Keeping Up With Comm Arts
September 20 - September 24
Hello Comm Arts Families,
Free and Reduced Lunch
As a reminder, Northside ISD students will receive meals at No Cost under the current USDA Waiver for the 2021-22 School Year. Although a Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application is Not Required for student meals, NISD families may benefit from the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT). P-EBT is a food benefit for families with children who temporarily lost access to free or reduced-price meals at school during the COVID-19 pandemic. Child Nutrition Services will accept Free and Reduced-Price Meal Applications for potential P-EBT Benefits for the 2021-22 School Year.
Families are welcome to fill out applications online at www.schoolcafe.com or pick up a paper application at the Free and Reduced Office located at 7520 Mainland Drive, San Antonio, TX 78250.
For more information, visit the Child Nutrition website at nisd.net/schools/menus.
United Yearbook
We are living through historic times and the best way to remember everything that happens this school year is by purchasing a yearbook. Yearbooks are on sale now through the end of the year, but if you want the cheapest price of $70 and FOUR FREE ENGRAVED ICONS ON YOUR COVER you need to order by Friday, October 15. The price increases to $75 on October 16 and then to $80 on January 29th. Orders are done through JostensYearbooks.com
If you ordered last year’s and have not picked it up, we will be delivering those to students next few weeks or you can contact Mr. Kohlmann at Taft to arrange pick up sooner. If you did NOT order last year’s, but would like to purchase one, we still have some available for purchase for $80 or you can purchase a package deal of last year's and this year's yearbook at $120. That's a $30 savings. If you have any questions, please see Mrs. McCarthy in room C205 before or after school.
Please note: The Taft and Comm Arts yearbooks combined last year.
Senior Portraits
Open House
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.
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.
College, Career and Military Readiness--Ms. Montellano
Comm Arts Walk of Fame
Student Council Fundraiser
What: Student Council Fundraiser
Where: Sonic on 1560 (next to the Neighborhood Walmart)
When: September 22, 2021 4pm-8pm
Why: Raise money for Homecoming
Student Spotlight--Tatiana Barajas
Her award winning poem is below...
La lotería de mamá
Escuché.
Desde pequeña mi mamá me contaba historias de la vida
Toda una creadora, no tuvo que leernos de libros, sino que
Me dejaba seleccionar una carta de la baraja de lotería
Y allí comenzaba el juego.
Crecí.
Con cartas de la lotería al lado de mi cama,
Seleccionando una nueva cada noche, me desarrollé.
Entre mis favoritas era la rosa,
Así fue como mi mamá me explicó la belleza de la vida.
Me recalcó.
“Dolorosamente hermosa,
El mundo es peligroso tal como las espinas
Pero igualmente lindo y precioso, semejante a los pétalos.
Hay que protegerse de lo arriesgado, pero no tanto que luego se pierda lo bello”
Me empapé.
Aprendí más sobre mi cultura
Sobre la tierra de mi mamá, de mis orígenes.
Me contó sus historias para hacerme sentir
Conectada a mis ancestros, mi patrimonio cultural
Me contó.
“La bandera,
Inquebrantable como tu espíritu
Maleable en el aire, tus antepasados emigraron
Ansiando una mejor vida que entregarnos”
Atendí.
Me reafirmaba el valor de tener fe
Había certezas tácitas
Mientras que las seguía recordando
Tenía fe de que todo está balanceado
Entendí.
“La luna siempre seguirá al Sol,
El canto del gallo nos presentará el día
Igual que las estrellas nos regalan la noche.
Es el ritmo del universo y te acompañará por cada incertidumbre que enfrentarás”
Escuché
Crecí
Me recalcó
Me empapé
Me contó
Atendí
Entendí
Y te agradezco, Madre, toda la extraordinaria sabiduría que me has entregado
Mediante tus cotidianas cartas de la lotería.
Band Updates
Weekly Email -- Week 5: September 20-25 -- Leadership Meeting, Pep Rally, Thursday Football Game vs Harlan HS (Visitors Side at Farris), Friday PM Rehearsal, US Band Marching Contest
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
Adult Roadie/Chaperone Meal for US Contest: https://www.jotform.com/assign/212555495024152/212584523790055
Concert Folder Order Form: https://form.jotform.com/212506087511146
After almost two years, we have finally arrived at our first marching contest! We will be participating in the US Bands South San HS Contest located at South San Antonio HS. This is a mid-day contest, so the students will need to be hydrated for the weather. Fans are welcome at this contest, and is open to the public. Our performance time is 1 PM, but the full schedule of the day for the students is listed at the Saturday section of the weekly email. Tickets to this contest can be purchased at the following link: https://www.showpass.com/usbands-southsanantonio/
I would like to thank all members and families for helping to make our rehearsals so successful so far this year. We only have 8 hours of rehearsal time before our first contest, so every student's attendance is critical as we are learning new material daily. The absence from rehearsal does have a large impact on the learning of others, so I appreciate the commitment of all our Raider families as we bring back competitive greatness to our band program. It is a joy to release such committed students!
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. Orders are due by midnight this FRIDAY, September 24th.
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
If you signed up (or are going to sign up) to Roadie or Chaperone at the contest on 9/25/21, and want to buy a meal (Chick-fil-a), please fill out the jotform below before midnight on Monday, September 20th. Meals are $8.
https://www.jotform.com/assign/212555495024152/212584523790055
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 - Area Jazz Recording, 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 Farris Stadium
6:15 PM -- Arrive at Farris 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 -- US Bands South San HS Marching Contest
8:00 AM -- Band Hall Opens, clean horns, come having eaten breakfast!
9:00 AM -- Runthrough Rehearsal Begins on Band Pad (Raider-T, Raider Shorts, Marching Shoes, Long Black Socks)
10:00 AM -- Load Trucks
10:00-10:50 AM -- Get Dressed/Inspection
10:50 AM -- Depart Taft HS
11:30 AM -- Arrive at South San HS (7535 Barlite Blvd, San Antonio, TX 78224)
12:10 PM -- Warm-Up
12:50 PM -- Move to Gate
12:55 PM -- Enter Field
1 PM -- Performance Time
1:15 PM -- Awards
2:00 PM -- Clinic with Judges
2:20 PM -- Pack Instruments, Load Busses, Eat!
2:45 PM -- Depart for Taft High School
3:30 PM -- Arrive at Taft High School, unload, check in uniforms, see ya!
Last Week’s Performance Video Link (not for sharing outside of current Taft Band members)
***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: www.nisd.net/communicationsarts
Location: 11600 Culebra Road, San Antonio, TX, USA
Phone: 210-397-6043
Facebook: facebook.com/communicationsartshighschool
Twitter: @NISDComArts