The Blazer Beat

North Lake Family,

It was a short week for us on campus due to the holiday this past Monday but the work never stops at North Lake ECHS! It was the start of tutoring and many of our students took advantage of it during the week to catch up or gain valuable extra credit in some of their courses. Please encourage your student to attend tutoring if they are struggling in a course or need the extra help!

This week several of our students met with other students from around Dallas ISD to plan for the year for our Save Promise Clubs to promote a safe and healthy learning environment. Our students came back with fresh ideas and were also able to share some insights with other students from around the district. We also had several college visits and our Seniors are starting to weigh all their options when it comes to college! We have also seen students wearing ID badges throughout the week and are proud of students for holding each other accountable.

Also starting next week, our students in 9th grade PE will start dressing out for the gym. As many of you know, Coach Nguyen is out on military leave and will hopefully return soon. We know it's important that our students stay active so on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Archie, and myself will be teaching gym! If you have any questions, please let me know. Make it a great week and thank you for your support of North Lake ECHS!

Sincerely,

Adrian Hernandez

Principal

North Lake Early College High School

Twitter @AdHernandez2648

Familias de North Lake,

Fue una semana corta en el campus debido al día festivo del lunes pasado, ¡pero el trabajo nunca se detiene en North Lake ECHS! Comenzaron las sesiones de tutoría y muchos de nuestros estudiantes las aprovecharon durante la semana para ponerse al día o ganar valiosos puntos extra en algunas de sus asignaturas. ¡Por favor, animen a sus hijos a asistir a tutoría si tienen dificultades en alguna materia o necesitan ayuda adicional!

Esta semana, varios de nuestros estudiantes se reunieron con alumnos de otras escuelas del Dallas ISD para planificar las actividades anuales de nuestros clubes "Save Promise", con el fin de promover un entorno de aprendizaje seguro y saludable. Nuestros estudiantes regresaron con ideas nuevas y también pudieron compartir sus perspectivas con compañeros de todo el distrito. Además, realizamos varias visitas a universidades, y nuestros estudiantes de último año (seniors) ya están evaluando todas sus opciones para la educación superior. También hemos visto a los estudiantes llevando sus tarjetas de identificación durante toda la semana y nos sentimos orgullosos de ver cómo se motivan mutuamente para cumplir con esta norma.

Asimismo, a partir de la próxima semana, los estudiantes de educación física de noveno grado comenzarán a cambiarse de ropa para la clase. Como muchos de ustedes saben, el entrenador Nguyen se encuentra de licencia militar y esperamos que regrese pronto. Sabemos que es importante que nuestros estudiantes se mantengan activos, por lo que los martes y miércoles, el Sr. Johnson, el Sr. Archie y yo impartiremos la clase de educación física. Si tienen alguna pregunta, por favor no duden en contactarme. ¡Que tengan una excelente semana y gracias por su apoyo a North Lake ECHS!

Atentamente,

Adrián Hernández

Director

North Lake Early College High School

Twitter @AdHernández2648

Week of September 14th

Value of the Week - Integrity

What will you do to show this value during the week?

Education GO GET IT WEEK! Theme Week

Monday, September 14, 2026 - A Day - Know Your Why (See Details Below)

Syracuse College Visit

Tuesday, September 15, 2026 - B Day - College Major Without Saying (See Details Below)

11th Grade Huddle

9th Grade Dress out for PE

Campus Tutoring Day

Wednesday, September 16, 2026 - A Day - Uniform Day

Please wear your uniform or club shirt

9th Grade Dress out for PE

Columbia University Visit to North Lake ECHS

Thursday, September 17, 2026 - B Day

College and Career Readiness Day - Wear your gear!

Josten’s on Campus for Senior Orders

Friday, September 18, 2026 C Day

North Lake ECHS - Where A’s Happen!

Bentley University Visits North Lake

Block Lunch Tutoring - Visit your teachers for the first 30 minutes of block for tutoring or club work

Senior Huddle

North Lake ECHS Social Media

Instagram:

@northlakeechs

X/Twitter: @NorthLake_ECHS

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/NLECHSDISD

SLOW DOWN! Ducks are crossing, the unofficial mascot of North Lake ECHS. Also students working in the library, getting excited for Powder Puff, and the start of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Pre Order your copy of The Stampede, The Official North Lake ECHS Year Book! Click the photo for more info!

Check out the supports you can type into Google Gemini from your Dallas ISD Device! It will help you study for the test

Please look over these videos to support you with TSIA ELAR and Math!

*IMPORTANT*

HEAT MITIGATING TACTICS

Due to the high temperature, drivers will do their best to limit the opening and closing of doors on the bus to keep them cool. We ask that students do not open windows on the bus while riding to and from school.

