Happy Saturday NES parents and families! 

Thank you to all our amazing parents for showing up to our Open House and first PTO meeting last Tuesday, Sept. 12. A packed house for sure.

Our teachers finished up our students' Star 360 assessments this past week. It was a huge undertaking but, collaboratively, we successfully finished! We will now begin working with all of our students to ensure they make at least one year of academic growth. As a parent, you play a significant role in this. Keep reading to your children each day, 30 minutes preferably, and ensuring their homework is complete. These little things make a big impact in our students!

Updates

McTeacher Night

• Tuesday, Sept. 19 from 5-8 p.m.
• McDonalds located at 13813 Burnet Road, Austin
• A percentage of all sales will go directly to Northwest Elementary.  

Our staff will be on-hand to serve you! Hope to see you there!

Good afternoon Northwest Elementary Parents and Families!

It’s been another fantastic week here at Northwest. Our teachers continue to build positive environments both in and out of their classrooms. Check out our Facebook page for pictures.  

In addition, students have been completing their beginning of the year Star 360 assessments. These assessments gage both reading and math levels for all of our students. 

This online assessment will be taken monthly to track each student’s progress in order to provide the best instruction for each child. Please follow this link for more information. 

Ask your child today about his/her beginning of the year score!

Updates

Northwest Elementary Parent Handbook:

Attached you will find our first-ever parent handbook.

Please refer to it for any questions you may have.

We are open to suggestions for questions that cannot be answered.

Open House

On Tuesday, Sept. 12 from 5:30-6:30 our teachers will hold an open house for all of our students parents and families.

Each teacher will explain their procedures, communication methods, and classroom expectations for the 2017-18 school year.

Feel free to bring your questions and volunteer to support your child’s classroom!

PTO meeting

Tuesday, Sept. 12 from 6:30-7:30

Directly after open house we will have our first Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) meeting of the year to discuss events for the following month.

Our PTO supports campus events that help us make purchases for the year.

Free childcare is available.

Picture Day

Friday, Sept. 15

Nathan Steenport
Principal
Northwest Elementary

Good afternoon Northwest Elementary Parents and Families!

We’ve had a wonderful first week here at Northwest Elementary! Our staff has been busy teaching students classroom expectations and building center rotations. We focus a great deal of attention on management and structures so our students know exactly what is expected of them and so they take more control of their learning. 

If you are new to my mailing list, then welcome! To give you some history, Northwest is an extremely diverse community of students from all over the world. We have a long standing tradition of academic excellence and social emotional learning (SEL) within each classroom. In addition, we celebrated our 30th anniversary last year, which was touted throughout the district, and just finished refurbishing our campus with new floors, paint and A/C units. The campus looks great! 

On a weekly basis, I send updates about upcoming events for the following week and inform you about our goals. We want you to be a part of our learning environment! Please consider checking out the communication section in this email for the best ways to stay informed. 

I hope you all have a wonderful three-day weekend!

Updates

Communication

• Remind 101: The best way to get last-minute details for what is happening at NES. To sign up, text 81010 to @pfnesfam . You should receive a confirmation text letting you know you have been signed up correctly.
• Northwest Elementary Facebook Page: Click here. We will post pictures of happenings from around the campus and updates of future events.
• Northwest Twitter: Click here

Events Sept. 4-8

• Monday, Sept. 4: Labor Day, No School
• Friday, Sept. 8: Grandparent’s Day Lunch (during your student’s lunch time)
• Friday, Sept. 8: Back to School Dance 6-8 p.m. Admission: $2/student $1 concessions

NES Strategic Goals

Northwest Elementary teacher leaders met this summer to create three strategic goals that will be a major focus for each classroom. These data driven goals will be reviewed every quarter and adjusted as needed.

• Goal 1: Incorporate the writing process throughout all subjects
• Goal 2: Utilize the science lab to support science based activities and improve understanding of science based vocabulary
• Goal 3: Improve student motivation with reading by providing student based goal setting and progress monitoring

If you would like to be more involved with these goals, please join our Campus Academic Advisory Council (CAAC). Click here for more information.

Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)

Our PTO is currently looking for active parents to support all of our campus initiatives. Everything they do positively affects what happens in the school and classroom.

If you would like more information about joining, please email our PTO president, Cristina Cortez, at sweetskye08@gmail.com

Our first meeting is on Tuesday, Sept. 12 from 6:30-7:30 in the library.

Nathan Steenport
Principal
Northwest Elementary

Northwest Elementary Parents and Families,

Are you interested in joining the Northwest Elementary Team? We have an Educational Associate position that includes the following responsibilities:

• Support in the office
• Working as a PE aid for pre-K, kinder, and first grade
• Covering sections of cafeteria duty

If interested, please apply online (Top position, Educational Associate, Various Campuses) and email me that you have applied. Please be sure to read the position requirements before applying. 

Please feel free to contact me with any questions. Have a great weekend!

Nathan Steenport
Principal
Northwest Elementary

Northwest Elementary Parents,

Welcome to the 2017-2018 school year! Last night we had hundreds of parents and students come to the Meet the Teacher night. It was wonderful to see all of our returning and new to campus students. With the newly renovated school and color décor in the hallways, the atmosphere was electric! 

If you are new to Northwest, welcome! Northwest is an incredibly diverse learning community that has a long standing tradition of academic excellence that continues to improve from year to year. I typically send weekly updates from the world of Northwest, so expect to be fully informed.

Please see below for updates:

Communication

• Remind 101: The best way to get last-minute details for what is happening at NES. To sign up, text 81010 to @pfnesfam . You should receive a confirmation text letting you know you have been signed up correctly.

• Northwest Elementary Facebook Page: Click here. We will post pictures of happenings from around the campus and updates of future events.
• Northwest Twitter: Click here

NES Strategic Goals

Northwest Elementary teacher leaders met this summer to create three strategic goals that will be a major focus for each classroom. These data driven goals will be reviewed every quarter and adjusted as needed.

• Goal 1:  Incorporate the writing process throughout all subjects
• Goal 2:  Utilize the science lab to support science based activities and improve understanding of science based vocabulary
• Goal 3:  Improve student motivation with reading by providing student based goal setting and progress monitoring

If you would like to be more involved with these goals, please join our Campus Academic Advisory Council (CAAC). Email me if you are interested.

Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)

Our PTO is currently looking for active parents to support all of our campus initiatives. Everything they do positively affects what happens in the school and classroom.

If you would like more information about joining, please email our PTO president, Cristina Cortez, at sweetskye08@gmail.com

Our first meeting is on Tuesday, Sept. 12 from 6:30-7:30 in the library.

Calendar for Upcoming Events

• Monday, Aug. 28. First Day of School: Students may enter the building at 7:10. Parents may walk their child to the classroom on the firstday.  After the first day, parents must drop their students off at the front of the building. We will have staff supporting to ensure your child gets to his/her classroom.  
• Sept. 4: Labor Day: No School
• Friday, Sept. 8: Back to School Dance  6-8
• Tuesday, Sept. 12: 
• Open House (5:30-6:30): Each teacher will review their classroom routines and expectations. Please feel free to bring your questions!
• PTO meeting (6:30-7:30): Our first PTO meeting of the year.  We need your support!

I hope you all staff safe and dry this weekend. I look forward to seeing you all on Monday, Aug. 28! It’s going to be the best year ever! 

Nathan Steenport
Principal 
Northwest Elementary

Good afternoon Northwest Elementary parents and Families!

We have reached the end of the school year and our teachers and students are preparing for their final sendoff on Wednesday, May 31. With that said, I want to take the time to say thank you for making my first year as a principal a memorable one.  As I told my staff the other day, coming to work is my happy place and interacting with your children has been a complete joy. They are all wonderful!

Take the time to spend some time with your children this summer. Go on vacation, play outside, and, of course, keep reading with them. Reading, as I have stated over and over, is one of the single most important things our students can do this summer.   

Again, thank you all so much for a special year. I wish each of you the very best this summer and will see you and your children in our newly renovated school in August! 

Updates

Memorial Day Holiday

• No school on Monday, May 29.

