Keeping Up with Comm Arts

We warmly invite you to our Open House this Wednesday, August 27th, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM, starting 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 the Open House. Thank you for your understanding, and we hope to see you there!

Grades for progress reports will be uploaded on Friday, August 29th. Parents and students can access them via HAC on Tuesday, September 2nd.

Monday, September 1st, is Labor Day. This is a student and staff holiday, and all buildings will be closed.

For those who 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, make sure to check Schoology for information about the missed classwork. Some assignments can be completed at home, which will prevent you from falling behind. Parents, your partnership in monitoring your child's attendance and grades is highly appreciated.

Dear Students and Parents,

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.

Congratulations to the following students: Mireya Altamirano, Kaori Arroyo-Ramirez, Kenneth Baguso, Jessai Begay, Destiny Blue, Mia Bravo, Maximilian Burns, Isabelle Castaneda, Maria Chiapoco, Jessica Christman, Emma Dallon, Kathleen Davenport, Caitlyn Day, Ixai Figueroa-Perez, Ziata Flores Stowe, Shelby Goggin, Sophia Gonzalez, Sophia Hernandez, Maia Long, Sebastian Lopez, Sophie Maas, Teagan Mathis, Adrian Molina, Ana Moreno, Catalina Najera, Janelle Patterson, Alissa Phelps, Daniel Ramirez, Nina Sanchez, Vianna Sierra, Alejandro Torres, Tamia Torres, Matthew Trombly, and Aidan Winfield.

They were among 60,000 students nationwide to earn academic honors from the College Board’s National Recognition Programs! These National Recognition Programs grant underrepresented students academic honors that can be included on college and scholarship applications and connect students with universities nationwide, helping them stand out during admissions. Colleges and scholarship programs use these honors to identify students from underrepresented groups through College Board’s Student Search Service. These students earned this recognition by excelling on their PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, or AP Exams and in their classrooms.

All voting will be done through student email addresses.

First round of voting will occur on August 25th to August 29th.

Second round of voting will occur on September 2nd to September 4th.
9th, 10th, and 11th grade winners will be announced on the intercom announcements on Friday September 5th.
Senior King and Queen will be announced at the football game on Thursday, September 11th.

Any posters need to be approved in the Comm Arts front office first.

This year, our high school is using MORP. We will use MORP for purchasing tickets, answering questions, and sending notifications. Download the app MORP today. It is available on the Google Play Store and IOS App Store. It is important to turn on notifications to stay up-to-date on the latest information regarding Homecoming. Register for the Taft HS Homecoming Dance.

Students can add a credit card/debit card to their account for homecoming ticket purchase. A student's credit/debit card is not charged until they are approved to purchase their ticket. Once tickets go on sale, you will get one of the following messages: *Students can be approved to be part of the school but not approved to purchase tickets, for various reasons. Approval can take up to 24 hours*

• Approved: The student joins the guest list and receives a QR code digital ticket. The student's card is charged. The student gets a notification of the approval.
• Denied: The student's card is not charged and will remain in the student list. You will get a notification of the denial and why.
• Come See Me: The student's transaction remains on hold in the pending approvals list. The student is notified that he/she need to see the admin before approval.

*Student Purchasing Options

• Buy a single ticket. The student purchases a single ticket for themselves.
• Buy a ticket for themselves and a date who attends the same school. The student selects the name of his/her date from the student list. You will need their contact info and student ID number.
• Buy a ticket for themselves and a date who does not attend the same school. The student fills out this Google form, which will be placed in "Pending Status" awaiting administrative approval.

Ticket Sales will be as follows: ALL STUDENTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO SHOW ID AT HOMECOMING ENTRANCE.

August 25th - September 10th at 7 p.m.

Tickets $30

*TICKETS WILL NOT BE SOLD AFTER SEPTEMBER 10TH*

*If a student does not have a phone or cannot purchase the ticket online, they must contact Ms. Williams before or after school or during 5th period lunch ONLY*

The deadline is September 12th. The only rules are that it must have some memo of 'CAHS 2026' on it, and it must be appropriate. Parodies (references to any pop culture), as long as appropriate, are allowed. Only current seniors are allowed to design a shirt.

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!

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is defined as the intellect shown by machines which is based on the synthesized and predictive inferences of the information with which they are trained. Generative AI is a type of artificial intelligence that uses algorithms to produce new data, often in the form of images or text.

In Northside, we want to embrace and encourage the use of AI by students. For the safety of our students, important guidelines must be followed to help support learning.

