Keeping Up with Comm Arts

It's Homecoming week! The Homecoming section of this newsletter has all the details for the pep rally, game, and dance tickets. The last day to buy HOCO dance tickets is September 30th.

There is a Senior Parent Night presentation this Tuesday, September 29th from 5:45 to 6:45 pm in the Taft Library.

Friday, October 2nd, is National Custodial Appreciation Day. Comm Arts shares some of the best custodians with Taft. They are dedicated and work hard to keep our campus beautiful and safe. Thank you for all that you do!

If your student took their school picture on September 4th, they are ready. See the School Pictures & Yearbook section for more details.

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

Registration is required and now available at www.totalregistration.net/PSAT/446271, until September 30th. There will be a $5 late sign-up fee applied.

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!

We are excited to share that our alumni, Paulina Csitkovits (Reyes), visited San Antonio last week during the Love Your Neighbor Tour for the upcoming film, Brotherhood: A Cinematic Musical. The movie will be in theaters on October 9th. She spoke with several of our classes and shared her experiences.

Paulina is a graduate of Communications Arts. She developed her passion for musical theater during her time here, which helped her grow as a performer. Join us in celebrating her achievement as she returns to the community that supported her!

In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, students celebrated through art, creativity, and collaboration. They worked together to create a colorful wall art display, combining individual ideas and artistic styles into one shared piece. We also ended the week with a mini piñata activity, where students explored the creativity, design, and craftsmanship behind this traditional art form as they created their own unique pieces.

We are excited to announce that Maddison Martinez has been selected for the UP Leaders of Tomorrow Fellowship! This 9-month, paid program focuses on civic leadership and advocacy for young people aged 16 to 24 in Bexar County, Texas. Through this fellowship, Maddison will gain insights into local government, education, and public policy, enhancing her skills as a community leader and advocate. Congratulations on this amazing accomplishment!

Another amazing Comm Arts graduate, Tirzah Polk, shared this opportunity with us.

The University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine is excited to host the Student National Medical Association Regional Medical Education Conference (RMEC) this year. This event features unique programming for premed and high school students interested in medicine. Registration is just $20. Don’t miss this great opportunity—see the registration link for details.

Thinking about attending Palo Alto College next year? PAC is hosting an Open House event on November 13th, but space is extremely limited—we only have 14 spots available.

If you want to attend, email Ms. Lewis right away to reserve your spot before they run out!

This interactive event is designed to help you take the next step toward becoming a Palomino. You will learn how to get started at Palo Alto College, explore academic programs, and connect with campus representatives who are ready to answer questions and provide guidance.

HOCO Events

• Thursday, Oct 1st - Pep Rally @ 8:10 am & Homecoming Game @ 7 pm - Farris
  • Purchase tickets online - https://www.nisd.net/district/athletics/high-school-tickets
• Saturday, Oct 3rd- Homecoming Dance @ 6:30–10 pm - Taft Cafeteria

Freshmen

Lady Isabella Luzarraga

Lordy Daniel Perez

Sophomores

Duchess Carissa Olvera

Duke Micheal Wiggins

Juniors

Princess Jaysleon Bauri

Prince Maddox Guajardo

The final candidates for Homecoming Queen and King are:

Queen

Hannah Bauer

Madeline Bush

Avory Cortez

Sophia Knlot

King

Gerardo Medrano

Samuel Nunez

Salvador Rodriguez

Luciano Sandoval

Northside ISD celebrates Decision of Respect Day (on October 2nd) to promote kindness, respect, and courtesy across all campuses while standing united against bullying and cyberbullying. The campaign honors memory and awareness—such as remembering David Molak—to emphasize the serious impact of cyberbullying and the vital role of safe, supportive school environments.

Benefits of the Decision of Respect

• Fosters a Positive School Climate: Creates a safe, welcoming, and inclusive community where every student feels comfortable and valued.
• Prevents Bullying and Harassment: Encourages students to actively avoid situations involving mocking, harassment, or online intimidation.
• Builds Empathy and Belonging: Helps students understand diverse perspectives and ensures that no one feels left out.
• Empowers Upstanders: Equips students and staff to seek help from trusted adults and advocate for peers in need.

