How San Antonio’s Northside ISD Supports Military Families

Veranda is home to a large network of military families, and because of this, it’s important that the school district reflects the needs of military family children.

Northside ISD recognizes the unique needs of these students and aims to support them through a multitude of initiatives. These initiatives include:

Counseling Support Groups

Although not limited to military families, counseling support groups can be a valuable resource to students as they navigate through feelings and obstacles.
In particular, to help support military children, many schools offer a small group called “We Serve Too.”

Clubs

In Northside ISD, military pride clubs are established in an effort to provide a space where military children and parents can connect with one another. This opportunity can help students relate to others in a similar situation.

Counselor Training

Northside ISD offers additional training to better serve the needs of military families. The NISD Guidance Department teaches specific strategies/techniques that can be used when working with military children.

Military Children and Family Task Force

Knowing that military families are important to the community, the Northside ISD Guidance and Counseling Department created a task force dedicated to these families and their concerns. This task force, made up of school counselors, meets several times a year to discuss current military concerns and any resources available to military families.

Curriculum

The NISD Guidance and Counseling Department created a backpack containing children's books and curriculum tailored to address managing change, such as deployment, relocation, loss, and coping. Counselors utilize this resource to craft guidance lessons, conduct small group sessions, and facilitate individual sessions.

Parenting Sessions

To guide parents through this unique situation, NISD provides a multitude of parent education opportunities. These sessions really show how Northside takes the extra step not only for the students but for parents as well.

Events

In a display of military pride, Northside ISD hosts many events throughout the year, such as Celebrate Freedom Week, Veterans Day Assemblies, Hall of Honor, Trevor Romain and the Comfort Crew, Salute Night, and Purple Up! Day.

Service Projects

In an effort to spread support for military families on a local & national level, NISD participates in service projects such as Cup of Joe for a Joe, Linus Project, Fisher House, and Wounded Warriors.

To learn more about Northside ISD’s military family initiatives, visit nisd.net