Dragon Connection
Carroll Senior High School, Counselors' Newsletter
November 2021
WELCOME DRAGON STUDENTS & PARENTS
The Evolution from “Guidance Counselor” to “School Counselor”
CISD Counselors want you to know that we follow a Comprehensive Plan that is mandated by Texas Education Agency. Carroll ISD provides a comprehensive school-counseling program that promotes the academic and social/emotional growth of all students.
Building on a Dragon tradition of excellence, the Carroll Independent School District will foster a safe, caring, and creative learning environment that inspires students to realize their full potential as they positively influence the world around them.
School counselors work closely with administrators, teachers, parents, and the community to support the CISD mission and accomplish goals with focus on academic success, college/career information, and personal/social development.
Delivery Methods
Guidance Education
Lessons on a variety of topics; large-group consultations with students to help students develop their full educational potential.
Responsive Services
Individual counseling sessions; parent consultations regarding individual student needs; coordination with outside referral sources.
Individual Planning
Academic and career guidance; parent and student consultation regarding planning and goal-setting.
System Support
Community outreach; parent education programs; teacher consultation; school improvement planning.
Historically, the term “guidance counselor” was used to reference counselors working within the school system. These counselors’ main role was to “guide” students to college: writing letters of recommendation and sending out transcripts. However, this role has evolved in the past decade, and schools are now using the term “school counselor” instead.
School counselors are highly trained and support students in many ways in addition to guiding them to college. The role itself has evolved from a focus on post-graduation planning and administrative support to today’s focus on embracing a comprehensive approach to optimize student outcomes in much more than just college planning. Focus areas include emotional support, family intervention, social development, academic guidance, and career planning.
Contentment: Learning to Be Okay with What you Have.
Ways you can show contentment:
-Tell each family member why they make you happy.
-Write a letter to someone who makes you happy.
-Ask a friend to share something that makes them happy.
Holidays are a good time for hobbies. 😊
Are you spending your holidays sitting around bored with nothing to do? Don't waste your precious days off - there are many, many things you can do to occupy yourself, even if holidays are a week long or longer. You can find many ways to fill your days, both inside and out, using your intellect or your creative energies, or simply hanging out with other people.
Do something you have never done before. If you have been thinking of doing something and never have the time to do it, then do it. Do not waste your time sitting in front of the TV and watching reruns over and over when you could be broadening your horizons with a brand-new experience.
Go on an adventure with a friend. Grab a companion and try to find cool new places to explore. Visit a town you have never been to, or go for a walk in the woods. Remember to practice good safety habits when exploring a new area and take a charged mobile phone with you.
Do something sporty. You can ride your bike, walk, play your favorite sport or even try a new one. Any of these sorts of activities are a good way to get healthy.
Try to learn more about something that interests you. Expand your knowledge by investigating something you haven't previously had time to learn about. This can be anything, from astronomy to zoology
Learn new skills. The holidays are a great time to spend on self-improvement. Devote your time to do something you haven't previously had time to practice, such as dancing, playing the piano, swimming, etc. The more skills you have, the more opportunities are open to you in life.
Expand your linguistic ability. Language skills are some of the most useful, universal ones on the planet. Use your time to learn any new language or learn a form of programming like visual basic or HTML. If you're especially bored, try making your own codes or ciphers.
Read a book. Any book can help expand your vocabulary and creative writing abilities. However, choose your book wisely so it is worth your time.
Spend time with your friends. If you can't think of things to do, one of your friends probably can. When all else fails, simply try going for picnics or hanging out at a shopping mall with your friends. A sleepover is another great idea.
Help another. If you have nothing you need to do for yourself, you may want to volunteer to help someone else. Ask friends and relatives if they have any projects they need help on, and, if so, offer your services!
Spend time with loved ones. The holidays are a great opportunity to have rare, cherished conversations with family members you haven't seen for a long time. For instance, you might want to visit your grandparents and have a quality talk with them.
Spend time with your pet if you have one.
Get to know more people. If there's no one around that you'd like to spend time with, don't forget that you always have the option of making new friends.
Throw a party. Having a party is a great way to have fun.
Create art. Use your free time to dive into the creative pursuit of your choice. If you are interested in music, then try making some new music. Try such artistic endeavors as clay modelling, or a collage, or even start decorating your room. Choose things that let you express your mind.
Do odd jobs for money. Try babysitting, car washing, lawn mowing, garden tidying, house-sitting, pet-sitting, dog walking, etc.
Get chores and tasks out of the way. The holidays are one of the few times each year when most people have lots of free time. If you have no pressing commitments with family or friends, consider using your time to finish duties that you've been putting off for a long time. For instance, if you've neglected cleaning your room for ages, devote your entire afternoon to doing so.
Relax. If none of these ideas appeal, perhaps it's a rest day. Just do whatever you want or do nothing at all. Have a day in and relax. Try cloud-watching or star-gazing. It's a good excuse to lie on the ground and just watch the sky fly by.
