Keeping Up with Comm Arts

The Student Council is selling Boo Grams. The last day to purchase is October 28th. $2 for a small bag of candy to send to your friends! You can pre-order before school near the main entrance of our Comm Arts building.

Friday, October 31st, is Halloween. Students and staff may dress up, but you must follow the NISD dress code. The following items are NOT allowed: face painting, costume masks, or onesies. There is also a football game that evening. The stadium does not allow face paint or masks either.

It's already time for progress reports. Grades will be uploaded on Friday, October 31st. Progress reports will be available on HAC on Monday, November 3rd.

Friendly reminder: Daylight saving time ends this weekend. We gain an hour from November 1st to 2nd. Remember to set your clocks back.

The last day for students to sign up and pay for AP exams is November 1st. Any exam unpaid will be canceled. If your family is currently affected by the government shutdown and need an extension, please reach out to Ms. Lewis at elizabeth.lewis@nisd.net. See the AP Exams section of the newsletter for more details.

Thinking ahead - Tuesday, November 4th, is election day. Because many schools are voting sites, we wanted to ensure our students' safety. So they have an off day, but staff will be here working on professional development.

It's Red Ribbon Week! Students, please make sure your outfits comply with the NISD dress code.

Friday, October 31st, is Halloween. Students and staff members may dress up but must follow the NISD dress code. The following items are NOT allowed: face painting, costume masks, or onesies.

The Austin Film Festival was a great experience. Several Comm Arts students meet with famous screenwriters, producers, and directors to ask questions. They also got to network with other high school students and watch short films and new films coming to theaters in November and December. Some writers/producers were Rian Johnson and Mike Jones. Thank you, Mrs. Sabogal and Mr. Villarreal, for providing our students with this amazing opportunity.

In honor of Día de los Muertos, celebrated each year on November 1st and 2nd, SHNS builds an ofrenda to remember our loved ones. This year's altar, designed by Dana Cifuentes using design skills learned at school, was brought to life with the help of SHNS members, who built the frames with love and care.

Juniors & Seniors - Are you interested in any of the following volunteer opportunities below? If so, talk with your Comm Arts strand teacher to sign up.

Events-

• Thursday, November 13th - Pease Magnet Fair, 7:45-11:30 am
• Friday, November 14th - Vale Discovery Day, 7:45-11:30 am
• Wednesday, November 19th - Jefferson College & Career Day, 7:45-11:30 am
• Wednesday, November 19th - Recruitment Open House, 5:30-7 pm
• Monday, December 1st - Magnet Fair @ Northside Sports Gym, 4-8 pm
• Friday, December 5th - Luna Career Day, 7:45-11:30 am
• Monday, December 8th - Magnet Fair @ Paul Taylor Field House, 4-8 pm
• Thursday, January 15th - Recruitment Open House, 5:30-7 pm

Parents - We are about to embark on another recruiting round of incoming 9th graders for next year. We have two magnet fairs (one at the Northside Gym and the other at Paul Taylor Fieldhouse) in December. If you want to volunteer to help us recruit, please let me know and fill out a background check form below. It's from 6:30–8 pm on December 1st and 8th. You will mingle with curious parents of 8th graders and answer questions. We are also there as a backup. We like to bring parents familiar with our school to give their perspective to potential new candidates. We appreciate your consideration.

Communications Arts High School would like to honor the Veterans within our community. Please register using the Google Form if you would like to attend the Veterans Breakfast Celebration on November 11th at 8:15 a.m.

There is a new organization at Taft open to 10th-12th-grade students currently enrolled in a college-level math course. Mu Alpha Theta, or Math National Honor Society, is a new honor organization open to both Communications Arts and Taft. If you are interested, pick up an application and talk to Mr. Zarate in A370, or email him at manuel.zarate@nisd.net.

Here are a few resources to prepare for your upcoming election.

• Sample ballot - Entering in voter information will provide an individualized ballot.
• Voter guide - The League of Women Voters created this non-partisan guide. It includes information on candidates.

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!

Red Ribbon Week 2025

Join us in celebrating Red Ribbon Week by participating in our dress-up days and showing your school spirit!

Guidance

This week, counselors will be visiting junior students during their English classes for guidance. During this time, counselors will review information for Post Secondary Planning and Career Exploration. We encourage students and families to review the many resources available within College Board and Big Future as we move forward into the school year and high school.

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

The 2025-26 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 2027 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 applicant’s high school graduation.

Through our scholarship program, Northside ISD Council of PTAs works to support students who are 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.

Application deadline is Friday, November 14, 2025 at midnight.

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

For more information: https://nisdpta.wordpress.com/programs-events/jack-c-jordan-scholarship/

Exciting news! Our Comm Arts program proudly presents two standout seniors as BigFuture Ambassadors: Jessai Begay and Adrian Molina! These remarkable individuals are ready to make an impact and inspire others on their journey to success!

Here are their links:

• Jessai - BigFuture - JessaiAmbassadorLink
• Adrian - BigFuture - AdrianAmbassadorLink

You can use these links to explore post-secondary plans as well as other information related to college and scholarships.

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

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 Mr. Kevin Bernardino in room A222a before November 1, 2025 (for full-year & fall semester AP courses). Payment for spring semester only exams (AP Macro) is due in full by March 1, 2026.

The AP Exam Fee for the 2025-2026 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 1, 2025 (for a full-year course), a $40 late order fee may apply.

College Board’s Advanced Placement® Program (AP®) enables students to pursue college-level studies—with the opportunity to earn college credit, advanced placement, or both—while still in high school. Through AP courses in over 35 subjects, each culminating in a challenging exam, students learn to think critically, construct solid arguments, and see many sides of an issue—skills that prepare them for college and beyond. Taking AP courses demonstrates to college admissions officers that students have sought the most challenging curriculum available to them, and research indicates that students who score a 3 or higher on an AP Exam typically experience greater academic success in college and are more likely to earn a college degree than non-AP students.

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

Students, you will be able to access your scores on November 6th.

Understanding Your Digital PSAT/NMSQT Score Report video

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

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.

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

https://lifetouch.com/

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If you missed school pictures during Prep Day, Lifetouch will be back on campus October 22nd.

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 the end of 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.

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.

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.

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 be in attendance 90% of the class time offered to receive credit for a course. In Northside, we have a calendar that shows 174 days of school for the 25/26 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 87 days in the fall, which allows for 9 absences, and 87 days in the spring, which allows 9 absences before attendance recovery is required or a student loses credit, regardless of their grade. Remember, when considering the 90% rule and its impact on gaining credit, both excused and unexcused absences count.

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

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

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