Nacogdoches Independent School District

Forty-six students from Emeline Carpenter Elementary and Fredonia Elementary schools came together Tuesday, May 21, for a Girls Empowerment Banquet at the Fredonia Hotel.

Nacogdoches High School’s Class of 2019 has received scholarship offers and military contracts totaling $4,897,475.

Dragons United is an affiliate of the United Schools Special Olympics initiative. Fifty special needs students, assisted by dozens of their Nacogdoches High School general education peers, participated in 12 events spread around on the turf of Dragon Stadium.

Nacogdoches ISD will provide free meals this summer for children ages 1 to 18 at a number of locations throughout the city.

LEARN ABOUT YOUR CHILD’S TEST SCORE IN THE STAAR REPORT CARD Every student who takes the STAAR test receives a STAAR Report Card

The Nacogdoches High School symphonic band along with both bands from Mikes Moses and McMichael middle schools will perform at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, at the William Turner Auditorium at Stephen F. Austin State University. The NHS concert band and NISD sixth-grade beginner band will perform at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 23, also at the William Turner Auditorium.

Sixth- and seventh-graders will get a chance to participate next week. Seventh-graders and their projects will be on display at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, May 23, and sixth-graders will show off their projects at 2:30 p.m. Friday, May 24.

On Saturday, May 18th Nacogdoches High School – National Honor Society will host its 3rd Annual CLEAR THE SHELTER! Clear the Shelter is an adoption event that will take place at the Nacogdoches Animal Shelter from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Dragon’s United takes place 9 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, May 22, at Nacogdoches High School. Dragons United is an affiliate of the United Schools Special Olympics initiative.

Josh Roy’s project, “Photodegradation of Hydrocarbons,” was recognized in March by the U.S. Metric Association for best use of the international system of units

Sam Jacobs is busy. The Nacogdoches High School junior is a member of the drum line for the Golden Dragons Marching Band (one of 10 instruments Sam can play) and is heavily involved in career and technical courses at NHS, part of his full schedule of classes. Now Jacobs is about to be even more on the go. Last month he was elected as Texas vice president of the Technology Students Association, a statewide organization that promotes students engaged in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. It’s the first time a student from NHS has been elected as a statewide officer with TSA, said CTE instructor James Mason. In April, 26 TSA students from Nacogdoches High School finished third overall as a team at the state competition in Fort Worth. Jacobs was one of four NHS students winning first place with projects displayed at the conference. It was in Fort Worth where Jacobs won election as vice president. His victory came a year after falling short in an attempt to be elected as secretary of the statewide organization. “I learned from those mistakes,” said Jacobs. He completed a written candidate statement beforehand then worked the state conference to secure support for his candidacy. As vice president, Jacobs will work with other officers to plan the TSA State Leadership Conference that takes place next fall. The 2019-2020 officers will also work towards the state conference for next spring, when the next election and competition will take place. “It’s an incredible honor for Samuel to be elected to statewide office with TSA,” said Nacogdoches High School Principal Dr. Rom Crespo. “We’re extremely proud of him along with the entire TSA program at our school.” Jacobs targeted statewide leadership early. “When I joined TSA, the first thing I did was go to the state leadership conference,” he said. “Seeing the officers on stage conducting the general conference really appealed to me. I wanted to be one of the guys up on the stage.” This summer, Jacobs and TSA students from NHS will attend the 2019 National Conference in Fort Washington, Md. Jacobs still has his senior year to go at NHS, but he’s locked in on what’s next. He plans to obtain a degree in mechanical engineering at Texas A&M, be a member of the school’s Corps of Cadets then be commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army. In fact, he’s already joined the U.S. Army Reserve. “I’m starting early,” Jacobs said, “and getting a head start before I go to college.” Mason, a CTE teacher at NHS, praises Jacob’s work. “His projects are top of the line,” he said.

Four Nacogdoches High School students won first place in competitions last month at the Technology Students Association state conference.

This week, May 6-10, is celebrated as Teacher Appreciation Week. Teachers change the lives of millions of children every day, and their work and impact extends far beyond the classroom.

On April 10, the dance team competed at the South West Teacher’s Association of Performing Arts State Championship Drill Team and Dance Competition, winning first place in Drill Team, Hip Hop, and Lyrical, won an Overall Championship Award and the Highest Score for the Twirling and Drill Team Competition including a cash prize of $100.

