Hobby MS Counseling Newsletter
January 2024
Please check out our January newsletter for details on what's happening in classroom guidance this month as well as to find some helpful resources and information from the Hobby Counseling Department.
Feel free to reach out to us directly with any needs you may have. Hobby students are assigned to their counselor by last name, and Hobby Health Science Magnet students have their own counselor assignment.
Jose Texidor (Head Counselor), Last Names A-F: (210) 397-6325 ; jose.texidor@nisd.net
Jesus Alonzo, Last Names G-O: (210) 397-6273 ; jesus.alonzo@nisd.net
Jennifer Castro, Last Names P-Z: (210) 397-6326 ; jennifer.castro@nisd.net
Nikki Staib, All Magnet Students A-Z: (210) 397- 6286 ; nikki.staib@nisd.net
What's Happening This Month
January Classroom Guidance: Next Year Course Selection
Throughout the month of January, the Hobby Counseling team will be visiting 6th, 7th, and 8th grade Hobby Hawks in their classrooms for a classroom guidance lesson to help prepare students for their transition to the next grade level! 6th and 7th grade students will be learning about their course options for next school year here at Hobby and receiving their planning guides to begin making their choices, and 8th grade students will be visiting with a Clark HS counselor to finalize their 9th grade course selection.
- January 11, 2024: 8th grade classroom guidance: Clark HS course selection with Clark & Hobby Counselors ( through CommApps/AVID/IT3 classes)
- January 16, 2024: 7th grade classroom guidance: Rising 8th grade Hobby Course Planning (through Science classes)
- January 18, 2024: 6th grade classroom guidance: Rising 7th grade Hobby Course Planning (through Science classes or Magnet Career Investigations classes)
Please be on the lookout-- your student will be bringing home a copy of their course planning guide (6th and 7th graders with Hobby planning guides, 8th graders with Clark planning guides) after their classroom counselor visit. Please go over your child's selections with them for accuracy and appropriate placement.
On the following dates, we will be meeting with students once again for them to input their final course selections into HAC:
- January 22, 2024: 7th graders enter courses into HAC (through ELA classes)
- January 30, 2024: 6th graders enter courses into HAC (through Science or Magnet Career Investigations classes)
Magnet Application Closing Soon
Read more about the NISD HS Magnet experience here!
Find the application here: https://www.nisd.net/schools/magnet
Individual and Small Group Counseling Referrals
Did you know that you can refer your student to work with his/her counselor, either individually or in a small group, in order to work through personal, social and emotional concerns? Hobby school counselors rely on parent and teacher referrals, and even student self-referrals to ensure that they meet students' various social, emotional, and academic needs. If you would like to discuss a counseling referral for your child, please feel free to call or email your child's assigned counselor.
Northside ISD Magnet Schools
Northside ISD has 3 middle school magnet programs and 8 high school magnet programs. These programs attract students from across school zone boundaries who are connected through common interests and career goals. Check in with your student to see if they may be interested in any of the amazing programs the district has to offer.
Middle School Magnet Programs:
- Health Science Magnet @ Hobby MS
- STEM Magnet @ Jones MS
- Cybersecurity Magnet @ Zachry MS
High School Magnet Programs:
- Agriculture Academy @ O'Connor HS
- CAST Teach Magnet @ Stevens HS
- Communications Arts Magnet @ Taft HS
- Construction Careers Academy @ Warren HS
- Health Careers High School
- Science & Engineering Academy @ John Jay HS
- Law @ Medical Services @ Marshall HS
- NSITE (Innovation, Technology & Entrepreneurship) Magnet @ Holmes HS
More information about all of the magnet programs as well as the application process and online application link can be found here:
8th Grade: High School Endorsement Refresher
As a part of their course selection process, all 8th grade students will be selecting an endorsement as part of the completion of their High School Course Selection/Planning Guide.
What's an Endorsement?
Endorsements consist of a related series of courses that are grouped together by interest or skill set. They provide students with in-depth knowledge of a subject area. Students must select an endorsement in the 9th grade as part of the state graduation requirements.
