Mustang Memo December

NSMS Family,

Where did the time go? It’s hard to believe we’re already nearing the end of the first semester! As we approach the holiday season, I hope we can take time to reflect on all we have to be grateful for and continue to foster a spirit of kindness and appreciation toward one another. The holiday season is the perfect time to remember the importance of treating others with respect and doing the right thing, values we strive to live by every day.

Final grades for the semester will be submitted on December 20th. We encourage all students to check their grades online and reach out to teachers if they have any missing work. If your child needs assistance with their work, please reach out to their teachers.

As we look ahead to the new year, I’d also like to remind everyone of the importance of regular attendance. Research shows that students who attend school consistently tend to achieve at higher levels. We understand that illness happens, but please help ensure your child attends school when they are able. Our students have been doing a great job with their attendance. Our attendance in the month of November was higher than it has been since prior to 2020. Remember, our automated calling system will notify you if your child misses any part of the school day. At the middle school level, we track attendance by each class period, so please remember that arriving late or leaving early may result in an absence for that period.

We’ve had a great year so far, and I am so proud of the hard work our students have put in. I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Brittany Rogers

Principal

Important Dates:

• December 5th - Family Night
• December 11th - 6-8 UIL District Meet in Karnes City
• December 12th - Picture Retakes
• December 13th - Intersession Check for Grades and Attendance
• December 13th - PBIS Bowl of Champions Field Trip
• December 18th - Middle School Winter Band Concert
• December 19th - NJHS & Student Council Field Trip to Texas Capitol
• December 19 & 20th - Intersession
• December 20th - End of the 1st Semester
• January 7th - Students Return to School & Report Cards Go Out

Thank you to all that were able to attend Family Night. It was a huge success! We love seeing our families engage in fun and meaningful activities together. I want to give a special thank you to all of the NSMS staff that was involved in Family Night, especially our teacher's assistants. The decorations, activities, and snacks were excellent and would not have been possible without you!

December 2024 Focus: Responsibility & Technology Use

Capturing Kids' Hearts Theme: Responsibility Focus: Helping students understand the importance of taking ownership of their thoughts, words, and actions. Find out more in the Capturing Kids Hearts Newsletter in English and Spanish.

ASCA Calendar Events: Inclusive Schools Week: December 2-6 National Handwashing Awareness Week: December 1-7

Parenting Tip: Set clear rules and boundaries for technology use, including screen time limits and guidelines for social media. Parents’ Guide to Cyberbullying

Student Tip: Be mindful of how much time you spend online. Balance screen time with other activities, like reading or playing outside, and always think before you post. Tips for Teens

Monthly Counseling Event: Holiday Diversity Garland

What We Will Do: Students will create paper garlands that represent different holidays celebrated in December. Each student will have the opportunity to share and learn about various cultural traditions. We will then decorate the classroom or hallway with these garlands to celebrate inclusivity and diversity.

UIL is an academic competition that NSMS students participate in against students from other schools in our UIL district. These activities are designed to motivate students, encourage students and to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of specific skills. Students are challenged to think critically, exhibiting much more than knowledge and comprehension. UIL also Improves student achievement and provides practical training for the future. Some of our 6th - 8th grade UIL teams have competed on campus at "in house" events and others will be attending the UIL meet in Karnes City on December 11th to compete in their events. 5th Grade competition will be in January.

5th Grade Lilly Johnson

Lilly is the Fifth Grade Student of the Month. She not only meets all the criteria (responsible, respectful, engaged, prideful, and safe), but exceeds our expectations on a daily basis! We appreciate Lilly's hard work and enthusiasm!

6th Grade Marcella Elizabeth Olalde

Elizabeth is a very serious student. She takes on challenges and does her very best every time. Elizabeth works very well with her peers and contributes to her group. She has made a lot of growth already since the start of school. Elizabeth takes pride in her work. She is very respectful to her teachers and fellow classmates. She is responsible and always has what she needs for class.

7th Grade Katrina Tovar

Katrina is a good student. She is dedicated and enthusiastic, and she's always eager to learn and engage in class. She demonstrates a strong work ethic, a positive attitude, and a genuine curiosity that inspires those around them. Katrina is a hard worker, and she always does what is asked of her. Her teachers are proud to recognize her as Student of the Month.

8th Grade Hartly Gaebler

Hartly is the 8th grade choice for student of the month. Hartly works hard in all her classes and does very well. She is attentive and focused when working. She is willing to learn and wants to succeed. She is responsible and dependable every day. Hartly is caring and is willing to help her peers. She balances her academics and her athletics and performs well in both. Hartly is a pleasure to have in the classroom.

Thank you to those that were able to make it out to our Thanksgiving meal. We are grateful for our staff that put together the cafeteria and the food for the families, children, and staff to enjoy. We hope to continue to have many more opportunities for your family to cherish with each other throughout the year.

To communicate with our teachers you can use the Rooms feature in our Nixon-Smiley App. This app will be for all teachers in our district. You should have received an email with a "magic code" for your child and instructions on how to create an account. Once you create an account, the video below will show you how to use the app. English Video. Spanish video. We will also post information on the Nixon-Smiley CISD Home of the Mustangs Facebook page and our district website. Please also check with your child daily about any important information that may have been sent home or communicated with them.

If you have a question or concern, please call us at (830) 582-1536, Ext 301. We are happy to set up Parent/Teacher conferences at your request either by phone or in person.

Email: rogersb@nixonsmiley.net
Website: www.nixonsmiley.net
Location: 800 North Rancho Road, Nixon, TX, USA
Phone: (830) 582-1536
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nixon-Smiley-CISD-Home-of-the-Mustangs--264506510244649
Twitter: @nixonsmileycisd