Keeping Up with Comm Arts

The first three weeks of the school year flew by fast. Grades were captured on Friday, August 28th, and are available via HAC as of Monday, August 31st. Please review grades with your child(ren). Just a friendly reminder: Students must maintain passing grades, wonderful behavior, and good attendance to remain Comm Arts students. Thank you for being our valued partners in education.

Thank you to those who attended Open House last week. It was great to see everyone who visited our campus.

Monday, September 7th, is Labor Day. This is a student and staff holiday, and all buildings will be closed.

Students in grades 9-11 will take their school pictures this Friday, September 4th.

Families can confirm their information and save $10 on photo packages when they pre-order before Picture Day. Visit cady.com/pictureday to confirm your info, explore package options and place your order.

Students, you need to 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, check Schoology for information about missed classwork. Some assignments can be completed at home, which will prevent you from falling behind. Parents, we appreciate your partnership in monitoring your child's attendance and grades.

Congratulations to the following students: Tessa Aguerro, Noe Avila, Alec Barrera, Kadin Brandt, Katelyn Bush, Madelin Bush, Kimora Cadag, Jenna Castilleja, Payten Chubb, Dana Cifuentes Bautista, Irma Conteras, Noah Felan, Andreia Fernandez, Aria Fields, Beatrice Gonzales, Sophia Hernandez, Nadia Laboy, Camille Martinez, Samueli Mbewe, Ethan Mendoza, Wraith Midler, Kayla Mitchell, Samuel Nunez, Zoe Rameau, Andre Reed, Layla Robles, Emery Saenz, Wendy Sauceda Reyes, Emilee Spyker, Emerson Sullivan-Sangiuliano, Izabella Torres, Karma Tyler, Jude Upchurch, Layla Vigil, and Maxim Wandless.

They were among 60,000 students nationwide to earn academic honors from the College Board's National Recognition Programs! These National Recognition Programs grant underrepresented students academic honors that can be included on college and scholarship applications and connect students with universities nationwide, helping them stand out during admissions. Colleges and scholarship programs use these honors to identify students from underrepresented groups through College Board's Student Search Service. These students earned this recognition by excelling on their PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, or AP Exams and in their classrooms.

If you plan to attend Homecoming, you MUST complete the Homecoming Ticket Interest Form before you're eligible to purchase a ticket.

The Homecoming Ticket Interest Form will CLOSE on Thursday, September 10th at MIDNIGHT.

• NO FORM = NO HOMECOMING TICKET SALES.
• Please complete the form even if you plan to pay with cash.
• Make sure you are signed into your Northside account to complete the form
• If you plan to pay for another Comm Arts/Taft student, they must also fill out this form under their account!
• https://forms.gle/EMu6Fax5FUu3NYcS6

ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENT

• Before you are approved to purchase a ticket, we will verify your attendance.
• Students may not have more than 9 unexcused absences in any class to be approved to attend Homecoming. We will check attendance on September 11th, and any student over the threshold in any given class will not be permitted to purchase a ticket.

MYSCHOOLBUCKS TICKET SALES

• MySchoolBucks ticket sales will be available Tuesday, September 15th @ noon through Wednesday, September 30th at 11:59 p.m.
• Once you are approved, you will receive an email containing a unique code to purchase your ticket through MySchoolBucks.
• Please note: If you do not use your emailed code by September 30th at midnight, your code will expire and you will no longer be eligible to purchase a Homecoming ticket.
• MySchoolBucks will charge an 8.7% convenience fee for each ticket, which will be the responsibility of the purchaser to cover

Taft/Comm Arts Student Ticket Prices:

• September 15–24: $25
• September 25–30: $30

CASH TICKET SALES

Students who are approved to purchase with cash may do so during lunch in the cafeteria on the following dates ONLY: Cash tickets will be $25. We WILL be verifying that you were approved to purchase before accepting payment.

• September 16 & 17
• September 23 & 24

PURCHASING A TICKET FOR YOUR DATE

If your date is a Comm Arts or Taft student:

• If you would like to purchase your date's ticket using a card through MySchoolBucks, your date must also complete the Homecoming Ticket Interest Form so their attendance can be verified.
• Once they are approved, they will receive their own MySchoolBucks code. They can provide that code to you so you can purchase their ticket through their account (enter your card information at the end of the payment process).

BRINGING A GUEST FROM OUTSIDE COMM ARTS/TAFT

• If you plan to bring a guest who is NOT a Taft/Comm Arts student, you must complete the Guest Form located at the bottom of the Homecoming Ticket Interest Form by September 11th. ALL information must be filled in for approval.