Nacogdoches ISD held its annual teacher job fair Saturday, April 27, in the cafeteria of McMichael Middle School.

Students in Grades 3-5 at NISD elementary campuses gathered in the library at Nacogdoches High School for the annual literary contest that attracts some of the more prolific readers from each school. Team members pushed buttons that set off a light for the chance to answer questions first.

Nacogdoches Independent School District is hosting its annual district-wide Cultural Celebration, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, May 2, at McMichael Middle School, 4330 SE Stallings Dr. This event will provide opportunities to increase school and parent engagement and community outreach

Nacogdoches ISD Board of Trustees adopted the 2019-2020 instructional calendar during a meeting Thursday, April 18.

Veronica Jones has been named Elementary Teacher of the Year for Nacogdoches ISD, and Becky Martin was selected Secondary Teacher of the Year.

Volunteer readers fanned out across Nacogdoches ISD Monday morning as part of Texas Reads One Book. Third-graders in NISD, along with fellow students around Texas, have started reading “Friendship According to Humphrey” by author Betty G. Birney. Through an exclusive video cast featuring guest reader Jason Garrett, coach of the Dallas Cowboys, students read the first chapter before guest readers from the Nacogdoches community read the second chapter. Copies of “Friendship According to Humphrey" were presented to all NISD third-graders.

A remarkable video series from a champion of public education. Created to inspire and empower your staff, inform and engage the public.

Nacogdoches ISD will hold pre-K and kindergarten registration for the 2019-20 school year 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., April 17.

With the clock ticking, Kevin Venegas had to run down a suspect, identify him from others milling around the area then make a safe arrest, all the while keeping himself and bystanders out of harm’s way.

April is School Library Month, an opportunity to recognize and celebrate school librarians and their programs.

During his Huddle Time town hall-style meeting Tuesday, Nacogdoches ISD interim Superintendent Alton Frailey provided an update on construction projects funded by passage last year of a $77.9 million bond.

Third-graders in Nacogdoches ISD, along with fellow students around Texas, will begin reading “Friendship According to Humphrey” by author Betty G. Birney April 15 as part of Texas Reads One Book. Through an exclusive video cast featuring guest reader Jason Garrett, coach of the Dallas Cowboys, students will read the first chapter of the book in class. Guest readers from the Nacogdoches community will then pick up from there and read the second chapter to the students.

Nacogdoches ISD students begin taking the 2019 STAAR exams (State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness) this week and will continue taking the tests periodically through the middle of May.

Nacogdoches ISD interim Superintendent Alton Frailey will hold another “Huddle Time” meeting at 6 p.m., Tuesday, April 2, at Nacogdoches County Exposition & Civic Center, 3805 NW Stallings Dr.

Nicholas Bacarisse was the top finisher at the combined East Texas and Piney Woods Chapters competition last month in MATHCOUNTS.

Nacogdoches ISD has a teacher job fair set for 9 to 11 a.m., Saturday, April 27, in the cafeteria of McMichael Middle School.

Letter to parents and staff from Dr. Rom Crespo, NHS Principal.

"Dedication” is the word Nacogdoches High School debate coach Veronica York keeps coming back to when describing Stuart Beal and Fariha Sultana. The pair will represent NHS March 22-23 at the state CX Debate competition in Austin after winning the regional competition held last month at Stephen F. Austin State University.

Rodeo time in Nacogdoches is coming up, and we’re giving staff and students a chance to celebrate. In honor of the Nacogdoches Pro Rodeo & Steer Show, set for March 21-23, which is spring break here in Nacogdoches, NISD’s Rodeo Day is planned for Friday, March 15.

Nacogdoches High School STEM Academy seniors sent seven of eight science fair projects on to state, and Josh Roy won the best overall award at the East Texas Regional Science and Engineering Fair March 1 at Kilgore College.

Nacogdoches ISD elementary students took part Saturday, March 2, in the district’s Academic UIL Competition held at McMichael Middle School.

Chloe Camacho is the first female lifter from Nacogdoches High School to qualify for the state power powerlifting meet.

Two Nacogdoches High School cosmetology students earned berths in the state competition during the district meet held Feb. 14-16 in Beaumont and Port Arthur.