IMPORTANT! PLEASE REVIEW ROUTES, THERE HAVE BEEN CHANGES!

Please review the routes below, a live link is also available. If you encounter any issues on the first day, please contact transportation first. 972-925-4287. Remember the first days of school, buses can run behind schedule due to increased traffic.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1OuunwjN-sbEmHSFSN-Q6HG7WeMZGaOoPL0jACIWJ7xU/edit?gid=1532365375#gid=1532365375

This link also provides information on tracking your bus.

Please review the tutoring bus routes. Please note our tutoring buses usually arrive at 5:30 pm and the last one arrives at 6 pm due to completing other routes first. Students, please report back to L building after tutoring is complete to wait for the bus. Thank you!

Beginning on the first day of school (August 11, 2026), all students will be expected to adhere to the the North Lake Early College dress code and uniform policy.

Wednesday will be "Uniform Day" On Uniform Wednesdays, students are required to wear their ECHS uniform shirt, black slacks, khaki slacks or a skirt (no shorter than “finger-tip length” with arms in normal position, i.e., arms hanging naturally, as student is standing straight and upright).

Senior Only Uniform of grey slacks or Grey/Blue plaid skirt with the North Lake ECHS uniform shirt or Senior Shirt!

North Lake ECHS Uniform can be purchased at Levine's two locations or via their website https://levinesstores.com/collections/north-lake-early-college-high-school.

Students will be required to follow the North Lake Dress Code on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Please see the image below which outlines the do's and don'ts. This also included no sleep ware such as pajamas or pajama pants. Failure to follow this will result in a student code of conduct referral.

All students will be required to have clear or mesh backpacks for the 26/27 school year, small personal non clear bags are allowed. Dallas ISD will provide all students with one free clear back from the school year. I would recommend the mesh bag as they are more durable for the year. If you require a backpack, you can pick up at open house or first day of school

Mesh/Clear Backpack examples - https://www.amazon.com/s?k=mesh+backpack&crid=21Z8OKVNB5ZZY&sprefix=Mesh+Bac%2Caps%2C144&ref=nb_sb_ss_pltr-data-refreshed_1_8

Remember Blazers, no strapless tops! Please bring a sweater if you wear this item.

Please review the bell schedule for the 2026-2027 school year. If changes occur due to testing or special events, parents and students will be notified ASAP.

The building is open from 7:15 am - 4:15 pm. Classes are from 8:00 am - 3:20 pm. Note that tutoring will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 pm - 4:45 pm.

Visit our Counseling website for additional resources and Information!

• Parent Counseling Needs Assessment - Please complete today!

September is Suicide Prevention Month

September is recognized as Suicide Prevention Month, a time to increase awareness, encourage connection, and remind students and families that asking for help is a sign of strength.

Teenagers may experience stress related to academics, relationships, family concerns, grief, identity, or uncertainty about the future. While difficult emotions are a normal part of life, students should never feel that they have to manage overwhelming feelings alone.

Check In. Speak Up. Reach Out.

We encourage students to:

• Check in with themselves and with friends.

• Speak with a trusted adult when something does not feel right.

• Reach out for support before concerns become overwhelming.

• Tell an adult immediately if they are worried about themselves or someone else.

How Families Can Help

Parents and caregivers can support teens by creating regular opportunities for open conversation. Ask how your student is doing beyond grades and schoolwork, listen without immediately trying to solve the problem, and pay attention to significant changes in mood, behavior, sleep, relationships, or daily functioning.

If your child shares that they are struggling emotionally, take the concern seriously and help connect them with appropriate support.

You Are Not Alone

Students can reach out to their school counselor, a trusted teacher, administrator, parent/caregiver, or another trusted adult when they need support.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If there is an immediate safety emergency, call 911.

Education: Go Get It Week: September 14–18

Next week, North Lake will celebrate Education: Go Get It Week, a statewide initiative designed to help students think intentionally about life after high school. Throughout the week, students will participate in activities that encourage them to explore college and career options, identify their goals, and understand how the choices they make now can support their future.

Students are encouraged to participate in the daily dress-up themes and activities listed on the attached flyer.

Dallas ISD College Fair

Wednesday, September 16, 2026
5:30 PM–8:30 PM
Ellis Davis Fieldhouse

Students and families are encouraged to attend the College Fair to meet college representatives, explore postsecondary options, and ask questions about admissions, programs, and next steps. Please register in advance using the information on the flyer.

Students who attend should take a picture at the College Fair and send it to their counselor to be entered into a raffle.

Your Education. Your Future. Your Move.

