Keeping Up with Comm Arts

Thursday, 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!

Attention seniors! Mark your calendars for Thursday, October 2nd, as Mr. Trevino is hosting a voter registration opportunity. This is a great chance to make your voice heard in the upcoming elections.

SNHS has prepared lots of activities to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15th to October 15th Every Friday, we will have activities in the LGI during the second half of lunch. Everyone is invited to participate! We’ll have prizes, games, and snacks.

We are rocking it! With 95 faculty and staff members, we’ve hit 50% overall membership—that’s HUGE! And guess what? We already crushed our first milestone and earned the Head Start Award—only 5 of the 13 high schools can say that!

But we’re not done yet…
Our September goal is 170 members, and we’re sitting at 149 right now. That means we only need 21 more by September 30 to grab the Early Bird Award. We are soooo close!

And because we love to celebrate wins…
Tuesday Treats are coming your way on September 30 during all lunches for our current members! PLUS—we’ll be giving away two Starbucks gift cards—one for staff and one for students.

Let’s keep the momentum going—spread the word, sign up, and let’s cross that finish line together!

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.

If a time is not listed, reach out to the sponsor for more information. Students, make sure you have a pass if the club meets during lunch.

• Black Student Union (BSU) - Mrs. Lee - Every second and fourth Tuesday during lunch
• Chess Club - Ms. De La Rosa - Thursdays from 4:30-5:15 pm
• Coding Club - Mrs. Derby & Mr. Villarreal - Wednesdays at 12:15 pm
• Commie Art Club - Mr. Hernandez
• Commie Lit Club - Mr. Polinard - Tuesdays during lunch
• Content Creators - Mr. Hernandez & Mrs. Lee - Every Friday
• Environmental Club - Mr. Polinard & Mr. Trevino - Wednesdays during lunch
• Esports - Mr. Villarreal - Mondays after school & Fridays during lunch
• Film Club - Mr. Flores
• Helping Hands - Ms. Cleveland & Mrs. Derby - Thursdays at 12:15 pm
• SkillsUSA - Ms. Cleveland & Mrs. Sabogal
• Student Council (Comm Arts) - Mr. Harris and Mr. Trevino - Thursdays from 12:24-12:44 pm
• UIL Academics - Mrs. Davern

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!

Kindness is the quality or state of being kind. It is so important. Give KINDNESS because you can. Be RESPECTFUL to all people. Why? Because the world needs more people who are. And there is no one better to do this than ALL OF US!! In Northside, we promote kindness with the Decision of Respect. On this day, students are invited to sign the Decision of Respect poster. As we approach this campaign, we also encourage students to wear blue on Monday, October 6th, to honor World Day of Bullying Prevention.

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.

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 a four-week period. 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 a 6-month period), 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. Have an open line of communication with the school when a student will be out for more than three consecutive days.

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/

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.

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 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.

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

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

https://lifetouch.com/

Picture Day ID: EVT99RR2G

Don't Forget to Order This Year's School Pictures

ENJOY 10% OFF

your order!

CODE: F2510OFF

EXPIRES: July 31, 2026

Redeem Now

If you missed school pictures during Prep Day, Lifetouch will be back on campus October 24th.

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 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.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is defined as the intellect shown by machines which is based on the synthesized and predictive inferences of the information with which they are trained. Generative AI is a type of artificial intelligence that uses algorithms to produce new data, often in the form of images or text.

In Northside, we want to embrace and encourage the use of AI by students. For the safety of our students, important guidelines must be followed to help support learning.

Acceptable Use of AI:

• Students can use AI in a meaningful, safe, and responsible way, aiding in ideation, providing personalized feedback and tutoring, supporting research, and offering a wide range of assistive technology.
• Students can use artificial intelligence to complete assignments with permission and guidance from teachers.
• AI serves as a tool, not a replacement for your ideas, creativity, or critical thinking.
• To enable student use of AI tools, staff are responsible for confirming students meet all Terms of Service (TOS) requirements.
• Responsible AI use requires students to cite AI-generated content properly when included in assignments.
• Students should be aware of the potential biases and fallacies in AI-generated content.
• Students should be able to critically evaluate output for accuracy and bias.

Unacceptable Use of AI:

• Students must not use AI to deceive or harm such as including impersonation, spreading misinformation, or creating harmful content.
• Students must not use AI tools to violate privacy.
• Students must not use AI to violate academic integrity by cheating, or plagiarism.
• Students must not use AI to circumvent learning by avoiding learning objectives or substituting AI for original thought.
• Students will not use personal identifiable information when using artificial intelligence applications.

Consequences of Misuse:

• Misuse of AI tools may result in disciplinary action, including suspension of technology privileges or other appropriate consequences.

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