Fifth Grade Graduation and Field Trip

• Graduation, 8-9 a.m.
• Field trip to Gattiland: 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Classroom End of Year Parties

• Tuesday, May 30 from 1:45 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Last Day of School

• Wednesday, May 31 at noon 

Nathan Steenport
Principal
Northwest Elementary

Good afternoon Northwest Elementary parents and families!

Next week, we have several field trips and awards ceremonies to look forward to. Be sure to check the schedules below for your son/daughter's award ceremony or field trip. We would love to see you!

Also, start thinking how you will support your child this summer with reading. As stated in a previous email, reading to your child at least 30 minutes per day in the summer will ensure they will remain on their current reading level or even progress higher! I stress reading because it has so many applications in each subject area. To support, check out your local library as they typically have many fun reading progress, games and activities for your child over the summer that are typically free of charge. Check out the Wells Branch Library webpage for more information.   

Updates

Awards Ceremony Schedule

Tuesday, May 23

Fourth grade:  8 a.m. at NES Cafe

Thursday, May 25

Third Grade: 8-9 a.m. at NES Cafe

Second Grade: 9-10 a.m. at NES Cafe

Pre-K: 1:45-2:15 p.m. at NES Cafe

Friday, May 26

First Grade: 8-9 a.m. at NES Cafe

Kinder: 1:45-2:30 p.m. at NES Cafe

Tuesday, May 30

Fifth Grade: 8-9 p.m. at Cafe

Field Trips

Fourth Grade: Tuesday, May 23 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

First Grade: Friday, May 24 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Nathan Steenport
Principal 
Northwest Elementary

Good afternoon Northwest Elementary parents and families!

We are extremely excited to announce that two of our staff members received Pflugerville Education Foundation grants! Ms. Wilkinson and Ms. VanHoose’s grant, totaling almost $5,000, will focus on Virtual Reality Bridges and Ms. Ahearn’s grant, totaling almost $5,000 as well, will be used to purchase items for flexible seating. We were told today that these are the first ever to be awarded to Northwest Elementary in the history of the Pflugerville Education Foundation. Please help me in congratulating these educators for their outstanding work! 

Updates

Parent Class No. 3: Paying for College

•  Northwest Elementary, in conjunction with the University at Texas at Austin, will be providing a free class on how you can pay for your children's college tuition. Topics will include filling out the FASFA, applying for scholarships, grants, and more! There are many ways to receive funding for tuition, some free of charge! 

•  This class will be held on Monday, May 15 from 5:30-6:30.  Dinner and childcare will be provided!

•  If interested, please sign up using the following link: http://ow.ly/rfWE30bJEj3

In addition, the final PTO meeting will be held just after from 6:30-7:30. During this meeting, we will conduct elections for next year’s PTO board and Mrs. Douglass, Westview Middle School PTO president, will discuss PTO meetings at Westview. 

Everyone is Invited! Come see The Pfield – and Watch PfISD Students Perform!

PfISD’s new districtwide stadium, The Pfield, is the place to be on Tuesday, May 23, from 6-8 p.m., when there will be a communitywide open house, dedication ceremony and pep rally. Don’t miss it! There will be combined drum lines, bands, cheerleaders, color guard, choirs, drill team, a Parade of Champions and more! PfISD is a community on the move, and this is your chance to be part of PfISD history. The Pfield will host varsity football games and soccer matches, band competitions, as well as other community events. Come check it out on May 23!

For more information: http://ow.ly/bXEn30bJEsW

What: The Pfield Dedication/Pep Rally

When: Tuesday, May 23, 6-8 p.m.

Where: 1440 W. Pecan St., Pflugerville 78660 

End of Year Dance

On Friday, May 19 from 6:30-8:30 we will host our end of year dance. Admission will be $2 and snacks will be sold for $1 each. Hope to see you there!

Nathan Steenport
Principal
Northwest Elementary

Good morning Northwest Elementary parents and families!

We’ve reached the month of May, the last month of school. As a first-year principal I would like to thank each and every parent for making this a memorable year for myself and my staff. I am grateful and honored to have served your children this year.