English Language Arts/Spanish Language Arts instructional materials recommended for adoption, relating to Proclamation 2019, will be available for viewing at Nacogdoches ISD on April 1, 2019.

Nacogdoches ISD campuses Brooks-Quinn Jones Elementary, Emeline Carpenter Elementary and Fredonia Elementary are hosting a Parent Academy 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 9.

Darren Allman has agreed to be the next head football coach and athletic director for Nacogdoches High School. Allman most recently was Executive Director of Athletics at Carroll ISD in Southlake, but before that, he was head football coach at Austin Westlake and Odessa Permian, two of Texas’ storied high school programs

The organization will mark another Black History Month program at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22, when the curtain goes up on “An Evening at the Movies” in the NHS auditorium.

Nacogdoches High School junior Jackson Castleberry finished seventh in the 100-yard freestyle at the Class 5A Swimming and Diving Meet Saturday in Austin.

Alyssa Romine is one of two students in Texas to receive this year’s Taylor Marceau Scholarship. Alyssa is a 2018-19 graduate of Malcolm Rector Technical High School.

Nacogdoches High School’s Students of Color is putting on “An Evening At The Movies: A Black History Program,” at 7 p.m. Friday in the campus auditorium.

The Nacogdoches Dragons and Lufkin Panthers will meet at 6 p.m. Friday in a winner-take-all district playoff to determine the 16-5A champion. The game will be held at Nacogdoches High School.

The children’s author and illustrator is spending the week in Nacogdoches, appearing at all six NISD elementary campuses and both middle schools.

Fredonia Elementary School third-, fourth- and fifth-graders were ready to cast their ballots last month at the Bluebonnet Book Voting held in the campus library. Other NISD elementary campuses voting in the campaign included Emeline Carpenter, Brooks-Quinn-Jones, Thomas J. Rusk and Raguet.

The student council at the campus is creating handmade Valentines cards for veterans living in the Nacogdoches area.

National School Counseling Week is Feb. 4-8, and Nacogdoches ISD wants to recognize its own group of dedicated, caring professionals who go above and beyond what’s required for our students, staff and community.

Five Nacogdoches High School swimmers are bound for the Class 5A Swimming and Diving State Meet Feb. 15-16 in Austin.

Fifty-one students from McMichael Middle School represented nine countries Jan. 17-18 at the Region 7 Model United Nations Competition (Session 1) held at Stephen F. Austin State University.

It was a send-off fit for champions. The District 17-5A champion Nacogdoches Dragons swim team left for College Station in style early Friday for the regional swim meet.

Students at Brooks-Quinn-Jones Elementary School may be too young to know precisely what they want to do with their lives. But they got a chance Friday to see what’s available during BQJ’s annual Career Day.

Black History Month celebrations in Nacogdoches ISD begin this week.

Nacogdoches High School asked for help with its burgeoning mentorship program, and the community responded.

Three Model United Nations teams from Nacogdoches High School earned hardware Saturday during the competition held at Stephen F. Austin State University. Model UN allows students to simulate roles as delegates to the United Nations from a particular nation and serve as representatives of that country's policies. The simulation educates students about current events, topics in international relations, diplomacy and the agenda of the United Nations.

Big words and elaborate costumes were, well… “ubiquitous” Thursday during Thomas J. Rusk Elementary School’s Spelling Bee. And, by the way, “ubiquitous” was the winning word for “Only 3 members, not FORE!,” the golf-themed team sponsored by Etech.

Nacogdoches Independent School District will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m., Jan. 24, 2019, for discussion of the district’s 2017-18 Texas Academic Performance Report. The hearing will take place at the NISD District Support Center at 420 S. Shawnee St. in Nacogdoches. The public hearing will be held during the district’s board of trustees meeting and will be an opportunity for public comment on the report.

The Golden Retriever was at Nacogdoches High School by 7 a.m., getting his fur brushed by 7:30 and shampooed before 9, all part of the ag department’s Doggie Day Spa.

Thirty rabbits being raised by NHS ag students are biding their time in the greenhouse until a trip in March to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

January is School Board Recognition Month, and Nacogdoches ISD will join the Texas Association of School Boards and other districts across the state to honor the countless contributions of these locally elected advocates for Texas schoolchildren and public schools.

The Community Spelling Bee at Thomas J. Rusk Elementary School returns next week where teams from businesses and organizations will get a chance to “spell it out” on stage.

