Brandeis Updates

Dear Bronco Parents and Guardians,

We want to share a friendly reminder about the importance of students having their school ID with them each day. Student IDs play an important role in helping us maintain a safe, secure, and welcoming campus for all of our Broncos.

Beginning October 8th, students who ride the bus will be required to scan their school ID when boarding the bus. To help make this process quick and easy, please remind your student to bring their ID to school every day and keep it with them while on campus.

We appreciate your help in making this a smooth transition for our students. A simple reminder at home—“Do you have your ID?”—can make a big difference!

Thank you for your continued partnership and support as we work together to keep our students safe and our campus running smoothly.

Congratulations to our first NEF grant winner of the year, Julia Torres! We were excited to celebrate Ms. Torres as a grant winner and hear all about the amazing things she is doing with our automotive students.

Congratulations to our band directors and all of our students who auditioned at TMEA Region Jazz Auditions on Saturday, September 12 at Clark High School. Students received audition music in May and put in many hours of preparation for a successful audition. Brandeis was represented extremely well, taking 1st chair in multiple rooms!

On Saturday, September 19th, our Percussion Studio performed at the annual Thunder in the Hills Percussion Invitational at Dripping Springs High School. They earned 3rd place in the Advanced Small Division! We are so proud of their hard work and dedication.

Bronco Band earned 3rd place out of 14 in their first marching competition of the season. Congratulations to these students who started working on this show in JULY! Best of luck as the season continues!

Brandeis HS welcomed Les Hudson from TEA CTE, Trisha Garza from SA Worx, and Anna Olguin and Jowie Walker from ESC 20 to highlight the impact of Work-Based Learning (WBL) in CTE! Brandeis HS was recognized for having the highest number of students participating in the city’s summer internship program through SA Worx. DECA student officers and CTE Business Teacher Erika Hodo did a fabulous job sharing their WBL experiences through their Business Program of Study and involvement in DECA. These three students represent just a handful of the many Northside ISD CTE students who completed paid internships through USAA, gaining valuable real-world experience and skills to prepare them for their futures. Way to go, Broncos! We are proud of the incredible work happening through #NorthsideCTE and the opportunities our students are gaining through Work-Based Learning!

AP Exam registration opens October 12th. Students will receive the AP Exam Information & Ordering Guide from their AP teacher on October 8th, which will include important information about registration, payment, deadlines, and the ordering process.

Families and students are encouraged to review the guide carefully and stay informed throughout the registration period.

For the most up-to-date AP information, visit the Brandeis Advanced Academics Site.

The Northside Education Foundation (NEF) Annual Giving Campaign is here, and we’re asking you—our families, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends—to join us in making a difference for our students.

Every gift, big or small, helps fund NEF Grants, which provide teachers (like our own Ms. Torres!) with resources to spark creativity, inspire curiosity, and open new opportunities for the children in our schools. You may have seen some of the NEF Apples outside of doors; those apples represent past grant winners. When our educators have the tools they need, our students can dream bigger, learn more, and achieve the incredible.

Annual Giving Campaign is about more than raising funds—it’s about showing our kids that their community believes in them. By giving today and encouraging others to do the same, you help create experiences that will shape their future.

The campaign closes on October 5, so let’s come together as one Northside family and be truly unstoppable for our students.

Donate Here and don't forget to select BRANDEIS HIGH SCHOOL!

Learn more about the incredible work NEF is doing throughout NISD at https://www.nisd.net/community/nef

Has your your Bronco misplaced a jacket or water bottle? The Bronco Lost & Found is filling up fast and is located in the APO. Please encourage your student to go by and check for any lost items.

Lost items are donated at the end of every grading period.

• Advanced Academics
• ASVAB Testing
• CCMR
• Clubs & Organizations
• Post-Secondary Planning
• Senior-Specific Info
• Upcoming Events & Deadlines

Brandeis students, don’t miss the opportunity to connect with college and military representatives during lunch! Stop by the Main Foyer to learn more about colleges, universities, military opportunities, admissions, programs, and what it takes to plan your next steps after high school.

When: October 15, 11:51 AM to 2:30 PM (All Lunches)

Where: Main Foyer

What: Representatives from several colleges and military branches will be on campus and ready to answer your questions. Bring your questions, explore your options, and start planning your future!

College • Career • Military • Your Future Starts Here!

NISD seniors and their families are invited to attend the NISD College Fair on Monday, October 19, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at the Northside Activity Center, 7001 Culebra Rd. Students will have the opportunity to connect with representatives from universities, community colleges, technical colleges, and more to explore college and career options, ask questions, and learn about their next steps after high school.

The 2027–2028 FAFSA is officially open as of October 1, 2026! Students and parents are encouraged to complete the FAFSA as early as possible to explore eligibility for federal financial aid, including grants, work-study, and student loans.

Before starting the FAFSA, students and parents should create their StudentAid.gov accounts and gather the necessary information.

