Keeping Up with Comm Arts
~ October 2, 2023 ~
Hello Comm Arts Family and Friends!
We've made it to October.
Monday, October 2nd is National Custodial Appreciation Day. Comm Arts shares some of the best custodians with Taft. They are dedicated and work hard to keep our campus beautiful and safe. Thank you for all that you do!
Tuesday, October 3rd, Comm Arts is hosting an Advanced Academics Night. Come learn more about opportunities to earn college credit through OnRamps, Dual Credit, and, of course, AP programs. We'll meet in the Taft Auditorium from 6:30-7:30 pm. See you there!
Wednesday, October 4th, is professional learning time for teachers. Teachers will not be available for tutoring in the morning. Students must hang out in the Taft cafeteria or the Comm Arts building. Juniors will attend an assembly on Wednesday, October 4th, during 2nd period. Jostens will be presenting on class rings. Students will have the opportunity on October 10th to order their rings in-person, during lunch. Information to order online will also be provided during the presentation.
October is Bully Prevention Month. This Friday, October 6th is Northside's Declaration of Respect signing day. Students, teachers, and staff members will sign a pledge to do their part to prevent bullying and cyberbullying, to be respectful to each other, treat others with kindness, and to talk with a trusted adult if they are worried about themselves or someone else.
Next week Monday, October 9th is Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples' Day. This is a student holiday/staff work day.
Parents, as we gear up for the PSAT administration, we are bolstering our vocabulary. Each CAHS teacher is incorporating a PSAT vocabulary word, at least three times a week in their warm ups or daily activities. Please support us and ask your child(ren) what words they learned this week, as reinforcement. Juniors have an opportunity to earn valuable scholarship opportunities with their scores. High scores also help students qualify to bypass some university admission exams. 9th and 10th are exposed to the exam so they can earn higher and higher scores each year. We are anticipating our students will knock the exam out of the ballpark! Thanks for your ongoing partnership!
Campus Highlights
Last week was busy at Comm Arts. There were many great learning opportunities.
Hispanic Heritage Month
For Hispanic Heritage Month, SNHS is sponsoring activities based on the Spanish language and culture. All Comm Arts students are allowed to participate in these events.
Pictures above are from the following events:
- On September 15th, students made flores de papel.
- On September 22nd, students had fun singing karaoke songs in Spanish.
- On September 29th, students made "taco maracas".
What's coming up next?
- Students can take selfies using our fiesta backdrop till October 15th.
- On October 6th will be Cumbia dancing.
- On October 13th, students can play LoterÃa.
Next week we will celebrate Hispanic Heritage with a Dress Up Week:
Tuesday, 10/10 - Martes de Calaveras (Sugar skulls - no face painting)
Wednesday, 10/11 - Fiesta Miércoles (Any Fiesta attire: shirts, Mexican dresses, flower tiaras, LoterÃa cards, etc.)
Thursday, 10/12 - Vaquero Jueves (Vaquero attire: boots and cowboy hats. Did you know, a vaquero was the original cowboy?)
Friday, 10/13 - Rosa Raiders (Pink-Out game for breast cancer awareness.)
Helping Hands
The Helping Hands Club clothing drive for Northside Threads was a success! CAHS kids care about our community. Thank you to all the members, clubs and students who donated. CAHS CARES!
UNO en Español
Last week, Spanish 1 played UNO en Español! Students practiced their numbers, colors, and key phrases while playing. It was a fun way to close the week.
AET OnRamps
Students worked on their original GIF Project last week! Our students are so talented and have such an outstanding work ethic.
Mummified Hotdogs
Last week in Mythology, Mrs. Frias's students learned more about the Egyptian Belief systems and the process of mummification. Students were able to do a Mummification Lab using a hotdog. They analyzed characteristics such as length, width, color, texture and smell. They also gave it a name, personality traits and painted the "coffin" before placing it in our air tight tomb. We will check on the mummification process in a week to see the results.
Papel de Amate
Adv Spanish 2 learned about Papel de Amate, the process of making it, and the indigenous people who make them. Amate is handmade paper that was manufactured in pre-Columbian Mexico. It is still made by the Otomi people of central Mexico. This art form displays the plant and animal life that surrounds them, and is very bright and colorful.
Dance Break
Mr. Harris's students took a dance break before beginning their Unit 1 test.
Honoring our Military and First Responders Week, September 25-29
Last week to celebrate our Military and First Responders, for their sacrifice and service, our Communications Arts HS students and staff wore their camo gear to represent! We, at CAHS, thank the Military and First Responders Men and Women for their service!
UIW Conference
Last Friday, September 29th, Ms. Cleveland and several animation students visited UIW for their 3D Animation and Game Design conference.
Voter Fest
On Saturday, September 30th, Brynn Dominguez, Aika Meleus, Karolina Vega, and Kaesha Velasco attended the 1st Annual Voter Fest at UTSA. They interview members of the community on different aspects of the voting process. Voter Fest kicks off High School Voter Registration Week. Click here for more information: The Civics Center
Guarantee Day
Report Cards
Students and parents, to encourage timely completion of student work and to prevent our teachers from being swamped with late work turned in on the last day of the marking period, Comm Arts implements a Grade Guarantee Day for progress and report cards. The next Grade Guarantee Day is Friday, October 6th.
