This week is National School Counseling Week, and we couldn't be more thrilled to celebrate our amazing counselors, Mrs. Martinez and Dr. Roselas! They pour their hearts into everything they do, making a huge impact on our students' success and well-being every day. Let's show them some love for all their hard work!

In honor of Black History Month, our BSU is hosting a Black History Month presentation (6:30 pm) on Monday, February 3rd. Join us in the Taft Auditorium for inspiring performances.

Wednesday, February 5th, is a Professional Learning Time for teachers. Because they will be in a meeting, there will be no tutoring before school.

**Date Change** This Friday, February 7th, the Comm Arts student body will take Panoramic pictures. The whole campus picture will be at 10:30 am, and the senior-only picture will be at 11:00 am. Students and parents, please plan accordingly. We love to have everyone in the picture. Order information can be found in this newsletter. Please make sure students adhere to the dress code. It was originally scheduled for Wednesday the 5th.

Students and parents, as the weather warms up, please remember to follow the dress code. If you have any questions, visit the front office.

Wednesday, January 29, a group of 26 Juniors and Seniors went to the Tobin Center to see their animation presented during a performance of The Queen's Cartoonists. The students created two-and-a-half-minute animations in less than three months to accompany music played by the band. It was a huge accomplishment, and we are so proud of them! Thank you to everyone who pitched in their talent!

Brooke Stewart won 1st place in Interviewing for Academic Decathlon and 4th place overall in a Speech. Congratulations and way to go!

Comm Arts students demonstrated their amazing presentation skills last week. Sophomores present their projects focusing on the success or failure of various assigned revolutions.

Northside ISD is committed to educating the whole child to include engaged learning and student academics, safety and security, social emotional development, and support for students, families, and staff. Therefore, we will be gathering input on student experiences in school. Students in grades 3-12 will be asked to participate in a survey.

Students who have developed knowledge and skills in social and emotional learning perform better academically. Students who are self aware, make good decisions, and can regulate their emotions have a better chance of thriving in school, career, and life. Students who can work collaboratively and communicate effectively are better able to harness their academic knowledge to perform in school. Collecting student survey feedback helps ensure educators are providing students with all necessary supports to achieve academic success.

NISD is utilizing surveys to inform practices around supporting students, teachers, and families. This information helps teachers plan targeted strategies and supports as needed. Results support skill development for whole classrooms, small groups, or individual students. This way, all students have the opportunity to build the skills needed to be successful in the classroom.

Students’ responses will provide invaluable insight into their experiences. District and school leaders will use their responses to better support the whole child and improve both our district and our schools.

Surveys will be administered during school on February 6, 2025. If you do not want your child to participate in the survey, please contact Ms. Lewis, Program Coordinator, at elizabeth.lewis@nisd.net by the morning of Thursday, February 6th.

For more information, please see the NISD Student Survey Information.

Julio Villarreal is a junior in A.V. looking for voice actors for an animation he is working on. There are multiple characters and multiple background/side characters. Complete the form linked below to apply.

https://forms.gle/BhzAcfaKHnjuSxfZ6

Update - The registration deadline is noon on February 13th.

MSB link for payment - https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZI62IWM8104GS3_ZZK1L780QQ0UYUI

Senior Parents: The counselors met with seniors individually starting the week of January 27th to finalize credits still needed for graduation and to distribute their midyear rank and GPA.

Junior Parents: A copy of their course planning guide was sent home, and students were encouraged to talk with parents/guardians about their future Senior year courses.

Sophomores & Parents: The counselors will meet with sophomores on February 7th, during their English classes, to go over their course selection guides for next year. Sophomores will receive an updated credit count based on first-semester grades.

The counselors will meet individually with sophomores starting February 10th during their AP World History class to discuss their course selections for their upcoming junior year.

Freshmen & Parents: The counselors are scheduled to meet with 9th graders on February 14th, during their English classes, to go over their course selection guides for next year. Freshmen will receive an updated credit count based on first-semester grades.

The counselors will meet individually with freshmen starting February 18th during their AP World History class to discuss their course selections for their upcoming junior year.

Resiliency is the ability to bounce back after something challenging or tough has happened. It can be difficult to let our teens navigate through this world because we don’t want them to experience any adversity. Sometimes, adults want to remove all the challenges and obstacles our kids face, which is not the best way to prepare them for adulthood. The reality is that life will throw unexpected events at our teens, and knowing how to handle these situations will help them be better prepared to face a world that comes with challenges. Resiliency builds confidence and character strength in a person, so here are some ways you can help your teen to build resilience.

