Fine Arts Insider

Our visual arts teachers participated in a hands-on professional development session featuring master puppet artist and educator Rene Rubalcava.

Owner of LV Puppet Studio in Las Vegas, Nevada, Rubalcava brings over 25 years of elementary teaching experience alongside formal training under former Jim Henson Muppeteer Michael Earl Davis. During the workshop, teachers designed, cut, assembled, and built their own professional-style furry puppets. The session offered our educators practical techniques in puppetry construction, character development, and artistic craftsmanship that they can directly integrate into their classroom instruction to spark student creativity and problem-solving.

This opportunity was made possible through local dedication and support. A special thank you goes to Jennifer Eskew, Art Teacher at Startzville Elementary School (STZES), for writing the Expertise Grant, and to the Comal Education Foundation for awarding this grant to fund such an inspiring experience for our visual arts team.

CLICK HERE FOR A PHOTO ALBUM.

Congratulations to our outstanding fine arts educators who were awarded grants from the Comal Education Foundation! Their dedication to enhancing creative opportunities for our students is truly inspiring.

New Teacher Grants

• Kimberly Augustine (CHMS)

• Nichelle Bettis (PRMS)

• Misty Fraker (CHMS)

• Casey Prowell (BMS)

• Starla Szopinski (CHS)

• Isabelle Wright (CHS)

Expertise Grant

• Jennifer Eskey (STZES) - Content Area PD Session with Master Puppet Artist & Educator, Rene Rubalcava.

Innovation Grants

• Cynthia Onofre (PHS) – Expanding 3D Ceramic Art Through Innovation, Technology, & Competition

• Michael Lehmann, Tyler McClendon, & Elijah Paterson (DHS) - Fine Tuning

• Rick Astorga & Tracy Brown

• (JRES) – Roper Rhythm: An Elementary Drumline Initiative

• Ainsley Ford-Nagel (SVMS) – SMU Kodaly Certification Summer Workshop

• Casey Prowell (BMS) – What Innovation Sounds Like: Projecting a Better Future for BMS Theatre

Thank you to the Comal Education Foundation for supporting our fine arts programs and empowering our teachers to bring innovative experiences into the classroom!

An original painting by Smithson Valley High School Art 3 student Gianna Sheppard is now permanently on display as part of a mural on the Texas Water Company building.

SVHS Art Teacher Lizette Floyd shared that the vibrant project highlights water conservation and local wildlife, carrying meaningful messages like "Make Every Drop Count" and "We Protect What's Precious" alongside native Texas flora and fauna.

Congratulations to Gianna on this outstanding artistic achievement and for making a lasting creative mark on our community!

• CLICK HERE for directions on how to create an event for the District Calendar in CutTime.
• CLICK HERE to access our District Calendar.*
• CLICK HERE to access our Fine Arts Department Calendar.*

*Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to these calendars in Outlook or Google by following the directions at the bottom of each calendar.

Remember to avoid scheduling campus events on top of major district events on the District Calendar.

Wednesday, November 11, 2026

• 2:00pm - 3:00pm CMS Band - Veteran's Day Assembly
• 2:55pm - 3:40pm SVMS Band - Veteran's Day Assembly

• 12:00am - 9:00pm CLHS JV Theatre- Fall Theatre
• 6:00pm - 6:30pm SES 3rd Grade Concert
• 6:30pm - 8:00pm DHS-Fall Musical "Drowsy Chaperone"
• 6:35pm - 12:00am CLHS JV Theatre- Fall Theatre
• 6:00pm - 9:00pm PHS Theatre - Hadestown: Teen Edition Opening Night Performance
• 7:00pm - 9:00pm CHS Theatre-Fall Main Stage Production

• all-day CLHS JV Theatre- Fall Theatre
• 6:00pm - 7:00pm MVMS Theatre - "We Will Remember" Performance
• 6:00pm - 9:00pm PHS Theatre - Hadestown: Teen Edition Performance 2
• 7:00pm - 9:00pm CHS Theatre-Fall Main Stage Production

• 12:00am - 9:35pm CLHS JV Theatre- Fall Theatre
• 11:00am - 1:00pm PHS Theatre - Hadestown: Teen Edition Matinee Performance
• 2:00pm - 3:30pm DHS-Fall Musical "Drowsy Chaperone"
• 6:30pm - 8:00pm DHS-Fall Musical "Drowsy Chaperone"
• 6:00pm - 9:00pm PHS Theatre - Hadestown: Teen Edition Closing Performance
• 7:00pm - 9:00pm CHS Theatre-Fall Main Stage Production

