Keeping Up with Comm Arts

Monday, February 16th, is Presidents' Day. Students, we hope you enjoyed your three-day weekend.

Grades for progress reports were due last Friday, February 13th. Progress reports will be available on HAC on Tuesday, February 17th. Students, check your grades and keep up with your assignments.

Thank you to all families for your ongoing support and partnership in your child's education. We appreciate your collaboration in making our school community thrive.

As much as it may be hard to believe, we have blown past the halfway point of the 25-26 school year and are looking forward to a little warmer weather and, in a month, a little more sunshine. This is a great time to remind our students and families about a few school items to ensure the second semester is as successful as the first. Students, please remember that to align with state law, the NISD No Device policy prohibits the use of cell phones from the beginning of the school day to dismissal. This applies to lunch and passing periods as well. This also includes earbuds and smartwatches. These items are to be powered off and kept in students' backpacks. Students who violate these expectations will face progressive disciplinary action. Our students have done a great job so far complying with these expectations, but reminders are needed on occasion. Any questions regarding these expectations can be addressed with a campus administrator.

• Dress Code - As the weather slowly gets warmer, remember that midriffs must be covered and shorts must be mid-thigh, even with tights.
• Lunch Expectations - Students must remain in the cafeteria or the back patio during lunch. If you plan on leaving the cafeteria, you will need a pass. This includes going to the library, tutoring, or attending elective classes such as choir or band.

Last week, our freshmen had a great time in the outdoor classroom working on an exciting agriculture project! It was a wonderful opportunity for them to learn and have fun together in the fresh air.

Juniors held a heartfelt funeral for John Proctor from "The Crucible" on Wednesday, February 11th. They wrote thoughtful eulogies, arguing that Proctor was a "good man" despite his complicated actions. They used Cicero's Outline for an Effective Argument and included relevant vocabulary. While not everyone read aloud, we captured delightful photos of our "mourners," many of whom were dressed as characters. This unique event wrapped up our unit in a memorable and enriching way, blending creativity and reflection!

Communications Arts High School hosts an event each semester called Skills & Strategies, where students learn essential life skills. Activities include sewing buttons, changing tires, and writing checks to empower students in everyday tasks.

In Mrs. Derby's lessons, students explored letter writing, learning how to properly address a letter and the value of a FOREVER Stamp, which costs 78 cents for up to one ounce and can be purchased in books from local stores or online.

The class discussed the charm of sending handwritten letters, recognizing that personal touches can convey deeper meaning than digital messages. Skills & Strategies provides students with practical life skills while encouraging meaningful connections with others.

Seniors learned basic sewing skills during Skills and Strategies Day by making small pouches. There was also a senior study session held the morning before a recent quiz on Jane Eyre.

All juniors will be administered the College Board SAT OR the TSIA2 College Readiness Exam, free of charge, on Wednesday, April 1st. The registration form is open through February 25th, 2026. Students must be signed into their NISD student email when registering.

For the SAT, students may provide their mobile number during the digital exam setup to receive a text message when scores are available. They'll need their phone number to access the app securely, but no password is required. Students will be able to send their scores to up to 4 colleges or universities of their choice. Sending scores is optional and should be a family decision based on checking with the institution of higher learning. Sending scores at a later date will incur a fee.

Students taking the TSIA2 will receive a score report to their personal email shortly after the test date. Scores will also be available immediately upon completing the assessment.

Juniors who took the Algebra 1 STAAR EOC during their 8th-grade year will need to take the SAT exam. If you need assistance or have questions, see Ms. Lewis.

Are you interested in being a comedic announcer for Grassroots? If so, complete the interest form link linked below (students only): https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdWh4MypbFDu36fs6snzZjkAsn-w7P1AkfnTTSoKqeO-hsr7w/viewform?usp=header

Old Sport, It's Time to Party! Step into the glamour and glitz of the Roaring Twenties at the Communications Arts High School Annual Banquet – Great Gatsby Edition! Dust off your flapper dresses, shine up those dress shoes, and get ready for a night of music, memories, and a little Gatsby-style sparkle.

Ticket Information:

Early Bird Sales: February 23rd – March 13th

Just $20 per ticket (that's $5 off!)

Final Sales Window: March 14th – March 25th

$25 per ticket

Remember… early birds don't just catch the worm — they save $5!

Don't miss your chance to be part of a night full of elegance, laughter, and unforgettable moments. Let's make it a night even Jay Gatsby himself would envy!

The Comm Arts banquet will be on Saturday, March 28th. Tickets go on sale on February 23rd via My School Bucks. Remember that this is a Comm Arts-only event. No outside guests are allowed.

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

Library Palooza is almost here! If you'd like to volunteer at this year's event, be sure to sign up at this link https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0B49A4A92CABF58-61536060-2026#/

Any seniors who did not pick up their free Class of 2026 shirt last week must go to Mr. Flores' room before or after school this week to pick it up.

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

Make sure you order in a timely manner. Graduation items will be ready for pick up on April 21st, 2026. Our caps and gowns are white. Click here to order online.

Please complete Steps 1 and 2 of the application process as soon as possible to avoid delays.

• Step 1 is the application to Northwest Vista College, our partnering institution for the dual credit program at Taft/CommArts. After submitting your application, you should receive an email at the personal email address you listed. This email typically arrives within 5–8 business days and will include your Banner ID and ACES username.
• You will need both of these items to complete Step 2, which is the physical form to elect dual credit courses. This form is available outside of Mr. Bernardino's office in A222.

Once you have completed the Step 2 form, please bring it directly to Mr. Bernardino in A222.

Dual Credit Resources (use your NISD account to access):

1. Dual Credit Application Checklist 2026 (All resources are also linked within this document)
2. Step-by-Step guide to complete step 1
3. Step 2: New to Dual Credit- Course Selection form (printed and delivered directly to Mr. Bernardino in A222) *Copies can be found on the windows at the entrance of A222*
4. Dual Credit Parent Consent Form (printed, signed, and delivered directly to Mr. Bernardino in A222) *Copies can be found on the windows at the entrance of A222*
5. Dual Credit Student Orientation (DCSO) Instructions
6. Step 3: Dual Credit Student Orientation (DCSO) Module acknowledgement form

Please note that any Comm Arts students that are currently in dual credit this year do not need to reapply. The only necessary step would be to complete the returning to dual credit form that will need to be returned to Mr. Bernardino in A222a.

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!

We will continue to meet with students to review planning guides and course selections for the 2026 - 2027 school year. As always, we encourage students to have meaningful conversations with their adults to ensure they make selections that are best suited for them and allow them to be successful.

For more detailed course descriptions, please refer to the NISD Course Catalog.

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

Seniors, the deadline to sign up and pay for your AP macroeconomics exam is March 1st.

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.

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.

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