Need help with college applications or FAFSA? Visit our Brandeis & Beyond site for helpful college application, financial aid, FAFSA, and postsecondary planning resources.

Plan early. Be prepared. Explore your opportunities!

Senior portrait sessions are an important first step in celebrating your student's final year of high school. We’re excited to partner with CADY for senior portraits this year.

This is a busy year, so we recommend booking a session as soon as possible. CADY offers session options to fit every family’s needs. These portraits are a perfect way to capture your student's achievement and can be used for graduation announcements, yearbook ads, social posts, and more. Remember to book early! CADY’s calendar fills up fast and weekend spots are always the first to go. Start the celebration now and visit cady.com/schedule to book your senior session today. More information about booking your session can be found in the Senior Portrait Booking Flyer.

We want to ensure that you are informed about what is happening in our community. Please take time to read about the proposed Northside ISD Bond and VATRE.

Communication was sent via email on 8/31 to families of juniors and seniors regarding re-eligibility for off-campus privileges for the spring semester. Please review and reach out with any questions you may have.

• September is Library Card Sign-up Month, so we worked with the San Antonio Public Library to get SAPL library cards into the hands of interested students and staff.
• We collaborated with ELA teachers to provide book talks, book tastings, and a few games of book bingo - all with the goal of helping each our Broncos find the right book for their reading level and interests.
• We also had our first Book Club meeting of the year! If your student is interested in joining our Book Club, they can stop by the library to get more information from Ms. Silva.

Click the image to share your love and appreciation for your school library and librarian.

But it's not just about shout-outs! We also welcome FEEDBACK and SUGGESTIONS to help us improve our services.

Your words of appreciation and constructive criticism can make a real difference and help us continue to provide the best possible library for our Broncos!

Click on the link below to read the Counseling Department Newsletter, which has information about upcoming guidance lessons & individual planning, the Declaration of Respect, Red Ribbon Week, and other counseling resources.

Follow the Brandeis Counseling Department on social media:

X- @Bronco_Guidance 📱 Instagram- @brandeiscounseling 📱 Facebook- brandeis counseling

Below are various CCMR resources for families. Additional family information about CCMR can be found on the public-facing CCMR and High School Success Essentials web pages.

Planning for AP and Dual Credit courses is an important part of preparing for college. Our AP & Dual Credit Checklist provides students and families with key steps, important deadlines, and resources to help make the process easier. Whether you’re exploring advanced courses for the first time or already participating, we encourage you to review the checklist and plan ahead!

For additional information about AP, Dual Credit, course requirements, deadlines, and resources, visit our Brandeis Advanced Academics website below.

Start planning now—your future starts with the choices you make today!

• Upon enrollment, all students will be issued a student identification card by Administration.

• Students are to wear their school ID card while on campus at all times. IDs are to be visible and on their person.

• The first card is issued free of charge. Lost or stolen cards will be replaced for a $5.00 fee.

• Wearing the student ID is a campus and district requirement and non-compliance will be addressed administratively.

• Freshmen will take their ID picture and be issued their ID during the first weeks of school.

Office Hours

8:15 am - 4:30 pm
Checkout Cut-Off Time: 4:00 pm
(on testing and early release days, cut off time will be 20 minutes before dismissal)

Student Attendance Notes

Please ensure all Health and Parent notes are submitted within three days of the absence. All Health or Parent notes can be dropped off in the Attendance Office or sent to: brandeis.attendance@nisd.net

Verification of Enrollment (VOE)

If a student who is under 18 wishes to obtain the TEA Verification of Enrollment and Attendance Form in order to earn a Texas Instructional Driver’s Permit, receive a Texas Driver’s License or renew a Texas Driver’s License, he/she must be in attendance for at least 90% of the days classes are offered and be in good standing with grades/credits, per NISD and TEA policy.

VOE forms can be requested in the Brandeis HS Attendance Office or online by scanning the QR code. Please allow a minimum of 24 hours for processing. Upon administrative approval, the completed VOE form will be sent to the student's NISD email if the student qualifies. We are unable to accommodate requests for VOE while parents and students are waiting in line at the Department of Public Safety.

According to the Texas Education Agency, students are required to be in attendance a minimum of 90% to earn course credit. Students with attendance between 75% and 90% may be given the opportunity to regain credit if they complete attendance recovery outside of school hours.

Attendance recovery is available for those students who have greater than 9 absences in their semester courses and fewer than 45 absences in any year-long course. In order for students to earn their credits, they must meet the passing grade requirement and the attendance requirement.

Are you interested in learning more about GPA, class rank, college entrance exams, Advanced Academics programs, and NCAA? NISD now offers informational videos on all of these topics! Click on the button below to view these videos on the NISD website.

We encourage you to follow us on Instagram, X, and FB to stay up to date with all of the amazing things happening here in Bronco Country.

https://www.instagram.com/nisdbrandeisbroncos/

https://x.com/nisdbrandeis

https://www.facebook.com/people/Louis-D-Brandeis-High-School/61550216849901/