You will need to:

• Complete the guest information.
• Upload a copy of your guest's student ID
• Wait for your guest to be approved before purchasing their ticket.
• Non-high school students will NOT be approved.
• If your guest is approved, you will receive an email confirming their approval.

All approved non-Taft/Comm Arts guest tickets are CASH ONLY and must be purchased during lunch in the cafeteria on:

• September 16 & 17
• September 23 & 24
• Non Taft/Comm arts guests tickets are $30 cash only (Guest tickets will not be permitted to be sold through MySchoolBucks)

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

• Please complete the form before the deadline. Once the form closes on September 10th at midnight, no additional students will be approved for Homecoming ticket sales.
• NO FORM = NO HOMECOMING TICKET.
• Tickets will not be sold at the door.
• Online ticket sales will end on September 30th @ 11:59 p.m. No tickets will be sold after this date.

We're excited to share that the GPA and rank for our 10th, 11th, and 12th graders will be available in HAC at 5 PM on Friday, September 25th. Meanwhile, our 9th graders will receive their first GPA and rank after completing their first semester.

Friendly Reminder from the library:

Teachers and staff you're welcomed to enjoy free coffee in the library daily, however, please bring your own cup/mug to help with the rising cost of everything.

Welcome to the 4th week of school! As students settle into their daily academic routines, coursework and upcoming progress assessments begin to pick up. Taking proactive measures now is one of the most effective ways to maintain strong grades, manage workload expectations, and keep daily stress levels low.

Below are academic strategies, mental health grounding techniques, and important information regarding September being the Suicide Awareness & Prevention Month.

Academic Success: Tips to Study to Earn the Desired Grades

During my visit with the 9th-grade students, we highlighted the following healthy habits to build and nurture for a successful academic year. Establishing structured study habits early in the semester helps prevent feeling overwhelmed as major projects and exams approach:

• Manage Your Time Wisely: Utilize a daily planner, digital calendar, or dedicated study log to track assignment deadlines, reading goals, and test dates.
• Designate a Quiet Study Zone: Set up a clean, organized study space at home, free from television, phone notifications, and unnecessary distractions.
• Break Tasks into Smaller Steps: Instead of attempting long cramming sessions, study in focused 25- to 30-minute intervals followed by short breaks to improve retention.
• Monitor Your Progress Regularly: Check your grades and attendance frequently in the Home Access Center (HAC). If you see a grade drop or feel confused about course content, reach out to your teacher early for tutoring and feedback.

It is completely natural to experience moments of stress or academic anxiety as expectations increase. Learning to acknowledge and process these emotions builds long-term resilience.

Grounding & Breathing Exercises

When stress begins to build, try using these evidence-based techniques to help re-center your body and mind:

1. The 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique: Focus on your surroundings and name:
   • 5 things you can see around you
   • 4 things you can physically touch
   • 3 things you can hear
   • 2 things you can smell
   • 1 thing you can taste
2. The 4-7-8 Relaxation Breath: Inhale quietly through your nose for 4 seconds, hold your breath for 7 seconds, and exhale completely through your mouth for 8 seconds. Repeat this cycle 3–4 times to calm your nervous system.

Developing a Growth Mindset

Remember that academic challenges are not signs of failure; they are opportunities to learn and grow. Approaching difficult subjects with a growth mindset helps reframe obstacles into stepping stones toward improvement. Never hesitate to ask for help—advocating for yourself is a sign of strength.

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline initiative, #BeThe1To, focuses on actions we can all take to promote healing, give hope, and save lives. By changing the conversation from suicide to suicide prevention, we create a supportive environment where everyone feels safe asking for help.

Support Resources & Helplines

If you or someone you know is struggling or in distress, help is always available:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (Available 24/7, free, and confidential)
• NISD Safeline: Call 210-397-SAFE (7233) or email safe@nisd.net

• Student Achievement Coordinator: Comm Arts HS and Taft HS share a Student Achievement Coordinator. Her role is to help students navigate various academic opportunities, including college applications, scholarships, Scholarship Index, military interests and enlistments, career exploration, FAFSA/TASFA, Resume Assistance, Dual Credit, TSIA2 testing, and more.
• To schedule an appointment, contact Ms. Adriana Najera. Ms. Najera can be reached at Adriana.Najera@nisd.net and 210-397-6052. She is located at Taft HS in Rm A222a.

• How to Order a Transcript: Transcripts are ordered online ONLY. The registrar at Taft has 10 business days to complete student transcript orders. Students must use their personal email address, NOT the school email. An unofficial transcript is one that you order online and request to be sent to your home. When you use this to apply to universities for admission or scholarships, it is unofficial because it comes from you rather than the school. Colleges and Universities expect to receive an official transcript. Counselors do not provide transcripts. Students must order all transcripts online. All transcripts are sent from the Taft Registrar directly to the educational institution or scholarship. Use this link to order transcripts: Parchment.

