Keeping Up With Comm Arts
September 13 - September 17
Communications Arts High School students will be confident, capable, communicative leaders.
Hello Comm Arts Families!
Today, you should be able to view Progress Reports that were uploaded Friday in HAC. Please keep in mind that at the 6 week mark (Fri. October 1) students may become ineligible to participate in extra-curricular activities.
Open House 9/29
We strongly encourage families to visit during the designated hour that corresponds to the student's last name. Open House is a time to meet teachers and receive important information regarding the class. If you would like a parent/teacher conference, please schedule one with the teacher for a different date and time.
6:00-7:00--(A-L)
7:15-8:15--(M-Z)
Online Tutoring Support
Please click here to view all the support that is available to students this year.
Student Parking Stickers
If you are paying through MySchoolBucks, click on Taft Fines and select Parking Fee and you can pay online.
Please make sure that you pay online or have the exact payment amount. We will not have change.
We cannot issue decals to students with a learners permit, only those with Provisional Licenses may get one.
If you have 5th lunch, Mr. Lopez will be distributing decals during 5th lunch.
October 13, 2021
9th-11th graders will be taking the PSAT and 12th graders will be taking the SAT.
Both exams are free for our students--12th graders can send their SAT scores to the college/university of their choice and 11th graders can qualify to be National Merit Scholars.
Click here for SAT Practice and click here for PSAT Practice.
AP at Comm Arts
At Communications Arts, we focus on college prep and we have our students challenge themselves academically by taking AP/Dual Credit/OnRamps courses. For our students enrolled in AP courses, we do expect them to make a good faith effort to take their AP exams (including AP courses taken at Taft) in May. Every student has been opted in and will have an exam ordered for them.
All exams for AP courses taught at Comm Arts are handled by Comm Arts AP Coordinator: Mrs. Carey McCarthy.
All exams for AP courses taught at Taft are handled by Taft Student Success Advisor.
Please see the file below for more information on AP at Comm Arts.
Payment for AP Exams are due October 29.
Verification of Enrollment (VOE) Forms
TAMIU Preview Day
TAMIU Virtual Preview Day (2021)
September 25, 2021 (1:00 PM — 4:00 PM)
At Preview Day, students, parents and school officials will undergo an exciting agenda full of academic and student life information!
Preview Day features:
- Immersing yourself in our five colleges
- Learning about student aid opportunities
- Catching a glimpse of Dustdevil housing
- Listening to a live student panel
- and participating in our traditions!
FAQs
Is this a virtual event?
Yes. This event is exclusively virtual. The event begins at 1:00 PM CST. As such, we encourage you to log in at 1:00 CST.
Click here to register.
Band Updates
Weekly Email -- Week 4: September 13-17 -- Leadership Meeting, Band Parent Meeting, Part 3 Pass Off, Pep Rally, Thursday Football Game vs Marshall HS (Home Side at Gus), Friday PM Rehearsal, Percussion Field Trip to Dripping Springs
Important Links for the week:
Optional Pre-Game Meal Plan Order: https://form.jotform.com/211435512715044 (cutoff Monday at 11:59 PM for this week’s order)
NISD Required Volunteer Background Check (Up to 2 week turnaround time): https://hrvolunteer.nisd.net/TempMod.nsf?Open
Upcoming Concessions Sign-Ups: https://www.taftraiderband.org/volunteer/volunteer-shifts
Concert Folder Order Form: https://form.jotform.com/212506087511146
Optional Concert Folder Orders
Every two years we make a mass group order for new concert folders for our students to use during the concert season of band. Unlike the marching season, during concert season our students use a larger folder than a binder can supply that is engraved with the Taft Band name on it. Although we do have a class set that is available for student use for the entire season, many of our students enjoy purchasing their own folder that also has their name engraved on it. This becomes a keepsake when they leave the program, and also means they don't get a "hand-me-down" folder from years past (although as the youngest of three brothers, there is NOTHING wrong with that :). Folders will be open for order for the next two weeks, and then the order will be placed. They can be purchased here: https://form.jotform.com/212506087511146
Water Bottle Donations
We are in need of our annual water bottle donations to help in feeding the kids through the marching season. If each family was to donate a single case of water from Costco, Walmart, HEB, or Sam's Club, we would have enough to last the entire year. Water can be dropped off at the band hall when students come to school in the morning or at the end of Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday after-school marching rehearsals.
Chaperone and Roadie Sign-Ups
We are always in need of more parent volunteers to roadie and chaperone as we travel to our games this year. All parent volunteers need to have filled out a background check through the link at the top of this email. To sign up to be a roadie or chaperone, reserve your spot in the following sign-up genius links:
https://www.taftraiderband.org/volunteer/volunteer-shifts
GameDay Meal Orders
Prior to students leaving for any football game, it is important that they eat so they have energy to perform and have fun through the evening. This is not required, but is very handy when times get busy. Students that do not buy the meal plan must bring a sack dinner so they have the nutrients to last through the night. If you missed your opportunity to order, you can still get into the meal plan by ordering online at https://form.jotform.com/211435512715044. Orders will always be finalized at 11:59 PM each Monday night prior to a football game without exception.