What this means is that students who have missing assignments must have those assignments turned in by October 6th, if they want to guarantee that late work will be graded and reflected on report cards, when grades are uploaded the following Friday, October 13th. A student can still turn in missing assignments after October 6th, but a teacher may not have enough time to grade those late submitted assignments, for them to be reflected on the report card. Teachers will grade these assignments and submit grade changes after grade submission, but please note that a student's report card will reflect a failing grade, and that will affect UIL eligibility. Grade changes do not restore that eligibility. Students would regain eligibility, if passing at the next 3-week grade check.
Juniors and seniors with off campus lunch, you must be passing for report cards to remain eligible to go off campus. Students need to pick up a new off-campus lunch sticker each marking period. Also all current AP exams must be paid for to go off campus for lunch.
Campus Announcements
Comm Arts Homecoming Court
Court applications were due last week on September 27th.
All voting will be done through student email addresses.
- The first round of voting will occur from October 2nd to October 5th.
- The second round of voting will occur from October 9th to October 12th.
- 9th, 10th, and 11th grade winners will be announced on the intercom announcements on October 13th.
- Senior King and Queen will be announced at the football game on Friday, October 20th.
The court will be recognized at halftime during the football game on October 20th. The Homecoming Dance will be held in the Taft cafeteria on October 21st. Ticket information will be shared once it's available.
Current Dual Credit Students
Did you know as a dual credit student you have a Northwest Vista College email account in ACES? Log into your ACES account and find the email icon located at the top right of the page. If NVC needs to contact you or if you need, the college will reach out to you via your NVC email account. Read the emails in your Inbox and archive emails you no longer need.
Dance Clinic
Support StuCo
Counselors' Corner
Wise Words from Dr. Rosales & Mrs. Skidmore
On September 27th, CAHS and Taft HS held a Senior Parent Night to feature and answer the most frequently asked questions parents of seniors may have, such as College Applications, Transcripts, FAFSA, the Alamo Promise, SAT/ACT, Scholarships, etc… University and Military Recruiters were present to provide information to interested students and parents. The event was very well attended by 137 parents. Dr. Rosales and Ms. Montellano did an amazing job!
On October 6th, CAHS Counselors will conduct a Guidance Lesson to all 10th grade students through their Advanced English course. Interpersonal Effectiveness skills will be taught such as how to effectively communicate with others, especially when a conflict arises. This is a life-long skill that will enhance the quality of interactions an individual has with others.
Decision of Respect Day
NISD is celebrating Decision of Respect Day on Friday, October 6th. CAHS will have students sign the Decision of Respect during the CAHS Elective courses. On this day we pause to remember the severe consequences that cyberbullying can have on a person. The day draws attention to helping end bullying whether that be person to person, or through social media.
Senate Bill 179 was passed in 2017. This Bill empowered school districts and parents with tools for bully prevention.
It provides for anonymous reporting for students, includes cyberbullying off campus and after school hours, and modifies the parental/guardian notification procedure. It provides flexibility in the disciplinary placement or the expulsion of students engaged in certain types of very serious bullying. It authorizes school principals to report certain incidents of bullying to local law enforcement, and provides protection from liability for doing so.
Go Center
U.S. Naval Academy Admissions Information Session
Join us for one of our Information Sessions; it's a unique opportunity to meet with your Regional Director of Admissions, Admissions Counselor, and Blue & Gold Officers. We've invited you because you are an ambitious student, and you have the potential to become an exemplary Midshipman (student) at USNA. Learn what it takes for you to apply & succeed!
Please click HERE to pre-register.
Location: Thomas Edison High School
701 Santa Monica St
San Antonio, TX 78212
When: Saturday, October 7, 2023
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Maybe you have never considered the U.S. Naval Academy, but we think you belong here. Did you know that every student:
- receives a full scholarship...yes, you read that correctly: FREE TUITION (including room and board and health insurance),
- is guaranteed employment upon graduating as an officer in the Navy or Marine Corps,
- receives a Bachelor of Science degree from the #1 public school in the nation (according to U.S. News & World Report).
Real Talk on HBCUs and PWIs
School Pictures & Yearbooks
Senior Update
Seniors, if you haven't already done so, please call Prestige at (210) 691-1284 or visit our local Prestige website to set up your senior portrait session. Only pictures taken with Prestige will be in the yearbook.
Seniors, If you have not already taken your senior picture either on campus or at the Prestige Studios, please schedule an appointment ASAP at the Prestige Studios by calling (210) 691-1284 or going online at local.prestigeportraits.com. They would be back on campus on November 3rd, for retakes and yearbook-only pictures. Please note that if you wish for your picture to be in the yearbook, it must be taken through Prestige Portraits before Thanksgiving break.
Yearbook 2023-2024
College Board
AP Exams
Payment:
Students will sign up for the exams during their AP course(s). Northside ISD does cover the majority of the cost of the exam. Exam fees are $98, but NISD students only pay $40 per exam. For those who qualify for Free and Reduces Meals, AP exams are $20/exam. Parents/guardians need to re-apply each school year. See the pdf below for more details of payment.
The deadline to pay for exam(s) is Friday, Oct. 13, 2023.
Freshmen/Sophomores - $40
Juniors - $80
Seniors - $120
**UPDATE: This also includes AP Spanish 4. Students will take the AP Spanish Language and Culture exam on Thursday, May 16th, 2024.**
All other exams will be processed through Taft HS.
Calendar
October 2023
November 2023
Important Links & Documents
Communications Arts High 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
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/
Twitter: @NISDComArts