Keeping Up with Comm Arts
~ December 4, 2023 ~
Hello Comm Arts Family and Friends!
Progress Reports are available via HAC on Monday, December 4th. Students, please make sure you are keeping up with your grades.
Parents/Guardians - We will be administering midterms soon. The last couple of days are half days. Buses will run before school starts at the regular time and again at midday (after students have a quick moment to grab a sack lunch if needed). That being written, on the last day of the semester, 6th period exam is given first on Friday. We encourage our kids to come for their 5th period exam only IF they have transportation to do so. They do not need to be present during 6th period exam because it is their lunch period. HOWEVER, if they do not have a ride, please have them ride their bus as normal. We will monitor them in the cafeteria. Attendance is mandatory. See the calendar section for the semester exam schedule. There are no semester exam exemptions. Please see the schedule below.
Campus Highlights
CREST Winner
The Texas School Counselor Association recognized Communications Arts/Taft HS with the 2023-2024 CREST Awards for Counseling Excellence. We are blessed to have Ms. Skidmore and Dr. Rosales as our campus counselors. It's wonderful to see them recognized for their dedication. Congratulations to the Taft HS counselors, too!
CREST stands for Counselors Reinforcing Excellence for Students in Texas. Schools receiving the CREST award have demonstrated a commitment to using the school guidance and counseling program to improve the lives and achievement of students in academic, career, and social domains.
Field Trip to KSAT
Senior and junior journalism students were invited to attend the Future Journalist Workshop last Saturday. Comm Arts received a shoutout on Good Morning San Antonio. Our students learned the field of journalism. They even networked with the anchors and producers!
"Senioritis"
Last Wednesday, UTSA had a screening at the Palladium that showed "Senioritis," a film produced by our AV2 students. Bethany Cruz, Maya Hawkins, and Nyla Pearson (left to right). It was great to see their film on the big screen!
Speed Dating Activity
Sophomores learned about the different explorers in AP World History with a speed dating activity. Looks like it was tons of fun!
Campus Announcements
Festive Wear
Want to celebrate December the CommArts way? Let's get festive these two weeks by celebrating culturally. Tis the season!
Attendance
Students are allotted seven absences for the fall semester. Students must attend AR to earn back course credits for additional absences. Juniors and seniors, if you would like to remain eligible for off-campus lunch, all AR must be taken care of by December 15th. If you are unsure about attendance, reach out to Ms. Lewis (elizabeth.lewis@nisd.net)
Comm Arts Grade Guarantee Day - December 8th
To encourage timely completion of student work and to try to prevent our teachers from being swamped with late work turned in on the last day of the marking period, Comm Arts implemented a Grade Guarantee Day for each of the first three marking periods of the year. The next Grade Guarantee Day is Friday, December 8th.
Students can still turn in missing assignments after December 8th, but a teacher may not have enough time to grade those late submitted assignments for them to be reflected on the report card. After grade submission, teachers will grade these assignments and submit grade changes for those students. However, please note that the student's report card will reflect a failing grade, affecting UIL eligibility. Grade changes do not restore eligibility. Students would regain eligibility if they pass the next 3-week grade check.
Recruitment Season
Parents,
We are about to embark on another recruiting round of incoming 9th graders for next year. We have two magnet fairs (one at the Northside Gym and the other at Paul Taylor Fieldhouse) in December. If you are interested in volunteering to help us recruit, please let me know and fill out a background check form below. It's from 6:30-8 p.m. on the 4th and 11th. You basically mingle with curious parents of 8th graders and answer questions. We are also there as a backup. I like to bring parents who are familiar with our school to give their perspective to potential new candidates. I appreciate your consideration.
Lisa Baker, Ph.D.
Principal
Adobe Access
Adobe Creative Suite Software at Home for Personal Devices
ComArts CTE students, please remember you can download and install Adobe Creative Suite software onto your personal laptops and computer (not Chromebooks) for FREE using your NISD student login credentials. Use the attached instructions for guidance. Keep in mind the Adobe software version installed at home will be a newer version than what is available at school. Please contact your Communications teacher (Cleveland, Barton, Sabogal, or Flores) if you have questions.
Dual Credit Enrollment Process for 2024-25 (new students only)
The Dual Credit Program allows eligible students, grades 9-12, to take college-level courses at no cost and earn college credit through Northwest Vista College while concurrently enrolled in the equivalent high school course. Students can earn up to 42 college credits that may be transferred to Texas public colleges and universities and some private and out-of-state universities.
All students interested in the Dual Credit Program for the FIRST time next school year must complete the Dual Credit Interest Google form (https://forms.gle/53dKnnpgSsLCbUUr6) by Friday, December 8, 2023. Completing this Google form does NOT qualify a student for dual credit enrollment but simply indicates an interest.
2024 CAM Student Film Festival
Contemporary Art Month (CAM) is excited to continue our student film festival in 2024, providing an opportunity for young artists to show their work. The goal of this film project is to support the talents of young artists in our community. Apply by December 20, 2023, at 11:59pm CST
Eligibility
Open to all San Antonio area High School students!
Screening Information
The selected video work will be screened at galleries and venues around San Antonio as a part of Contemporary Art Month! Locations will be announced in March.
Curated by Sarah Lasley
CAM Board Member Sarah Lasley is an artist and filmmaker from Louisville, Kentucky and currently Assistant Professor of Film at Cal Poly Humboldt. Her films have screened internationally at film festivals and universities, notably the Cannes Art Film Festival in France and National Chiao Tung University in Taiwan.
Complete this Google Form to apply.
Tutoring Bus
This is an excellent opportunity for students who need to stay after school for tutoring. All Comm Arts and Taft teachers have access to the tutoring bus passes. Please note that there are only six elementary schools and one middle school as drop-off locations. Plan accordingly.
Attendance Recovery Opportunities
Counselors' Corner
Wise Words with Mrs. Skidmore & Dr. Rosales
The counselors met individually with each freshman student to review credits they brought in from middle school, what credits they are earning this year, and upcoming planning to cover graduation requirements.
College Application Information
No one will be available to process college applications or transcript requests over the winter break. Please plan accordingly.
Go Center
Do you want to win a $40,000 Scholarship?
Simply attend BigFuture® Scholarships Week to learn the best strategies to plan for life after high school—and to hear the inside scoop on qualifying for monthly scholarship drawings. The totally free events are happening on December 4th, 6th, and 7th.
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. Please note that if you wish for your picture to be in the yearbook, it must be taken through Prestige Portraits by December 8th. This is a new deadline. .
Yearbook 2023-2024
College Board
Score Release for PSAT
Students who took the PSAT on October 12th will be able to see their scores after November 16th.
College Board launched a mobile app (Video for students) currently available to eligible PSAT/NMSQT test takers, that offers students a fast, convenient way to check their test scores. Learn more about how College Board enhanced score reports that are provided with in-demand career options as one way to help them think more about their future plans.
Students can watch the video or read the PDF below to better understand PSAT scores. Understanding Your Digital PSAT/NMSQT Score Report video
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/Reduced Meals, AP exams are $10/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) was Friday, Oct. 13, 2023. You can still pay.
Freshmen/Sophomores - $40
Juniors - $80
Seniors - $120
**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
December 2023
January 2024
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