The Blazer Beat

North Lake Family,

It is a busy time of year on our campus as we have started to welcome perspective students and new families to North Lake ECHS for recruitment season! I feel like we just welcomed the class of 2030 to our campus and now we have started the preparation for the class of 2031! During the next few months our team will be busy around the district providing more information to families about The North Lake Way. We could not do this without our amazing student ambassadors, who attend events at campus and with the administration team too! Mrs. Locker has done a great job with them and I credit her training that has allowed so many students to come to North Lake.

This week we also held our parent conferences to connect on our students' progress in the program and support their journey with us. If you were unable to attend, please email your child’s teacher and they will be able to schedule a conference in person or virtual. Students also participated in PSAT this week in a district wide effort to promote post secondary education and readiness for our students. We had about half of the campus participate from grades 9th to 11th and some of our Seniors also took the SAT as well for graduation. Congratulations to our students for their effort this week and their continued pursuit of excellence.

Next Thursday, our Seniors will hold their yearly tradition of Trunk or Treat on Thursday, October 29, 2026 at 2:15 pm! Seniors and staff decorate their cars in the parking lot for a fun event for the North Lake ECHS campus. If you would like to donate any candy or treats, please feel free to drop them off at the main office. Thank you for your support of North Lake ECHS and make it a great week!

Sincerely,

Adrian Hernandez

Principal

North Lake Early College High School

Twitter @AdHernandez2648

Familias de North Lake,

¡Es una época muy activa en nuestro campus, ya que hemos comenzado a recibir a futuros estudiantes y a sus familias en North Lake ECHS con motivo de la temporada de admisiones! ¡Parece que fue ayer cuando dimos la bienvenida a la promoción de 2030, y ahora ya estamos preparando la llegada de la promoción de 2031! Durante los próximos meses, nuestro equipo estará recorriendo el distrito para brindar más información a las familias sobre "The North Lake Way" (el estilo de North Lake). ¡Nada de esto sería posible sin nuestros increíbles estudiantes embajadores, quienes participan tanto en eventos dentro del campus como en actividades junto al equipo administrativo! La Sra. Locker ha realizado un trabajo excelente con ellos; gracias a su capacitación, muchos estudiantes han decidido unirse a North Lake.

Esta semana también llevamos a cabo conferencias con los padres para conversar sobre el progreso de los estudiantes en el programa y apoyar su trayectoria con nosotros. Si no pudo asistir, por favor envíe un correo electrónico al maestro de su hijo(a) para programar una reunión, ya sea de forma presencial o virtual. Asimismo, esta semana los estudiantes participaron en el examen PSAT, como parte de una iniciativa a nivel distrital para fomentar la educación superior y la preparación académica. Aproximadamente la mitad de nuestros estudiantes, desde el 9.º hasta el 11.º grado, participaron en la jornada; además, algunos de nuestros estudiantes de último año (seniors) presentaron el examen SAT, un requisito para su graduación. ¡Felicitaciones a nuestros alumnos por su esfuerzo esta semana y por su constante búsqueda de la excelencia!

¡El próximo jueves 29 de octubre de 2026, a las 2:15 p. m., nuestros estudiantes de último año llevarán a cabo su tradicional evento "Trunk or Treat"! Los estudiantes de último año y el personal decorarán sus vehículos en el estacionamiento para ofrecer una actividad divertida a toda la comunidad de North Lake ECHS. Si desea donar dulces o golosinas, puede entregarlos en la oficina principal. ¡Gracias por su apoyo a North Lake ECHS y que tengan una excelente semana!

Atentamente,

Adrián Hernández

Director

North Lake Early College High School

Twitter @AdHernández2648

For all testing, students are only allowed to test on their Dallas ISD Devices. No students are allowed to use a personal device. We will be doing a device check on Monday, if a student does not bring their device, it can lead to parent conference and student phone being pouched. Thank you!

See below for your Grade Cohort. Remember to download the app and follow for updates.

https://www.classdojo.com/ul/p/addKid?target=class&class=6ab68c6566f8fa5da1f9edcb

https://www.classdojo.com/ul/p/addKid?target=class&class=6ab68cd796d0a0e8c7881d6d

https://www.classdojo.com/ul/p/addKid?target=class&class=6ab68cf8deca7cf6fa005c87

https://www.classdojo.com/ul/p/addKid?target=class&class=6ab4ffc9aa57c85d9034aa83

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

Consider joining the PTSA! Parents and community are the backbone of our campus! First meeting coming soon!

