The Blazer Beat

North Lake Family,

This holiday season is one to celebrate and remember the work our North Lake ECHS community has done! We have formally been recognized as a top school not only in the State of Texas but also in the nation! This is thanks to the efforts of our students, teachers, and community members. I am honored to lead this campus and the goals we have to ensure student success both academically and personally.

I wanted to thank our amazing PTSA for the incredible gifts they have provided to our staff during December! The PTSA is always willing to assist on campus, and this year provided $25 gift cards to our staff as a “thank you” for the work they have done this year! We were also able to provide our staff with new polos and the brand-new North Lake ECHS jacket for our team!

I wanted to take a moment to highlight one of our Class of 2026 Seniors, Natalie Ipina, who organized a canned food drive to support our North Texas Community. As a member of the North Lake ECHS Student Council, Natalie planned the event for the entire school. Each grade level worked to raise the most canned goods, and in the end, the Senior Class donated the most canned goods. Natalie also organized efforts to count the cans and even delivered them with the help of Seniors classmates, Ivan and Juan. As a school, North Lake ECHS donated over 600 pounds of food to the North Texas Food Bank! This campaign exemplifies “The North Lake Way” of following our campus values and making it happen. I am so proud of our students for their commitment to serving others and excelling in the classroom.

I want to wish you all a wonderful break and festive Holiday Season! Please take this time to reflect on the year and enjoy the time off. We will see you back on January 6, 2026, for the start of the Spring Semester. Happy Holidays from the entire North Lake ECHS Community!

Sincerely,

Adrian Hernandez

Principal

North Lake Early College High School

Twitter @AdHernandez2648

Familias de North Lake,

¡Esta temporada navideña es un momento para celebrar y recordar el trabajo que ha realizado nuestra comunidad de North Lake ECHS! Hemos sido reconocidos oficialmente como una de las mejores escuelas, no solo en el estado de Texas, sino también en todo el país. Esto es gracias al esfuerzo de nuestros estudiantes, maestros y miembros de la comunidad. Me siento honrado de dirigir este plantel y de los objetivos que nos hemos propuesto para garantizar el éxito académico y personal de nuestros estudiantes.

Quiero agradecer a nuestra increíble Asociación de Padres, Maestros y Estudiantes (PTSA) por los maravillosos regalos que brindaron a nuestro personal durante diciembre. La PTSA siempre está dispuesta a colaborar en el campus, y este año obsequió tarjetas de regalo de $25 a nuestro personal como muestra de agradecimiento por el trabajo realizado. También pudimos obsequiar a nuestro personal con nuevas camisas polo y la flamante chaqueta de North Lake ECHS.

Quiero destacar a una de nuestras estudiantes de último año de la Clase de 2026, Natalie Ipina, quien organizó una colecta de alimentos enlatados para apoyar a la comunidad del norte de Texas. Como miembro del Consejo Estudiantil de North Lake ECHS, Natalie planificó el evento para toda la escuela. Cada nivel de grado se esforzó por recolectar la mayor cantidad de alimentos enlatados, y al final, la Clase de último año fue la que más donó. Natalie también organizó el conteo de las latas e incluso las entregó con la ayuda de sus compañeros de último año, Ivan y Juan. Como escuela, North Lake ECHS donó más de 600 libras de alimentos al Banco de Alimentos del Norte de Texas. Esta campaña ejemplifica "El Estilo North Lake", que consiste en seguir los valores de nuestro plantel y hacer que las cosas sucedan. Estoy muy orgulloso de nuestros estudiantes por su compromiso de servir a los demás y sobresalir en el aula.

Les deseo a todos unas maravillosas vacaciones y una feliz temporada navideña. Aprovechen este tiempo para reflexionar sobre el año y disfrutar del descanso. Nos vemos de regreso el 6 de enero de 2026 para el inicio del semestre de primavera. ¡Felices fiestas de parte de toda la comunidad de North Lake ECHS!

Atentamente,

Adrián Hernández

Director

North Lake Early College High School

Twitter @AdHernández2648

Thank you to the families that participated in our Title I Meeting this past Wednesday, October 15th. Please see the slide deck below for our presentation.

To access fresh food and local programs near you, go to WIC https://texaswic.org/, FoodFinder https://foodfinder.us/, or the North Texas Food Bank https://msg.care/8G8kq

Student opportunities:

The Dallas Zoo is excited to offer community service hours for high school students who would like to volunteer during Dallas Zoo Lights — our annual holiday celebration featuring dazzling LED sculptures, wrapped trees, music, food, and more!

Event Details:

📍 Location: Dallas Zoo

🕔 Time: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

📅 Dates: Nightly from November 14, 2025 – January 4, 2026

(Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day)

We are seeking 25 volunteers per night to assist with various aspects of the event, including activity stations, wayfinding, and guest engagement. Volunteers must be 16 years of age or older.

Volunteer Dress Code:

Holiday festive attire (e.g., a holiday sweater) with jeans or dark pants. Please dress appropriately for the weather, preferably in layers, and wear comfortable shoes.

If students are volunteering for school credit or service hours, please have them list their school’s name in the comments section of the SignUpGenius.

• Student Volunteers: Zoo Lights 2025

El Zoológico de Dallas se complace en ofrecer horas de servicio comunitario para estudiantes de preparatoria que deseen ser voluntarios durante Dallas Zoo Lights, nuestra celebración anual de las fiestas con deslumbrantes esculturas LED, árboles iluminados, música, comida ¡y mucho más!

