The Blazer Beat

North Lake Family,

Thank you, North Lake community, for a wonderful Homecoming Week here in beautiful Las Colinas! Our students participated in each theme day, and I was excited to see all grade levels and teachers participate in the event! We are proud of our students and the traditions they are building to continue on after they graduate from our program.

In the coming weeks, we will be migrating to Class Dojo as the communication medium for our school and discontinuing use of Remind for our campus communication. Dallas ISD is recommending Class Dojo or the Dallas ISD App found on Apptegy. We will see how Class Dojo works for our students and parents before making any additional changes. I have linked each class code for parents to sign up to receive messages and ask that all North Lake families download the Class Dojo app. I will send out a message in the Beat and via our platforms about when we will stop using Remind.

Next week, we have another theme week for Hispanic Heritage Month, as well as the Standards Mastery Check for all STAAR-tested subjects except US History. Have a great weekend and enjoy the cool-down that is coming! Make it a great week next week.

Sincerely,

Adrian Hernandez

Principal

North Lake Early College High School

Twitter @AdHernandez2648

Familias de North Lake,

¡Gracias, comunidad de North Lake, por una maravillosa Semana de Homecoming aquí en la hermosa zona de Las Colinas! Nuestros estudiantes participaron en cada día temático, ¡y me alegró mucho ver a todos los grados y maestros participar en el evento! Estamos orgullosos de nuestros estudiantes y de las tradiciones que están creando para que perduren incluso después de graduarse de nuestro programa.

En las próximas semanas, haremos la transición a Class Dojo como medio de comunicación escolar y dejaremos de utilizar Remind para las comunicaciones del plantel. Dallas ISD recomienda usar Class Dojo o la aplicación de Dallas ISD (disponible a través de Apptegy). Evaluaremos cómo funciona Class Dojo para nuestros estudiantes y padres antes de realizar cualquier cambio adicional. He incluido los enlaces a los códigos de cada clase para que los padres puedan registrarse y recibir mensajes; asimismo, solicito a todas las familias de North Lake que descarguen la aplicación Class Dojo. Enviaré un aviso a través del boletín "The Beat" y de nuestras plataformas informando cuándo dejaremos de usar Remind.

La próxima semana tendremos otra semana temática con motivo del Mes de la Herencia Hispana, así como la evaluación de dominio de estándares (*Standards Mastery Check*) para todas las materias evaluadas por el examen STAAR, a excepción de Historia de los Estados Unidos. ¡Que tengan un excelente fin de semana y disfruten del descenso en las temperaturas que se avecina! Que tengan una semana maravillosa.

Atentamente,

Adrián Hernández

Director

North Lake Early College High School

Twitter @AdHernández2648

See below for your Grade Cohort. Remember to download the app and follow for updates.

https://www.classdojo.com/ul/p/addKid?target=class&class=6ab68c6566f8fa5da1f9edcb

https://www.classdojo.com/ul/p/addKid?target=class&class=6ab68cd796d0a0e8c7881d6d

https://www.classdojo.com/ul/p/addKid?target=class&class=6ab68cf8deca7cf6fa005c87

https://www.classdojo.com/ul/p/addKid?target=class&class=6ab4ffc9aa57c85d9034aa83

Consider joining the PTSA! Parents and community are the backbone of our campus! First meeting coming soon!

Please take time to complete the Dallas ISD Parent Survey. Click the photo for the link!

National Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15th to October 15th. During the month we will celebrate the culture, history, and contributions of Americans whose ancestors are from Latin American Roots!

Week of September 28th

Value of the Week - Boldness

What will you do to show this value during the week?

Hispanic Heritage Theme Week - See Flyer Below for Theme Days

Monday, September 28, 2026 - A Day -

Tuesday, September 29, 2026 - B Day -

Campus Tutoring Day

Wednesday, September 30, 2026 - A Day

Thursday, October 1, 2026 - B Day

SAT Prep A352 after school

Friday, October 2, 2026 C Day

School Picture Day!

North Lake ECHS Social Media

Instagram:

@northlakeechs

X/Twitter: @NorthLake_ECHS

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/NLECHSDISD

9th-11th Graders:

• Don’t wear bright green--it will get in the way of the green screen!
• The background in the yearbook will be dark grey; if you choose to print your photos, you can choose a different background color.
• Make sure your clothing is school appropriate! No tank tops or inappropriate graphics.