Week of October 26th

Value of the Week - Grit

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

Red Ribbon Week - See the flyer below for the themes!

Monday, October 26, 2026 - A Day -

Tuesday, October 27, 2026 - B Day -

Dallas ISD Principal for a Day

Campus Tutoring Day

Wednesday, October 28, 2026 - A Day

Campus Uniform Day

Thursday, October 29, 2026 - B Day

Campus Tutoring

North Lake ECHS Trunk or Treat!

SAT Prep with ASP!

Friday, October 30, 2026 C Day

Costume Day - No Gore, Masks, or Inappropriate Costumes

North Lake ECHS Social Media

Instagram:

@northlakeechs

X/Twitter: @NorthLake_ECHS

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/NLECHSDISD

Our Counselors did an amazing job with Character Counts Week! Take a look at some of the highlights below!

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!

🎓 Senior Success
We’ve completed our senior audit review, and 100% of our seniors are on track for graduation! We’re proud of their hard work and grateful for the staff and families supporting them. Let’s keep the momentum going!

🌟 Character Counts Week
Character Counts Week concluded, and it was amazing! Thank you to our scholars and staff for celebrating kindness, integrity, and positive choices. Let’s continue putting good character into action every day! Congratulations to Senior Breanna Vongphakdy and Sophomore Julio Barragan for winning the Diversity Connections Bingo Challenge!

🎗️ Red Ribbon Week | October 26–30
Red Ribbon Week is next week! This important week encourages scholars to make healthy choices, understand the impact of substance use, and develop healthy ways to manage stress. Together, we can help scholars build coping skills, seek support, and protect their futures!

🤝 Volunteer with Dallas College
Dallas College’s Mobile Food Distribution is Wednesday, October 28, in Parking Lot 3 near the T Building. Uniqlo will also provide brand-new cold-weather clothing for community members!

Volunteers can help anytime from 8:30 a.m. to approximately noon, or until all food is distributed. You don’t have to stay the entire time—every bit of support matters!

Sign up to volunteer!

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.

Check 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 FSA IDs (accounts) for parents and students to complete the FAFSA for the 2027-28 cycle. Submit proof of FAFSA Completion (the submission summary) to Ms. Kinnard by Oct. 30th. 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)

2.Many students will need to complete the CSS Profile as an additional financial aid document (still aiming for the end of October). It is a lengthy process and takes a good chunk of time, but it is often the most persuasive way to receive scholarships for the schools that accept it. It is imperative that Ms. Kinnard reviews your answers prior to submission, as one mistake could be detrimental to your aid process. Ms. Kinnard sent out a notification to most students who need to complete it, but as college lists are prone to shift, please double check whether this is required for you.

3.Complete the Common App through the Activities Section if you haven’t already done so. Activities you can include are: school organizations/ clubs, jobs, community service/ organizations, significant family responsibilities, and hobbies that take up a significant amount of time and reflect well on you

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.

Complete the Common App through the Activities Section if you haven’t already done so. Activities you can include are: school organizations/ clubs, jobs, community service/ organizations, significant family responsibilities, and hobbies that take up a significant amount of time and reflect well on you

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

• SAT Prep| Updates-

  • We will be hosting SAT Prep on a biweekly basis (Thursdays 3:30-4:30 pm) in Room A352. The next SAT Prep is Oct. 29th

  • Google Classroom for Standard SAT Prep: LKPQIHQK

  • Google Classroom for Hard Math Prep: T22FQAD

  ASP Events (In person) | Updates:

  • We have started having Application Parties after school from 3:30-4:30 pm. Food will be provided. Seniors are encouraged to come and apply to colleges with their friends, materials are also provided for “brain breaks” (word searches, cards). The next Application party is Nov. 5th. If 4+ students sign up (on the office hours sign up) by 11-4, I will order pizza.

A few opportunities for review, please follow up with Ms. Kinnard if you are interested, think you or your student may qualify, or have any questions (let her know if you apply):

Please Click on the link below for more information!

Enjoy the New Edition of the Newspaper! Please enjoy what our students are doing around campus!