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NHE News

August 26, 2025

NHE News August 26, 2025
NHE NewsAugust 26, 2025

How to get the newsletter in Spanish:

Para ver está información en español, oprima la flecha que está arriba en la página en el lado derecho y busca Spanish.

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

Hello NHE Families,


What an incredible start to the school year! Our Falcons have spent these first days diving into learning, powering up their routines, and building strong classroom communities. The excitement and energy in our hallways is contagious—we love seeing those smiles and hearing the buzz of curiosity every single day.


Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Back to School Bash this weekend! It was amazing to connect with you, share what makes NHE special, and kick off this year together. Your partnership is what helps our Falcons achieve great things.


As we continue this strong start, here’s a quick reminder: the tardy bell rings at 7:50 AM. Students arriving after this time must be signed in at the office by an adult. Arriving on time is the best way to make sure every student is ready to level up their day!


Thank you for helping us keep our Falcons on track. Together, we’re leveling up for an amazing year ahead!


Important Reminders:
⭐ Lunch Visitors Begin September 3! We’ll share all the details so you can plan your visit.
⭐ Spirit Fridays Are Here! Show your Falcon pride every Friday—wear your NHE gear or school colors!
⭐ Save the Date: Our first PTA meeting is next Thursday. Stay tuned for details on how to team up for success this year!

⭐ Household Data Forms: Please fill out this form if you have not already. This is how our school qualifies to receive additional funding from the federal government. We need 215 more forms to make 100%


With appreciation,


Jenni Smith
Principal, Northwood Hills Elementary

NHE Family Handbook NHE Family Handbook

Please take a few moments to read through the NHE Family Handbook in its entirety. It’s filled with important information to help ensure a successful and smooth school year for you and your child. Your partnership and understanding of our procedures and expectations make a big difference.

NHE Family Handbook

Coming up @ NHE Coming up @ NHE

Please be aware of the upcoming events at NHE!

  • September 1: Labor Day - No School

  • September 4: PTA Meeting and Classroom Close-up event 5:30-7:00

  • September 8-18: MAP Beginning of Year Assessments

  • September 11: Patriot Day

  • September 15: National Dot Day

  • September 15 - October 15 - National Hispanic Heritage Month

  • September 16 - National Voter Registration Day

  • September 23: Chick-Fil-A Spirit Night

  • September 25: Early Release at 1:10 pm

  • October 3: RHS Homecoming

Join Us For Our Annual Parent Information Night Join Us For Our Annual Parent Information Night

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Classroom Close-up/Curriculum Night!

Classroom Close-Up/Curriculum Night will take place on Thursday, September 4, 2025. These parent meetings will give you an opportunity to hear from your child’s teacher about the academic expectations, goals, and grade level procedures for your child. Each grade level will offer two session times to accommodate families with more than one student. Both sessions in each grade level will offer the same information. This event is for parents only.


PTA Meeting & Title One Information - 5:30

Session 1- 6:00pm

Session 2- 6:30pm

Lunch Visitors Lunch Visitors

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We’re Excited to Welcome Lunch Visitors!

Starting Tuesday, September 3 (the day after Labor Day), families are welcome to join their children for lunch! We’ve taken a little time to get our cafeteria routines in place so everyone feels comfortable and safe.

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!

Household Data Form Household Data Form

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Richardson ISD is required to collect and report the socioeconomic status of each student to the Texas Education Agency for purposes of annual state accountability ratings and for federal reporting tied to federal funding. Parents of enrolled students are requested to complete this form for that purpose. The income information requested on this form is completely confidential; it is not shared with any entity outside of RISD, and is solely used to determine the socioeconomic status of RISD students. Only a student’s potential economically disadvantaged status, as determined by the information provided on this form, is reported to the Texas Education Agency, and TEA maintains that information as confidential. RISD practices are in accordance with the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA). Additional information regarding PPRA can be found in the RISD Student And Parent Guidebook.


It is very important that RISD families complete this Household Family Data in order for RISD schools to receive Title I and State Compensatory Education funding. If eligible, this funding directly benefits your child's school through additional employees and resources like tutoring services, additional technology, and professional training for teachers at your child’s school. RISD wants to continue to provide these important learning supports at our eligible schools, but that is dependent on parent/guardian assistance through completion of this form.

Complete Form HERE
This form is how our school secures federal funding. We need a form from EVERY household.

Important Parent To-Dos Important Parent To-Dos

RISD welcomes students back to school for the 2025-2026 school year on August 12. Parents can find Back to School information and resources here


  • Create a Focus account – RISD provides electronic access to a student’s attendance, grades, and other information via the Focus school software system. https://web.risd.org/focus/


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


  • Download RISD Mobile Parent app – Access student information, view the latest news, receive important alerts, review 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 via the RISD Mobile Parent app.

NHE PTA News NHE PTA News

Join the PTA
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Join PTA for the 2025-2026 School Year Join PTA for the 2025-2026 School Year

Help Us Reach Our First PTA Membership Goal!

We’re off to a strong start with 122 PTA members, and we’re aiming for our first milestone: 208 members by August 30.


Becoming a member is simple, affordable, and impactful:

  1. Join for just $12 – a small step that makes a big difference

  2. Support every student – your membership funds events, staff appreciation, and school-wide experiences

  3. Show your voice matters – parents, grandparents, neighbors, and friends are all welcome

Every membership brings us closer to building the vibrant community our students deserve.

Let’s achieve 208 together—join by August 30 and help us reach our first big goal!

Join the PTA today.