Ms. Price
9th-Grade Counselor
diprice@dallasisd.org

Dr. Hart
10th–12th Grade Counselor
kyparker@dallasisd.org

College Corner

Welcome back to College Corner! Class of 2027: Make sure you are checking SCOIR and Google Classroom to get the latest updates on your college application process.

Focal Points:

I know it's exciting doing your college applications but do not submit any applications without speaking to me first, errors in your application materials can impact students’ admission chances. Remember to meet with me and we can both go over when we can submit the applications.

1. Make sure seniors have activated their accounts on SCOIR (still 5 seniors remaining). Everyone should have access to do so from their DISD email who hasn't already. If you have problems getting into SCOIR and have already activated your account try studentIDnumber@stumail.dallasisd.org . When you do this, consent to the FERPA release and waive your right to view your letters of recommendation. This is one of the main portals where they will work with the college advisor, Ms. Kinnard.

2. Create and link Common App accounts to SCOIR. This can be done by going to students’ SCOIR profile page and clicking “Connect Common App”. This is an important step to facilitate document submissions and track student deadlines.

3. Start making FSA IDs (accounts) for parents and students to login to the FAFSA when it opens October 1st. You will need to know your Social Security Number for this part of the process. Timing is crucial and the sooner we get this in, the better each students' odds of financial aid. (The FAFSA is also a graduation requirement, please feel free to reach out to Ms. Kinnard with any questions you may have: skinnard@aspdallas.org)

4. Visit Ms. Kinnard's office hours and start discussing financing and college list building (open to students and parents as needed, if a parent is coming please email Ms. Kinnard to let her know): here

5. Students should be asking their teachers for letters of recommendation- these should be from at least 2 teachers who have taught their CORE classes and who know them well, they should be able to speak to their character in an academic setting.

5. Check out the Overview of Senior Year on the North Lake ECHS website: this has many resources, including testing dates.

SAT Prep| Updates-

• SAT Prep will run starting Tuesday Sept. 8th, from 3:30-4:30 pm in Ms. Green's room (L234)

• Google Classroom for Standard SAT Prep: LKPQIHQK

• Google Classroom for Hard Math Prep: T22FQAD

• Sat, September 12th, 10 am- 3 pm, College Kick Off at WH Adamson HS- This is an opportunity to attend an application workshop and get a headstart on college networking. Representatives from colleges across the country will be available to talk to students at the Meet & Greet Lunch and share strategies for success. Attendance is highly recommended for all high school seniors.

• Mon, September 14th, 12:45 pm - 1:30 pm, Syracuse University NLECHS Visit- A representative from Syracuse University will be coming to North Lake to talk with students about the opportunities there, the admissions process, and answer any questions students may have. She will be in the office at Ms. Kinnard’s desk with pizza to facilitate conversations between her and interested students. Register on SCOIR.

• Thurs, September 17th, 2 pm - 2:55 pm Columbia University NLECHS Visit- A representative from Columbia will be coming to North Lake to talk about their process and answer any questions students may have. Columbia is a 100% need-met institution as well as one of the most prestigious universities in the country. This is an excellent opportunity to hear from them first-hand. (Pizza provided). Register on SCOIR

• Fri, September 18th, 11 am- 12pm, Bentley University NLECHS Visit- A representative from Bentley University will be coming to North Lake to talk to students about the opportunities there, the admissions process, and answer any questions students may have. Bentley University has an excellent reputation for financial aid and the Princeton Review ranks Bentley #1 in the nation for its career services, speaking to the excellent support students receive on-campus. More details to come in the coming weeks.

• Mon, September 21st, 8-9 am, Augustana College NLECHS Visit- A representative from Augustana College will be coming to North Lake to talk with students about Augustana, the opportunities there, and the admissions process. Augustana has an excellent reputation for their financial aid and has had 14 graduates from North Lake since 2024. Augustana has an excellent pre-nursing track and is know for the Augie Choice grant that gives admitted students $2,000 towards study abroad or pursuing an internship (supporting experiential learning). More details to come in the coming weeks

• Tues, September 29th, 7:00 pm, UChicago, Brown, Vanderbilt, & Columbia Info Session, Molina HS- Come hear from 4 top colleges to get insight into four unique perspectives on a liberal arts education. Learn more about academic programs, admissions policies, financial aid, and student life in this uncommon opportunity for them to come together to talk to you.

Remind Codes

Class of 2027 (Seniors)

text @nlclass-27 to the number 81010

Class of 2028 (Juniors)

text @nlech28 to the number 81010

Class of 2029 (Sophomores)

text @nlechs2029 to the number 81010

Class of 2030 (Freshmen)

text @nlechs2030 to the number 81010