Keeping Up with Comm Arts
~ October 30, 2023 ~
Hello Comm Arts Family and Friends!
Since we went through the "Secure" status last week, we met as admin and a whole faculty to debrief and brainstorm about improvements. After experiencing an unfortunate event, we reviewed our safety protocols. As a group, we decided we needed to improve a few things. The two gates nearest to CAHS will be closed a little after 1st period commences and right before 8th period terminates. We want to have one point of entry and exit. Students went to rooms or remained in the cafe when this event occurred, but our off-campus lunch students returned to campus unaware. Dr. Baker will meet with this group this week to explain the protocol during lunch using the School Messenger system so we can communicate instructions and status. We have a growth mindset, and will improve our protocols for the betterment of our school community. If you have any suggestions, please let us know. Thank you!
This week, Wednesday, November 1st is a Professional Learning Time. Teachers will be in a meeting and not available for morning tutoring. Thank you!
Tuesday, October 31st is Halloween. Students and staff members may dress up but must following NISD dress code. The following items are NOT allowed: face paint, costume masks, or onsies.
It's already time for progress report. Grades will be uploaded on Friday, November 3rd. Progress reports will be available on HAC Monday, November 6th.
Last day to take senior portraits on campus will be this Friday, November 3rd. If you want to sign up, see Ms. De La Rosa in C205. The last day to take senior portraits through Prestige (make an appointment at the studio) will be December 8th. This is a new deadline.
Friendly reminder that Daylight savings time ends this weekend. We gain an hour from November 5th to 6th. Don't forget to set your clocks back.
Campus Highlights
Lunch with Dr. Craft
Seniors Zander Hartman and Ronin Vasquez represented Comm Arts at Dr. Craft's 2nd Annual Student Voice Lunch last week Monday. Student representatives from all high schools shared strengths and areas of growth for their campus. They also discussed student IDs and school safety.
Austin Film Festival
The Austin Film Festival was a great experience. Several Comm Arts students were able to hear, meet and ask questions to famous script writers, producers and directors.They also got to network with other high school students and watch short films and new films coming to theaters in November and December. Some of those writers/producers were from American Fiction, Saltburn, The Flash, Bumblebee, Birds of Prey, Guardians of the Galaxy, Captain Marvel, Pikachu, Moana, Nimona, Lightyear, Onward. Thow you Mr. Flores and Mrs. Sabogal for providing this amazing opportunity for our students.
Dia De Los Muertos
SNHS set up an offenda in the Comm Arts upstairs hallway. Anyone is welcome to add objects and photos of their passed loved ones before Thursday. If you do, please notate your loved ones' name and yours on the picture or object.
Spanish 1
Spanish 1 students remembered someone in their lives that is no longer with us by creating Calaveras in their honor. They had to choose three items to incorporate in their drawing that represents their loved one.
Spanish 2
Spanish 2 students created "esqueletos" for DĂa de los Muertos by using their names to create the body. Then they added a "calavera" of their choice to finish it, and then named their unique "esqueleto".
Spanish 3
Fun fact: Skeletons are sometimes called Calacas because their bones "clack" when they move.
English 1
Last week, English 1 made motif and theme connections in their novels with other student's novels. This exercise is known as "Hexagonal Thinking" and is an advanced strategy that makes students think more in-depth about their novels and make text to world connections. The process was rich with literary element discussions. Big shout out to 8th Period for making the most connections by connecting to each person's novel in the class!
Out Recruiting
Comm Arts students and staff were at Jordan Middle School, Raba Elementary School, and Jones Middle School for their fall festivals. It was great to meet future Comm Arts students!
Egyptian Canopic Jars
In Literary Mythology, students finished studying Egyptian MYthology and are in the process of creating their own version of canopic jars and the stories behind them. They will dry over the weekend and will get painted next week. They will be on display in the hallway for all to discover their hidden stories.
Campus Announcements
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 take note that there are only 6 elementary schools and one middle school as a drop off location. Plan accordingly.
New NHS Members
Don't forget to pay your NHS dues by November 3rd.
Veterans Day Celebration
Communications Arts High School would like to honor the Veterans within our community. Please register using the Google Form, if you would like to attend the Veterans Breakfast Celebration on November 10th at 8:15am.
Counselors' Corner
Wise Words with Mrs. Skidmore & Dr. Rosales
On Wednesday, November 1st, Mrs. Montellano will meet with seniors during their AP English 4 class to assist them with applications to Northwest Vista. On Thursday, November 2nd, the counselors will meet with seniors during their Economics class to assist students with ordering college transcripts.
Congratulations to Mrs. Sabogal’s students for winning the Red Ribbon Week door decorating contest.
All students received Red Ribbon Week stickers and pencils, through their English classes. The message is to Be Kind to Your Mind encouraging them to live a drug free life.
Operation Gratitude Letters
The letters the students wrote to the Military Men and Women in September through the Social Studies classes were sent to Operation Gratitude. We just received a letter from Operation Gratitude addressed to our CAHS students expressing their gratitude. I've attached the letter below so you can partake in the kind and grateful words shared from US Soldiers who received our student letters.
This activity was very rewarding for CAHS students as it has come to a full circle!
Go Center
College Fair
Seniors, please join us for Northside ISD’s annual College Fair on November 6 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The event will be held at the Northside Activity Center located at 7001 Culebra Road.
The NISD College Night is an extraordinary event that provides students and parents with the opportunity to become more familiar with over 100 institutions of higher education from all over Texas and the nation. This interaction with representatives from various colleges and universities is informative and valuable as students gather information to make the very best choices for their future educational endeavors.
Congressional App Challange
The Congressional App Challenge will close on November 1st.
The Congressional App Challenge (CAC) is a nationwide competition intended to engage students’ creativity and encourage their participation in STEM. Launched in 2015, the CAC allows students to compete with their peers by developing software applications (apps) for mobile, tablet, or computer devices. App submissions should demonstrate some level of functionality. However, the app does not need to be finalized, if the students can demonstrate their programming skills and provide a detailed outline explaining the app concept and design. Students may compete as individuals or in teams of up to four, as long as two of the teammates are residents of the Texas 20th Congressional District.
Students interested in participating can register for the competition on the Congressional App Challenge website at www.congressionalappchallenge.us. The deadline for submissions is November 1, 2023. Participating apps will be judged by a panel of local judges who work within the academic, software, and entrepreneurial fields. The app of the winning student or team will be featured on the U.S. House of Representatives’ website and displayed in an exhibit at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
If you have any questions, please contact Emily Tarango-Chavez of my San Antonio Office at (210) 348-8216 or email at Emily.tarango-chavez@mail.house.gov.
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 by December 8th. This is a new deadline. .
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/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
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