Join PTA Here

Fundraising Fundraising

NHE PTA depends on support from our community (parents and neighbors) to provide high-quality experiences and extras, making NHE the special place it is. Please consider donating to help us achieve our two goals: 1) To raise $100,000 this year ($200/student) and 2) to receive a donation from 100% of our families (from $5-$5,000, every dollar counts!):


https://northwoodhillspta.networkforgood.com/

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RISD Clothes Closet RISD Clothes Closet

When students feel good about the way they are dressed, they can more easily focus on learning, growing, and succeeding. The RISD Clothes Closet operates solely on clothing and monetary donations from the community. We are staffed exclusively by volunteers. Check out the link below to learn more about the Clothes Closet!!


https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1BpTQPupKShaZRrresYPkDZ21rglk9wV0

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Fall Spirit Events Fall Spirit Events

Fall Spirit Events

Take a look at our Fall Spirit Events and mark your calendars! This is an easy and fun way to give back to our school, as a percent of your purchase goes directly to NHE. Grab your friends and plan to attend!

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What is for lunch?
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NHE Breakfast & Lunch Menu

🍔 Lunch Deliveries 🍕 🍔 Lunch Deliveries 🍕

Lunch Cart
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  • We will not be accepting student lunches through delivery apps like UberEats or DoorDash.

  • Parent lunch deliveries will go to the Lunch Cart area in the foyer. Please let your child's teacher know through Talking Points that it has been dropped off.

  • Please help us by sending items that your student can open independently. We want them to have as much time to eat as possible!

Learning Community News Learning Community News

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RHS Cheer Mini Clinic

✨📣 Calling all future cheerleaders! 📣✨

Join us for the RHS Cheer Mini Clinic – open to Kinder through 6th grade!

  • Learn cheers, chants, and a fun routine alongside our RHS Varsity Cheerleaders.
  • Show off your spirit at a special performance!
  • A perfect chance to shine, make friends, and cheer loud & proud!


📅 Saturday, September 20 from 10:00-2:00pm
📍 Richardson High School
📝 Sign up today – spots are limited

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Junior Eagles Program Junior Eagles Program

This Fall, we will start our Junior Eagle Program! Students from Pre-K through 6th grade will have the opportunity to adopt one of the Varsity Richardson Eagle Football Players for the upcoming 2025 season!

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Bond Election Bond Election

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Based on the recommendations of a community bond steering committee, RISD trustees on August 7 voted to place three bond propositions before voters as part of the November 4 election. The total of all three propositions is $1.4 billion. The three propositions include funds designed to address needs across the district as prioritized by the Committee.

Read the Full Article
Visit the Website
Watch the Recording of the Board Meeting

RISD Sportsmanship Letter RISD Sportsmanship Letter

RISD Parents, Fans, and Community,


Richardson ISD Athletics is excited about the 2025-2026 school year! We are asking for everyone’s support in modeling good sportsmanship and positive behavior at all athletic events. RISD is a proud supporter of a new sportsmanship initiative called The Texas Way. Please click on this link to watch a short video about what it means to be a Texas Way school district.


Watch The Texas Way Hype Video

Our district strives to provide athletic experiences that are enjoyable and rewarding to athletes, parents, employees, and fans who participate in or attend athletic events. Good sportsmanship by all is paramount to the achievement of that goal.


RISD Fan Expectations

  • Visitors to athletic events must demonstrate appropriate behavior at all times.
  • Inappropriate conduct diminishes the experience for everyone and will not be tolerated.
  • Spectators are encouraged to cheer on and express support for athletes and teams.
  • Fans should not yell or scream at athletes, coaches or officials, or attempt to “coach” players from the stands or sidelines. Such behaviors distract athletes and coaches and disrupt play.
  • Spectators who fail to demonstrate appropriate sportsmanship and conduct will be warned.
  • Repeated failure to adhere to these expectations may result in ejection from an event or even removal of the privilege to attend future RISD sporting events.
  • Parents or fans are not permitted on the sideline, track, gym floor, bench/dugout area, etc. during an athletic event.
  • Fans should not approach a scorer’s table or engage with referees or officials, before, during, or after events.

As representatives of our schools, we should all lead by example, promote the ideals of good sportsmanship and model positive adult behavior for our students. This idea is a primary focus of the RISD Code of Civility and serves as an anchor for behavioral expectations for all RISD stakeholders in our schools and at school events and activities.


As a Texas Way school district, we can all improve the level of sportsmanship at UIL sporting events, decrease the number of ejections, and strengthen the relationships between coaches, athletes, officials, and fans.


We appreciate your support and look forward to a great year. Thank you in advance for your cooperation!


Respectfully,

Lonnie Jordan

Executive Director of Athletics RISD


Click HERE to view this message from RISD Athletics!

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.

Social Emotional Learning Social Emotional Learning

RISD offers Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons through Harmony SEL and are offered in our classes. SEL is the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions.


If you have any questions about these lessons, please contact Paige Pendery. Additionally, you can find out more about these programs athttps://harmony-academy.org/harmony-prek-6/

If you would like to opt your student out of SEL lessons, please fill out THIS GOOGLE FORM. You can opt your student out of SEL lessons at any time throughout the 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/

FREE digital safety trainings through DCAC FREE digital safety trainings through DCAC

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Seguridad Digital Consejos Practicos Y Conversaciones

August 27, 2025 | 6:00 PM
Presented by: Jennifer Cano
Register:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5388131891992621405


Digital Safety: Practical Tips and Conversations
August 28, 2025 | 6:00 PM
Presented by: Kelsey Crocker
Register:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4297097498866737758

District Links District Links

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Focus Parent Portal

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Library Opt-Out Program - Elementary

Updated information will be forthcoming.
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SEL Opt-out 25-26

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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

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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