Welcome Military Families
Northside Independent School District (NISD) welcomes our military families! We support our military students and families to help ease the challenges they face due to deployment and relocation. This page was created to provide you with valuable information.
NISD welcomes military students and families who have been transferred to a local military installation. Parents or guardians who a dependent is a current or former member of the United States military, Texas National Guard, or reserve force in the United States military or who were dependent of a member of the United States military, Texas National Guard, or reserve force in the United States military who was killed in the line of duty.
Counseling Services
Counseling Services supports all students in the NISD community by providing counseling for academic, emotional, and personal development. We focus on each student's potential for growth.
Career and Technical Education (CTE)
Students in Northside’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs spend much of their time learning through a hands-on approach that prepares students for occupations and further study. CTE programs are available in middle and high school and in many career areas of interest to students.
New to Northside Quicklinks
Programs
Counseling Support Groups
Because children experience a variety of concerns at different ages, Northside Independent School District offers school counseling services to all children in grades Kindergarten through 12. The purpose of school counseling is to help children make maximum use of their educational experience. Schools offer different kinds of groups to help children with the following topics: self-esteem, decision-making skills, coping and life skills, peer pressure resistance strategies, and social relationships. In particular, to help support our military children, many schools offer a small group called “We Serve Too.”
Clubs
Military pride clubs are established in several Northside schools with many military children. The focus is providing military children and their families an opportunity to socialize with other students/families with similar concerns.
Counselor Training
The Northside ISD Guidance Department offers additional training opportunities for counselors about the specific needs that military children face. This counselor training also teaches specific strategies/techniques that can be used when working with military children.
Military Children and Family Task Force
The Northside ISD Guidance and Counseling Department formed a task force of school counselors who meet several times a year specifically to discuss current military concerns and any resources available to our military families.
Curriculum
The NISD Guidance and Counseling Department developed a book bag filled with children’s books and curriculum specifically designed to target handling change (i.e., deployment, moves, loss, and coping). Counselors use this book bag as a resource to develop guidance lessons, small group sessions, and individual sessions.
Parenting Sessions
Northside provides many parent education opportunities throughout the district.
Events
Many Northside schools sponsor military events 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
Northside service projects supporting military causes include Cup of Joe for a Joe, Linus Project, Fisher House, and Wounded Warriors.
Resources
Blue Star Families mission is to Support. Connect. Empower-for military families by military families
Build a Sign provides one free sign to welcome your hero home. You only pay for shipping
Camp C.O.P.E. is designed to help young heroes cope with the effects of war and deployments
Find care and services for your children, adults, pets and for your home using care.com
The Comfort Crew for Military Kids helps with support for the social and emotional resiliency of military kids
Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress has resources and articles for military families
Fisher House Foundation provides housing when you have a service member hospitalized for injury, illness or disease
American Gold Star Mothers Inc. is an organization of mothers who have lost a son or daughter in the service of our country
Gold Star Wives of America Inc. provides support for widows/ widower of service members who died on active duty
The American Legion is the nation's largest veterans service organization, committed to mentoring youth
Love and Logic has resources for parenting/raising responsible children
Screening for Mental Health is a resource for mental health tools
Military's Interstate Children's Compact Commission includes the Interstate Compact
Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) Resources for military families
National Military Family Association provides free camps for children in military families
Military Impacted Schools Association serves school districts with a high concentration of military children
Military One Source has free books, DVDs, resources, handouts, etc.
Military Officers Association of America provides financial assistance for students who are children of former, current or retired military
National Resource Directory connects Service members, veterans, and their families with support
Clarity Child Guidance Center strives to educate the community, parents, professionals, and leaders about mental illness
Operation Military Kids provides support for children and youth impacted by deployment
Operation We are Here has resources for military families
Our Military Kids provides grants for the children of National Guard/Military Reserve who are currently deployed
American Red Cross provides emergency aid and support for military families
Sitter City Military Program provides child care programs for military families
Student2Student Program (S2S) is a student-led, faculty-advised program that aims to care for new students. The S2S program offers military and civilian students opportunities to build friendships and introduces them to their new community. It provides fun ways for new students to connect with other students, build new peer-to-peer groups, and encourage new students to perform better in school.
