The Blazer Beat

North Lake Family,

October is here and that means that hopefully the weather will finally start to cool down! We have received much needed rain this week and it is starting to feel more like Fall on the North Lake ECHS campus. Please note that next week is a short week due to Dallas ISD’s Fall Break, we will only be on campus Monday through Wednesday. Students will have Thursday, Friday, and the following Monday off of school for a much needed break.

Families please keep in mind that the end of the grading period is quickly approaching and next week is the end of the 1st 9 week quarter of the school year. Please double check with your student that they are passing their courses and attending tutoring to make up for their work they may be missing. Please keep in mind that Dallas College professors may not allow make-up due to the course being taught by college staff. Students will need to make arrangements with the professors; advisory teachers are able to assist students with showing them how to write emails to the professor for extra time or to reopen a missed assignment.

The school schedule for next week will be a rare ABC week! Students please be prepared and wrap up any assignments. Make it a great weekend and see you next week!

Sincerely,

Adrian Hernandez

Principal

North Lake Early College High School

Twitter @AdHernandez2648

Familias de North Lake,

¡Ya llegó octubre, lo que significa que, con suerte, el clima por fin empezará a refrescar! Esta semana hemos recibido lluvias muy necesarias y el ambiente en el campus de North Lake ECHS empieza a sentirse más otoñal. Por favor, tengan en cuenta que la próxima semana será corta debido a las vacaciones de otoño del distrito Dallas ISD; solo estaremos en el campus de lunes a miércoles. Los estudiantes no tendrán clases el jueves, el viernes ni el lunes siguiente, disfrutando así de un descanso muy necesario.

A las familias: recuerden que el final del periodo de calificaciones se acerca rápidamente y que la próxima semana concluye el primer trimestre (de nueve semanas) del año escolar. Por favor, verifiquen con sus hijos que estén aprobando sus materias y asistiendo a las sesiones de tutoría para ponerse al día con cualquier trabajo pendiente. Tengan en cuenta que es posible que los profesores de Dallas College no permitan recuperar trabajos, ya que las clases son impartidas por personal universitario. Los estudiantes deberán gestionar esto directamente con los profesores; los maestros de asesoría pueden ayudarles a redactar correos electrónicos para solicitar tiempo adicional o pedir que se reabra una tarea que no entregaron a tiempo.

¡El horario escolar de la próxima semana será una semana inusual de tipo ABC! Estudiantes, por favor prepárense y terminen cualquier tarea pendiente. ¡Que tengan un excelente fin de semana y nos vemos la próxima semana!

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 October 5th

Value of the Week - Integrity

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

ABC Week

Monday, October 5, 2026 - A Day -

Tuesday, October 6, 2026 - B Day -

Campus Tutoring Day

Wednesday, October 7, 2026 - C Day

PTSA/SBDM Meeting

https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/245578032286351?p=gvTTohEYmyUdkohBBf

Thursday, October 8, 2026 -

No School - Student and Staff Holiday

Friday, October 9, 2026 C Day

No School - Student and Staff Holiday

Monday, October 12, 2026

No School

North Lake ECHS Social Media

Instagram:

@northlakeechs

X/Twitter: @NorthLake_ECHS

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/NLECHSDISD

Students hard at work in stations, picture day, and getting caught in the rain!

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!

Minute Meetings Complete! ✅

Counselors have completed Minute Meetings with nearly all scholars! These brief check-ins allowed counselors to review each scholar’s academic progress, attendance, and overall well-being. We are proud to ensure our scholars feel supported, connected, and prepared to stay on track throughout the school year.

Let’s Rock-tober! 🎸🍂

October is here, and this is often the time of year when students begin to feel tired or overwhelmed. We encourage scholars to continue making time for hobbies and activities they enjoy outside of school to maintain a healthy school-life balance.

Try these fall coping skills:

• Take a walk and enjoy the cooler weather.

• Listen to a calming or uplifting playlist.

• Journal with a warm drink.

• Create fall-themed art or crafts.

• Practice deep breathing or stretching.

• Spend time with supportive friends and family.

• Maintain a consistent sleep routine.

• Take short breaks while completing schoolwork.

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Remember: Rest, hobbies, and healthy routines help you recharge so you can keep rocking through the semester!

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 FSA IDs (accounts) for parents and students to complete the FAFSA for the 2027-28 cycle. Submit proof of FAFSA Completion (the submission summary) to Ms. Kinnard by Oct. 30th. 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)

2. Please complete Dallas County Promise! It is a requirement for graduation..

3.Personal statement drafts should have been submitted on the Master Doc by Sept. 30th (or sooner if otherwise discussed). Work on sending Ms.Kinnard your supplementals for Texas schools and major scholarships if that is done.

4. 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

5. 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

• We will start having Application Parties after school from 3:30-4:30 pm on Tues Oct. 6th and continue every Thursday there is no SAT Prep.

• Mon, October 5th, 6 - 7:30 pm, FAFSA Workshop (For Students and Parents)- Come fill out the FAFSA with your student(s). An alternate time will be hosted Oct. 2nd at 6:30 pm over Zoom. Have your tax documents ready and any information you may have about your household income. Completing the FAFSA in the month of October is critical to your student’s chances for receiving a well-rounded financial aid package. The FAFSA is also a graduation requirement. Working with you individually will be more challenging over Zoom, coming in person is highly recommended. Location: NLECHS, Room: A352

• Weds, October 14th, 6:30-7:30 pm, UChicago at Bryan Adams- an opportunity to hear directly from UChicago in an intensive presentation. Register Here

A few opportunities for review, please follow up with Ms. Kinnard if you are interested, think you or your student may qualify, or have any questions (let her know if you apply):

• Davidson John M Belk Scholarship: Deadline Oct. 20th

• Description: A merit-based award that provides comprehensive funding plus special opportunity stipends that allow great flexibility in the on- and off-campus experiences scholars choose to explore. Those experiences, paired with our academic programs, deepen students' insight, maturity and understanding of global issues.​​​​​

• How to Proceed: Send Ms. Kinnard a paragraph about your commitment to local and global communities.

• University of Rochester Handler Scholarship: Deadline Nov. 30th

• Description: A more-than-full-tuition (need-based), four-year scholarship to the University of Rochester. Also provides: individual mentoring and academic support, $5,000 in guaranteed funding to support academic or professional enrichment, and access to a special alumni network made up of past Handler Scholars. Let Ms. Kinnard know you are applying so she can nominate you (not required, but highly recommended).

• Who Qualifies: Students with demonstrated financial need, academic excellence, potential to be future leaders, and resiliency in the face of complex challenges.

• TCU for Texans: Deadline Nov. 1st

• Description: TCU for Texans is a financial aid initiative that helps make your college dreams a reality and believes family finances shouldn’t stand between talented students like those who apply and your dreams. This deadline is for TCU for Texans and CSS. Must do an early action (EA) application.

• Who Qualifies: Incoming fall semester first-year students who meets TCU's standard admission requirements, Texas residents that are Pell Grant eligible, and have a family adjusted gross income of 70,000 or less.

Newspaper is back! Please enjoy what our students are doing around campus!