Ways to Honor the Decision of Respect

• Pledge & Sign the Decision of Respect Poster: Join classmates and staff in signing the Decision of Respect pledge to show a personal commitment to kindness.
• Practice Everyday Courtesy: Offer genuine compliments, say hello to someone new, and listen attentively when a peer needs support.
• Wear Blue for Bullying Prevention: Wear blue on October 6th, World Day of Bullying Prevention to visibly unite against cyberbullying and harassment.
• Be an Upstander: Speak up against bullying, report cyberbullying incidents, and talk to trusted adults or counselors when someone needs assistance.

• Decision of Respect Celebration: We will celebrate Decision of Respect Day across campus on Friday, October 2nd, encouraging kindness, empathy, and positive choices.

• Words and Actions Matter: Kindness is a mindful act that creates a climate of calm, friendly positivity. Remember that our words and actions leave a lasting impact on others.
• Give Kindness Daily: "Give kindness because you can. Be respectful to all people. The world needs more people who spread cheer and empathy."
• THINK Before You Speak: Before posting or speaking, ask yourself: Is it True? Is it Helpful? Is it Inspiring? Is it Necessary? Is it Kind?
• Golden Rule: Treat others the way you want to be treated, and take time to offer genuine support or a listening ear to someone in need.
• Building Empathy: Understanding different perspectives and creating inclusive spaces makes our campus a safe, welcoming place for everyone.

As September comes to a close, we want to remind everyone that while Suicide Awareness & Prevention Month is ending, our commitment to supporting one another never stops. Helping others, spreading kindness, and looking out for friends and family is an ongoing effort every single day of the year.

Support Resources & Helplines

If you or someone you know is struggling or in distress, help is always available:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (Available 24/7, free, and confidential)
• NISD Safeline: Call 210-397-SAFE (7233) or email safe@nisd.net

As the fall semester gets into full swing, balancing schoolwork, extracurriculars, and personal life can feel overwhelming. Here are practical strategies to help manage stress, maintain balance, and stay healthy:

• Take Mindful Breaks: Practice short breathing exercises or step away from screens for a few minutes between study sessions.
• Reframe Challenges: Focus on what you can control, and don't hesitate to reach out to counselors, teachers, or parents when you feel overwhelmed.

• Prioritize with a Planner: Track upcoming assignments, tests, and deadlines using a digital calendar or paper planner.
• Break Down Big Tasks: Divide large projects into smaller, manageable steps to avoid procrastination and last-minute panic.

• Prioritize Sleep: Aim for 8-9 hours of restful sleep each night to help your mind stay sharp and resilient.
• Stay Active & Nourished: Eat balanced meals, stay hydrated, and include regular physical activity or outdoor time in your daily schedule.

• Parents' Senior Night: Join us next week on Tuesday, September 29th, from 5:45 PM to 6:45 PM for an essential informational session designed to help senior parents navigate their student's final year of high school. The event will take place at the Taft library.
• 12th Grade Guidance Lesson: Scheduled for Friday, October 2nd, guidance lessons for all 12th graders will take place during their English classes to support academic success and future planning.

We are dedicated to supporting you through every step of your high school journey. Have a wonderful and productive semester!

Respectfully yours,

Dr. Minerva Rosales

Communications Arts High School Counselor

Minerva.Rosales@nisd.net

• Student Achievement Coordinator: Communications Arts HS and Taft HS share a Student Achievement Coordinator, Ms. Adriana Najera. She supports students in exploring academic and post-secondary opportunities, including college applications, scholarships, fee waivers, military enlistment, career pathways, FAFSA/TASFA financial aid, resume building, Dual Credit enrollment, and TSIA2 testing.
• Scheduling an Appointment: To schedule an appointment with Ms. Najera, email Adriana.Najera@nisd.net or call 210-397-6052. Her office is in Taft HS, Room A222a.
• Student Support Staff: Ms. Danyelle Foster serves as the support staff for the Student Achievement Coordinator. To schedule an appointment, email danyelle.foster@nisd.net.
• ApplyTexas Senior Workshops: Ms. Foster hosted dedicated workshop sessions in the Taft HS Library from September 21–25. Seniors received hands-on assistance creating ApplyTexas accounts and submitting applications to Alamo Colleges during class time.

Attention seniors! If you're interested in learning more about College Connection, Alamo Colleges, and AlamoPROMISE, check out the College Awareness Video Presentation. It provides valuable information that can help you in your college journey. Additionally, indicate your interest or need for support by completed the form linked for the Alamo College Connection Support Request. Don't miss out on these important opportunities!

This nationwide campaign highlights the critical role attendance plays in student success. Missing just two days a month means students lose 10% of the entire school year.