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)
Tutor.com has online tutoring and homework help
United Through Reading helps parents record reading books online/via video/tape recorder to be sent to their child
USO Transition 360 Alliance is an initiative to help U.S. Military personnel and their families transition back into civilian life after service ends
The Trevor Romain Company has DVDs and curriculum for military families
Joint Base San Antonio School Liaison
Dianna L. Fryer is the School Liaison Program Manager for JBSA-Lackland, San Antonio, TX. She connects schools, families, and communities to meet the unique needs of PreK-12 military-connected students by serving as the installation point of contact for all local military child education matters. By working with local schools and other agencies, Ms. Fryer cultivates communication pathways between families, schools, community stakeholders, and the military. She also customizes real-time solutions for military-connected students facing transitional barriers and educational gaps by staying connected with agencies that provide education services to our military-connected families.
Dianna Fryer, JBSA-Lackland
Email: dianna.fryer@us.af.mil
Office: 210-671-8388
Cell: 210-850-5737
Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC)
View essential digital resources for students, parents, education professionals, and influencers in multiple formats: videos, webinars, and downloadable documents.
Welcome to Health Careers High School military families! As you navigate your deployment or relocation to our district, we aim to provide you with as much support as possible. As you serve our country, our mission is to serve you. This webpage was created to provide you with valuable information to assist with your transition to our campus.
Enrollment and Registration
We are excited to welcome you to Health Careers High School (HCHS), a Northside Independent School District Magnet High School for students interested in the health sciences. Incoming 9th and 10th-grade students must apply for a spot to enroll at HCHS. The application for prospective 9th-grade students typically opens in December each year. For prospective 10th-grade students, the application becomes available on or around April 15th of each year.
Applicants who may have missed their respective deadline and still wish to apply may contact Principal Jay Sumpter at jay.sumpter@nisd.net or (210) 397-5403.
For questions about our application process, please contact Johnny Martinez at juan.martinez@nisd.net or (210) 397-5404.
If you’ve been accepted to Health Careers High School and are ready to begin the enrollment process, click the enrollment button or reach out to our Registrar, Gloria Macias, at gloria.benavidezmacias@nisd.net or (210) 397-5408.
Documents Required for Registration
The following documents may be uploaded directly into the online registration system or brought to the school so that copies can be made.
- Child’s Social Security Card (optional)
- Parents’/guardians’ driver’s license
- An original certified copy of the child’s birth certificate
- An up-to-date immunization record
- Proof of residency:
- A current or prior month’s utility bill; or
- A sales, lease, or rental contract; or
- A notarized Affidavit of Residence (AOR) form (en Español)
Relocation Information
At Health Careers High School (HCHS), there are many ways for students and families to engage with us. In addition to engaging all our students in rich academics focused on meaningful applications of medical knowledge and skills, we offer a variety of student supports, extracurricular opportunities, and ways to get involved around campus. Embedded in our vision is our belief that our students grow in compassion, integrity, and excellence when they are meaningfully and intentionally involved with in and out-of-classroom enrichment activities. This section highlights various aspects of daily life at HCHS that students and families should know.
Jay Sumpter, Principal
- Email: jay.sumpter@nisd.net
- Phone: (210) 397-5403
Johnny Martinez, Principal’s Secretary
- Email: juan.martinez@nisd.net
- Phone: (210) 397-5404
Gloria Benavidez Macias, Registrar
- Email: gloria.benavidezmacias@nisd.net
- Phone: (210) 397-5408
Claudia De Leon (Head Counselor & Counselor for students with last names S-Z)
- Email: claudia.deleon@nisd.net
- Phone: (210) 397-5407
Rose Mary Hernandez (Counselor for students with last names Herr - R)
- Email: rosemary.hernandez@nisd.net
- Phone: (210) 397-5432
Kimothy Riley (Military Family Liaison & Counselor for students with last names A - Hern)
- Email: kimothy.riley@nisd.net
- Phone: (210) 397-5409
Denise Orozco, College, Career, and Military Advisor
- Email: denise.orozco@nisd.net
- Phone: (210) 397-5440
Please note: Transportation is typically provided to students residing within the NISD boundaries. If you have additional transportation questions, you may contact Assistant Principal Ms. Ramos at (210) 397-5406 or delisa.ramos@nisd.net
- Mu Alpha Theta (Math Honor Society): peer tutoring for students needing additional help with any math topic
- See Ms. Atsalis in room 238 or email her at alyona.atsalis@nisd.net
- See Ms. Atsalis in room 238 or email her at alyona.atsalis@nisd.net
- HCHS Tutoring Club: in-person, on campus, peer tutoring on any subject
- Peer tutors meet every Monday and Thursday from 4:20 to 5:30 PM in room 135. Reach out to Ms. Bedolla at brigitte.bedolla@nisd.net with any questions
- Peer tutors meet every Monday and Thursday from 4:20 to 5:30 PM in room 135. Reach out to Ms. Bedolla at brigitte.bedolla@nisd.net with any questions
- Northside Independent School District Online Tutoring: virtual (online) tutoring by NISD teachers in most subjects
- Health Careers students can access NISD-certified teachers in most subjects by accessing the following:
- Schoology
- HAC
- MyNISD Portal
- Health Careers students can access NISD-certified teachers in most subjects by accessing the following:
- Tutor.com: 24/7 online/virtual tutoring for US Military Families
3,000+ rigorously vetted tutors are available in more than 150+ subjects, including Spanish offerings in math, science, social studies, writing, study skills, and parent coaching.
