NHE News
November 11, 2025

A Note From Mrs. Smith
NHE Families,
🇺🇸 Happy Veterans Day! 🇺🇸
Today, we pause to honor and thank all veterans for their service, sacrifice, and dedication to our country. Your courage and commitment protect the freedoms we cherish every day — and we are deeply grateful.
This week’s newsletter is packed with exciting updates and celebrations! Here’s what’s happening at Northwood Hills Elementary:
🏀 Congratulations to our Free Throw Contest Winners for representing NHE with pride!
📚 Join us for Future Falcon Storytime on Nov. 19th, and don’t miss our Book Fair and Donuts with Grownups morning on Nov. 18th!
🦃 Our PTA is Giving Thanks by gifting each teacher and staff member a $25 gift card—thank you for helping us show appreciation!
🌍 Mark your calendars for Multicultural Night on Nov. 20th—an evening of food, fun, and community!
📖 Richardson Reads Day is coming up on Friday, Nov. 21st—a special day to celebrate our shared love of reading across RISD!
🌱 We’re also looking for volunteers to help with our school garden and Book Fair!
🎨 And for our 6th graders—Junior High Magnet Program applications are now open!
Thank you for being part of our amazing NHE community—where every week is filled with learning, laughter, and love for our school!
Warmly,
Jenni Smith
NHE Principal
Coming up @ NHE
Please be aware of the upcoming events at NHE!
November 11: 6th-grade field trip to the opera
November 12: Cogat Testing
November 13: 6th-grade field trip to the Holocaust and Human Rights Museum
November 13: Saturday School
November 17-21: Family Lunch Week
November 17: Picture Retakes
November 17: Kinder -2nd grade field trip to the play at RHS
November 18: Donuts with Grownups 7:20-8:10
November 19: Future Falcons Story Time 3:15-4:15
November 20: PTA General Meeting & Multicultural Night
November 21: Substitute Educators Appreciation Day
November 24-28: Thanksgiving Break - No School
December 2: Progress Reports
December 4: NHE Site-Based Decision-Making Committee Meeting 4-6
December 6: Saturday School
Congrats to our Free Throw Contest Participants
Our free throw contest winners Mason B, Vanessa T-M. , Luca S., Olivia B. , and Matthew C. participated in the district wide Free Throw contest last Wednesday night. Coach Williams and Coach Ellis are proud of the way they represented Northwood Hills Elementary. Way to go!
Upcoming CogAT Testing
Your child will soon participate in ability testing to determine if they qualify for GT services.
Northwood Hills Testing
- 6th Grade November 12th
- 2nd Grade December 4th, 5th, & 8th
To ensure a positive testing session for your child, the following suggestions may be helpful:
Arrive at school on time and in a positive frame of mind.
Don’t schedule any doctor, dentist, or other appointments during the testing day.
Eat a nutritious breakfast and lunch.
Get a good night’s sleep the evening before testing.
Students MUST have working headphones or earbuds.
You will receive notification letters with test results and qualification determinations in mid January 2026.
If you have questions concerning the specific testing at our school, please contact Clarie.Swain@risd.org
Junior High Magnet Applications Now Open
Applications are now open for RISD’s Junior High Magnet Program.
Richardson West Junior High magnet program offers communications arts, culinary arts, theater arts, visual arts, and robotics.
Westwood Junior High offers a math, science and leadership magnet.
RISD Junior High magnet option is open to all students living within Richardson ISD. The application closes on December 1st.
Saturday School November 15th
Capturing Kids Hearts November Focus: Teamwork
What is Teamwork?
Teamwork is the ability to work in unity with others towards a common goal. For us to learn how to become team players, it is important that we learn to listen, encourage our peers, and allow and invite others to contribute their talents and skills.
Why focus on Teamwork?
Teamwork improves communication: Teamwork helps us improve our verbal and non-verbal communication skills, conveying that we care and a relevant message.
Teamwork builds interpersonal awareness: Growing a great team requires us to first build strong relationships through a better understanding of ourselves and others.
Teamwork celebrates diversity. Teamwork thrives from diverse ideas that come from a mixture of different genders, cultures, expertise, experience, and problem-solving approaches.
Picture Retakes on November 17th
Counselor Corner
Family Lunch Week at NHE November 17-21
Family Lunch Week – Join Us!
We’re excited to invite you to Family Lunch Week! Come and enjoy lunch with your student any day next week. It’s a wonderful opportunity to share a meal, connect, and make special memories together.
If you plan to join us on Thursday for the cafeteria Thanksgiving meal, please use this link to pre-purchase your meal ($10). Pre-purchasing ensures we have enough food prepared for all our guests.