12 Graders:

• You will be taking graduation cap & gown photos as well as tux & drape photos. If you are wearing the tux, please wear a white undershirt; if you are wearing the drape, wear a camisole or tank top (under your shirt) that can be shrugged off the shoulders slightly.

Thank you to the Castro Family for their donation of a microwave to campus! Oktoberfest at North Lake and the sights of HoCo Week! Our Upper Classmen won the Powder Puff Game v the Under Classmen 28-0

Pre Order your copy of The Stampede, The Official North Lake ECHS Year Book! Click the photo for more info!

Check out the supports you can type into Google Gemini from your Dallas ISD Device! It will help you study for the test

Please look over these videos to support you with TSIA ELAR and Math!

*IMPORTANT*

HEAT MITIGATING TACTICS

Due to the high temperature, drivers will do their best to limit the opening and closing of doors on the bus to keep them cool. We ask that students do not open windows on the bus while riding to and from school.

IMPORTANT! PLEASE REVIEW ROUTES, THERE HAVE BEEN CHANGES!

Please review the routes below, a live link is also available. If you encounter any issues on the first day, please contact transportation first. 972-925-4287. Remember the first days of school, buses can run behind schedule due to increased traffic.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1OuunwjN-sbEmHSFSN-Q6HG7WeMZGaOoPL0jACIWJ7xU/edit?gid=1532365375#gid=1532365375

This link also provides information on tracking your bus.

Please review the tutoring bus routes. Please note our tutoring buses usually arrive at 5:30 pm and the last one arrives at 6 pm due to completing other routes first. Students, please report back to L building after tutoring is complete to wait for the bus. Thank you!

Beginning on the first day of school (August 11, 2026), all students will be expected to adhere to the the North Lake Early College dress code and uniform policy.

Wednesday will be "Uniform Day" On Uniform Wednesdays, students are required to wear their ECHS uniform shirt, black slacks, khaki slacks or a skirt (no shorter than “finger-tip length” with arms in normal position, i.e., arms hanging naturally, as student is standing straight and upright).

Senior Only Uniform of grey slacks or Grey/Blue plaid skirt with the North Lake ECHS uniform shirt or Senior Shirt!

North Lake ECHS Uniform can be purchased at Levine's two locations or via their website https://levinesstores.com/collections/north-lake-early-college-high-school.

Students will be required to follow the North Lake Dress Code on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Please see the image below which outlines the do's and don'ts. This also included no sleep ware such as pajamas or pajama pants. Failure to follow this will result in a student code of conduct referral.

All students will be required to have clear or mesh backpacks for the 26/27 school year, small personal non clear bags are allowed. Dallas ISD will provide all students with one free clear back from the school year. I would recommend the mesh bag as they are more durable for the year. If you require a backpack, you can pick up at open house or first day of school

Mesh/Clear Backpack examples - https://www.amazon.com/s?k=mesh+backpack&crid=21Z8OKVNB5ZZY&sprefix=Mesh+Bac%2Caps%2C144&ref=nb_sb_ss_pltr-data-refreshed_1_8

Remember Blazers, no strapless tops! Please bring a sweater if you wear this item.

Please review the bell schedule for the 2026-2027 school year. If changes occur due to testing or special events, parents and students will be notified ASAP.

The building is open from 7:15 am - 4:15 pm. Classes are from 8:00 am - 3:20 pm. Note that tutoring will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 pm - 4:45 pm.

Visit our Counseling website for additional resources and Information!

• Parent Counseling Needs Assessment - Please complete today!

Education Go Get It Week

Education Go Get It Week 2026 was a success! Scholars explored their future goals, shared why education matters to them, added their dream colleges to our College Destination Board, and participated in the Elevator Pitch Challenge.

Thank you to every scholar and staff member who helped make the week fun, meaningful, and inspiring. Be sure to check out the Elevator Pitch Challenge featuring a few of our talented

Upcoming college visits are listed below:

Prairie View A&M University and The University of Houston Bus Trip

Prairie View A&M University and The University of Houston Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

• Must have a 2.50+ GPA, 12+ credit hours, 18+ years old, and no student code of conduct.

