Seven Hills Elementary News
A Home-School Connection
August 19, 2019
The First Day of School is Tomorrow, Tuesday, August 20, 2019!
Parents are Invited to Tears and Cheers in the Library Tomorrow After You Drop Your Children Off in Their Classes!
Back to School Bedtime Story and Advice From Mrs. Blackburn:
We can't wait to see out Star Leaders tomorrow morning! We know that some of our Leaders may be a little bit nervous and a whole lot excited about the first day of school, and Mrs. Blackburn has some fantastic advice about what you should leave at home on the first day of school! Click below for a fun back to school bed time story from Mrs. Blackburn!
Welcome Back! Great Habits Make Great Leaders!
Back to School Information for NISD:
Back to School Information Available Now!
The first day of school is Tuesday, August 20, 2019. Information about registration, enrollment, school times, calendar, after-school childcare, and more can be found at www.nisdtx.org/registration.
We are glad you chose Northwest ISD for your child’s education, and we are looking forward to -getting to know you better this year. For questions, please contact the front office at (817-215-0700).
Bus App Information and Updates:
https://elinkrp.nisdtx.org/elinkrp/Students/BasicTransBoundarySearch.aspx
Important Updates to Entrances on NISD Campuses:
Important Updates to Entrances on NISD Campuses
This year, families, volunteers and visitors to Northwest ISD campuses will notice an added layer of security in the main entrances of every building. The entry call station is funded by the 2017 bond and will be required for every person to use as they enter the building. Please watch this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Di-Nb2awZsY&feature=youtu.be) to show how to use the new safety feature. We appreciate your support as we continue to make NISD a safer environment for all of our children.
NISD is Moving to 9 Week Grading Periods This Year:
Northwest ISD will operate on a nine-week grading schedule beginning with the 2019-20 school year, moving from the previous six-week grading schedule.
This move will mean little change beyond the length of the grading period, though it may cause some confusion about specific situations for students and their families. To help clarify the transition, the following FAQ was created by the district for common questions. If you have questions not answered by this FAQ, please email nisd@nisdtx.org, and your message will be directed to the appropriate person.
What is the difference between the old six-week grading period and the new nine-week grading period?
As their names imply, the only difference between the two grading period systems is their segmented lengths. The old format consisted of six six-week grading periods, while the new format will make use of four nine-week grading periods. This means homework and tests in classes will be calculated into nine-week grades instead of six-week grades. Two semesters will still exist.
Why was this change made?
Following community and staff feedback during the District of Innovation process, the decision to move to a nine-week grading system was made to allow students time to best learn and master material in classes. This change provides students extra time during the grading period to learn a topic before moving onto a new topic, and teachers can better assess if lessons and concepts are learned by students with the expanded grading period.
When will this change begin?
The switch to nine-week grading periods begins with the 2019-20 school year. The 2019-20 calendar can be seen at this link, including grading period beginning and ending dates.
Will this change have any effect on school start or dismissal times?
No, school start and dismissal times will remain the same, as seen here.
How does this change affect extracurricular eligibility?
At the secondary level, students will still be assessed on whether they are passing (obtaining grades of 70 or better in all classes) following each grading period. The only exception occurs during the start of the school year; students must have passing grades in all their classes by the end of the first six weeks of school, as per UIL policy (see pages 3 and 20). After this, they will have three weeks to meet passing levels (the end of the nine-week grading period). Subsequent grade checks will occur at the end of each nine-week grading period.
Will this change affect progress reports?
Parents will still receive electronic progress reports every three weeks. Therefore, parents will receive two progress reports during each nine-week grading period – at the three- and six-week intervals – followed by a report card at the end of the grading period.
Will students still receive a set number of grades per grading period?
Yes, each class has a minimum number of grades that must be met during the nine-week grading period to best reflect a student’s current levels of content mastery. For example, at the secondary level, at least four summative grades (such as major projects or tests) and eight formative grades (such as classwork or regular assignments) are required in a grading period that has a full nine weeks. For information about the required number of grades per grading period, read the elementary and secondary grading guidelines.
My child has an IEP (Individualized Education Program)/ARD (Admission, Review and Dismissal) plan that mentions six-week grading periods. Will this be updated?
Yes, all plans will refer to nine-week grading periods instead of six-week grading periods. Additionally, the Northwest ISD Board of Trustees has updated district policies to make similar changes regarding any district or school policies or procedures.
NISD Information:
- NISD Communication: With the start of the 2019-20 school year, families may need a refresher about how the district and schools communicate. View this page for a list of services we use, along with a video about the communication transition from the elementary to secondary level. https://www.nisdtx.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=232201&pageId=22432649&fbclid=IwAR2tteTksZlc6ZcpkLaxXLMkQd48VU4VRoJf7S3iQFWF7rXhw75X1kTTYA4
- See What’s Going on in Our Communities: As a service to our families, the district provides the Community Folder for non-school groups or organizations to post information that may be of interest or a benefit to students and families. Click here to see approved flyers.
Stay Connected!
Website: http://northwestseven.ss10.sharpschool.com/
Location: 654 FM3433, Newark, TX, United States
Phone: 817-215-0700
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SevenHillsElem/
Twitter: @7HillsNISD