The Patriot
December 2020 Parent Newsletter
A message from Mireles...
As we finalize the last three weeks of the semester, please take a moment to check your child's grades in HAC. Please encourage your child to attend daily Zoom sessions with all of their teachers. These opportunities to connect are essential at providing the clarity needed to sustain progress. If you have any questions or concerns please don't hesitate to contact your child's teacher. Below you will find links to every teacher's "Academic Coaching" aka tutoring times/days. This information is not new, and has been shared with all students. They can also access this information in Schoology.
For the next two weeks students and staff will enjoy a little holiday fun, as we kick off our annual Rawlinson Reindeer Games. See information below. Participation is optional, students will receive details on how to participate through their ELA classes, later this week.
As you may have already seen, the NISD school calendar beginning this January 2021 has been updated to include student half days. There are six total half days beginning in January and through May of this school year. Please see the link below for the updated calendar.
I want to thank all of our parents and students for an incredibly successful football and volleyball season. Although these events looked very different than in years past, our students and staff did an incredible job of adhering to safety protocols and representing Rawlinson well. Basketball season has begun and we've already kicked off our first games! Way to go Patriots, I look forward to a great season.
Eighth grade parents, please look over the information provided regarding the transition to High School and options for Magnet Schools, application information and Open Houses.
Have a wonderful December!
All my best to you and your family,
Sherry Mireles, Principal
Keep up to date with RMS events, using the calendar below:
RAWLINSON REINDEER GAMES IS NEXT WEEK!
JOIN US AT CHIPOTLE: WEDNESDAY, DEC. 16 (4-8 PM) "MENTION RAWLINSON"
8th grade Parents: JOIN US Wednesday, Dec. 9 (11AM & 6:30 PM)
Magnet Schools Now Registering!
Applications are now being accepted for the seven magnet high schools offered in Northside.
Applications are available in English and Spanish and will be accepted through Jan. 18, 2021. Students can apply to more than one magnet school using the common application. To access the application or learn more about each magnet school, visit the Magnet Hub website.
Important Dates:
Application Available – Nov. 30, 2020
Application Due – Jan. 18, 2021
Acceptance Letters Mailed – Jan. 29, 2021
Commitment Forms Due – Feb. 8, 2021
High School Magnet Programs
Current eighth-grade students can apply to attend one of seven high school magnet programs. School website is linked, click on the school name below.
- Agriculture Science and Technology Academy: focuses on the fields of Agribusiness, Animal and Plant Sciences, Agricultural Engineering, Environmental and Natural Resources, and Veterinary Medicine. In-Person Open House for prospective students and families will be on December 3rd (last names A-L) and December 15th (last names M-Z) at O'Connor High School Vickery center at 6:30 pm. If students cannot attend on their designated day they may attend the alternate day. Students and parents will have an opportunity to meet the staff, ask questions and tour the facility.
Here are some videos for you to learn about our campus & program.
Parent Experience: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjLtD9IJbhw&t=23s
Student Experience: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVQaV9bQ1Ho
Campus Tour: https://youtu.be/Db10X-3w99c
- Communications Arts High School: promotes rigorous, foundational learning in a personal, supportive environment, developing skills in communication and technology, emphasizing collaborative choices and fluidity between disciplines, creating global citizens and leaders. Virtual Open House Zoom link: Communication Arts HS - December 3, 15, January 13 @6:30 PM
- Construction Careers Academy: focuses on the areas of construction technology, construction management, architectural design, applied engineering, and real-world experience that will prepare students for studies in higher education and/or a career in a construction-related industry. In-person Open House: Wed., December 9th/ Mon., January 4th *Warren HS Auditorium* @6:30 PM / Virtual Open House: Dec. 7 and Dec. 14 both @6:30 PM.
- Health Careers High School: focuses on providing students a rigorous and comprehensive academic program by exploring health professions and real-world applications of medical knowledge and skills.
- Jay Science and Engineering Academy: provides students with an advanced and rigorous curriculum in all core subjects with a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Virtual Open House Zoom Link: Science and Engineering Academy (SEA) - December 9, 17, January 7
Sign up Link- http://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd1f8T-oe4rfHyIODc6ezyddqmmlNnJiAEqPMppY-7gb3E30A/viewform
- Marshall Law and Medical Services Magnet School: focuses on the areas of criminal justice, court systems, behavioral health, EMT, fire science, legal governance, public administration pre-nursing, physical therapy, and speech therapy.
Virtual Open House: Dec. 8/Jan. 6, 2021. Zoom Link: https://nisd-net.zoom.us/j/82546754244?pwd=by9LMll0U3ZyNDVEMDlDUiswL0NXdz09 Meeting ID: 825 4675 4244 Passcode: 001881
- Northside School of Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship (N-SITE): prepares students in the areas of entrepreneurship, cybersecurity, computer programming, industry-standard certifications, mentor programs, and software development.