Monday, November 16, 2026

• PHS Dance - TAEA Dance Team Fall Assessment

Tuesday, November 17, 2026

• 6:00pm - 7:30pm DMS Theatre and Choir "Matilda Jr." the Musical
• 7:00pm - 9:00pm PHS Thespian State IE Showcase

Wednesday, November 18, 2026

• 8:00am – 3:00pm CISD PD – QUIP: Band
• 5:00pm - 5:30pm MYES - Choir Fall Concert
• 6:00pm - 7:30pm DMS Theatre and Choir "Matilda Jr." the Musical
• 7:00pm - 12:00am COMAL THEATRE- TEXAS THESPIANS (GRAPEVINE)

Thursday, November 19, 2026

• all-day COMAL THEATRE - TEXAS THESPIANS (GRAPEVINE)
• 5:00pm - 11:30pm PHS Band - Region Band Auditions (Johnson HS)
• 5:00pm - 6:30pm - MVES Fall Showcase
• 7:00pm - 9:00pm - CISD Board Meeting

Friday, November 20, 2026

• all-day COMAL THEATRE- TEXAS THESPIANS (GRAPEVINE)

Saturday, November 21, 2026

• 12:00am - 9:00pm COMAL THEATRE- TEXAS THESPIANS (GRAPEVINE)

November 22-28

Wednesday, December 2, 2026

• 4:00pm - 8:00pm 7th Grade Girls Basketball - PRMS Charmer Performance

• 5:00pm - 11:30pm PHS Band - Round 2 Region Band Auditions (Reagan HS)
• 5:30pm - 9:30pm Wassailfest
• 6:00pm - 12:00am SVHS Theatre- JV Fall Performance (Non-Musical)
• 6:00pm - 7:00pm SVMS Band - Beginning Band Concert
• 6:00pm - 6:30pm 4th Grade Christmas Concert and Art Show
• 6:00pm - 6:30pm FES Choir Wassailfest
• 6:05pm - 6:35pm CSES Choir Field Trip - Wasslefest - 12/03/2026
• 6:30pm - 8:00pm DMS/DHS Winter Concert
• 6:30pm - 7:30pm CHS Winter Orchestra Concert
• 6:30pm - 7:30pm PHS Choir Winter Concert
• 7:00pm - 8:00pm GFES Wassailfest

• 12:00am - 7:00pm SVHS Theatre- JV Fall Performance (Non-Musical)
• 10:30am - 12:30pm CISD SS - Comal Speaks Finals - CHS PAC
• 2:55pm - 3:40pm SVMS Band - Holiday Pep Rally
• 5:00pm - 12:00am CMS Band - Region Band Clinic and Concert
• 5:15pm - 7:00pm GRES- Choir sings at City of Garden Ridge Tree Lighting
• 6:00pm - 7:00pm CMS Theatre - 4 Ways to Survive the Holidays
• 7:00pm - 8:30pm CLHS Varsity Theatre Holiday Show
• 7:00pm - 7:45pm CMS Theatre - 4 Ways to Survive the Holidays!

• 12:00am - 4:00pm CMS Band - Region Band Clinic and Concert
• 7:00pm - 8:30pm CLHS Varsity Theatre Holiday Show

Monday, December 7, 2026

• 6:00pm - 12:00am SVHS Theatre - Advanced Theatre Performance
• 6:30pm - 8:00pm CHS Choir Elementary Cluster Holiday Concert @ 6:30pm
• 7:00pm - 9:00pm DHS Band - Holiday Concert

• 12:00am - 7:00pm SVHS Theatre - Advanced Theatre Performance
• 3:45pm - 4:15pm MYES - 5th Grade Guitar Winter Concert
• 5:00pm - 8:30pm CHMS Fine Arts Showcase
• 5:30pm - 7:00pm CCES Winter Wonderland and First Grade Music Program
• 6:00pm - 8:30pm DMS Band- Christmas Concert
• 6:30pm - 8:00pm CHMS/CMS Choir Holiday Concert @ 6:30pm
• 6:30pm - 8:00pm CMS Band - Advanced Bands Chirstmas Concert
• 6:30pm - 7:50pm SBMS/SVMS Orchestra Winter Concert
• 6:30pm - 7:45pm PHS Orchestra - Winter Concert
• 6:30pm - 7:30pm DHS Piano - Winter Recital
• 6:30pm - 7:30pm TPES - Choir/Percussion Holiday Concert