8th Grade Parents: Dual Credit Informational Website & Remind
Attention 8th grade parents! Have you heard about Dual Credit classes? Once your child starts high school, they may be eligible for dual credit classes, which are courses that students can take in high school that also give them college credits in the state of Texas- free of charge! If you are interested in learning more, please check out the following website and sign up for Remind texts (info at the top of website) to stay updated!
Important Upcoming Dates in January
January 15: HOLIDAY Martin Luther King Jr Day
January 16-19: Positive Purple Power Week (see attached flyer for details)
January 16th: Magnet Application closes
January 19: Hawk Hangout after school
January 23: Band Instrument "Petting Zoo" 4:15-7pm
January 24: Early Release
January Action for Happiness Challenge Calendar
The Hobby Counseling Team
Hobby Counseling Team
Mr. Jose Texidor, Head Counselor
My name is Mr. Texidor, or Mr. T. I am the Head Counselor here at Hobby Middle School.
I graduated in 2004 with a Bachelor's Degree in Science from Regis University in Denver, CO. in 2014 I graduated with a Master's Degree in Professional Counseling in Schools and Communities from Texas State University.
I just entered my 16th year as a school counselor both in Elementary and Middle School. In my spare time, I love spending time and making memories with family and friends.
My passion is to help our students emotionally and mentally so that they can concentrate better on their academics. The same way my mentors and teachers helped me!
Ms. Jennifer Castro, Hobby Counselor Last Names P-Z
Mr. Jesus Alonzo
Howdy Hobby Hawk families, it is a great pleasure to make your acquaintance! I am very proud to join the Hobby Counseling team this school year. My caseload includes students with last names ending G - O.
Prior to coming to Hobby, I served as an elementary bilingual/ESL teacher in Edgewood ISD for six years and then as a school counselor at Cody Elementary, NISD, for seventeen years. In my latter role, I not only gained great school counseling experiences, but I also developed a deep passion for the work done by school professionals. I am often still in awe when I bear witness to the work my fellow colleagues do with our students.
My work as a school counselor also helped me gain an appreciation for the power of families, whom I believe are our students’ main support systems.
I encourage our Hobby Hawks to take advantage of the great resources the school counselors have to offer, whether it is planning for next year’s classes, or discussing their feelings, their friendships, or any array of issues!
Mrs. Nikki Staib, Hobby Magnet Counselor
When I'm not here at Hobby helping out our Hawk family, I enjoy spending time with my personal family. My 2 boys are proud Northside students at Clark HS and Colonies North ES. I'm also a "dog mom" to my 2 fluffy friends, Sunny and Luna. Fun Fact: Sunny is a therapy dog and loves to volunteer in the community.
I am looking forward to an amazing year with our Hobby Hawks!
Ms. Victoria Denton, Counseling Dept. Grade Reporting Secretary
I am the counseling secretary, registrar and grade reporting secretary....I wear MANY many hats.
I have my own small business, so I am always at different pop up shows, if you see me stop by and say hi.
I love hanging with my puppy, Prescott. Yes, he was named after Dak Prescott, because I am a die hard Dallas Cowboys fan!
I am a product of NISD with Brandeis HS being my alma mater.
Let's have a positive purple power school year, Hobby Hawks.
We are here for our Hobby Hawk families!
Hobby Middle School Counseling Department
Jose Texidor (Head Counselor), Last Names A-F: (210) 397-6325 ; jose.texidor@nisd.net
Jesus Alonzo, Last Names G-O: (210) 397-6273 ; jesus.alonzo@nisd.net
Jennifer Castro, Last Names P-Z: (210) 397-6326 ; jennifer.castro@nisd.net
Nikki Staib, All Magnet Students A-Z: (210) 397- 6286 ; nikki.staib@nisd.net
Website: https://www.nisd.net/hobby
Location: Hobby Middle School, Vance Jackson Road, San Antonio, TX, USA
Phone: 210-397- 6300
Twitter: @HobbyCounselors