Keeping Up with Comm Arts

There are only a few short weeks till school starts. Students, please make sure you are working on your summer reading project. Assignments can be found in this newsletter.

Thank you to all who participated in our Prep Days. If you were unable to attend, feel free to stop by the Comm Arts front office between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to pick up a paper schedule with locker information. Student IDs will be issued during the first week of school.

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! Transportation information should be available for students and parents on Monday, August 4th.

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

For those who need to order PE uniforms. The online store will close on August 10th.

Seniors, if you would like a locker, complete this Google form. Lockers are limited, so only request one if you intend to use it.

Below are the school supplies list for Comm Arts classes. Students will receive lists for the Taft classes on the first day of school.

As back-to-school shopping begins, please keep the NISD district dress code in mind. Students with dress code violations will be required to change.

1. Shorts of mid-thigh length may be worn at all school levels. Suggestive and/or indecent shorts will be prohibited.
2. Mid-thigh length skirts, skorts, and dresses may be worn at all levels. There should not be a cut or slit in the clothing that extends above the mid-thigh. Suggestive and/or indecent styles will be prohibited. These requirements also apply to school uniforms.
3. Appropriate footwear must be worn; footwear which has toes reinforced with steel, hard plastics or similar materials are specifically prohibited.
4. Hair must be neat and clean. Unconventional hairstyles that distract from teaching and learning will be prohibited.
5. Any clothes that are suggestive or indecent or which cause a distraction will be prohibited. Specifically, oversized clothing, tank tops, muscle shirts, halter/crop tops, spaghetti straps, exposed backs or midriffs, and see-through garments are prohibited.
6. Indecent/inappropriate patches, writings, or drawings on clothing are prohibited. Undergarments must not be visible.
7. All pants are to be worn at the waist (no "sagging") Tight fitting pants (e.g. tights, spandex, bicycle pants, etc.) are also prohibited. Frays or holes above the knees are prohibited.
8. Body piercing jewelry is prohibited except for rings, studs or other traditional jewelry. Any piercing that distracts the teaching and learning environment will be prohibited.

Because fads in dress and grooming are subject to sudden, and sometimes radical change, a basic rule to remember is that student dress and grooming should not be suggestive or indecent, or so bizarre and unusual as to detract from the classroom environment.

All students attending Communications Arts HS are expected to adhere to the standardized attire requirement.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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 for 24-25 are here! Stop by the Comm Arts building on Tuesday, August 6th, from 10 am to 3 pm, Thursday, August 7th, from 10 am to 3 pm, and Friday, August 8th, from 1 to 3 pm.

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

If you were able to attend Prep Days, School pictures are ready!

To order, log in to your account on mylifetouch.com or create an account using your student's student ID number. All families can also log on and order a FREE Digital SmileSafe card. More about the Smilesafe program here.

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.

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.

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