Acceptable Use of AI:

• Students can use AI in a meaningful, safe, and responsible way, aiding in ideation, providing personalized feedback and tutoring, supporting research, and offering a wide range of assistive technology.
• Students can use artificial intelligence to complete assignments with permission and guidance from teachers.
• AI serves as a tool, not a replacement for your ideas, creativity, or critical thinking.
• To enable student use of AI tools, staff are responsible for confirming students meet all Terms of Service (TOS) requirements.
• Responsible AI use requires students to cite AI-generated content properly when included in assignments.
• Students should be aware of the potential biases and fallacies in AI-generated content.
• Students should be able to critically evaluate output for accuracy and bias.

Unacceptable Use of AI:

• Students must not use AI to deceive or harm such as including impersonation, spreading misinformation, or creating harmful content.
• Students must not use AI tools to violate privacy.
• Students must not use AI to violate academic integrity by cheating, or plagiarism.
• Students must not use AI to circumvent learning by avoiding learning objectives or substituting AI for original thought.
• Students will not use personal identifiable information when using artificial intelligence applications.

Consequences of Misuse:

• Misuse of AI tools may result in disciplinary action, including suspension of technology privileges or other appropriate consequences.

Last week, we visited our 9th-grade students during their English classes. We discussed high school graduation requirements, how to monitor grades and attendance, reviewed high school vocabulary, CCMR criteria, and finding a balance between school and extracurricular activities.

As we move full steam ahead into the school year and students are settling into a school routine, it's important for students to take preventative measures to help them stay on track by making good grades, thus reducing their stress and/or anxiety levels. One of the ways to reduce stress/anxiety is to stay organized, such as managing your time wisely, having a clean and neat area to study, and avoiding distractions. Here are some other medically reviewed tips to use to stay ahead of the game: High School Organization Tips and Ideas.

Post Secondary Preparation

Students, please know that it is important to complete the free and reduced lunch application every school year because if you qualify, you can save significantly. PSAT fees, AP exam fees, college application fees, and transcript request fees are impacted by lunch status. Your previous lunch year's status does not roll over to this new school year, so please fill out your application soon.

If you want to get a head start on preparing yourself for college and scholarship information, contact our College and Career Readiness contact, Mrs. Torres, at Elaine.Torres@nisd.net. It is never too early to start planning for your future. This school year, Ms. Torres will be available to all CAHS students not only at the Taft Counseling Office but also at Comm Arts in Room C202, every Tuesday.

College Career & Military Advisor - Elaine Torres (elaine.torres@nisd.net)

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.

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.

Northside 10th and 11th graders can take the College Board Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test, or PSAT, on Wednesday, October 15th.

Registration is required and available at www.totalregistration.net/PSAT/446271, August 18th to September 24th. A $5 late sign-up fee will be applied after September 17th.

All 11th-grade students will be able to participate at no cost since results are connected to scholarship opportunities. 10th-grade students who choose to participate are also required to register in advance and pay a $20 testing fee. There is a reduced fee of $10 for students who receive free or reduced lunch.

For 11th-grade students, the PSAT/NMSQT is the entry route to the National Merit Scholarship Program. Requirements for participation, steps in the competition, and awards offered are explained in the PSAT/NMSQT Student Guide and on the National Merit Scholarship Corporation's website at www.nationalmerit.org.

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
• 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.

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

Here is the information for those who took pictures during Prep Days and want to order picture online.

https://lifetouch.com/

Picture Day ID: EVT99RR2G

Don't Forget to Order This Year's School Pictures

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your order!

CODE: F2510OFF

EXPIRES: July 31, 2026

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If you missed school pictures during Prep Day, Lifetouch will be back on campus October 24th.

To appear in the 2026 section of your yearbook, you must photograph with Presitge Senior Portraits. Book your appointment ASAP. To schedule your summer studio appointment, click HERE or call 1-877-244-9873—options 2, then option 1 for assistance.

Only pictures taken with Prestige will be in the yearbook. Please keep these things in mind:

• Ensure they list you as a Communications Arts student, not Taft.
• Our yearbook pose is a cap and gown, NOT a tux and drape. Be sure that the cap and gown you are given is WHITE with a red and white tassel, and for those in NHS, our stole is blue, NOT white. The yearbook pose is cap on, and you MUST BE DRESS CODE COMPLIANT. We will NOT be Photoshopping pictures.
• Yearbook ONLY sessions are free, but we encourage you to choose a package with a variety of outfits and poses to reflect your personality and interests.
• Be sure to have your pictures taken by November so you can be included in the yearbook. The sooner, the better, so you have time to retake the pictures if you are unhappy with the first session.

They will be on campus September 8th. Students will need to sign up ahead of time to reserve their spot.

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.

Summer tends to be a busy time for new drivers. Our Verification of Enrollment (VOE) is available digitally. Use the Google Form below to request a copy. The VOE will remain valid through the summer months.

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