• 3:45pm - 4:15pm MYES - 5th Grade Violin Winter Concert
• 5:00pm - 6:00pm PRMS Holiday Concert
• 6:30pm - 8:30pm PHS Band - Band Program Holiday Concert
• 6:30pm - 7:30pm CHS Choir Holiday Concert @6:30pm
• 6:30pm - 7:30pm CMS Winter Orchestra Concert
• 6:30pm - 7:00pm FES Violin Performance at the Blake
• 7:00pm - 9:00pm CHS- Holiday Band Concert
• 7:00pm - 8:30pm SV Choir- Vertical Alignment Winter Concert

• 8:15am - 9:15am KRES Kinder Musical
• 1:30pm - 7:30pm PHS Band - Jazz @San Antonio Zoo
• 4:30pm - 5:00pm FES Winter Guitar Performance
• 5:00pm - 6:00pm PRMS Beginner Band Holiday Concert
• 5:30pm - 12:00am CLHS/MVMS Christmas Show
• 6:00pm - 7:16pm RBES 4th Grade MTI Musical: Lion King Kids
• 7:00pm - 9:00pm CISD Board Meeting

• all-day CLHS/MVMS Christmas Show
• 8:00am - 8:00pm PHS Band - TMEA Region Orchestra Clinic/Concert (Reagan HS)
• 10:30am - 1:00pm CISD SS - Comal Shake Semi-Finals
• 2:00pm - 12:00am Region Orchestra Concert & Clinic
• 6:00pm - 12:00am Region Orchestra Clinic and Concert
• 6:00pm - 7:00pm SVHS Theatre- Annual "Charlie Brown" Performance
• 7:00pm - 8:00pm PHS Dance - Holiday Showcase

• all-day CLHS/MVMS Christmas Show
• 12:00am - 7:00pm Region Orchestra Concert & Clinic
• 12:00am - 4:00pm Region Orchestra Clinic and Concert
• 6:31am - 8:30am Jingle Bell Run - National Anthem
• 8:00am - 8:00pm PHS Band - TMEA Region Orchestra Clinic/Concert (Reagan HS)
• 9:00am - 10:00am TPES - Choir - Breakfast with Santa
• 10:00am - 12:00pm MVMS Advanced Bands - Sattler Christmas Parade

Be sure to request a substitute in Red Rover if needed.

Select "School Leave - QUIP" as the reason for QUIPs.

Wed Nov 18 2026, 8:30am - Wed Nov 18 2026, 4:00pm CST=

This professional development session is for CISD Band Directors only:

Click the link below to register:

https://pulse.kickup.co/events/browse/VtuZRPtJuvhATNEDWY9tkW

Please remember that PD exchange hours can only be obtained outside of your regular work hours (evenings, weekends). Taking a personal day to obtain exchange PD hours is not permissible. For example: Any music teacher going to TMEA on a school day can use evening hours (ES 3:35pm-11pm, MS 4:00pm-11pm, HS 4:45pm-11pm) for exchange credit hours. Anything during your work hours may go toward your overall CPE hours, but not as exchange credit.

Don't Delay! Register for CAC today!!

✨ REGISTRATION IS OPEN✨

We are so excited to welcome you to Central Austin Challenge on February 13th in Austin, TX!

Get ready for an exciting day of dance, competition, and incredible performances! The Central Austin Challenge offers a streamlined, competitive contest experience designed for teams from all across Texas. ️

📅 Date: February 13
📍 Location: Austin, TX
💻 More Info & Registration:
https://ascension.dancecompgenie.com/Dance-Competition/competitiondefault.aspx?action=login-studio

✨ Spots are limited, so don’t wait to secure yours! We would love to have your team join us for an incredible day of competition!

We can’t wait to welcome you! 🤍

Jenna Drummond, Cierra Cunningham & the Westwood HS SunDancers

The New Braunfels Chamber Music welcomes you to its annual Piatigorsky Concert at 7 pm, Friday, November 13, at NBUU, 135 Alves Lane.

Pianist Richard Dowling and cellist Even Drachman combine their talents and passions to create an unforgettable night’s experience, whose centerpiece is one of the greatest classical concertos ever written: Haydn’s Concerto in C Major for cello and orchestra. The “Dowling Philharmonic” performs as the orchestra.

