3 services (2 hours per week). Referral form required if you want your GT2 child/ren to test.

• Please note: All 2nd and 6th grade students are automatically tested, including GT2 students. Please do not complete a referral for your GT2 child/ren if they are in either of these grades.

Elementary testing occurs on each campus throughout the late fall and winter. To learn more about testing timelines, please read this Smore newsletter. Your campus' Advanced Learning Teacher will communicate specific testing dates with you as the testing window approaches.

Results for 6th grade will be shared January 16, 2026. Kindergarten test results will be shared with families and campuses on February 20, 2026. All other grade level test results will be shared on March 10, 2026. GT services will begin for all newly identified GT students in March 2026. If you have questions, please email our Advanced Learning Teacher, Claire Swain at claire.swain@risd.org .

Saturday school will occur on the dates listed below from 8:30-11:30. Invited students in 3rd-6th grade are encouraged to come in their pajamas for a fun and relaxed learning experience. During our time together, we will have learning sessions, but also time for food, fun, and friendship!

Invitations will be sent home on Thursday

If your child received a tutoring invite, please make sure they come to every session. Tutoring is required for any 4th, 5th, or 6th-grade student who did not pass one or more STAAR tests.

We are committed to closing instructional gaps and providing the supports necessary for each student to meet their growth goals.

What does it mean to Self-Direct?

Self-Direction is the ability and learned skill to cast a vision of future goals and then take intentional steps toward who, where, and what we want to be. Instead of focusing on things to control or avoid, we emphasize our responsibility to make positive choices related to our emotions, attitudes, and actions.

Why focus on Self-Direction?

• Self-Direction strengthens relationships. Self-Direction helps to grow social skills and develop meaningful, positive relationships with others.
• Self-Direction teaches personal responsibility. Learning to Self-Direct teaches students to take responsibility for their own actions.
• Self-Direction helps us to regulate emotions: Self-Direction empowers students to regulate their impulses and emotional responses to situations and circumstances in their life.

Self-Direction in Action:

• Practice goal setting and action planning. When we establish goals and develop action plans, we learn to take intentional steps to successfully achieve goals.
• Monitor and adjust. Provide students with regular feedback and opportunities to self-assess progress toward goals to make adjustments and improvements in their behaviors.
• Reflect and evaluate. Facilitate discussions and reflection to prompt students to examine what they do, think, and say against their goals and vision for their life and learning.

Our library is the heart of the school, and volunteers help bring it to life! By volunteering, you’ll support students as they discover the joy of reading, help keep our collection organized and welcoming, and model the importance of lifelong learning. Whether it’s shelving books or sharing a friendly smile, your time makes a big difference. Volunteering in the library is also a wonderful way to be part of our school community and see firsthand the excitement of students growing as readers. You must be registered in Verkana.

To receive email reminders throughout the year: https://forms.gle/HuPJQC1KhYdQYqK59

To sign up to volunteer in October: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090449A8A829ABF85-58760621-october#/

Movie Night Meal Tickets

LAST CALL for Movie Night meal tickets! Admission to Movie Night on October 15th is FREE but meal tickets must be pre-purchased by October 8th if you want a meal from In-N-Out Burger!! Click the link below to reserve your meal tickets!!

https://northwoodhillspta.membershiptoolkit.com/fall-event

Movie Night Volunteers Needed!

Calling all volunteers!! WE would love it if you could join and lend a hand with a few tasks! This is our BIG community event and it's always a good time! If you have any questions, please reach out! See the sign up link below to volunteer! Thank you for helping us make this event a success!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050549AFA62EA6FD0-59190849-movie

Do you have a neighbor with a Future Falcon or know someone who is considering elementary school options for their preschool child? If so, then please share this flyer with them! This is our annual Prospective Parent Night where parents of young children can come learn about our amazing neighborhood school from administrators, teamers and parents!

It’s Feed Freddie Time! Oct 6 through Oct 17.

The grade that raises the most money gets a COLOR CELEBRATION party with the principals!

Feed Freddie is our Fall Fundraising Donation Drive – a time when we ask NHE families to support the PTA by donating money instead of selling items for a fundraiser. You can donate via cash, check or credit card or use the QR code! With a direct donation campaign, 100% of the money given goes directly to support our students. Any amount helps!!

All donations must be received by Oct 17. The grade that raises the most gets a color celebration with the principals and teachers on Oct 24! Click the link below to donate!

https://northwoodhillspta.networkforgood.com/projects/260511-feed-freddie-2026

Need a night off of dinner duty? Mark your calendars for our upcoming Spirit Nights and support our school! Come to Roman Cucina on October 21st and bring the flyer or mention NHE at checkout! You can also visit Little Caesars anytime this month to help support our school! Last day to order from Little Caesars is October 31st, and you can click the link below to order online!!

https://fundraising.littlecaesars.com/products?support=3ada14e1-41a3-4550-9c38-9db93bc74682&c=5

JOIN US! This is a volunteer group for those who prefer communicating in Spanish and feel more comfortable in a small‑group setting. We support teachers and the school with practical tasks like teacher support, stuffing tuesday folders, library assistance and PTA programs & initiatives. We meet every Monday, starting October 6th from 8:30-10am in the school cafeteria. Please send a WhatsApp message to Guadalupe Gordillo at 214-622-1586 to join! We look forward to seeing you!! Your time, whether large or small, makes a difference!

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!

RHS is offering an elementary soccer clinic on October 13th! All proceeds go to RHS girls soccer! See flyer for details!

The Richardson ISD Bond 2025 is designed to address projects across the district, encompassing construction, facilities, safety and security, transportation, fine arts, athletics, technology, and various instructional programs.

Early Voting is from Oct. 20-31 and Election Day is Tuesday, November 4.

See proposed projects for our campus and others.

Information Sessions:

To help parents and community members learn more about Bond 2025 and its potential impact on their campus, Richardson ISD is holding a series of information sessions.

You are highly encouraged to attend an information session in our community to learn more. Tuesday, October 14 at 6:30 p.m.

Richardson ISD Administration Building
400 S. Greenville Avenue
Richardson, TX 75081

All information sessions are open to the public.

Spanish interpretation services are available. To submit your request, please email Teresa Ordóñez or call 469-593-0312 with 24-hours in advance.

For more information, including a video overview and a schedule of all information sessions, please visit the official Bond 2025 website at https://web.risd.org/home/bond2025/.

Attachments:

Download the Bond 2025 Proposed Projects Summary

Download the Bond 2025 Overview One Pager

​​Descargar el resumen del Bono 2025 (en español)

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.

🔎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/

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