Keeping Up with Comm Arts

NISD Club/Student Organization Permission Form

85.3 KB

Thursday, September 4th, is Senior Night at Taft High School. We will begin the evening in the Taft Auditorium. After the presentations, parents and students will have the opportunity to visit with college admissions representatives.

September is Suicide Prevention Month - #BeThe1To is the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline's message for National Suicide Prevention Month and beyond, which helps spread the word about actions we can all take to prevent suicide. The Lifeline network and its partners are working to change the conversation from suicide to suicide prevention, to actions that can promote healing, help, and give hope. CAHS hallways feature flyers that promote well-being and resources for individuals to reach out for help when needed.

Ask - Research shows people who are having thoughts of suicide feel relief when someone asks after them in a caring way. Findings suggest acknowledging and talking about suicide may reduce rather than increase suicidal ideation.

Be There - Individuals are more likely to feel less depressed, less suicidal, less overwhelmed, and more hopeful after speaking to someone who listens without judgment.

Keep them Safe - A number of studies have indicated that when lethal means are made less available or less deadly, suicide rates by that method decline, and frequently, suicide rates overall decline.

Help them Stay Connected -Studies indicate that helping someone at risk create a network of resources and individuals for support and safety can help them take positive action and reduce feelings of hopelessness.

Follow-up - Studies have also shown that brief, low-cost interventions and supportive, ongoing contact may be an important part of suicide prevention, especially for individuals after they have been discharged from hospitals or care services.

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

Jack C. Jordan Scholarship

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/

The Congressional App Challenge

U.S. Service Academy Nominations

Congressional Award Program

Benefits of PSAT Participation

Preparation for the SAT, where scores can help students get into honors college programs and college pathways (college within a college)
Connects students to colleges and universities
Scholarship opportunities for Grade 11 students
Scores can be used to qualify for dual credit courses.
Results will include resources about local two-year colleges, workforce training programs, and career options.

SAT Fee Waivers

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.

SAT Practice

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.

BigFuture 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

School Pictures

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.

Class of 2026 Pictures

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.

They will be on campus September 8th. Students will need to sign up ahead of time to reserve their spot.

Personal Communication Device Policy

Dear Students and Parents,

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.

Sept 2025

2025-2026 CAHS Bell Schedule.pdf

2025-2026-nisd-calendar

589.8 KB

Attendance Matters

High School Credits: Students are required by law to be in attendance for 90% of each class. If students' absences exceed 90%, they will lose credit for their class unless corrected through Attendance Recovery. Excused and non-excused absences count towards the allotted amount.

Health vs. EADN (Excused Absences - Non-Health -Doctor Note): Health absences do not count against a student's attendance. However, a student must be on campus for part of the school day and bring in a doctor's note. A doctor's note counts as an excused absence if a student is absent for the whole school day.

Dress Code - NISD.pdf

https://www.nisd.net/schools/buses/here-comes-the-bus

53.0 KB

Student Parking Request

Click here to complete the form for student parking.

Here Comes the Bus

Safety

As a safety reminder, NISD does not allow food deliveries for students or faculty/staff members. Additionally, all students, faculty, and staff must wear their school IDs on campus for safety.

Here is the link for more information: Safety First, 2025-2026

Additionally, any visitors to campus will need to apply and pass a background check. This does need to be completed every year. It will not roll over. Here is the link to the background check: https://www.nisd.net/community/volunteer-mentor

If you notice anything unusual or a potential safety concern throughout the school year, please contact the NISD Safeline. The Safeline is anonymous and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Phone number: 210-397-7233

Email: safe@nisd.net

VOE

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.

AI in Northside

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 Access

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.

Adobe+Home+License+Instructions.pdf

Parent Schoology Overview