All high school magnet schools (except for Health Careers High School) operate as a school-within-a-school, which allows students to participate in Fine Arts programs like band, choir and orchestra, sports, and clubs and organizations on their comprehensive high school’s campus.
All Northside eighth graders are eligible for enrollment. Enrollment is limited at each school. Transportation will be provided for eligible students. NISD eighth grade students will have the opportunity to explore the high school magnet programs as part of their coursework in January.
Rawlinson 8th graders needing assistance with an application should contact: Joshua.lopez@nisd.net
SPECIAL EDUCATION RESOURCE FAIR (VIRTUAL)
CLICK THE LINKS BELOW FOR A TEACHER BY TEACHER TUTORING SCHEDULE!!
AFTER HOURS Online Student Homework Support Available!
DID YOU KNOW???
Northside offers Online Student Homework Support provided free of charge to all NISD students after hours and weekends. Our goal is to assist students with Schoology Support and in the academic content areas of Reading/ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies, and/or Spanish. A certified Teacher Tutor will provide assistance to your child via video conferencing, screen share, or chat.
The Online Student Homework Support hours are:
Monday - Thursday
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM (Elementary)
6:00 PM - 10:00 PM (Secondary)
Saturday 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM (All Levels)
Sunday 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM (All Levels)
OUR VERY OWN MRS. BRANDT IS ALSO A NISD TUTOR: Here's more...
Attendance Update and System Clarification
NISD has recently reactivated the automated attendance notification callout system. This is a district wide system. The following information provides an update in regards to how and why the system may call you.
The best practice for a student’s academic success is to attend every teacher’s ZOOM session, access the weekly and daily folders and complete any assigned material every day. If a student cannot attend the teacher’s ZOOM session during the class period and is not in the classroom as an in-person learner, the teacher has to code the student as absent for that period.
Parents will receive an attendance notification call when their child is marked absent. The students name and ID# are included at the end of the call. Students who do not attend a ZOOM session have until 11:59 PM to access work in each teacher’s Schoology Classroom. The district has created a Schoology Engagement report which becomes available the following day and will capture engagement information for those students who were marked absent.
The A or absent code will change to RA-Remote Asynchronous if the report shows that the student has engaged in the teacher’s Schoology Classroom. In order for the report to capture engagement students must log in to each of their teacher’s Schoology Classroom tiles every day and access the weekly and daily lesson folders. Simply opening the teacher’s Schoology classroom tile will not count as engagement for attendance purposes. If there are no assignments due that day the student must still log in and access the weekly and daily folders for attendance purposes.
The attendance office will run the Schoology Engagement Report the following day and begin changing the A or absent codes to RA-Remote Asynchronous. Please be patient as it may take up to 48 hours for the codes to be updated.
We will be having a mobile immunization clinic here on Tuesday, December 15th from 8-11am for students to get required vaccines and flu shots. Please make an appointment at www.healthyUexpress.com. If we don't get 10 appointments scheduled they will cancel the event at this location.
Here you will find a flyer for the upcoming Vision and hearing screening for 7th graders and students new to the district on December 7th and 8th. I have attached the flyer and we are asking parents to call to make an appointment for their virtual learner.
Meal Applications Available
Did you know that filling out a Free & Reduced Meal Application provides more than just meals? In fact, this information is used to provide increased funding and resources for campus programs & services that benefit Northside students. Even though meals are at no cost during the USDA Waiver currently in place, you are encouraged to fill out your application today, if you haven't already.
For more information on the NISD Free & Reduced lunch Program, visit
https://www.nisd.net/schools/menus/free-reduced-meals
Or contact us:
Office: (210) 397-4517
Email: free-reduced@nisd.net
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Although free meals are being served with the current USDA Waiver in place, Child Nutrition Services is still accepting Free & Reduced Lunch Applications. Students who are eligible may also qualify for other discounts. Learn more & submit an application.
See the PDF file below for LIVE LINKS
Yearbook Update
Virtual students will participate- More information to come! Virtual students are encouraged to submit pictures of their at home learning experience via this link:
https://images.jostens.com/415464161
With this link images have a chance to be featured in the yearbook! This is just one way we are getting our virtual kiddos involved.
Optional Student Accident Insurance
Rawlinson Reminders
- Food deliveries, of any kind, are not permitted. Students need to remember bring lunch from home with them to school in the morning or plan to eat a cafeteria meal.
- To view the school menus click the button below.
- There is no charge for the grab & go lunch in the cafeteria, at least through December 31, 2020.
- As of now, visitors are by appointment and on a limited and as-needed basis.
- Anyone entering the building will wear a face mask and undergo the district provided health screener. Please complete this prior to entering the building and show the completion screen to the attendance of office staff. If you are able to complete prior to entry, call the front office at 210-397-4900, for assistance. QR codes are conveniently placed on the front door for use when you arrive.
All in-person students will need the following everyday:
- - Water bottle
- - Technology Device and Charger
- - Headphones
- - Hand Sanitizer
- - Face Mask