Beginning next week, our third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade students will engage in the final administration of the STAAR test. While the test is not a full measurement of our school, it is an important summative measurement that will provide valuable data for us to use and grow. To support, we ask each parent to ensure each child receives a good night’s rest and a protein rich breakfast. If you choose to send a snack, please send one that does not leave a residue on their fingers as it may hinder the grading of their test document. Thank you in advance for your support!

Based on my observations in classrooms, I know our students are fully prepared to reach his/her potential. We are ready!

Updates: 

Parent Class No. 3: Paying for College

Northwest Elementary, in conjunction with the University at Texas at Austin, will be providing a free class on how you can pay for your children's college tuition. Topics will include filling out the FASFA, applying for scholarships, grants, and more! There are many ways to receive funding for tuition, some free of charge! 

This class will be held on Monday, May 15 from 5:30-6:30. Dinner and childcare will be provided!

If interested, please sign up using the following link: docs.google.com

In addition, the final PTO meeting will be held just after from 6:30-7:30. During this meeting, we will conduct elections for next year’s PTO board. 

New STAAR Report Card

If your child is taking the STAAR test this year (students in grades 3-5 only) the results report generated will look different. Please check out the following link to read or watch the video for more information. The 8-minute video provides a quick and easy way to best understand how your student performed on this year’s test. In addition, dates for release of scores is included.

tea.texas.gov

Pflugerville Education Foundation

Help support education in our community!

The Pflugerville Education Foundation is Putting Education First, and we're selling t-shirts to help us raise funds to give back to our schools.

When you purchase a t-shirt, you will be funding innovative teaching across the Pflugerville Independent School District.

Every dollar donated supports PEF in order to fund PfISD programs such as:

• Innovative teaching grants
• Student achievement recognition
• Campus innovation
• District initiatives

Several T-shirt options are available, so pick your pfavorite and show your support.

Go to this website to donate to the cause and get a T-shirt for you, your family or your whole group: www.booster.com

STAAR Testing May 8-10

As indicated above, we will have the final round of STAAR next week. Below is our schedule. Please note that NES will be a closed campus the entire week. We apologize for any inconvenience.

• Monday, May 8: Third- and fourth-grade Math. Fifth-grade math re-test.
• Tuesday, May 9: Third- and fourth-grade Reading. Fifth-grade reading re-test.
• Wednesday, May 10: Fifth-grade science

Nathan Steenport
Principal
Northwest Elementary

Good afternoon Northwest Elementary parents and families!  

We are finishing up Education Go Get It Week with a door decorating contest. Please see attached photos for some of the best around our school. We’ve enjoyed seeing all of the wonderful activities around school all week!

As we begin preparations for summer, it will be extremely important to work with your teacher for ideas on how to support your student’s learning throughout the summer. Specifically, reading with your child or having your child read for at least 30 minutes each day will keep them at their currently reading level going into the next school year. If children go throughout the summer without reading, they can lose up to 40 percent of their reading level before returning to school in August. That’s almost half a year’s worth! 

Updates

Teacher Appreciation Week (May 1-5)

Next week will be Teacher Appreciation Week. Please take the time to acknowledge your student’s teachers hard work throughout this year by writing them a card or just saying thank you. Each of our teachers have worked extremely hard this year and would greatly appreciate any positive note. 

Luis 'Chico' Portillo Performing Arts Center Dedication

Please see attached for the dedication of the Performing Arts Center at Connally High School. 

Parent Volunteer(s) needed!

We are in need of a parent volunteer that can support with our Literacy library inventory. If you are interested, please let me know. 

Camp Invention

Camp Invention will be in Pflugerville ISD June 12-16 at Caldwell Elementary. Parents can learn more about this camp on our webpage: www.pfisd.net

Kinder Registration for New Students

Kindergarten registration will be held at Northwest Elementary on Thursday, May 4 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for new students registering for kindergarten for the 2017-2018 school year. Please note that the child must be the age of 5 on or before Sept. 1 to register. Please contact the office at 512-594-4400 for more information.

Nathan Steenport
Principal
Northwest Elementary