Information Regarding Schedules

As we settle into the 4th week of the school year, I want to share essential information about your course schedules. As stated before, my primary goal is to ensure that every student is placed in the correct classes required for graduation and academic success.

Please note that schedule changes will be processed only for necessary corrections. These include:

• Missing Periods: If you have a gap in your schedule or are missing a required class period.
• Prerequisite Issues: If you have been placed in a course for which you have not completed the required prerequisite.
• Duplicate Courses: If you have already received credit for a course currently on your schedule.
• Balancing Classes: If you had a schedule change, it is because overloaded and extended classrooms need to be balanced out and brought down to a safe number that will not jeopardize the learning environment for students.

Please note that we cannot process schedule changes based on elective preferences, teacher requests, or course interest changes at this time. The master schedule is built based on initial requests, and many courses have reached their maximum capacity.

Are you finding a course challenging? We strongly encourage you to attend tutoring, communicate directly with your teachers, and actively seek help. Please note that counselors cannot process requests for teacher changes.

Parents, if you would like to discuss your student's progress, please reach out to their teacher to arrange a conference.

We are here to support you in every step of your high school journey! Have a wonderful and productive 4th week of school.

Respectfully yours,

Dr. Minerva Rosales

Communications Arts High School Counselor

Minerva.Rosales@nisd.net

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 the applicant's high school graduation.

Through our scholarship program, the Northside ISD Council of PTAs supports students focused on achieving career goals through higher education. In evaluating each application, the Scholarship Committee will also consider service and participation in school activities, community involvement, and scholastic merit.

The application deadline is November 15th, 2026, at midnight.

Applicant must use a NON-SCHOOL-ISSUED EMAIL ADDRESS. NO EXCEPTIONS.

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

Northside 10th and 11th graders can take the College Board Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test, or PSAT, on Wednesday, October 21st.

Registration is required and now available at www.totalregistration.net/PSAT/446271, until September 30th. A $5 late sign-up fee will be applied after September 23rd.

All 11th-grade students can participate at no cost, since results are connected to scholarship opportunities. 10th-grade students who choose to participate must also register in advance and pay a $20 testing fee. Students who receive free or reduced lunch pay a reduced fee of $10.

For 11th-grade students, the PSAT/NMSQT is the entry route to the National Merit Scholarship Program. The PSAT/NMSQT Student Guide and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation website (www.nationalmerit.org) explain participation requirements, competition steps, and awards offered.

Don't wait! Register now for this opportunity!

• Preparation for the SAT, where scores can help students get into honors college programs and college pathways (college within a college)
• Connects students to colleges and universities
• Scholarship opportunities for Grade 11 students - National Merit Scholarship Corporation's website at www.nationalmerit.org
• Scores can be used to qualify for dual credit courses.
• Results will include resources about local two-year colleges, workforce training programs, and career options.

All AP Exams Have Benefits

Completing an AP course and exam means students took college-level coursework in high school. No matter the score, preparing for and taking an AP Exam sharpens students' skills to transition from high school to college. Research shows that students who take AP courses and exams have better college outcomes than their peers. Whatever the score, taking an AP Exam can keep students on track for college. Most students who score a 1 or 2 on their first AP Exam are likely to improve their score on a future exam. Students who achieve an exam score of 2 do significantly better in introductory college classes. Students who achieve exam scores of 1 or 2 are still more likely to attend college and graduate on time (than academically similar students who don’t take AP).

Helpful Resources:

• Do you want to understand better what your scores mean? Click HERE.
• Click HERE to learn more about AP Awards & Recognitions.

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.

Seniors, take time to schedule your senior portraits with CADY this summer.

Our Verification of Enrollment (VOE) is available digitally. Use this Google Form to request a copy.

Comm Arts students will attend assemblies during the second week of school to discuss campus expectations.

As a safety reminder, NISD does not allow food deliveries for students or faculty/staff members. Additionally, all students, faculty, and staff must wear their school IDs on campus for safety. Students who need an ID will have opportunities during the first week of school.

Here is the link for more information: https://www.nisd.net/schools/safetySafety First, 2026-2027

Additionally, any visitors to campus will need to apply and pass a background check. This must be completed every year. It will not roll over. Here is the link to the background check: https://www.nisd.net/community/volunteer-mentor

If you notice anything unusual or a potential safety concern throughout the school year, please get in touch with the NISD Safeline. The Safeline is anonymous and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Phone number: 210-397-7233

Email: safe@nisd.net

The Home Access Center (HAC) allows parents to access grades and attendance information.

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