The rest of the program is an exploration of the cello and song. It is often said that the cello is the closest instrument to the human voice. The range is the same and the strings are like vocal cords. Each of the other works are either written for voice or are meant to be songs for the cello.

The Piatigorsky Foundation was formed, in honor of renowned cellist Gregor Piatigorsky, to share the joy of live classical music to all communities.

I am writing to invite Comal ISD elementary groups to experience our award-winning, TEKS-aligned Austin Symphony Orchestra (ASO) Young People's Concerts at The Long Center for the Performing Arts in Austin - on March 8, 9 or 11, 2027:

ASO Young People’s Concerts are full orchestra performances engaging over 12,000 students annually with carefully-crafted programming of symphonic music and narrative that is targeted to the age group, richly cross-curricular, multi-sensory and interactive, supported by robust educational materials and aligned to state teaching objectives. School groups attend during the school day as an educational field trip opportunity.

This year, our cross-curricular theme is Social Studies, and our concert title is Billy the Kid & The Western Frontier. Please see also:

https://austinsymphony.org/education-community-concerts/young-peoples-concerts/

To place a group reservation, please fill out the Google Form linked below:

https://bit.ly/ASO2027YPC1140school-reservation-form-4RPA6

Thanks to our generous funders, reservation fees are typically only $1-3 per person! Actual amount depends on total group headcount; see reservation form linked above for more information.

Please forward this message as you see fit. I welcome any questions or concerns - and I'm crossing my fingers that it is something that you and colleagues can consider for your students! We'd love to have Comal ISD school groups join us at a concert this year.

Sincerely and with kind regards,

JEREMY BRIMHALL | ASO | Director of Education and Community Engagement

Direct (512) 617-0489 | Main (512) 476-6064 | jbrimhall@austinsymphony.org

Click on the YAM paragraph above for more information.

CISD must submit at least six entries at $12 each to meed DOD requirements.

Sign up on "2. Youth Art Month" in our Collaboration Document if you are willing to submit an entry. Registration opens on November 2.

Each year, districts across the state may submit artwork created by Pre-K through 12th grade student artists in Public and Private Schools which will be selected to be on display in the YAM Spring Exhibition at the Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin, Texas during the month of March. The exhibition is followed by an Awards Celebration at the end of the month recognizing Flag Design winners from elementary, middle and high school, highlighting the overall Flag Design which will represent Texas Youth Art Month for the year. Friends and family are invited to the Awards Celebration at The Bullock (date will be announced) to view the exhibit, recognize all of the amazing artists and enjoy some light refreshments.

Dear Art Educator,

Submissions for this year’s Scholastic Art awards are now open! We are the Greater San Antonio Scholastic Art Regional Affiliate and would like to invite you and your students to participate in this year’s event.

Open to middle school and high school students ages 13 -18 living in Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe, Kendall, Medina, and Wilson counties, Scholastic Art is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious art awards. Recognizing student artists’ work that demonstrates originality, skill, and the emergence of personal vision, Scholastic Art celebrates young artists and their freedom of expression.

To get started:

• Go to www.artandwriting.org and create your teacher account!

• Students will create their account at www.artandwriting.org - make certain they select your school/program and you as their teacher.

• Students have until 11:59 pm on Friday, December 4, 2026 to complete their entries.

• You may pay for your entries individually, in bulk (by teacher or campus) using a credit card or check.

• Concerned about a student's ability to pay? Participants with financial need may use a fee waiver. Scholastic Art supports open access for all students!

New to Scholastic Art? Have questions? Need help? Join us Wednesday, October 28th at 4:30 pm for a virtual meeting covering how to create an account, adding entries, plus other tips and insight. Please RSVP using the attached Google Form, meeting link shared below:

RSVP Form

Scholastic Art Info Session Meeting Link

Questions? Please email me at jgonza120@neisd.net or Stephanie Greathouse at sgreat2@neisd.net. We look forward to celebrating your students’ achievements in visual art!

Warmly,

Jessica Jones Gonzales

Director of Visual Art

North East School of the Arts

CutTime System Access and Use

All secondary art, music, theater, and dance teachers and directors should have access to CutTime.

Use and Integration

We expect all fine arts teachers to use CutTime for calendaring and inventory. We encourage teachers to explore using other features including financials and communication with students and parents,.