Keeping Up with Comm Arts

Welcome back, everyone!

Starting a new school year is always a mix of big emotions—excitement to see friends, a little dread about early alarms, and anticipation for what’s ahead. As you walk through the hallways soon, we want to welcome you back with open arms and a lot of energy.

We also want to be completely transparent with you about a tough change this year.

A Note on Our Counseling Team

Due to recent district budget constraints, we are unfortunately down one counselor this year. We know how incredibly important our counselors are to your daily lives—whether you need help fixing a schedule disaster, prepping for college, or just need a safe space to vent when things get overwhelming. Losing a member of that team hurts, and we are going to feel that absence together. Mrs. Yvonne Martinez will be missed!

Here is what you need to know moving forward:

• Patience is Appreciated: Our remaining counselor (Dr. Minerva Rosales) is working harder than ever to make sure nobody falls through the cracks. Schedule changes and meeting requests might take a little longer than usual, so please bear with us.

• Lean on Your Support System: Remember that teachers, administrators, and staff are all here for you. If you need immediate help, don't hesitate to reach out to any trusted adult on campus.

Making This a Great Year

High school moves fast, and despite the budget challenges, our goal remains exactly the same: to support you, celebrate your wins, and help you navigate the bumps along the way. Let’s look out for one another, show some extra kindness to our staff, and make this year one to remember.

Welcome back to school. Let's make it a great one!

Welcome to the Comm Arts team, Ms. Garcia and Mr. Villarreal! Ms. Kimberly Garcia is joining our English department and Mr. Juan Villarreal is our new Broadcast Journalism teacher. We are lucky to have you both!

Prep Day for 9th graders will be held on July 30th from 9:00 am to 11:00 am and from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Students receive their locker information, collect their school IDs, and have their yearbook photos taken. 9th-11th graders, you must be in dress code to take your yearbook picture. 10th-12th graders have their Prep Day on July 31st from 9:00 am to 11:00 am and from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

Bus information will be available on August 3rd.

Summer is often a busy time for new drivers. Our Verification of Enrollment (VOE) is available digitally. Use this Google Form to request a copy. The VOE will remain valid through the summer months.

Scores from April's EOC went live on June 10th.

Your child's state assessment score history is available 24/7 through Northside ISD's Home Access Center (HAC), where attendance and grades are also available. If you do not currently have a HAC account, follow the instructions at www.nisd.net/parents to create one. Once your account is created, you can view your child's state assessment score history.

If this will be your first school year with Comm Arts in the fall, please read through this section carefully.

CAHS Bootcamp will be on July 15th and 16th. This is an excellent opportunity for students to meet other Comm Arts students. Additionally, students will work on skills necessary for success in their Comm Arts classes. There are two sessions: 8–11 am and 1–4 pm.

If you have not completed the fall registration process, complete the steps below that apply to you.

• Currently attending a NISD middle school - Complete the registration online. Records will transfer at the end of the school year.
• Out of District or currently attending a NISD high school - You will need to contact Ms. Rosa Torres, Taft registrar, at 210-397-6000. The majority of the registration process is handled online.

Please complete the Google Form below. Our amazing principal, Dr. Baker, orders a t-shirt for every new Comm Arts student. List your child's first and last name, then select the requested shirt size. Thank you!

Attached below are the athletic pre-enrollment form and procedures for magnet/program transfer students. This form is to be filled out by Northside students who have been given District approval to attend or transfer to a magnet/program outside of their attendance zone in which he/she resides to participate in any athletic activity before the first day of school (August 10th). Ex. summer strength & conditioning, sports camps, etc.

All Comm Arts students have a summer reading assignment. The PDFs attached below are the instructions for all grade levels. The summer reading for seniors will be ready soon. Happy Reading!

If your child is interested in extracurricular activities, we encourage you to watch the Taft HS website and organizational X accounts for summer program information. As information is released, it will be added to future newsletters.

Summer to-do list for Juniors

1. Register for a Campus Tour for your prospective universities. Go to the university's website and search for Visits.
2. Build your Resume - see Sample Resumes and Templates
3. Continue working on your college essays.
4. College Planning Checklist: College Planning Checklist for Juniors
5. Research College Scholarships - Scholarship Opportunities for Juniors

Your mental health does not take a summer vacation! While taking a break from schoolwork is essential, the shift in routine can sometimes feel jarring. Here are a few tips to keep your mind as healthy as your body:

1. Protect Your Sleep: It's tempting to stay up until sunrise editing videos or playing games, but try to maintain a semi-regular sleep schedule to keep your mood steady.
2. Limit the Digital Overload: As communication students, you love media—but give your brain a break from the endless scrolling. Disconnect to reconnect with nature, family, and yourself.
3. Practice Mindfulness: Take walks through our beautiful San Antonio parks, journal, paint, or sit in quiet reflection.

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

Students can now sign in to their College Board account and access their AP scores. Use the link below to log in and access your AP scores.

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.

In school year 2026-2027, NISD will offer College Board's SAT and PSAT/NMSQT assessments.

On Wednesday, October 21, 2026, PSAT/NMSQT will be administered at high school campuses to 10th and 11th grade NISD enrolled students who register in advance to participate. There is a fee for this optional test for Grade 10 students. There is no fee for Grade 11 students since the PSAT/NMSQT exam is the route of entry to the National Merit Scholarship Program for 11th grade students.

On Wednesday, April 7, 2027, all 11th graders will be able to take the SAT or TSIA2 at high school campuses.

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.

Yearbooks will be ready for pick up during our Prep Days on July 30th and 31st. See you there!

CADY will be on campus for pictures during Prep Day on July 30th and 31st. Students need to be in dress code for their picture to appear in the yearbook.

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

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