Keeping Up with Comm Arts

We warmly invite you to our Open House this Wednesday, August 26th, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. The event will begin with a presentation in the Taft auditorium. We look forward to welcoming you to campus. Please note that this event will not serve as a time for parent-teacher conferences; however, you are welcome to request a session with your student's teacher(s) during Open House. Thank you for your understanding, and we hope to see you there!

Grades for progress reports will be uploaded on Friday, August 28th. Parents and students can access them via HAC on Monday, August 31st.

If you already have your student ID, please continue to wear it. If you don't have one, stop by the Comm Arts front office and let us know.

Students, you need to check your grades, attendance, and email regularly. If you notice any discrepancies in your attendance, please inform your teacher immediately. Also, when you're absent, check Schoology for information about missed classwork. Some assignments can be completed at home, which will prevent you from falling behind. Parents, we appreciate your partnership in monitoring your child's attendance and grades.

Last week, CAHS administration held assemblies with all students to discuss important campus expectations and policies. See the information below to highlight some of the highlights shared. We appreciate everyone’s participation and commitment to making our campus a welcoming and respectful environment!

Before School

Student access to the building will begin at 8:00 am. If students arrive earlier, they are to report to the Taft cafeteria. Students can stay in the cafeteria or come to Comm Arts until the first period begins. Students should not be waiting outside the building.

Buses

There are two bus drop-off/pickup points for Comm Arts students. One location is the driveway between Comm Arts and Taft (mainly Comm Arts students who live outside the Taft attendance zone), and the Taft bus loop, which is on the right side of the campus if looking at Taft from Culebra (this location is mainly for students who attend Comm Arts and live in the Taft attendance zone). Students, please remember that the bus will pick you up after school, where the bus drops you off in the morning.

Doors

Students will use the front doors for arrival and dismissal—the side doors are only to be used during passing periods.

Off Campus Lunch

Juniors and seniors with off-campus lunch, don't forget to check out with a Comm Arts adult (show your student ID with the off-campus sticker) before you leave for lunch. Report to the cafeteria if you return to campus before passing period.

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, in line with Texas House Bill 1481, to support a focused learning environment.

Students may use personal laptops for classwork as directed by their teachers. Specific devices, such as Adobe-equipped iPads for certain courses, are also permitted. However, all devices must be powered off and kept in backpacks during passing periods, lunch, and non-applicable classes.

Please use laptops responsibly for educational purposes only. Misuse will result in loss of privileges. Thank you for your cooperation!

At Northside ISD, we are committed to proactively ensuring the safety of our students on school-provided devices and accounts. In line with this commitment, NISD utilizes Bark for Schools, a student safety monitoring application. Bark is an additional proactive measure to protect our students' online activity at school and home.

What is Bark for Schools and How Does it Work?

Installed as an extension of Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Chat, Bark for Schools is a content monitoring tool that uses powerful artificial intelligence to help detect potentially dangerous or inappropriate situations students may be facing both in and out of school.

Alert Process

When potential digital concerns arise on school-issued accounts, Bark for Schools sends specialized alerts to school representatives to ensure we can promptly address the situation. These alerts are important because they provide insight that could help us continue promoting the well-being and safety of the entire student body. Finally, NISD and Bark are strongly committed to protecting student privacy. This student safety application will only serve as a resource to flag or identify if/when any of the above situations take place. The District will not utilize this tool to monitor communications other than what is flagged in the previously mentioned categories, with the intention of student safety in mind.

For more information on the Bark for Schools software solution, please visit their website at https://bark.us or nisd.net/safety to learn more.

Thank you for helping us to keep our students safer online and in real life.

Comm Arts students will attend assemblies during the second week of school to discuss campus expectations.

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. Students who need an ID will have opportunities during the first week of school.

Here is the link for more information: https://www.nisd.net/schools/safetySafety First, 2026-2027

Additionally, any visitors to campus will need to apply and pass a background check. This must 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 get in touch with 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

If you plan to attend Homecoming, you MUST complete the Homecoming Ticket Interest Form before you're eligible to purchase a ticket.

The Homecoming Ticket Interest Form will CLOSE on Thursday, September 10th at MIDNIGHT.

• NO FORM = NO HOMECOMING TICKET SALES.
• Please complete the form even if you plan to pay with cash.
• Make sure you are signed into your Northside account to complete the form
• If you plan to pay for another Comm Arts/Taft student, they must also fill out this form under their account!
• https://forms.gle/EMu6Fax5FUu3NYcS6

ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENT

• Before you are approved to purchase a ticket, we will verify your attendance.
• Students may not have more than 9 unexcused absences in any class to be approved to attend Homecoming. We will check attendance on September 11th, and any student over the threshold in any given class will not be permitted to purchase a ticket.