Tips for Families and Students:

• Establish routines: Set a consistent bedtime and morning wake-up time.
• Prep the night before: Lay out clothes, pack backpacks, and organize lunches ahead of time.
• Avoid unnecessary pull-outs: Schedule medical or dental appointments outside of school hours whenever possible. You can also schedule them at the beginning or end of the day. If the student is on campus for part of the day and has a doctor's note, it won't count towards a student's absences.
• Communicate early: Talk to teachers, school counselor, or administration right away if your child faces health, emotional, or transportation barriers.

The Texas Compulsory Attendance Law states that students between the ages of 6 and 19 are subject to the Texas Compulsory Attendance Laws.

Let's start with how it affects a student's academics. The Law states that a student must attend 90% of the class time offered to receive credit for a course. In Northside, our calendar shows 174 school days for the 26/27 school year. This equates to 17 absences in a full-year course before attendance recovery is required or a student loses credit, regardless of their grade. For a semester course, we have 85 days in the fall, which allows 9 absences, and 89 days in the spring, which allows 9 absences, before attendance recovery is required or a student loses credit, regardless of grade. Remember, when considering the 90% rule and its impact on gaining credit, both excused and unexcused absences count.

A student absent more than 75% of class time will no longer be eligible for attendance recovery and will need to retake the course to earn credit. This equates to 22 absences per semester.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email cahs.attendance@nisd.net.

The Texas Compulsory Attendance Laws state that a parent/guardian will be notified (Attendance Warning Notice) if the student has been absent from school without excuse under Section 25.087 for three days or part days within four weeks. You might receive an Attendance Warning via email if your student falls into the above situation. If the student, after receiving the attendance warning, continues to accumulate unexcused absences (a total of 10 absences in 6 months), they may be subject to possible referral to the truancy court, depending on the circumstances. When it comes to the legalities of the Compulsory Attendance Laws, only unexcused absences are considered. Ways to avoid referral to the municipal court can include, but are not limited to:

1. Set up HAC and monitor your students' attendance and academics.
2. Have your student set up a HAC account and make them responsible for monitoring their attendance.
3. Provide the school with notes when the student is out, such as a doctor's note or a parent's note. A parent's note should contain the student's name, school ID, and a brief description of the reason for the absence.
4. If you receive an alert (HAC) that you do not think is correct, contact the school to determine why you were marked absent or tardy. Talk to your student to see what caused them to be marked absent or tardy.
5. Talk to your student regularly about their academic progress and the importance of attending class and doing their best.
6. Maintain open communication with the school when a student will be out for more than three consecutive days.

The 2026-27 Coolidge Scholarship application is now live. This opportunity is for high school juniors. A quick refresher: the Coolidge Scholarship is a full-ride, four-year, merit scholarship that recipients may use for undergraduate study at any accredited college or university in the United States. Any high school junior who plans to enroll in college in the fall of 2028 and is an American citizen or legal permanent resident is eligible to apply (current high school seniors are not eligible to apply). Winners may use the scholarship to pursue any academic major.

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

The Comm Arts front office purchased test review materials as well as scholarship guides. Students are welcome to stop by and check out any of these materials.

It's time to register for AP Exams. Payments for AP exams will be made using MySchoolBucks online or by cash/check (payable to 'Taft High School') handed directly to Ms. Najera in room A222a before November 9, 2025 (for full-year & fall semester AP courses). Payment for spring semester only exams (AP Macro) is due in full by March 4, 2026.

The AP Exam Fee for the 2026-2027 school year is $40 per exam, or $10 if a student qualifies for free or reduced lunch. If a student registers for an exam and cancels after the November ordering deadline, they will be charged a $40 cancellation fee. Additionally, if a student does not order an exam by November 9, 2025 (for a full-year course), a $40 late order fee may apply.

For more information about the Free and Reduced Program contact their office at (210) 397-4517, email free-reduced@nisd.net, or visit www.nisd.net/schools/menus.

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

If you are a senior and need to take the SAT, you can sign up through the College Board. Most NISD high schools are weekend testing sites.

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.

The wait is over, Picture Day portraits are now available to view and order online. Visit cady.com/pictureday to access your student's gallery, explore package options, and place an order.

Cady will be back on October 16th for picture retakes.

Seniors, take time to schedule your senior portraits with CADY. If you already took your senior portrait and paid a studio fee, please reach out to CADY. They will reimburse you.

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

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

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