10th and 11th graders can qualify for $500 and $40,000 scholarships from BigFuture®! The scholarships are open to all students, with no GPA, test score, essay, income, or citizenship requirements. Every month, BigFuture will award $500 and $40,000 to students who take steps toward their career and the education they need to reach it.

For more information: BigFuture Scholarships

The Dual Credit Program allows eligible students, grades 9-12, to take college-level courses at no cost and earn college credit through Northwest Vista College while concurrently enrolled in the equivalent high school course. Students can earn up to 42 college credits that may be transferred to Texas public colleges and universities and some private and out-of-state universities.

All students interested in the Dual Credit Program for the FIRST time next school year must complete the Dual Credit Interest Google form. Completing this Google form does NOT qualify a student for dual credit enrollment but simply indicates an interest.

Seniors, here are 2 local scholarship opportunities with deadlines in February!

Seniors, College Connections Phase 2 will be in your English classes on Thursday to assist you with college applications. They will provide additional information on the Alamo Promise for the different Alamo Colleges. If you want 2 years of free college, please start the application and ask questions.

Students can request a fee waiver directly from College Board. Eligible students can receive SAT fee waiver benefits by logging in to their College Board account and submitting a request. Learn more on the College Board website.

Seniors, the deadline to sign up and pay for your AP macroeconomics exam is March 1st.

If you wish to sign up for an exam, there is an additional $40 late fee. Each exam cost $40. Those with free & reduced, exam costs are $10.

Reminder: All My School Bucks School Store products will be disabled during NISD's Winter Break and Spring Break

Our 2024-25 yearbook strictly features Comm Arts students, so why not get one! There are only 118 yearbooks available to purchase. Also, don't forget about purchasing ads. Any student, parent, or business can purchase an ad!

Link for the yearbook

• https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/productDetail/1033119/COMMUNICATIONS-ARTS-HIGH-SCHOOL/Yearbook/2024071704203610055/CATALOG_SHOP/Yearbook/2024071704203611355#design/0

Link to purchase ads

• https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/ybAdDesigner/1033119/COMMUNICATIONS-ARTS-HIGH-SCHOOL/2024071618151849081/CATALOG_SHOP/

Click HERE to order your pictures online. Use either your student ID or picture Day ID: EVT4KQVBF

ENJOY 10% OFF your order!

CODE: F202410OFF

EXPIRES: July 31, 2025

Graduation dates are here. Comm Arts/Taft High School graduation is June 3rd at 9:30 am. For more information, click HERE.

Make sure you order in a timely manner. Graduation items will be ready for pick up on April 25, 2025. Our cap and gown are white. For those who just want to order the cap and gown, click here.

A student enrolled in courses earning high school credit (full-year or semester) may be exempt from the spring semester exam if the following criteria are met:

1. For the Spring semester, the student has three or fewer absences, excluding school business absences; (Spring semester begins January 7, 2025)
2. The student’s final average for the spring semester is 80 or higher;
3. The student’s conduct grade in that class is satisfactory or better; and
4. The student is in attendance during the scheduled exam time.

A student who is eligible for exemption may take the exam if desired.

Exam Weight: The two graded quarters of each semester shall weigh 90 percent of the semester grade, and the semester exam shall weigh 10 percent of the semester grade. If a student is exempt from the semester exam, the semester grade shall be calculated using only the two grade quarters of the semester.

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!

Adobe Creative Suite Software at Home for Personal Devices

ComArts CTE students, please remember that you can download and install Adobe Creative Suite software onto your personal laptops and computers (not Chromebooks) for FREE using your NISD student login credentials. Use the attached instructions for guidance. Keep in mind that the Adobe software version installed at home will be a newer version than what is available at school. Please get in touch with your Communications teacher (Cleveland, Villarreal, Sabogal, or Flores) if you have questions.

Our Verification of Enrollment (VOE) is available digitally. The VOE form is used for driver's permits and licenses. Use the Google Form to request a copy.

Mission: Our school promotes curiosity while providing rigorous academics in a supportive and collaborative environment.

Vision: Communications Arts H.S. students will be confident, capable, communicative leaders.

Email: cahs@nisd.net

Attendance Email: CAHS.attendance@nisd.net
Website: https://www.nisd.net/communicationsarts
Location: 11600 Culebra Road, San Antonio, TX 78253, USA
Phone: (210) 397-6043
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CommunicationsArtsHighSchool/
X: @NISDComArts