Keeping Up with Comm Arts

The school year is moving along swiftly! Grades were captured on Friday, September 19th, and are available via HAC as of Monday, September 22nd. Please review grades with your child(ren).

Grades, Attendance, & Email

Students, please check your grades, attendance, and email regularly. If you notice any discrepancies in your attendance, please inform your teacher immediately. Also, when you're absent, make sure to check Schoology for information about the missed classwork. Some assignments can be completed at home, which will prevent you from falling behind. Parents, your partnership in monitoring your child's attendance and grades is highly appreciated.

SNHS has prepared lots of activities to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15th to October 15th Every Friday, we will have activities in the LGI during the second half of lunch. Everyone is invited to participate! We’ll have prizes, games, and snacks.

This is the last chance! PSAT registration will close this week. Students who don't register will be unable to participate. Register at www.totalregistration.net/PSAT/446271. A $5 late fee will now be applied. Here are the important dates for the registration process:

• The last day to sign up and pay is September 24th
• PSAT testing will take place on campus on Wednesday, October 15th.

If you have questions or concerns, reach out to Elizabeth Lewis at elizabeth.lewis@nisd.net.

All 11th-grade students will be able to participate at no cost since results are connected to scholarship opportunities. 10th-grade students who choose to participate are also required to register in advance and pay a $20 testing fee. There is a reduced fee of $10 for students who receive free or reduced lunch.

For 11th-grade students, the PSAT/NMSQT is the entry route to the National Merit Scholarship Program. Requirements for participation, steps in the competition, and awards offered are explained in the PSAT/NMSQT Student Guide and on the National Merit Scholarship Corporation's website at www.nationalmerit.org.

Communications Arts High School is named a Purple Star Campus! The Purple Star Campus Designation is a distinct honor created by the Texas Legislature to recognize Texas public schools and open-enrollment charter schools that show their support and commitment to meeting the unique needs of military-connected students and their families.

Nine inspiring seniors gathered at the Youth Voter Fest on Saturday at Our Lady of the Lake University, where they learned more about the importance of voting. They also learned about the opportunity to work as Student Election Clerks.

Last week, students in AP Human Geography participated in a Population Party to kick off Unit 2 Population, Migration Patterns and Processes. They were assigned a character randomly, and they had to stay in character throughout the party as they spoke to other partygoers, sharing information about their countries and the population issues they face there. Concepts that arose during the discussion are concepts that we'll elaborate on as we progress through the unit. The students had a great time dressing up in character and interacting with their classmates!

If a time is not listed, reach out to the sponsor for more information. Students, make sure you have a pass if the club meets during lunch.

• Black Student Union (BSU) - Mrs. Lee - Every second and fourth Tuesday during lunch
• Chess Club - Ms. De La Rosa - Thursdays from 4:30-5:15 pm
• Coding Club - Mrs. Derby & Mr. Villarreal - Wednesdays at 12:15 pm
• Commie Art Club - Mr. Hernandez
• Commie Lit Club - Mr. Polinard - Tuesdays during lunch
• Content Creators - Mr. Hernandez & Mrs. Lee - Every Friday
• Environmental Club - Mr. Polinard & Mr. Trevino - Wednesdays during lunch
• Esports - Mr. Villarreal - Mondays after school & Fridays during lunch
• Film Club - Mr. Flores
• Helping Hands - Ms. Cleveland & Mrs. Derby - Thursdays at 12:15 pm
• SkillsUSA - Ms. Cleveland & Mrs. Sabogal
• Student Council (Comm Arts) - Mr. Harris and Mr. Trevino - Thursdays from 12:24-12:44 pm
• UIL Academics - Mrs. Davern

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!

Upcoming Guidance Lesson

This week, 10th-grade students will receive a classroom guidance lesson focused on post-secondary preparation topics, including GPA, Class Rank, and credits. Guidance lessons will take place during English class.

Last week, counselors promoted Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month by asking students to share what they are hopeful for in the future. Students were also provided with a bookmark that contained the mental health 988 hotline information.

#BeThe1To is the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s message for National Suicide Prevention Month and beyond, which helps spread the word about actions we can all take to prevent suicide. The Lifeline network and its partners are working to change the conversation from suicide to suicide prevention, to actions that can promote healing, help, and give hope. CAHS has flyers around the school hallway that promote student wellness and support.

Ask - Research shows people who are having thoughts of suicide feel relief when someone asks after them in a caring way. Findings suggest acknowledging and talking about suicide may reduce rather than increase suicidal ideation.

Be There - Individuals are more likely to feel less depressed, less suicidal, less overwhelmed, and more hopeful after speaking to someone who listens without judgment.