MYSCHOOLBUCKS TICKET SALES

• MySchoolBucks ticket sales will be available Tuesday, September 15th @ noon through Wednesday, September 30th at 11:59 p.m.
• Once you are approved, you will receive an email containing a unique code to purchase your ticket through MySchoolBucks.
• Please note: If you do not use your emailed code by September 30th at midnight, your code will expire and you will no longer be eligible to purchase a Homecoming ticket.
• MySchoolBucks will charge an 8.7% convenience fee for each ticket, which will be the responsibility of the purchaser to cover

Taft/Comm Arts Student Ticket Prices:

• September 15–24: $25
• September 25–30: $30

CASH TICKET SALES

Students who are approved to purchase with cash may do so during lunch in the cafeteria on the following dates ONLY: Cash tickets will be $25. We WILL be verifying that you were approved to purchase before accepting payment.

• September 16 & 17
• September 23 & 24

PURCHASING A TICKET FOR YOUR DATE

If your date is a Comm Arts or Taft student:

• If you would like to purchase your date's ticket using a card through MySchoolBucks, your date must also complete the Homecoming Ticket Interest Form so their attendance can be verified.
• Once they are approved, they will receive their own MySchoolBucks code. They can provide that code to you so you can purchase their ticket through their account (enter your card information at the end of the payment process).

BRINGING A GUEST FROM OUTSIDE COMM ARTS/TAFT

• If you plan to bring a guest who is NOT a Taft/Comm Arts student, you must complete the Guest Form located at the bottom of the Homecoming Ticket Interest Form by September 11th. ALL information must be filled in for approval.

You will need to:

• Complete the guest information.
• Upload a copy of your guest's student ID
• Wait for your guest to be approved before purchasing their ticket.
• Non-high school students will NOT be approved.
• If your guest is approved, you will receive an email confirming their approval.

All approved non-Taft/Comm Arts guest tickets are CASH ONLY and must be purchased during lunch in the cafeteria on:

• September 16 & 17
• September 23 & 24
• Non Taft/Comm arts guests tickets are $30 cash only (Guest tickets will not be permitted to be sold through MySchoolBucks)

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

• Please complete the form before the deadline. Once the form closes on September 10th at midnight, no additional students will be approved for Homecoming ticket sales.
• NO FORM = NO HOMECOMING TICKET.
• Tickets will not be sold at the door.
• Online ticket sales will end on September 30th @ 11:59 p.m. No tickets will be sold after this date.

Friendly Reminder from the library:

Teachers and staff you're welcomed to enjoy free coffee in the library daily, however, please bring your own cup/mug to help with the rising cost of everything.

As we head into the 3rd week of school, students are settling into their daily academic routines. The initial transition of the first two weeks is giving way to regular coursework, upcoming progress reports, and a clearer picture of this semester's expectations.

Taking proactive measures now—before workload or stress builds up—is key to helping students stay on track, earn good grades, and reduce anxiety. Below are essential tips and campus resources to help our students stay ahead of the game this week!

1. Getting & Staying Organized

Organization is one of the most effective preventative measures against academic overwhelm. Establishing structured habits early in the term sets a strong foundation for the rest of the school year.

• Manage Your Time Wisely: Use a daily planner, digital calendar, or notebook to track assignments, projects, and upcoming assessments.

• Create a Dedicated Study Area: Set up a clean, neat study space at home, reserved specifically for schoolwork and free from unnecessary distractions.

• Build Daily Routine Check-Ins: Take 10 to 15 minutes each afternoon to review notes, organize backpack materials, and outline priority tasks for the evening.

2. Managing Anxiety & Cultivating a Growth Mindset

As class expectations increase, it is natural for students to occasionally feel anxious or discouraged. Addressing these feelings early helps maintain motivation and focus.

• Practice Grounding Techniques: If stress begins to build, encourage your student to try the 4-7-8 breathing technique (breathe in for 4 seconds, hold for 7 seconds, exhale for 8 seconds) or to list 5 things they can see, hear, and touch around them.

• Develop a Growth Mindset: Reframe challenging subjects as opportunities to learn. Viewing academic obstacles through a growth mindset reminds students that effort and practice lead to improvement.

• Advocate for Yourself: Remind students that asking teachers or counselors for help is a sign of strength. Reaching out early helps resolve misunderstandings before major tests.

3. Academic Check-Ins & Home Access Center (HAC)

With progress reports around the corner, now is a great time for families to review academic progress together.

• Monitor Grades and Attendance: Both parents and students should regularly log in to the Home Access Center (HAC) to check attendance records and academic standing.

• Connect with Teachers: If your student is struggling in a specific course, encourage them to speak directly with their teacher about tutoring opportunities and feedback.