Please see this week’s schedule below:
MONDAY -- Leadership Meeting, PM Rehearsal
Before School -- Go to tutoring/Practice in the Band Hall
8:15 AM -- Leadership Meeting in BH1
1st Period -- Wind Ensemble/Drumline
2nd Period-- Symphonic Band/Front Ensemble
3rd Period -- Concert Band Winds
7th Period -- Jazz Ensemble
8th Period -- Color Guard/Music Theory
5:00 PM -- Marching Band PM Rehearsal
8:00 PM -- Dismissal from Band Pad
TUESDAY -- PM Rehearsal
Before School -- Go to tutoring/Practice in the Band Hall
1st Period -- Wind Ensemble/Drumline
2nd Period-- Symphonic Band/Front Ensemble
3rd Period -- Concert Band Winds
7th Period -- Jazz Ensemble
8th Period -- Color Guard/Music Theory
5:00 PM -- Marching Band PM Rehearsal
7:30 PM -- Dismissal from Band Pad
WEDNESDAY - Part 3 Playoff Due, No PM Rehearsal
Before School -- Go to tutoring/Practice in the Band Hall
1st Period -- Wind Ensemble/Drumline
2nd Period-- Symphonic Band/Front Ensemble
3rd Period -- Concert Band Winds
7th Period -- Jazz Ensemble
8th Period -- Color Guard/Music Theory
After School -- Go home, do homework
5:00 PM -- Band Hall Closes
THURSDAY -- Pep Rally, Thursday Game!
7:45 AM -- Pep Rally Call Time - WEAR SHOW SHIRT and JEANS
Before School -- Go to tutoring/Practice in the Band Hall
1st Period -- Wind Ensemble/Drumline
2nd Period-- Symphonic Band/Front Ensemble
3rd Period -- Concert Band Winds
7th Period -- Jazz Ensemble
8th Period -- Color Guard/Music Theory
4:20 PM -- Change into Rehearsal Attire, load trucks, Eat Food, Get Dressed/Inspection
5:45 PM -- Depart Taft HS for Gustafson Stadium
6:15 PM -- Arrive at Gus Stadium (Visitor’s Side)
7:00 PM -- Kickoff
10:00 PMish -- Game Ends, Pack and Load
10:45 PMish -- Students arrive back at Taft High School - Bring in instruments and return uniforms.
FRIDAY -- Study Halls in Classes, Mandatory PM Rehearsal
Before School -- Go to tutoring/Practice in the Band Hall
1st Period -- Wind Ensemble/Drumline
2nd Period-- Symphonic Band/Front Ensemble
3rd Period -- Concert Band Winds
7th Period -- Jazz Ensemble
8th Period -- Color Guard/Music Theory
5:00 PM -- Marching Band PM Rehearsal
7:30 PM -- Dismissal from Band Pad
SATURDAY -- Dripping Spring Drum Contest Trip (Percussion Only)
10:15am Band Hall Opens
11:00am Busses Depart for Buc-ees
12:00pm Lunch Stop @ Buc-ees
1:00pm Depart for Dripping Springs
2:00pm Arrive at Dripping Springs
2:00pm - 8:00pm Watch Drumline Contest
8:15pm Depart Dripping Springs for Taft High School
10:45pm Arrive at Taft High School
11:15pm Band Hall closed, students have been picked up
***STUDENTS: Welcome to the school year! It is now your responsibility to keep up with your school work AND your band work. Band students are called to be leaders in and out of our classrooms. Take advantage of our late class start time by seeing teachers for help, turning in work, and focusing on your school work.
***PARENTS: Please keep one eye on the band calendar and your emails throughout the season. It is each family's responsibility to be aware of upcoming dates and avoiding appointment and scheduling conflicts with band events. Wednesdays are always non-band days, so they are ideal for all doctor, dentist, and other appointments. All rehearsals, performances, and events are very difficult to make up. Also, please ensure your child is starting to wake up earlier each day so summer band isn’t such a shock to their system. They need to be eating non-dairy based breakfast daily (even if they aren’t hungry), and drinking exclusively water- no soda,energy drinks…. Anything in a can. This will help them be successful, feel great, and be ready to learn!
Let's have a GREAT week of school, Raiders!
Respectfully,
Greg Mills
Director of Bands
Communications Arts High School
Website: nisd.net/communicationsarts
Location: 11600 Culebra Road, San Antonio, TX, USA
Phone: 210-397-6043
Facebook: facebook.com/communicationsartshighschool
Twitter: @NISDComArts