Texas A&M University and Rellis Campus Bus Trip

Tour Texas A&M University and Rellis Campus Friday, Feb. 5, 2027, 5 a.m. – 9 p.m.

• Must have a 3.00+ GPA, 12+ credit hours, 18+ years old, and no student code of conduct.

Organization Spotlight! 📅✨

Shoutout to ninth-grade scholar Dalila Salazar for consistently maintaining her planner! By recording important due dates and timelines, Dalila stays organized, prepared, and on track. Follow her example by using your planner to plan ahead and avoid missing important deadlines!

Ms. Price
9th-Grade Counselor
diprice@dallasisd.org

Dr. Hart
10th–12th Grade Counselor
kyparker@dallasisd.org

College Corner

Welcome back to College Corner! Class of 2027: Make sure you are checking SCOIR and Google Classroom to get the latest updates on your college application process.

Check Points:

I know it's exciting doing your college applications but do not submit any applications without speaking to me first, errors in your application materials can impact students’ admission chances. Remember to meet with me and we can both go over when we can submit the applications.

1. Make sure seniors have activated their accounts on SCOIR (still 5 seniors remaining). Everyone should have access to do so from their DISD email who hasn't already. If you have problems getting into SCOIR and have already activated your account try studentIDnumber@stumail.dallasisd.org . When you do this, consent to the FERPA release and waive your right to view your letters of recommendation. This is one of the main portals where they will work with the college advisor, Ms. Kinnard.

2. Personal statement drafts should be submitted on the Master Doc by the end of September (or sooner if otherwise discussed). Work on sending Ms.Kinnard your supplementals for Texas schools and major scholarships if that is done

3. Parents can start preparing for the FAFSA and other related financial aid forms by creating their FSA IDs or finding their login information from previous years. The FAFSA Beta form has officially launched for families hoping to get it in early. Parents can also fill out this Parent Contact Information Form to receive updates on ASP advising opportunities and their students’ progress. Complete the Dallas County Promise (DCP) Path form by going into student assignments on SCOIR. This is a district requirement and is now overdue (14 students remaining)

4. Start making FSA IDs (accounts) for parents and students to login to the FAFSA when it opens October 1st. You will need to know your Social Security Number for this part of the process. Timing is crucial and the sooner we get this in, the better each students' odds of financial aid. (The FAFSA is also a graduation requirement, please feel free to reach out to Ms. Kinnard with any questions you may have: skinnard@aspdallas.org)

5. Visit Ms. Kinnard's office hours and start discussing financing and college list building (open to students and parents as needed, if a parent is coming please email Ms. Kinnard to let her know): here

6. Students should be asking their teachers for letters of recommendation- these should be from at least 2 teachers who have taught their CORE classes and who know them well, they should be able to speak to their character in an academic setting.

Complete the Common App through the Activities Section if you haven’t already done so. Activities you can include are: school organizations/ clubs, jobs, community service/ organizations, significant family responsibilities, and hobbies that take up a significant amount of time and reflect well on you

7. Check out the Overview of Senior Year on the North Lake ECHS website: this has many resources, including testing dates.

SAT Prep| Updates-

• SAT Prep will Thursdays from 3:30-4:30 pm in A352

• Google Classroom for Standard SAT Prep: LKPQIHQK

• Google Classroom for Hard Math Prep: T22FQAD

• Tues, September 29th, 7:00 pm, UChicago, Brown, Vanderbilt, & Columbia Info Session, Molina HS- Come hear from 4 top colleges to get insight into four unique perspectives on a liberal arts education. Learn more about academic programs, admissions policies, financial aid, and student life in this uncommon opportunity for them to come together to talk to you.

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• Thurs, October 1st, 6 - 7 pm, ASP MIT Info Session (9-12th students & families)- An opportunity to get an early look at MIT and the admissions process while answering any questions you may have. Colleges and universities often pay attention to demonstrated interest (attendance to their events and communication with their campus/ admissions office) as an extra factor when making their decisions so showing up now could help students later when admissions letters start rolling in. Register Here
• Thurs, October 1st, 1:00 -3:00 pm, Aggie Achieve Virtual Application- This meeting will go over the Aggie Achieve Program for students with intellectual disabilities at Texas A&M. They will walk you through the online application and answer questions about the process. This is not for general applications to TX A&M. Register Here