I hope everyone had a wonderful three-day weekend!

We had many fun memories last week at Comm Arts; pictures can be found in this newsletter.

Students, make sure you are wearing your IDs at all times while on campus. We will be checking for them.

There will be student assemblies this week during 2nd and 3rd periods. Freshmen on Tuesday, sophomores on Wednesday, and juniors and seniors on Thursday. All Comm Arts students need to report to the Comm Arts LGI for their assembly when released.

September is “National Attendance Awareness Month,” a national event recognizing the connection between school attendance and academic achievement. Every day matters when it comes to attendance. If you must miss class, please bring in your doctor or parent notes.

This Wednesday, September 6th, is professional learning time for teachers. Teachers will not be available for tutoring that morning. Students must hang out in the Taft cafeteria or the Comm Arts building.

Save the Date! Open House is September 20th from 6-8 pm.

• Helping Hands - Mrs. Frias is the club sponsor. They meet every other Wednesday during the second half of lunch.
• SkillsUSA - Ms. Cleveland, Mrs. Sabogal, and Mr. Flores - Every other week on Tuesday during the second half of lunch
• Student Council (Comm Arts) - Mr. Harris and Mr. Trevino - Every Thursday during the second half of lunch
• Environmental Club - Mr. Polinard and Mr. Trevino - Every Tuesday during lunch
• Commie Lit Club - Mr. Polinard - Every Monday during lunch
• Garden Club - Mrs. Davern - third Wednesday of every month
• Black Student Union (BSU) - Mrs. Lee and Ms. Cody - Every second and fourth Tuesday during lunch
• Content Creators - Mrs. Lee - Every Friday
• Esports - Mrs. Sabogal and Ms. Velasquez - TBD
• Film Club - Ms. Cleveland and Mr. Flores - TBD
• UIL Academics - Mrs. Davern - TBD

If you do not need a district device, parents can complete this form to opt-out (decline). Parents can also sign in to request a district device later.

Student access to the building will begin at 8:00 am. If students arrive earlier, they are to report to the Taft cafeteria. Students can stay in the cafeteria or come to Comm Arts until 1st period begins. Students will not be allowed to wait outside the building.

The only entry/exit point for the campus will be the front doors. All doors, including the front doors, will remain locked during the school day but will be opened by the admin during morning arrival and passing periods. To access the building outside these times, please call the main office at 210-397-6043 or use the doorbell to the left of the main doors.

There are two bus drop-off/pickup points for Comm Arts students. One location is the driveway between Comm Arts and Taft (mainly Comm Arts students who live outside the Taft attendance zone) and the Taft bus loop, which is on the right side of the campus if looking at Taft from Culebra (this location is mainly for students who attend Comm Arts and live in the Taft attendance zone). Students, please remember that you will board the bus after school, where the bus dropped you off in the morning.

Students will have limited access to their devices this school year. Phones, more often than not, become personal distraction devices. Unless otherwise stated, students cannot access their phones during instructional time. Student phones will need to be on silent and put away. Parents, if you need to communicate with your child, they can check their phones during the passing period and at lunch. If an emergency occurs and you need to reach your child during class time, please call the Comm Arts front office.

All students attending Communications Arts HS must adhere to the standardized attire requirement. You will be asked to change if you are out of the dress code. Please plan accordingly. If you are unsure, please ask. Link to district dress code.

Northside ISD implemented a few changes for the 23-24 school year. They include:

• No deliveries for students or faculty/staff members
• The addition of twenty fully-commissioned police officers to the NISD Police Dept.
• Access to silent panic alert technology at each school

Additionally, all students, faculty, and staff must wear their school IDs on campus for safety.

Here is the link for more information: Safety First, 2023-2024

Students meeting GPA requirements will soon be presented with an invitation letter to join NHS. A new member meeting will be held on 8 September. All potential members are required to attend this meeting. Students will be given an application that is due by 15 September. Please contact Mr. Rosser if you have any questions. Michael.rosser@nisd.net.

Choir Parent Meeting - September 12th, 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. in the Choir Room

Madrigal Auditions - September 13th, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. in the Choir Room (Open to all Choir and Music Theatre students)

Fan Pledge Fundraiser kick off - September 15th, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. in the Auditorium (Choir and Orchestra students only)

Mixed Region Choir Auditions - October 7th, all day @ Warren High School

Fall Choir Concert - October 11th, 6:30 p.m. in the Auditorium

Treble Region Choir Auditions - October 21st, all day @ Marshall High School

The start of a school year can be a harried transition for families. If you notice your kiddo becoming overwhelmed or distressed, have them practice this grounding technique.

Once you find your breath, go through the following steps to help ground yourself:

• 5: Acknowledge FIVE things you see around you. ...

• 4: Acknowledge FOUR things you can touch around you. ...

• 3: Acknowledge THREE things you hear. ...

• 2: Acknowledge TWO things you can smell. ...

• 1: Acknowledge ONE thing you can taste.

Practicing the 4-7-8 technique is another form of managing anxiety. This method involves breathing in for 4 seconds and holding it for 7 seconds, then exhaling for 8 seconds…and repeat. It even helps with relaxing the body and mind enough to help you fall asleep. Read the Medical News Today link to learn more about it. 4-7-8 breathing technique

Attention all Dual Credit Students

By the first week of school, students should have logged into their ACES accounts to verify that their dual credit courses are correct.

• Students cannot ADD a dual credit class to their schedule after August 31st by 5:00 pm.

• Students can DROP a dual credit course until Sept. 8th by 5:00 PM with no penalty.

• After September 13th, a DROP will require a withdrawal from the instructor and a student’s Northwest Vista transcript will show a "W" which may impact financial aid eligibility.

• Students MUST talk with their counselor and inform Mrs. Barton of any changes to their dual credit courses.

Northside ISD is hosting a College Board Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test, or PSAT, on Wednesday, October 11th. The PSAT is optional this year for 10th graders. Sophomores who choose to participate must register by September 20th to participate and pay a $20 testing fee. There is a reduced fee of $10 for students who receive free or reduced lunch. All 9th and 11th graders will be registered to take the PSAT.

In order to register, students should click on the link provided on the school website or visit www.TotalRegistration.net/PSAT/446139 to register. To complete registration, students must answer all of the required questions. Registration is not complete until students have printed the pdf of the confirmation page that is provided at the end.

Comm Arts students will have a separate registration process from Taft High School.

Here are the important dates for the registration process:

• Mon, Aug 28, 2023, at 8:00 AM - Registration Begins
• Thu, Sep 21, 2023 at 12:01 AM - Registrations and payments after this date will incur a $5 late fee.
• Tue, Sep 26, 2023, at 11:59 PM - Registration Ends
• Tue, Sep 26, 2023 - Registrations that have not been paid for will be canceled, and exams will not be ordered.

Please contact Ms. Elizabeth Lewis, elizabeth.lewis@nisd.net, if you have questions or concerns.

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