Director's Note
A Zenith Year (And I’m Still Finding the Light Switches!)
Hello, NESA Family—students and parents alike!
Can you believe it? It feels like just yesterday I was getting the keys to the NESA office, armed with a lukewarm coffee and the slightly terrifying realization that I was now in charge of the Most Amazing School on Earth. A year ago, I knew NESA was a magical hub of creativity, but as any seasoned artist can tell you, the breathtaking masterpiece on the canvas, the epic sweep of the film, or the tear-jerking moment on stage is about 0.0001% of the actual work. The rest is pure, glorious, slightly chaotic behind-the-scenes magic. (And a surprising amount of paperwork. Don't tell the students I said that.)
I spent my first few months here basically just trying to figure out which light switch turned on the coffee maker (spoiler: it was labeled "Emergency Exit Sign"). But my real "a-ha!" moment—the one that really blew my metaphorical director's socks off—was last year's Cross Major Show.
I’d heard tales, of course. Whispers in the hallway of collaboration and artistic synergy. But seeing it in action was something else entirely. Our brilliant Creative Writing students, the masters of the written word, dragged (nicely, I assume) their friends from other majors to literally bring their words to life.
I saw a poem inspired by Alice in Wonderland interpreted by a dancer as if the stanzas had feet. I watched a script leap from the page and get acted out and another that became a gorgeous short film. And I definitely teared up when a poignant piece of poetry about pancakes transformed into a stadium-rock-worthy set of lyrics and was belted out live on stage. It was the ultimate proof that every single major here doesn't just exist next to the others—they fuel the others! It was the most wonderfully eye-opening, heart-filling event, and it will forever hold a very special place in my NESA Director heart.
Get Ready for ZENITH! Well, prepare yourselves! Because the collaboration extravaganza is back, and this year, it's titled Zenith!
Think of it: the high point, the climax, the moment we all realize just how ridiculously talented our students are when they work together. If you've never experienced the Cross Major Show, you are missing out on one of NESA's most engaging, inspiring, and unique traditions. It’s the perfect place to see your student’s major literally jam out with another majors!
So, please, don’t miss out. Zenith will be lighting up the PAC this Friday and Saturday. Don't wait until the last minute—grab your tickets now at booktix!
See you at the show (I’ll be the one running around with Ms. Charney, marveling at the genius and silently thanking whoever labeled the coffee maker switch "Coffee Maker" this year)!
Art of the Week
Fish Out of Water by Caroline Ingram
I am thrilled to shine a spotlight on one of the standout pieces in our upcoming gallery show: "Fish Out of Water," a dramatic and expertly rendered artwork by talented NESA student Caroline Ingram.
Caroline created this piece using a combination of acrylic, oil, and canvas. The work beautifully captures a dynamic moment, showcasing a magnificent catch against a stunning, richly colored sunset that reflects off the water. The contrast between the vibrant, almost fiery background and the slick, detailed scales of the fish makes for a truly compelling visual experience. Caroline’s mastery of light and texture is evident, bringing a sense of life and motion to the painting.
This piece, and many other fantastic works by our dedicated young artists, will be on display soon!
Don't Miss the Show!
If you would like to see "Fish Out of Water" in person along with a lot more incredible talent from NESA, please come by the Fall Into Place show at the Legacy Historic Gallery starting on October 17th. We can't wait to share our students' creativity with the community!
Wed
Oct 8
- National Stop Bullying Day
- Oct 8 - Nov 12 AP Payment Window for Fall Open (Significantly less of a price if you pay during this spring window 😉)
Fr
Oct 10
- Zenith Cross Major Show!!!! Don't miss it!
- No School Today
- Oct 8 - Nov 12 AP Payment Window for Fall Open (Significantly less of a price if you pay during this spring window 😉)
Sat
Oct 11
- Last Night of Zenith!
- Oct 8 - Nov 12 AP Payment Window for Fall Open (Significantly less of a price if you pay during this spring window 😉)
Coming Soon
Coming soon
- Oct 14/15 Senior Portraits in the PERC
- Oct 15 - 20 NESA Film students in NYC!!!!
- Oct 16 - College and Career Expo
- Oct 17 6PM Fall Into Place Art Show in the Legacy Historic Gallery
- Oct 18 9-Noon NESA Dance Workshop (put on by our NESA Dancers)
- Oct 23 PSAT (9-11th Grade, Free😎)
- Nov 7-9 & 14-16 Guys and Dolls
- Nov 13 pARTners Meeting Featuring Visual Artists!
pARTners News
SAEF Scholarships Now Open!!!