Click the button below to view our lunch schedule, and don’t forget—you can use the QR code at the entrance to sign in on the day of your visit.
We can’t wait to see you! 🧡
NHE PTA News
Toiletry for Treats Challenge
NHE is partnering with the RISD clothes closet for our annual toiletry drive this year. It will be from Nov 5- Nov13. The Clothes Closet is currently in need of kid's toothpaste, Body Wash for Men/Women/gender neutral, Women's Shampoo and Conditioner, Men's Shampoo and Conditioner, Children's 3-in-1 body care. Each toiletry item donated equals one kindness point. The class in PreK-2nd, 3rd-4th, and 5th-6th with the most kindness points wins a donut party and 10 minutes of extra recess! Always remember, "Kindness Counts!"
Future Falcon Story Time
Calling all Future Falcons to our special Future Falcon story time with Mrs. Lozure on November 19th! Come read and book and shop our school’s book fair! Hope to see you there!!
Let's Give Thanks
This Thanksgiving, our PTA is especially thankful for our wonderful teachers and staff at NHE. In appreciation for them, we will be gifting them each a $25 gift card! See the flyer below for details on how to contribute toward the 70 gift cards that need to be purchased. If you would like to make a donation online, click the link below! Thank you for helping us appreciate your teachers and staff at our wonderful school!!
Northwood Hills Elementary PTA - Richardson ISD, TX - $25 Teacher and Staff Appreciation Gift Cards
Multicultural Night
Come experience the food, atmosphere, and traditions that make up our wonderful school and community!! Join us on November 30th from 5:30-7:00, beginning with a PTA meeting! We can't wait to see you there!
🍩 Donuts with Grownups 🍩
Join us for a sweet morning of connection Tuesday, November 18 at 7:20 am! Parents, grandparents, guardians, and special adults are invited to enjoy donuts and quality time with your child. It’s the perfect way to start the day together!
📚 Don’t forget to stop by our Book Fair to explore new stories and support our school’s love of reading. We can’t wait to see you there!
We are also looking for Book Fair volunteers! If you would like to sign up for a time to help, please see the sign up below!
Garden Help Needed!
Do you have gardening skills?? Are you interested in learning about our school garden?? We need your help! Our NHE garden has some critical needs so please contact us at outdoorlearningenvironment@nhepta.orgif you are interested or know someone who is!
Lunch Visitors
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.
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!
Learning Community News
Congratulations to the Richardson High School Varsity football team who won 42-7 Thursday night becoming District Champions! Playoffs begin next week at the Eagle Mustang Stadium. NHE is so proud of these athletes! E-A-G! L-E-S!
Richardson ISD Folklorico Kids Camp November 15th
Richardson ISD Folklorico teams are excited to announce our 2nd annual Kids Camp!
Join us on November 15th at Pearce HS for a fun-filled day of dance and culture. Any Kinder-5th grade student is welcome to register!
Richardson ISD Folklorico Kids Clinic
K-5th Grade
Saturday, Nov. 15
10:00AM-1:30PM
JJ Pearce HS Dance Studio
$20.00
RISD will be celebrating “Richardson Reads Day” on Friday, Nov. 21st.
Live Wise Live Healthy - Nov/Dec
Mental Health Awareness: Stress Prevention & Coping Strategies
According to the Center for Research and Clinical Care, approximately one in 11 children
experience some form of depression before the age of 14. RISD is dedicated to ending the stigma associated with mental health challenges. Information below includes various resources for families to learn more about important factors of mental health and meaningful next steps to support both parents and their children. In elementary school, classroom lessons will teach students coping strategies and conflict resolution. Counselors will be sharing more information about lessons in their campus newsletters. In secondary school, students will receive advisory lessons to learn to “Say Yes to Less Stress.” Check out these additional resources that may provide some support to your family or someone you know.
A Teen’s Guide to Surviving the Holidays contains tips for teens on managing the stress of the holiday season.
National Alliance on Mental Illness
Mental Health America - Helping your child with emotional or behavioral struggles at home
Youth Mental Health First Aid
Parents Guide to Surviving the Holidays - Tips and resources for surviving the winter break with kids.
National Alliance for Children’s Grief Holiday Toolkit
Alliance for A Healthier Generation - Tips and activities for developing healthy relationships
National Institute of Mental Health - Fact Sheets for Teens “I’m So Stressed Out!”
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.
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
✅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
RISD Graduate Profile
Parent Information
RISD Student and Parent Handbook
25-26 Academic Calendar
✍🏻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
