We hope everyone is having an enjoyable summer. Keep scrolling for summer highlights, prep day information, key dates, summer reading assignments, and other valuable details.

Just a friendly reminder that Monday, August 11th, is the first day of school for our wonderful students! We can’t wait to welcome everyone back!

9th graders have their prep day on July 25th from 9-11 am & 1-3 pm

10th-12th graders have prep day on July 28th from 9-11 am & 1-3 pm

Students receive their locker information, collect their school IDs, and take their school pictures for our yearbook. 9th-11th graders, you must be in dress code to take your yearbook picture.

This is a self-paced event and usually takes about an hour. Parents, you are welcome to join. If you are unable to attend, please stop by our front office to pick up schedules and locker information. Student IDs will be taken care of during the first week back.

If this will be your first school year with Comm Arts in the fall, please read through this section carefully.

If you have not completed the registration process for the fall, complete the steps below that pertain to you.

• Currently attending a NISD middle school - Complete the registration online. Records will transfer at the end of the school year.
• Out of District or currently attending a NISD high school - You will need to contact Ms. Rosa Torres, Taft registrar, at 210-397-6000. The majority of the registration process is handled online.

Please complete the Google Form below. Our amazing principal, Dr. Baker, orders every new Comm Arts student a t-shirt. List your child's first and last name, then select the requested shirt size. Thank you!

Attached below are the athletic pre-enrollment form and procedures for magnet/program transfer students.

This form is to be filled out by Northside students who have been given District approval to attend or transfer to a magnet/program outside of their attendance zone in which he/she resides to participate in any athletic activity before the first day of school (August 11th). Ex. summer strength & conditioning, sports camps, etc.

Thank you to those who participated in AP Bootcamp last week. We have around 50 students in attendance. All had a great time working on their communication and teamwork skills. We can't wait to have them back on campus for the beginning of the school year.

Your child’s state assessment score history is available 24/7 through Northside ISD’s Home Access Center (HAC) where attendance and grades are also available. If you do not currently have a HAC account, follow the instructions at www.nisd.net/parents to create one. Once your account has been created, you may view your child’s state assessment score history.

The Congressional App Challenge (CAC) is a nationwide competition designed to engage students' creativity and encourage their participation in STEM fields. Launched in 2015, the CAC allows students to compete with their peers by developing software applications (apps) for mobile, tablet, or computer devices. App submissions should demonstrate some level of functionality. However, the app does not need to be finalized if the students can demonstrate their programming skills and provide a detailed outline explaining the app concept and design. Students may compete as individuals or in teams of up to four as long as two teammates are residents of or attend school within the Texas 20th Congressional District. Click here to verify the Congressional District for a residential or school address.

Students who are interested in participating can register for the competition on the Congressional App Challenge website at www.congressionalappchallenge.us. The deadline for submissions is October 30th, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. For additional details and a review of the competition rules, click HERE. The apps will be judged by a panel of local judges who work within the academic, software, and entrepreneurial fields. The app of the winning student or team will be featured on the U.S. House of Representatives website and displayed in an exhibit at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Our Band leadership are asking for Taft Band Alumni to fill out the Google Form below. They would like to keep in contact with you about the football game, social events, etc... You can also follow them on social media: IG/FB @taftraideralumniband

https://forms.gle/cg3X3TVakBfoTF5Y6

All Comm Arts students have a summer reading assignment. The PDFs attached below are the instructions for all grade levels. Happy Reading!

To appear in the 2026 section of your yearbook, you must photograph with Presitge Senior Portraits. The studio opens June 18th. 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.

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.

Last names A-K = Mrs. Martinez (yvonne.martinez@nisd.net)

Last names L-Z = Dr. Rosales (minerva.rosales@nisd.net)

Summer to do list for upcoming seniors

1. Register for a Campus Tour for your prospective universities. Go to the university’s website and search for Visits.
2. Build your Resume - see Sample Resumes and Templates
3. Continue working on your college essays.
4. College Planning Checklist: College Planning Check list for Juniors
5. Research College Scholarships - Scholarship Opportunities for Juniors

Remember your Choices 360 website if you want to continue exploring Majors.

Choices 360

Stay Sharp - don’t put off your summer reading. PSAT and SAT are digital. Here are tips for preparing for the digital tests ( a step by step guide).

How to Study for the Digital SAT

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.

Students can now sign in to their College Board account and access their AP scores. Use the link below to log in and access your AP scores.

All AP Exams Have Benefits
Completing an AP course and exam means students took college-level coursework in high school. No matter the score, preparing for and taking an AP Exam sharpens students' skills to transition from high school to college. Research shows that students who take AP courses and exams have better college outcomes than their peers. Whatever the score, taking an AP Exam can keep students on track for college. Most students who score a 1 or 2 on their first AP Exam are likely to improve their score on a future exam. Students who achieve an exam score of 2 do significantly better in introductory college classes. Students who achieve exam scores of 1 or 2 are still more likely to attend college and graduate on time (than academically similar students who don’t take AP).

Helpful Resources:

• Do you want to understand better what your scores mean? Click HERE.
• Click HERE to learn more about AP Awards & Recognitions.

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

Yearbooks should be arriving after July 21st. You will receive a notification once they are here and ready for pick up.

Lifetouch will be on campus for pictures during Prep Day on July 25th and 28th. They will be back on campus on October 24th.

Students need to be in dress code for their picture to appear in the yearbook.

To appear in the 2026 section of your yearbook, you must photograph with Presitge Senior Portraits. The studio opens June 18th. 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.

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