Important news, reminders for 2024-2025

The 2024-2025 school year has almost arrived! Northwest ISD begins the new year on Wednesday, August 14, and we want students and families to be prepared with the following news and reminders.

In addition to the details listed below, be sure to visit www.nisdtx.org/backtoschool for important events and dates relevant to your child’s school. Expect additional communication from your school in the days ahead as we prepare for a great year.

Enrollment Ongoing
If you haven’t already enrolled your child and they will attend a Northwest ISD school, please do so immediately at www.nisdtx.org/enrollment. Late enrollments increase the possibility of class changes because of rising student numbers per grade level or course, which our district always attempts to minimize to the greatest extent possible. Several documents are required for enrollment, including proof of residency and immunization record updates, examples of which are available on the enrollment webpage.

School Start & Dismissal Times
As announced in October 2023, all Northwest ISD schools will transition to new school start and dismissal times in the 2024-2025 school year. This change was based off consistent feedback from families. These new times are posted on the “School Hours” page under “About Us” on the district website.

Schedule Availability & Teacher Assignments
Elementary schools will contact the families of students by phone or email beginning the afternoon of August 8 to announce their students' teachers. Please be aware this process may take a few days because of enrollment growth and changes to class numbers. This information will be available in Home Access Center beginning August 13. For families of secondary students, schedules will be available on the evening of August 9, also in Home Access Center.

Bus Route Details & Smart Tag App
Is your child riding the bus this year? Be sure to check in Home Access Center beginning August 5 for route information. Please remember to check again the week school starts, as routes may change because of our enrollment growth closer to the first day of school. Please do not rely on route information from 2023-2024, as boundary changes, new schools, bell schedules and enrollment increases have all affected routes. Additionally, please be sure to download the Smart Tag app to track your child's bus.

Online Absence Reporting
Beginning this school year, Northwest ISD schools will use an online form (located at absence.nisdtx.org) for parents and guardians to report student absences. Families will input their student's absence information with this form, and each school front lobby will have a sign with a QR code and friendly website link for quick access. The form will send a verification email to the parent/guardian email address on record, so students will not be able to submit their absences without approval.

Student Cellphone Usage Prohibited During Class
Beginning this year, districtwide standards are now consistent at all schools that the personal use of cell phones by students will not be allowed in the classroom to focus on the learning environment. A cell phone can remain in a student's backpack in case of emergencies, however. Cellphones have become an increasing distraction among students, and learning has suffered. For additional information about these new cellphone standards, please read this news article that was sent to all families yesterday.

First Week Procedures at Elementary Schools
Families of elementary students are welcome to walk their students in during the first week of school (Wednesday, August 14, to Friday, August 16). Beginning the second day of school, August 15, all visitors must sign in at the front desk.

Back-to-School Event Dates
Schools will host many events prior to the start of the new year to welcome students and families! On August 12, for example, elementary schools will host Meet the Teacher events, while high schools will host Meet the Teams events, which are community rally-style gatherings to kick off the new school year. Dates and times for orientations at the secondary level vary by campus, though all take place prior to the start of school. Visit www.nisdtx.org/backtoschool for a list of events by campus.