The NESA Student Artistic Enrichment Fund (SAEF) was created in 2006 by NESA pARTners to provide financial support for eligible NESA students of NESA pARTners members to access enhanced training and opportunities beyond the curriculum that NESA provides. Here are just a few examples of the types of opportunities that may be supported by the NESA Student Artistic Enrichment Fund:
- Any equipment, lessons, or materials that is geared towards furthering the development of their major
- Consolidated college, university, conservatory, or art institute audition or portfolio review events
- Event application fees
- Entry fees
- Event application fees
- Reasonable travel expenses related to such an event
- Specialized, advanced training opportunities
- Tuition to one-time, short-term artistic enrichment events such as UIL and other contests, workshops, camps, seminars, master classes, and art festivals
For additional information on the application process and deadline dates, please refer to the SAEF guidelines on the pARTners webpage. nesapartners.net
Applications are reviewed by a Special Committee consisting of distinguished members of the local civic and artistic community. Special Committee members are not affiliated with NESA pARTners.
Donations are also accepted for this program. Your contribution this year will help us continue these opportunities for even more students in the future. If you choose, contributions can also be listed as Honoraria or Memorials and are tax deductible.
Please note that SAEF applications for Seniors can only be accepted for events/programs that take place before the end of the school year and can only be submitted in the Fall SAEF application timing.
Applications are now open! If you would like to apply, click the link below and it will take you directly to the form!
pARTners News
The membership pizza party had 2 winners--MT and Dance with both majors having 98% (roughly) partners membership
Zenith creative writing show is this weekend
We are gearing up for guys and dolls. There is a sign up for volunteering in different capacities, backstage snacks (because our kids love to snack!) and concession donations
We will also have a guys and dolls theme night on opening night, November 7. We are encouraging our families to dress up in 1940s-1950s dress or themed toward the show
Our crafty families are encouraged to get their hot glue guns out and participate in our first "hecho en NESA" in which their crafts can be donated to help raise funds for partners.
We are organizing baskets for our silent auction to be held during guys and dolls. Each major/grade is encouraged to participate. We are asking one parent to help organize the basket donations for their grade.
Any questions, parents are welcome to email me at nesapartnerspresident@gmail.com or nesapartners01@gmail.com
News and links
District Notice
Just in case you did not see this, the District sent this out:
During the latest Texas legislative session, Senate Bill 12 passed, which requires all Texas public school districts to get parental consent for health-related services.
As a parent, you now have to opt-in or opt-out of certain health-related services we offer students. This pertains to things like administering over-the counter medications or counseling services. Parents cannot opt out of emergency responses or other rights required by law, but without your guidance on non-emergency health issues, our nurses and administration legally can’t take action when a health-related situation arises.
To comply with the new law, we have worked with our information management team, nurses and counselors to create an opt-in/opt-out consent form.
We need you to log into Skyward and make your selections as soon as possible. This consent form will outline the services provided on campus. Please complete the consent form by October 10th. If you don’t make your selections by October 10th, you will see a pop-up letting you know you cannot access grades or attendance in Skyward until your selections are made.
Your child's well-being remains our top priority. But, please understand that by law, after Oct. 10, without your guidance on non-emergency health issues, our nurses and administration have limited actions that can be taken when a health-related situation arises.
We appreciate your partnership and patience as we prepare for these changes.
College and Career Expo
We would like to invite all NEISD families to attend our annual College & Career Expo on Thursday, October 16th from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at the Freeman Coliseum Expo Hall 2! Representatives from over 100 colleges/universities, numerous business partners, and NEISD programs will be in attendance to give information and answer questions on post-secondary options for our students!
Usher sign up for Zenith
NESA Students!! If you want to usher for the AMAZING Cross Major Show named Zenith please follow the link below.
NESA Dance Workshop
NESA Dance will be hosting the 1st annual NESA Dance Workshop on Saturday, October 18 from 9am-12noon. The students will learn dance combinations in our studios, get a t-shirt, and perform on the NESA stage for their family and friends at 11:30am. If you know anyone who would be interested, please let them know. T-Shirts cannot be guaranteed after Oct 1st, but sign up is still open.
LEE PTSA Tailgate
For my sports fans: It’s that time of year again—football season is here, and so is our 5th Annual Community Tailgate hosted by the LEE PTSA! We’re excited to invite you and your school community to join us:
📅 Saturday, November 1st 🕛 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM 📍 Jerry Comalander Stadium 12002 Jones Maltsberger Rd, San Antonio, TX 78216
This free event is open to all families, teachers, staff, and PTA members.
🍴 FREE hot dogs and drinks will be available for all attendees (while supplies last).
Testing Corner
Testing with Mr. Goodwin
- Oct 23 PSAT (9-11th Grade, Free😎)
- Nov 6 ACT (Seniors will have to sign up and pay for it)
- Feb 4- March 4 AP Payment Window for Spring Opens
- Mar 5 SAT (Juniors, Free😎)
- May 4-8, and 11-15 AP Testing Mr. Goodwin's testing and CCMR Smore link is below
Scavenger Hunt
Tricks and Treats!
For the month of October, if I am in my office, please feel free to stop by and give me something spooky! Please nothing of monetary value... I would love your art, your poetry, fun skits, spooky stickers, and neat stuff like that. I just might have a treat to give to you in return!