UPDATE: Because of rain, the planned start of construction on widening Austin Street between Raguet and North streets has been delayed until Monday, Jan. 7.

Examples of a century’s worth of education technology can be found on the wall in Teresa Garcia’s fourth-grade classroom at Thomas J. Rusk Elementary School.

NHS students and staff are preparing to ring in the holiday season with various performances. See this year's upcoming holiday events below:

Magnets repel and attract, depending upon how the poles are aligned, a lesson young students regularly learn in school.

Seven Nacogdoches High School students and an NHS graduate made their own impression earlier this month at the National Council of Teachers of English.

Voters in NISD, “thank you!” so much for supporting the district’s $77.9 million bond proposal.

Nacogdoches High School juniors and seniors visited with representatives from colleges and universities on Wednesday, Nov. 14, at the NHS College Fair. Also on hand were representatives from the branches of the military. NHS students were let out of class to attend the college fair, which was also open to parents. Surrounding school districts were invited to the college fair, and many sent their juniors and seniors. Students could meet one-on-one with college reps about degree plans and career paths.

There will be a send-off Friday afternoon for the Nacogdoches High School Golden Dragons Football Team. The Dragons play Huntsville Friday night in a bi-district playoff. We are asking for parents, students, NISD staff and the Nacogdoches community to come out and help send-off the players and coaches.

Nicolas Upshaw has a lot of interests… videography, computer science and engineering, just to name a few. And next summer, the Nacogdoches High School junior will get to expand his knowledge in those areas with a trip to a technology forum in Georgia.

The Novel Engineering program at Raguet is in its first year. Sherry Howard with Nacogdoches-based NIBCO Inc. has been attending Raguet’s Jill Waller Memorial Gallery of Magnificent Minds and wrote a grant that she wanted to share with the community.

Laura Treadaway’s busy. With work, where she’s a 7th-grade special education resource teacher at McMichael Middle School, with after-school instruction, with music, where she plays with East Texas orchestras and teaches classes for young students in the Stephen F. Austin State University Music Prep Department.

Nacogdoches ISD interim Superintendent Alton Frailey held a Huddle Time Tuesday night at McMichael Middle School then joined a group of citizens that toured nearby Emeline Carpenter Elementary.

Nacogdoches High School’s Golden Dragon Marching Band posted straight 1s on Saturday at the Region 21 Marching Contest, earning another First Division rating.

Triston and Callie were two of 11 FFA members from Nacogdoches ISD landing slots in the premium sale.

The public is invited to a tour of Emeline Carpenter Elementary School at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 23, following “Huddle Time,” a town hall-style meeting planned that same night at 6 p.m. at McMichael Middle School, 4330 SE Stallings Dr.

The Homecoming game Oct. 5 served as the official debut for a new video board installed at Dragon Stadium. It replaces a scoreboard that was more than 30-years-old and tended to shut down when it rained.

Nacogdoches ISD interim Superintendent Alton Frailey will speak at a forum hosted by Nacogdoches Medical Center at 6 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 25. The forum is open to the public.

A student celebration of Nettie Marshall Academy of Dual Language’s 2018 National Blue Ribbon Award will be held at 7:30 a.m., Monday, Oct. 15. Parents and students are invited. There will also be a special parent celebration later that day at 5:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 15.

City of Nacogdoches, Stephen F. Austin State University and NISD are set to mark a 25-year relationship with sister cities in Japan, but it was a stroke of luck that got the whole thing going in the first place.

Empowering Parents, a program presented by Nacogdoches ISD Student Support Services and Bilingual Department, is a refreshing and relevant look at raising children in today’s busy world.

Twenty-four students from Nacogdoches High School will enter animals or projects in the 40th annual Pineywoods Fair that gets underway this week.

Nacogdoches ISD interim Superintendent Alton Frailey will hold another “Huddle Time” meeting at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 23, at McMichael Middle School, 4330 SE Stallings Dr. The Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce is coordinating the town hall-style meeting.

The Golden Dragon Marching Band, the majorettes, NHS Cheerleaders and Dragonettes were on downtown Tuesday afternoon for a Homecoming pep rally in Pilar Street behind the Charles Bright Visitors Center. Nacogdoches High School hosts the Lindale Eagles at 7:30 p.m. Friday for the annual homecoming football game.

