Keeping Up with Comm Arts
~ November 11, 2025 ~
Podcasting
Our first year broadcast journalist, Jude Rogers, invited NISD Superintendent Dr. John Craft to be a guest speaker on his podcast! Jude conducted an interview-style podcast with Dr. Craft by asking him questions gathered from students, teachers, principals, and counselors across the district. We even got Dr. Craft's autograph! Way to go, Jude!
Mathletes
Comm Arts students competed in the Mathletes competition last weekend at Roosevelt High School.
As a team, they secured 2nd place. Individually, Shelby Goggin placed 2nd, Brooke Stewart came in 3rd, Arianna Sabogal took 4th place, and Erika Mitchell placed 10th.
Congratulations to all and great job!
Get your coffee!
BSU Book Drive
Math National Honor Society
There is a new organization at Taft open to 10th-12th-grade students currently enrolled in a college-level math course. Mu Alpha Theta, or Math National Honor Society, is a new honor organization open to both Communications Arts and Taft. If you are interested, pick up an application and talk to Mr. Zarate in A370, or email him at manuel.zarate@nisd.net.
Dual Credit Night
Senior Cap & Gown
Junior Class Rings
Attendance Recovery
Students, please ensure you keep up with your grades and attendance. You can use HAC to count your absences or email Ms. Lewis for an attendance report. Remember that with your 9th absence, you will owe AR for the fall semester.
Deadline to complete AR is December 19th.
Varsity Tutors
Students, you can find a new tutoring support system in your NISD portal.
Varsity Tutoring offers:
- 24/7 On-Demand Chat Tutoring (including AP courses)
- On-Demand Essay Review
- Live Enrichment Classes
- Test Prep Classes (ACT, SAT, GED, etc), Academic Classes (study halls, algebra bootcamps, etc) and Enrichment Classes (languages, robotics, chess, etc)
Don't forget to check it out!
There is always something to be grateful for.
As the season of thanksgiving approaches, we are reminded that the small moments of our day-to-day interactions with our CAHS students and community members are valuable, powerful, and appreciated. We are grateful for the opportunity to be part of your journey.
Please enjoy this short video about the power of gratitude and the science behind it.
College Connections
If you have applied to one of the Alamo Colleges, the next step is to log into your ACES account and complete modules. They are coming to assist with that on November 12th! Sign up here to attend. You can also sign up if you missed the first one and want to start your Alamo Colleges application.
Jack C. Jordan Scholarship
NISD Council of PTAs offers a $1,000 scholarship to one high school senior from each Northside ISD high school PTSA, who will be enrolled full-time in an accredited college or university or a technical institute in the summer or fall semester immediately following applicant’s high school graduation.
Through our scholarship program, Northside ISD Council of PTAs works to support students who are focused on achieving career goals through higher education. In evaluating each application, the Scholarship Committee will also consider service and participation in school activities, community involvement and scholastic merit.
Application deadline is Friday, November 14, 2025 at midnight.
Applicant must use a NON SCHOOL ISSUED EMAIL ADDRESS. NO EXCEPTIONS.
For more information: https://nisdpta.wordpress.com/programs-events/jack-c-jordan-scholarship/
BigFuture Ambassador
Here are their links:
- Jessai - BigFuture - JessaiAmbassadorLink
- Adrian - BigFuture - AdrianAmbassadorLink
You can use these links to explore post-secondary plans as well as other information related to college and scholarships.
Nov 2025
Dec 2025
Personal Communication Device Policy
We would like to remind everyone of our No Personal Communication Device Policy during school hours. This includes cell phones, earbuds, smartwatches, and similar devices. This policy was implemented to comply with Texas House Bill 1481 and to support a focused and distraction-free learning environment.
However, we understand the importance of technology in education. Therefore, students are allowed to bring and use personal laptops for classwork, note-taking, and other academic activities as directed by their teachers. Content specific technology such as an Adobe equipped iPad for an Animation course will also be allowed while in that class. Like all other devices previously mentioned, they will not be allowed during passing periods, lunch periods or in non-applicable courses and academic activities.
Please ensure that laptops are used responsibly and only for educational purposes during school hours. Misuse will result in loss of this privilege. Devices including cell phones must be powered off and kept in student's backpacks.
Thank you for your cooperation in helping us maintain a productive and respectful learning environment.
Attendance Matters
The Texas Compulsory Attendance Law states that students between the ages of 6 and 19 are subject to the Texas Compulsory Attendance Laws.
Let's start with how it affects a student's academics. The Law states that a student must be in attendance 90% of the class time offered to receive credit for a course. In Northside, we have a calendar that shows 174 days of school for the 25/26 school year. This equates to 17 absences in a full-year course before attendance recovery is required or a student loses credit, regardless of their grade. For a semester course, we have 87 days in the fall, which allows for 9 absences, and 87 days in the spring, which allows 9 absences before attendance recovery is required or a student loses credit, regardless of their grade. Remember, when considering the 90% rule and its impact on gaining credit, both excused and unexcused absences count.
A student who is absent more than 75% of the class time will no longer be eligible for attendance recovery and will need to retake the course to earn the credit. This equates to 22 absences per semester.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email cahs.attendance@nisd.net.
Here Comes the Bus
Safety
As a safety reminder, NISD does not allow food deliveries for students or faculty/staff members. Additionally, all students, faculty, and staff must wear their school IDs on campus for safety.
Here is the link for more information: Safety First, 2025-2026
Additionally, any visitors to campus will need to apply and pass a background check. This does need to be completed every year. It will not roll over. Here is the link to the background check: https://www.nisd.net/community/volunteer-mentor
If you notice anything unusual or a potential safety concern throughout the school year, please contact the NISD Safeline. The Safeline is anonymous and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Phone number: 210-397-7233
Email: safe@nisd.net
