The Blazer Beat
December 12, 2025
North Lake Family,
Our students have completed their college finals for the 2025 Fall semester! This marks the first finals season for our Freshmen, who have done a great job following the lead of our 10th-12th graders by staying focused throughout the process. Thank you, families, for keeping our students motivated during this long 16-week semester, which was difficult at times. Also, thank you to our staff who have consistently motivated our students throughout the college semester and are also willing to take the time to assist our Blazers!
One finals week down, one more to go! This coming week marks the start of our Dallas ISD finals week and ACPs (Assessment of Course Performance). Testing will start on Monday, and we will have a modified schedule throughout the week. Starting on Wednesday, December 17th - 19th, students will have early release starting at 1:50 pm. Buses will depart from North Lake ECHS at 2 pm promptly for each early release day. Please encourage your student to be on time for their bus during early dismissal so that transportation can depart at the scheduled time.
With the final week of the semester, please make sure your child gets plenty of sleep this week and has the opportunity to study for their exams. Remember, attendance is mandatory, and absences can impact final grades if a student is below the 90% attendance rate requirement. Let’s make a great finals week and thank you always for your support of North Lake ECHS!
Sincerely,
Adrian Hernandez
Principal
North Lake Early College High School
Twitter @AdHernandez2648
Familias de North Lake,
¡Nuestros estudiantes han completado sus exámenes finales universitarios del semestre de otoño de 2025! Esta es la primera temporada de exámenes finales para nuestros estudiantes de primer año, quienes han hecho un excelente trabajo siguiendo el ejemplo de los estudiantes de 10.º a 12.º grado, manteniéndose concentrados durante todo el proceso. Gracias a las familias por mantener a nuestros estudiantes motivados durante este largo semestre de 16 semanas, que en ocasiones fue difícil. También agradecemos a nuestro personal por motivar constantemente a nuestros estudiantes durante el semestre universitario y por estar siempre dispuestos a ayudar a nuestros Blazers.
¡Una semana de exámenes finales terminada, una más por delante! La próxima semana comienza la semana de exámenes finales del Distrito Escolar Independiente de Dallas (Dallas ISD) y las evaluaciones de desempeño académico (ACP). Los exámenes comenzarán el lunes y tendremos un horario modificado durante toda la semana. A partir del miércoles 17 al viernes 19 de diciembre, los estudiantes saldrán temprano a las 13:50. Los autobuses saldrán de North Lake ECHS puntualmente a las 14:00 cada día de salida temprana. Por favor, animen a sus hijos a llegar a tiempo al autobús durante la salida temprana para que el transporte pueda salir a la hora programada.
Durante esta última semana del semestre, asegúrense de que sus hijos duerman lo suficiente y tengan la oportunidad de estudiar para sus exámenes. Recuerden que la asistencia es obligatoria y las ausencias pueden afectar las calificaciones finales si un estudiante no cumple con el requisito del 90% de asistencia. ¡Que tengan una excelente semana de exámenes finales y gracias siempre por su apoyo a North Lake ECHS!
Atentamente,
Adrián Hernández
Director
North Lake Early College High School
Twitter @AdHernández2648
Dr. Baker 10th/11th Grade
Dr. Parker Hart 9th/12th
Hello North Lake Families!
I have some exciting news to share this week!
- I am so ecstatic to announce that Emmanuel B. is the FIRST Posse Scholarship recipient from North Lake! Emmanuel has been accepted into Cornell College where he plans on majoring in Pre-Physician's Assistant. Emmanuel will receive a full tuition scholarship, along with numerous other benefits of being part of the Posse program. Emmanuel made it through an arduous three round selection process, and has blazed a new trail for future North Lake students!
- Daphney, Astrid, Ruth, and Kimberly Vega were all accepted to TCU! Daphney and Astrid were both admitted into the Nursing program, Kimberly is planning on majoring in Health Sciences and studying Pre-Med, and Ruth is planning on studying Pre-Law!
- Bailey H was accepted into Gettysburg College! Additionally, she was admitted into the selective Lincoln Scholars program!
- Alyssa T was admitted to Saint Mary's College at Notre Dame! She received direct entry into their prestigious Nursing program, and recieved a $136,000 merit scholarship!
Metrics
· Applications: 73/77 of our seniors (94.8%) 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 $1,070,00 in merit based scholarships! Many more students have reported scholarships, but I have not had a chance to add up our total just yet. I will keep you updated!
Announcements
ASP Winter Break Office Hours: ASP will be available for virtual college advising o12/22, 12/23, 12/29, 12/30, and 01/02 from 9:00-5:00. Can you include the attached flyer in the Blazer Beat and parent communication?
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
Seniors Only, click on the photo for product info at Levine's
John Johnson - Assistant Principal
Monique Gossett - Campus Coordinator
Kara Hoover - English I Cluster Lead Teacher
Kane Cortez - MAPS and Algebra I
Ana Martinez - Biology and AP Environmental Science
Hector Osegueda - AP Human Geography and AP African American Studies
Aaronia Ferguson - English II, Senior Sponsor and Cluster Lead Teacher
Bethany Crawford - Dual Credit German
Jeff Heiple - Geometry and Cluster Lead Teacher
Samah Al-Hamadi - Dual Credit Biology
Alexandra Locker - Algebra II
Swati Chakarvarty - Honors Chemistry
Aubry Born - Dual Credit English
Dr. John Davis II - Special Education
Elida Rueda - Parent Support Specialist
Dr. August Darbonne - Dual Credit US History and Mexican American Studies
Dhara Katbamna - Dual Credit Math and AP AB Calculus
Kelly Green - Dual Credit Government and AP Economics
Steven Nguyen - Dual Credit Health/PE and Cluster Lead Teacher
Michelle Smith - Dual Credit English
Danny Whitsell - Business and Financial Literacy
Nurse Archie - School Nurse
Natasha Sublet - Office Manager
Sandra Fisher - Financial Clerk and Parent Liaison
Cledy Olivares - Campus Safety Monitor
Tierra King - Teacher's Assistant and TSIA2 Math Tutor
Tonya Caston - Data Clerk/Registrar