Parents interested in learning more about or joining our Parent-Teacher-Student Association can contact PTSA President Deepti Sharan at momto.aai@gmail.com.
Once enrolled with us at Health Careers High School, students from outside of the Northside Independent School District will have their records requested by our Registrar via TREx (for Texas residents). Students transferring to HCHS from out of state will have their records manually requested by our Registrar.
For students enrolling at Health Careers High School (HCHS) from within the Northside Independent School District, the current school will send your academic records directly to us at the end of the academic year. Families should ensure their campus School Counselor or Registrar knows they have been accepted and enrolled at HCHS.
Academic Planning
Click here to be taken to the Texas Education Agency website for more information on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. The Health Careers Military Family Liaison will gladly assist you with any questions or concerns.
The Interstate Compact is in place in all 50 states to ensure:
- Smooth transitions from "Sending State" to "Receiving State"
- Graduation requirement support
- Transfer of educational and enrollment records
- Eligibility for enrollment
- Placement and Attendance
For more information, visit the Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission (MIC3) website: www.mic3.net
Counseling and Support Services
Northside Independent School District Mental Health Community Resources
Counseling services with JBSA Military & Family Readiness Centers
- Military & Family Life Counselors (MFLCs) are licensed professionals who provide confidential situational, problem-solving counseling. No written records are kept, and it is free to active duty military and their family members.
- Call to schedule an appointment:
- JBSA-Fort Sam Houston: 210-421-9387
- JBSA-Lackland: 210-984-1076 or 210-238-5528
- JBSA-Randolph: 210-744-4829 or 210-996-4037
- Call to schedule an appointment:
Military One Source
Military OneSource from the Defense Department is your 24/7 gateway to trusted information, resources, and confidential help. When MilLife happens, it’s your “first line of support” — giving service members and military families tools to stay well and thrive.
Military Kids Connect
The award-winning Military Kids Connect (MKC) website helps children (6-17) prepare for the challenges of military life, including significant family transitions. They provide psychological support and coping skills to handle the stressors of military life.
Military Child Education Coalition
The Military Child Education Coalition provides a wealth of information and resources for military children affected by mobility, family separation, and transition.
Health Careers High School Military Family Liaison
Kimothy Riley
Professional School Counselor
Email: kimothy.riley@nisd.net
Phone: (210) 397-5409
Health Careers High School (HCHS) is a magnet high school within the Northside Independent School District. HCHS attracts students all over Bexar County who are interested in pursuing careers in various health professions. We have a 2023-24 enrollment of 915 students, which includes 81 military-connected students. We are a community that understands and values your service to our nation and we are honored to serve you and your family here at Health Careers High School.
The Military Family Liaison (MFL) is recognized as a school campus's dedicated professional focused on advocating for the social, emotional, academic, and extracurricular needs of military parents, families, and military-affiliated students. The MFL's major duties and responsibilities include:
- Integrates the military-affiliated child into the campus
- Serves as the point of contact for military-connected students and their families
- Collaborates with military-connected students, their families, and the campus to ensure student success
- Maintains familiarity with enrollment processes, records transfer, existing community resources, and student supports
- Ensures military-connected students are identified and properly coded through the Texas Student Data System Public Education Information Management System (TSDS PEIMS)
- Determines campus-based supports and services available to military-connected students based on their unique needs, including their high mobility
- Assists in coordinating campus-based programs relevant to military-connected students
- Attends professional development or training annually to learn and understand topics related to the transition of military-connected students and their families
- Offers professional development opportunities for staff members on issues related to military-connected students
For more information, please contact Health Careers High School's MFL Kimothy Riley at:
Email: kimothy.riley@nisd.net
Phone: (210) 397-5409