Attention Juniors: It's Time to Sign up for Your Junior Conference
Your Junior Conference will cover your questions about: graduation requirements? Senior schedule? SAT/ACT tests? Service hours? Naviance? College? Career Planning? and More!
- Make sure you and your parent’s email addresses are updated in Naviance. Information regarding scheduling your junior conference was sent via email using the email addresses you have listed in Naviance. This email was sent Oct. 25th at 5 pm. (Check junk/spam folders). If you did not receive the email, please contact your counselor.
- To get the most from your Jr. Conference be sure to complete the following before you attend:
- Have your YouScience Assessment completed as well, you should have received an invitation from YouScience in your SouthlakeCarroll.edu account, if you are having trouble finding this email please email your counselor.
- Log on to your Naviance account and complete your "Super Match" college wish list (we showed you this in your US History class back in September) and enter 3-5 college choices in your "Colleges I'm Thinking About" list (you will find both of these items under the "Colleges" tab).
YouScience
Great news! Your student now has access to YouScience - a tool that will help them discover where their natural talents and passions meet. We believe YouScience is a great way for students to learn more about themselves, explore high-demand careers that are a good fit for them, and gain a better understanding of how their unique talents are needed in the economy.
Through a series of engaging 'brain games,' YouScience measures aptitudes (natural abilities most important to career choice). We then translate those talents (combined with interests) into real world, high-demand careers.
YouScience has been proven to engage students effectively and provide the direction they need to make the most important education and career decisions.
The insights students get from YouScience are meaningful and actionable. We want parents to be in the know and able to engage their students in conversation about their results and plans for the future. We have provided some FAQs and conversation starters to help get them talking!
What is YouScience?
YouScience is an online assessment that uses 11 "brain games" to find where passions and talents meet. We then match each student to more than 500 high-demand careers to recommend the paths that best fit their natural abilities.
How is YouScience different than other tests?
Most career guidance relies on interest-only surveys, but YouScience goes beyond that to measure natural abilities. While interests can be limited by exposure and understanding, aptitudes are able to give a broader spectrum of options and opportunities. Most importantly, you will never see a score on a YouScience profile. There is no pass/fail or good/bad. Every student has talent - we want to help them understand what makes them great and how to make most of it.
Click the link below to learn more about YouScience and what it means for your student.
SAT & ACT INFORMATION & DATES
Visit our CSHS Counseling Website for information on ACT/SAT Testing and More
$ PAYING FOR COLLEGE $
Visit your Naviance Account for a full list of scholarships available to you. There is a TON of money out there, APPLY and maybe you will be selected!
Check the Scholarship list in Naviance Monthly:
- Log in
- Click on the Colleges Tab
- Then click Scholarships and Money.
**Seniors this list will grow, make sure you check at least once per month.
You can also visit:
STOPit Student Hotline
The STOPit Student Hotline is designed to help students, parents and community members anonymously report past, present and predicted concerns in our school community. Information about bullying, harassment, drugs, violence, weapons, theft, or any other potential threat to school safety should be reported.
Report concerns anonymously, anytime 24/7.
https://appweb.stopitsolutions.com/login
For more information please visit:
https://www.southlakecarroll.edu/site/Default.aspx?PageID=3384
A New Type of Help: Crisis Text Line
Text 741-741, ANYTIME YOU ARE IN A CRISIS
With today's teenagers living in the age of texting, the Crisis Text Line has noticed they feel more comfortable texting rather than calling into a helpline when they are in need of help. The great thing about this support is it is available 24/7 to anyone in any type of crisis. You can text confidentially between classes, in the middle of a situation without anyone knowing who you are talking to. Crisis counselors are on stand by 24/7 to help you from the heat of the moment to until you are calm.
Crisis doesn’t just mean suicide: it’s any painful emotion for which you need support.
Our Counseling Team
Tracey Flores, M. Ed.
Serving Students Last Names A-D
mailto:tracey.flores@southlakecarroll.edu
Deborah Warner, M. Ed.
Serving Students Last Names E-K
mailto:deborah.warner@southlakecarroll.edu
Keri Bettencourt, M. Ed., Lead Counselor
Serving Students Last Names L-Q
mailto:keri.bettencourt@southlakecarroll.edu
Tammy Grasmick, M. S.
Serving Students Last Names R-Z
mailto:tamara.grasmick@southlakecarroll.edu
Amy Welch, M. Ed.
Intervention Counselor - CSHS 504 Coordinator
mailto:amy.welch@southlakecarroll.edu
Counseling Office Support Staff
Deidra Mulloy
Registrar
Deidra.Mulloy@southlakecarroll.edu
Anne Fore
Receptionist
Shela Daniel
Secretary
Shela.Daniel@southlakecarroll.edu
Website: https://www.southlakecarroll.edu/domain/736
Location: 1501 West Southlake Boulevard, Southlake, TX, United States
Phone: 817-949-5813
Twitter: @CounselingCSHS