October 9, 2019

Using brains at Brandeis is all part of lessonSome people see a gelatin mold of the brain and think Halloween. A psychology teacher sees it and thinks of the possibilities for an engaging lesson.

Bettina Melton’s AP Psychology class at Brandeis HS is studying structures of the brain and what areas are responsible for different brain functions. Students recently teamed up and used gelatin molds to color and label the different parts of the brain.

“Psychology is all about the brain and how it makes us who we are,” says Melton. “The novelty of using a 3D item, rather than just a flat image, will help my students remember the information when they have to apply it to an AP test.”

Pictured are AP Psychology students Raegan Schott, Mia Walthour, and Radhika Kannan.

Two NISD students took the top awards in the Society of Animal Artists Scholarship competition.

Tabata Castro, an art student at Stevens HS; and Sierra Dreamkowski, a student at Jay HS, placed first and second respectively in the contest. The pair are recent graduates. Not only did they receive cash prizes, their schools also received $1,000 each.

Pictured are Stevens HS Art Teacher Ambra Hernandez, Tabata Castro, Sierra Dreamkowski, Jay HS Art Teacher Carol Weissler, and a representative from the competition.

Students experience “Ag in Action”Each fall, O’Connor HS hosts “Ag in Action” for more than1,400 elementary school students. High school students serve as tour guides and presenters, showing the younger students different facets of agriculture.

Every 15 minutes fourth grade classes rotate to new stations to learn about different aspects of agriculture – from horticulture, nutrition, and agriculture mechanics to sessions that bring students into contact with steer, goats, swine, sheep, and poultry.

The unique three-day event provides elementary school students with an opportunity to learn about agriculture in a meaningful, real-world setting and make connections with curriculum including science, math, and geography.

This year, the Advanced Plant and Soil Sciences classes developed a presentation with the district science specialists relating to the elementary science curriculum.

O’Connor is the only NISD high school to offer an agriculture science program.

Since 1998, almost 40,000 fourth graders and 8,200 high school students have participated in Ag in Action.

Other partners sharing their expertise as presenters include the Texas Farm Bureau and Southwest Dairy Association.

Pictured is fourth grader Alexander Sarmiento from Galm ES with a new feathery friend.

PERK OF THE WEEKGet your scream on at Six Flags and SeaWorldSix Flags Fiesta Texas’ Fright Fest and SeaWorld San Antonio’s Howl-O-Scream are terrifyingly fun. Get into the spirit by purchasing tickets through the Northside Education Foundation (NEF). Six Flags single-day tickets are only $40 and SeaWorld single-day tickets are only $45. A portion of the proceeds benefit NEF.

Honoring a namesakeMore than 700 Stevens HS Falcons joined together for the first “Stevens Serves” day of service in honor of their late namesake US Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens. Student groups spent time serving the

community by picking up trash, hosting volleyball and dance clinics and blood drives, volunteering at nearby Murnin ES, and many other activities. They hope to make this an annual tradition. Pictured with the portrait of their namesake are Falcon Sports Medicine Students Megan Sifuentes, Alexandria Hales, Ashley Carbajal, Alani Delgado, Sierra Gutierrez, and Stephanie Torres.

America’s Heroes WeekThe Northside ISD Athletic and Fine Arts Departments honored members of the military (active duty and veterans) as well as first responders during America’s Heroes Week, Sept. 26-29. Honorees were asked to go to the end zone prior to the start of the game to be recognized. Players from both teams shook hands with those assembled and gave them small flags and notes thanking them for their service.

GRANT OF THE WEEK

NISD video of the week

It is never too early to start planning for your educational future. Taking Advanced Academics courses starting at the middle school level allows students to get on the honors track early. That can have big pay offs in both high school and college. Click here to learn more.

NEF funds New Teacher Grant applicants  Community volunteers joined Northside Education Foundation (NEF) apple mascots and their Grant Patrol in awarding $100 New Teacher Grants to 62 teachers across 41 campuses. Grant sponsor is Firstmark Credit Union.

This school year, based on the number of applicants and funding available, the Foundation was able to award every new teacher that applied for the grant. This represents one third of Northside’s newly hired teachers, almost 170 winners total.  

There will be two more NEF Grant Patrols slated in 2020. Spreading the wealth and joy to new teachers all school year is one way NEF is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

Pictured is Katherine Villarreal with her Pre-Kindergarten students at Allen ES being presented a grant by a Firstmark Credit Union volunteer.

Whole Kids FoundationWhole Kids Foundation is accepting applications for its School Garden

Grant Program. The annual program is designed to support school garden projects designed to help students learn about complex topics such as nutrition and health, sustainability and conservation, food systems, and community awareness. Garden projects may be at any stage of development (planning, construction, or operation). Click here for more information on Whole Kids Foundation or contact the Grants and Recognitions Department at 210-397-8562.

Photo credit: Warren HS Journalism