Detalles del evento:

📍 Ubicación: Zoológico de Dallas
🕔 Horario: 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
📅 Fechas: Todas las noches del 14 de noviembre de 2025 al 4 de enero de 2026
(Cerrado la Nochebuena y el Día de Navidad)

Estamos buscando 25 voluntarios por noche para ayudar en varios aspectos del evento, incluidos los puestos de actividades, la orientación de los visitantes y la interacción con los invitados. Los voluntarios deben tener 16 años o más.

Código de vestimenta para voluntarios:
Ropa festiva navideña (por ejemplo, un suéter navideño) con jeans o pantalones oscuros. Por favor, vístanse apropiadamente para el clima —preferiblemente en capas— y usen zapatos cómodos.

Si los estudiantes participan como voluntarios para obtener crédito escolar u horas de servicio comunitario, por favor indiquen el nombre de su escuela en la sección de comentarios del SignUpGenius.

• Student Volunteers: Zoo Lights 2025

UT Southwestern HPREP 2026 Applications Now Open!

The Office of Student Empowerment and Engagement at UT Southwestern Medical Center is now accepting applications for the Health Professions Recruitment and Exposure Program (HPREP)

Questions? Email hprep@utsouthwestern.edu

Congratulation to founding staff member, Mrs. Alex Locker! Mrs. Locker is our Algebra II teacher, Student Ambassador, and Destination Imagination Sponsor. She is an amazing part of the North Lake ECHS family and we are fortunate to have her! She will represent North Lake ECHS and hopefully move on to be a finalist for District Teacher of the Year!

Ms. Tierra King, is an aspiring math teacher who serves the North Lake ECHS community as our Teacher Assistant. She is always willing to help in any areas needed and has been a major factor in our students being able to pass TSIA2 Math. Congratulations!

Seniors dropping off our canned food donations to the North Texas Food Bank. Staff Holiday event, and Sophomores passing out hot chocolate!

No School December 22 - January 5th

Have a great break and see you all back on January 6th!

North Lake ECHS Social Media

Instagram:

@northlakeechs

X/Twitter: @NorthLake_ECHS

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/NLECHSDISD

Password resets will be handled by the student themselves (via calling tech support at (972) 925 - 5630) or by the classroom teacher they are with at the time. Instructions for resetting passwords can be found linked here which is also at the bottom of this Student password document.

Laptop repairs: Please familiarize yourself with the NEW process here students are asked to follow for laptop repairs, notifications, and pick-up. The blue wagon mentioned in the process is located in the front office in front of Mr. Matney’s workspace.

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

IMPORTANT! PLEASE REVIEW ROUTES.

Please review the routes below, a live link is also available. If you encounter any issues, please contact transportation first. 972-925-4287. Remember, 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.

Tutoring buses arrive between 5:30 pm and 6 pm. Please make sure you have joined the North Lake Tutoring Buses Remind nlechbus so you are notified of your bus’s arrival.

We have created a family handbook that answers many of the questions you may have for the 2025-2026 school year. Please click on the link below to access the handbook.

Visit our Counseling website for additional resources and Information!

Parent Counseling Needs Assessment - Please complete today!

Register for an upcoming district Parent Training!

Winter Break Reflections and Wellness Tips

As we close out the fall semester and head into the winter holidays, we want to take a moment to thank you for your continued partnership and support. This time of year is often filled with celebration, reflection, and well-deserved rest for our students after a busy semester of learning and growth.

While the holidays can be joyful, they can also bring changes in routine or academic pressure for some students. A helpful mental health tip during the break is to maintain simple routines such as consistent sleep schedules, regular meals, and daily check-ins to help students feel grounded and supported. Encouraging open conversations about feelings and allowing time for rest can make a meaningful difference.

Please remind your student that support is always available, and I look forward to reconnecting in the spring semester. Wishing you and your family a safe, restful, and joyful winter break.

Internship/Scholarship Opportunities

UNT Dallas College of Law (9th-12th)

UT Southwestern Psychiatry HS Internship

Home Depot: Path to Pro Program (18+)

Ladder Internships

Law Internship

Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program

NASA Internships

Rabbi Gerald Klein HS Internship

Dallas County

Please enjoy the December issue of the Blazer News!

Hello North Lake Families!

I hope everyone is having a great week! I am back on campus and am ready to get back to working with our incredible seniors. Our students should be receiving decisions for their early decision applications soon, so I will update you with acceptances as they come in! Our ASP updates for this week are as follows:

Metrics

· Applications: 75/77 of our seniors (97.4%) have applied to affordable 4 year universities!

· FAFSA: 46/77 (59.74%) of our seniors have completed their FAFSA!

· Dallas County Promise: 74/77 (96.1%) of our seniors have completed the DCP Path form!

· Scholarships: We have at least $1,662,280 in merit based scholarships! I am still collecting scholarship awards from students, and most schools have not released full financial aid awards, so I will continue to update you as this number rises!

Announcements

ASP Winter Break Office Hours: ASP will be available for virtual college advising on 12/22, 12/23, 12/29, 12/30, and 01/02 from 9:00-5:00.

Thank you all for your continued support!

Beginning on the first day of school (August 12, 2025), 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.

All students will be required to have clear or mesh backpacks for the 25/26 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

Please review the bell schedule for the 2025-2026 school year. If changes occur due to testing or special events, parents and students will be notified ASAP.

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

Remind Codes

Class of 2026

text @nlechs26 to the number 81010

Class of 2027

text @nlclass-27 to the number 81010

Class of 2028

text @nlech28 to the number 81010

Class of 2029

text @nlechs 2029 to the number 81010

NLECHS Parents

text @nleparents to the number 81010

North Lake ECHS Tutoring Buses

text @nlechsbus to the number 81010