Keeping Up with Comm Arts

Welcome back, everyone! Don't forget to bundle up and stay warm during this winter weather. Here's to a great week ahead.

The deadline was extended for progress reports, due to the cold weather school shut down on Monday. Grades will be uploaded to HAC on Tuesday, January 27th. Progress reports will be viewable later this week.

Mark your calendar! On February 6th, the Comm Arts student body will take Panoramic pictures. The student body picture is at 10:30 am, and the senior-only picture is at 11:00 am. Students and parents, please plan accordingly. We love having everyone in the picture. Students, please adhere to the dress code.

Students who understand, speak, and write in Spanish but are not currently enrolled in a Spanish class are invited to take a placement test for the next school year. This assessment helps determine the most appropriate Spanish level for each student.

Students interested in testing should stop by Mrs. Navarro's classroom (Room C224) this week to sign up. Testing will be available on Monday, February 2nd, by appointment.

Looking for a way to earn free food and books? Then don't forget to log the number of minutes you read in Beanstack. It's in the portal, and everyone can participate. Also, all types of reading count, including magazines, ebooks, and audiobooks!

All entries should be submitted to Representative Castro's San Antonio District Office, located at 727 E. Cesar E. Chavez Blvd, Suite B-128, San Antonio, Texas 78206.

Art work entered in the contest may be up to 26” x 26” x 4”, including the frame. The art work may be:

• Paintings - including oil, acrylics, and watercolor
• Drawings - including pastels, colored pencil, pencil, charcoal, ink, and markers
• Collage
• Prints - including lithographs, silkscreen, and block prints
• Mixed Media
• Computer Generated Art
• Photography

All entries must be an original in concept, design and execution. No 3-D art will be accepted.

For more information - https://castro.house.gov/art

A student enrolled in courses earning high school credit (full-year or semester) may be exempt from the spring semester exam if the following criteria are met:

1. For the Spring semester, the student has three or fewer absences, excluding school business absences; (Spring semester begins January 6th, 2026)
2. The student's final average for the spring semester is 80 or higher;
3. The student's conduct grade in that class is satisfactory or better; and
4. The student is in attendance during the scheduled exam time.

A student who is eligible for exemption may take the exam if desired.

Exam Weight: The two graded quarters of each semester shall weigh 90 percent of the semester grade, and the semester exam shall weigh 10 percent of the semester grade. If a student is exempt from the semester exam, the semester grade shall be calculated using only the two grade quarters of the semester.

If your student retook their STAAR test towards the beginning of December, see the pdf below on how to access their score.

Graduation dates were released. Comm Arts/Taft High School graduation is Friday, May 29, 2026, at 2:30 pm. For more information, click HERE.

The Dual Credit Program allows eligible students in grades 9-12 to take college-level courses at no cost and earn college credit through Northwest Vista College while concurrently enrolled in the equivalent high school course. Students can earn up to 42 college credits that may be transferred to Texas public colleges and universities, as well as to some private and out-of-state universities.

All students interested in the Dual Credit Program for the FIRST time next school year must complete the S2_New to Dual- Course selection form below. If you are interested in more information about Dual Credit, see the Dual Credit Parent Night (PDF slides) below.

Students, you can find a new tutoring support system in your NISD portal.

Varsity Tutoring offers:

• 24/7 On-Demand Chat Tutoring (including AP courses)
• On-Demand Essay Review
• Live Enrichment Classes
• Test Prep Classes (ACT, SAT, GED, etc), Academic Classes (study halls, algebra bootcamps, etc) and Enrichment Classes (languages, robotics, chess, etc)

Don't forget to check it out!

Happy New Year! As we kick off the second semester, our focus is on setting intentional goals, managing mental wellness, and navigating the evolving landscape of academic technology.

Important Items coming up:

• This month, students are in the planning phase of selecting courses for next year. As we help your students navigate this process, we encourage parents to have meaningful conversations with your student about course selections.

Goal Setting for the Second Semester

The start of a new term is the perfect time for students to reflect on their first-semester performance and set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals.

• Encourage Small Chunks: Breaking large assignments into manageable tasks can reduce burnout.
• Establish Routines: Setting a consistent homework time and identifying multiple study spaces can improve retention.
• Open Communication with teachers: talk to your teacher(s) if you are struggling, so they can help you be more successful in the classroom.

SMART GOALS

Consider the following:

1. What obstacles might get in the way?
2. What tools and resources will help you achieve your goal?
3. Break your goal down into small steps.
4. Track your progress.
5. Keep a Growth Journal.

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

Exciting news! Our Comm Arts program proudly presents two standout seniors as BigFuture Ambassadors: Jessai Begay and Adrian Molina! These remarkable individuals are ready to make an impact and inspire others on their journey to success!

Here are their links:

• Jessai - BigFuture - JessaiAmbassadorLink
• Adrian - BigFuture - AdrianAmbassadorLink

You can use these links to explore post-secondary plans as well as other information related to college and 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

At this point, if you wish to sign up for an exam, there is an additional $40 late fee. Each exam costs $40. Those with free & reduced, exam costs are $10.

Payments for AP exams can be made using MySchoolBucks or by cash/check (payable to ‘Taft High School’) handed directly to Mr. Kevin Bernardino in room A222a. Payment for spring semester only exams (AP Macro) is due in full by March 1, 2026.

Reminder: All My School Bucks School Store products will be disabled during NISD's Winter Break and Spring Break

If you are a senior and need to take the SAT, you can sign up through the College Board. Most NISD high schools are typically testing sites on weekends.

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.

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.

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.

The Texas Compulsory Attendance Law states that students between the ages of 6 and 19 are subject to the Texas Compulsory Attendance Laws.

Let's start with how it affects a student's academics. The Law states that a student must be in attendance 90% of the class time offered to receive credit for a course. In Northside, we have a calendar that shows 174 days of school for the 25/26 school year. This equates to 17 absences in a full-year course before attendance recovery is required or a student loses credit, regardless of their grade. For a semester course, we have 87 days in the fall, which allows for 9 absences, and 87 days in the spring, which allows 9 absences before attendance recovery is required or a student loses credit, regardless of their grade. Remember, when considering the 90% rule and its impact on gaining credit, both excused and unexcused absences count.

A student who is absent more than 75% of the class time will no longer be eligible for attendance recovery and will need to retake the course to earn the credit. This equates to 22 absences per semester.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email cahs.attendance@nisd.net.

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