School & Family Magazine Newstand Northwest ISD Winter 2017-18 | Page 5

Northwest
Teamwork | Pride | Excellence
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
Every day is a blessing in
Northwest ISD
By Dr. Ryder Warren
Superintendent of Schools
Blessed. If I could sum up how I feel, I would say that I feel blessed.
The more than 23,000 students we work with every day are our biggest
blessings. We are also blessed with more than 3,000 staff members – led
by our phenomenal classroom teachers. And we cannot forget the parents,
caregivers, and community members who truly make Northwest ISD
special. Thank you for all that you do to support our schools and
our children.
As our mission states, we are striving to prepare all students to be successful, productive citizens – well-balanced
citizens of integrity who contribute to society. I’m amazed to see our students’ efforts as they work to help others
through food drives, coat drives, and just the overall culture of support and caring.
I appreciate our NISD families and local communities for serving as role models. From volunteering in our schools
to financially supporting efforts such as the Northwest ISD Education Foundation, we have a network of parents,
businesses and community members who are making a difference in our district and in students’ lives.
The outpouring of support we received for the NISD Angel Tree program this holiday season was incredible, and I’m
extremely grateful for our students, staff, families, and community members who are making this holiday season a
little brighter for those less fortunate.
Every day I witness people who see a need and find a way to help, and that is the type of citizens we are hoping to
shape in our schools. I hope you enjoy reading about Jakayla Dixon, a young entrepreneur at Eaton High School who
is leading fellow students at Feel the Color, a company that makes clothing tags for the blind. She recognized a need
and developed a way to make a difference through the learning experiences provided in our Business Management
and Entrepreneurship Academy.
Preparing students to be college and career ready means much more than preparing students for success inside
the classroom. It means preparing students – all of our students – to succeed in life. Northwest ISD students have
many opportunities to learn and prepare for their future. Inside this edition, you will learn how students at Steele
Accelerated High School (among other schools) are earning Microsoft certifications, and I’m pleased to share that
over 2,000 NISD students have earned certifications and licenses over the last 12 months. In addition, students have
also earned 2,088 college hours through our high school career pathways and academies.
We are also blessed that these future-ready opportunities are available to all children. In an effort to increase the
academic success of all students and to ensure an equal opportunity to participate, our staff is making a concerted
effort to make sure that all students are aware of the licensing and career options provided through our 27 college and
career opportunities.
Northwest ISD has a supportive community, dedicated and loving staff, and hardworking students. Thank you for the
positive impact you make on our students and community through your example and support. We are blessed as a
district, and I am blessed to be a part of Northwest ISD.
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