Nacogdoches ISD Board of Trustees will appoint a Citizens Bond Review Committee later this month that will serve as another level of oversight and transparency on behalf of the community.

Nettie Marshall Academy of Dual Language is one of 349 National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2018. A school assembly is at 2:30pm today.

Nacogdoches High School’s Golden Dragon Marching Band will be joined by NHS cheerleaders and the Dragonettes drill team at 4:45 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 2, for a special downtown pep rally.

Nacogdoches ISD interim Superintendent Alton Frailey held a Huddle Time town hall-style meeting Tuesday at Emeline Carpenter Elementary School.

Nacogdoches will celebrate next month the 25-year anniversary of its long association with two Japanese communities.

The Nacogdoches Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution held its annual Constitution Day bell ringing this morning at the Old Nacogdoches University Building adjacent to Thomas J. Rusk Elementary School.

The instruction sounds the same, but the classroom – in this case, a large, automotive garage – is like few others at Nacogdoches High School.

Williams, a 10-year veteran educator in her first semester at NHS, will visit the small country located on the Arabian Peninsula Dec. 22 through Jan. 3, along with 14 other teachers from around the country as part of an educational tour arranged and funded by Qatar Foundation International and Global Exploration for Educators Organization (GEEO).

Nacogdoches ISD’s Ami Cecil was honored over the summer by the Texas Association of Parents and Educators for the Deaf as the 2018 Outstanding Teacher of the Deaf. She was recognized in July during the Statewide Conference for Education of The Deaf/Hard of Hearing.

Nacogdoches High School’s football team and marching band had a big opening night in Kilgore.

NISD police now operates out of a building located at 609 N. Mound St. near Thomas J. Rusk Elementary School.

Nacogdoches ISD buses typically run late on the first day of class as students and schools adjust to a new year. Please allow buses an additional 20 to 30 minutes in the afternoon before contacting the NISD transportation department. Also, an adult must be on hand at the bus stop for drop off of students age pre-K through second-grade.

Game times and locations have been changed for Thursday’s freshmen and junior varsity matchups between Nacogdoches High School and Lufkin High School

Nacogdoches ISD interim Superintendent Alton Frailey will be on a discussion panel Friday during the Urban Superintendents Academy Conference in Alexandria, Va.

NISD school supply lists for the 2018-2019 school year are ready!

Fredonia Elementary and Emeline Carpenter Elementary schools worked their way out of IR status during the past year when both campuses learned this week they had received “met standard” ratings from Texas Education Agency.

“Return of the Nac” is the mantra this year for Nacogdoches ISD. During Thursday’s convocation, interim Superintendent Alton Frailey said the district is already on the rebound and “great things” are happening all around us.

Registration for Nacogdoches ISD bus services continues from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Thursday, at the Transportation Department

Students at Emeline Carpenter and Fredonia Elementary schools will receive backpacks full of supplies.

Nacogdoches ISD welcomed first responders Friday, Aug. 10, for an appreciation breakfast at the NISD District Support Center.

New Nacogdoches ISD teachers kicked off the new school year Monday, Aug. 6, with orientation sessions held at McMichael Middle School.

Nacogdoches ISD police officers joined other area law enforcement agencies while holding an Advance Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) session.

Kylie Altier, a first-grade teacher at Nacogdoches ISD’s Brooks-Quinn-Jones Elementary, was named Wednesday as the Region 7 Elementary Teacher of the Year during a ceremony held at the Education Service Center in Kilgore.

A Facilities Steering Committee appointed earlier this month by Nacogdoches ISD trustees toured school district facilities Thursday, July 26.

Project SOS – or, Supply Our Schools – has kicked off its 2018 drive to benefit students across Nacogdoches County culminating with the annual “Fill the Bus” campaign on Friday, Aug. 3, at Walmart in Nacogdoches.

Nacogdoches ISD will officially welcome back teachers and staff from summer break during a convocation ceremony set for Aug. 16.

Dr. Daya D. Hill, Ed.D., was named Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Rom Crespo, Ed.D., was named principal at Nacogdoches High School, andDr. Joseph Rodriguez, Ed.D., was named Principal at Nettie Marshall Academy of Dual Language during Thursday’s Nacogdoches ISD Board of Trustees meeting.