• 9th Grade Guidance Lesson: Last week, I visited all 9th-grade students to welcome them to high school and introduce myself as their Comm Arts HS Counselor. We reviewed confidentiality and its limits; the importance of keeping up with grades and attendance; the value of Grade Point Averages; the importance of identifying their program-of-study strands; being CCMR-ready; and the credits they’ll need to graduate.

• 12th Grade Audits: This week, I will be meeting with all Comm Arts Seniors to distribute their educational planning documents, which reflect all their completed high school courses, grades earned, and current number of earned credits. While this is not an official transcript, it helps students when they apply for college and scholarships.

• Student Achievement Coordinator: Comm Arts HS and Taft HS share a Student Achievement Coordinator. Her role is to help students navigate various academic opportunities, including college applications, scholarship information, military interests, and more. Ms. Najera can be reached at Adriana.Najera@nisd.net and 210-397-6052. She is located at Taft HS in Rm A222a.

• How to Order a Transcript: Transcripts are ordered online ONLY.

The registrar at Taft has 10 business days to complete student transcript orders. Students must use their personal email address, NOT the school email.

An unofficial transcript is one that you order online and request to be sent to your home. When you use this to apply to universities for admission or scholarships, it is unofficial because it comes from you rather than the school. Colleges and Universities expect to receive an official transcript.

Counselors do not provide transcripts. All transcripts must be ordered online by the student. All transcripts are sent from the Taft Registrar directly to the educational institution or scholarship.

This is the link to use to order transcripts: Parchment

If you have any questions or need individual support, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Respectfully yours,

Dr. Minerva Rosales, Ph.D., LPC-S, CSC
Communications Arts High School Counselor A-Z
Minerva.Rosales@nisd.net

"A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions." — Oliver W. Holmes Sr.

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 the applicant's high school graduation.

Through our scholarship program, the Northside ISD Council of PTAs supports students 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.

The application deadline is November 15th, 2026, at midnight.

Applicant must use a NON-SCHOOL-ISSUED EMAIL ADDRESS. NO EXCEPTIONS.

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

Students can now sign in to their College Board account and access their AP scores. Use the link below to log in and access your AP scores.

All AP Exams Have Benefits

Completing an AP course and exam means students took college-level coursework in high school. No matter the score, preparing for and taking an AP Exam sharpens students' skills to transition from high school to college. Research shows that students who take AP courses and exams have better college outcomes than their peers. Whatever the score, taking an AP Exam can keep students on track for college. Most students who score a 1 or 2 on their first AP Exam are likely to improve their score on a future exam. Students who achieve an exam score of 2 do significantly better in introductory college classes. Students who achieve exam scores of 1 or 2 are still more likely to attend college and graduate on time (than academically similar students who don’t take AP).

Helpful Resources:

• Do you want to understand better what your scores mean? Click HERE.
• Click HERE to learn more about AP Awards & Recognitions.

Northside 10th and 11th graders can take the College Board Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test, or PSAT, on Wednesday, October 21st.

Registration is required and available at www.totalregistration.net/PSAT/446271, August 24th to September 30th. A $5 late sign-up fee will be applied after September 23rd.

All 11th-grade students can participate at no cost, since results are connected to scholarship opportunities. 10th-grade students who choose to participate must also register in advance and pay a $20 testing fee. Students who receive free or reduced lunch pay a reduced fee of $10.

For 11th-grade students, the PSAT/NMSQT is the entry route to the National Merit Scholarship Program. The PSAT/NMSQT Student Guide and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation website (www.nationalmerit.org) explain participation requirements, competition steps, and awards offered.

Don't wait! Register now for this opportunity!

• Preparation for the SAT, where scores can help students get into honors college programs and college pathways (college within a college)
• Connects students to colleges and universities
• Scholarship opportunities for Grade 11 students - National Merit Scholarship Corporation's website at www.nationalmerit.org
• Scores can be used to qualify for dual credit courses.
• Results will include resources about local two-year colleges, workforce training programs, and career options.

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.

Practice Builds Confidence

Take advantage of free Official SAT Practice at Khan Academy®. Take a practice test, set a target score, and feel confident on test day.

Students in grades 9-11 will take their school pictures on Friday, September 4th.

Families can confirm their information and save $10 on photo packages when they pre-order before Picture Day. Visit cady.com/pictureday to confirm your info, explore package options and place your order.

Seniors, take time to schedule your senior portraits with CADY this summer.

Our Verification of Enrollment (VOE) is available digitally. Use this Google Form to request a copy.

The Home Access Center (HAC) allows parents to access grades and attendance information.

Adobe Creative Suite Software at Home for Personal Devices

ComArts CTE students can download and install Adobe Creative Suite software onto their 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.

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