Keep them Safe - A number of studies have indicated that when lethal means are made less available or less deadly, suicide rates by that method decline, and frequently, suicide rates overall decline.

Help them Stay Connected -Studies indicate that helping someone at risk create a network of resources and individuals for support and safety can help them take positive action and reduce feelings of hopelessness.

Follow Up - Studies have also shown that brief, low-cost interventions and supportive, ongoing contact may be an important part of suicide prevention, especially for individuals after they have been discharged from hospitals or care services.

https://988lifeline.org/promote-national-suicide-prevention-month/

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.

The Texas Compulsory Attendance Laws state that a parent/guardian will be notified (Attendance Warning Notice) if the student has been absent from school without excuse under Section 25.087 for three days or part days within a four-week period. You might receive an Attendance Warning via email if your student falls into the above situation. If the student, after receiving the attendance warning, continues to accumulate unexcused absences (a total of 10 absences in a 6-month period), they may be subject to possible referral to the truancy court, depending on the circumstances. When it comes to the legalities of the Compulsory Attendance Laws, only unexcused absences are considered. Ways to avoid referral to the municipal court can include, but are not limited to:

1. Set up HAC and monitor your students' attendance and academics.
2. Have your student set up a HAC account and make them responsible for monitoring their attendance.
3. Provide the school with notes when the student is out, such as a doctor's note or a parent's note. A parent's note should contain the student's name, school ID, and a brief description of the reason for the absence.
4. If you receive an alert (HAC) that you do not think is correct, contact the school to determine why you were marked absent or tardy. Talk to your student to see what caused them to be marked absent or tardy.
5. Talk to your student regularly about their academic progress and the importance of attending class and doing their best.
6. Have an open line of communication with the school when a student will be out for more than three consecutive days.

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

Save your seat for two must-attend BigFuture Live events. Experts will be on hand to answer all of your college planning questions.

September 24-25 @ 8pm ET | 7 pm CT | 5 pm PT

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/communities-events/bigfuture-live

NISD Council of PTAs offers a $1,000 scholarship to one high school senior from each Northside ISD high school PTSA, who will be enrolled full-time in an accredited college or university or a technical institute in the summer or fall semester immediately following applicant’s high school graduation.

It's time to register for AP Exams. Payments for AP exams will be made using MySchoolBucks online or by cash/check (payable to ‘Taft High School’) handed directly to Mr. Kevin Bernardino in room A222a before November 1, 2025 (for full-year & fall semester AP courses). Payment for spring semester only exams (AP Macro) is due in full by March 1, 2026.

The AP Exam Fee for the 2025-2026 school year is $40 per exam, or $10 if a student qualifies for free or reduced lunch. If a student registers for an exam and cancels after the November ordering deadline, they will be charged a $40 cancellation fee. Additionally, if a student does not order an exam by November 1, 2025 (for a full-year course), a $40 late order fee may apply.

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.

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

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

Don't Forget to Order This Year's School Pictures

ENJOY 10% OFF

your order!

CODE: F2510OFF

EXPIRES: July 31, 2026

Redeem Now

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

To appear in the 2026 section of your yearbook, you must photograph with Presitge Senior Portraits. 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.

Dear Students and Parents,

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.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is defined as the intellect shown by machines which is based on the synthesized and predictive inferences of the information with which they are trained. Generative AI is a type of artificial intelligence that uses algorithms to produce new data, often in the form of images or text.

In Northside, we want to embrace and encourage the use of AI by students. For the safety of our students, important guidelines must be followed to help support learning.

Acceptable Use of AI:

• Students can use AI in a meaningful, safe, and responsible way, aiding in ideation, providing personalized feedback and tutoring, supporting research, and offering a wide range of assistive technology.
• Students can use artificial intelligence to complete assignments with permission and guidance from teachers.
• AI serves as a tool, not a replacement for your ideas, creativity, or critical thinking.
• To enable student use of AI tools, staff are responsible for confirming students meet all Terms of Service (TOS) requirements.
• Responsible AI use requires students to cite AI-generated content properly when included in assignments.
• Students should be aware of the potential biases and fallacies in AI-generated content.
• Students should be able to critically evaluate output for accuracy and bias.

Unacceptable Use of AI:

• Students must not use AI to deceive or harm such as including impersonation, spreading misinformation, or creating harmful content.
• Students must not use AI tools to violate privacy.
• Students must not use AI to violate academic integrity by cheating, or plagiarism.
• Students must not use AI to circumvent learning by avoiding learning objectives or substituting AI for original thought.
• Students will not use personal identifiable information when using artificial intelligence applications.

Consequences of Misuse:

• Misuse of AI tools may result in disciplinary action, including suspension of technology privileges or other appropriate consequences.

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