Dragon Connection
Carroll Senior High School, Counselors' Newsletter
October 2018
DRAGONS GO BLUE IN OCTOBER
CSHS is excited to announce #DragonsGoBlue in honor of Bullying Prevention/Awareness Month, to Kick off this initiative CSHS Students and Staff are wearing blue.
WELCOME DRAGON STUDENTS & PARENTS
MARK YOUR CALENDARS WITH CSHS FALL EVENTS:
October 5 – Professional Development Day –No Students
*October 10 – PSAT ***********
October 31 – College Fair 6-8 @ CSHS in the gyms
November 6 – Sr. Meeting in auditorium 10:45-11:30, Jostens
November 12 - Veteran's Day Assembly
November 13 - Josten's Order Day
November 19–23 – Thanksgiving Break
December 18 – Exams Block 4
December 19 – Exams Block 8
December 20 – Exams Blocks 1, 2, 3
December 20 – Exams Blocks 5, 6, 7
December 24 – January 07 – Winter Break
Mental Health and Wellness Monthly Topics
- October: National Bullying Awareness Month, Drug and Alcohol Awareness: Red Ribbon Week October 22-26 - Contentment
- November: Career Awareness and Decision Making/Planning - Cooperation
- December: Kindness and Friendships - Compassion
- January: Self-care and Mental Health/Wellness - Self- control
- February: Health and Nutrition: Jump Rope for Heart - Service
- March: Bullying and Conflict Resolution - Individuality
- April: Child Abuse/Safety and Self Defense - Hope
- May: Current topics, Summer Tips, Transitions - Perseverance
WHAT IS BULLYING?
Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Both kids who are bullied and who bully others may have serious, lasting problems.
In order to be considered bullying, the behavior must be aggressive and include:
- An Imbalance of Power: Kids who bully use their power—such as physical strength, access to embarrassing information, or popularity—to control or harm others. Power imbalances can change over time and in different situations, even if they involve the same people.
- Repetition: Bullying behaviors happen more than once or have the potential to happen more than once.
Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose.
For More Information Go To:
HERE'S WHAT YOU CAN DO, TO PREVENT BULLYING & SPREAD AWARENESS
The Week of October 8th:
Make friends with someone you don’t know at school
- If you've ever been isolated from others at school or you were new at school and it took time to make friends, you know what it feels like to be left out. Or even if you were never isolated, imagine how it would feel.
- Make friends with someone at school who you don't know. You probably wish someone had done that for you.
- Be a leader. Take action and don't let anyone at school be in isolation.
Challenge Others To Be Kind
- Make kindness go viral with an act of kindness and challenge friends and classmates to pay it forward with their acts of kindness.
STAND UP for Others Week
- When you see someone being bullied, be brave and STAND UP for them. Bullies have been known to back off when others stand up for victims.
- If you don't feel safe get the help of an adult immediately. Be part of the solution -- not the problem!
- It's a time to see everyone's differences and celebrate their similarities: Whether students are LGBT, African American, Asian, Muslim, AAPI,of Tribal descent or disabled ...make friends.
- Creating positive messages on post-its and handing them out to students at school
- Creating anti-bullying videos and sharing them on the STOMP Out Bullying site
- Sharing inspirational stories on the STOMP Out Bullying site
The Week of October 22nd:
Week of Inclusion
- Don't let anyone at school eat alone in the cafeteria or on a school field trip. Make it the week of #NOONEEATSALONE
- Include other students in school activities
- Include other students in after school activities
- Invite someone you don't now that well to sit next to you on the bus or at lunch. Learn about each other.
- At one point or another each of us has felt insecure, or stressed out, or alone. It is important to remind our friends and classmates that we are all in it together and we are there to listen and support each other. Use the hashtag #HereForYou on social media to let your classmates know that they have your support and a person to reach out to if they ever need to talk.
The Week of October 29th:
Start the Week With Conversations Amongst Your Peers
- Meet with fellow students and discuss how you can Change The Culture at your school.
- Use our Student Participation Toolkit to begin conversations on how your school can be judgement and bully free.
- Hold a discussion in your classroom where you allow students to openly speak and discuss their experiences with bullying and cyberbullying, and how these experiences have effected them and how they dealt with these moments.
This is your month to take leadership at your school and carry it through all-year-round!
The more awareness that is created during the month of October -- and all year round, you are one step closer to putting an end to bullying!
Contents Courtesy of: http://stompoutbullying.org/
CYBERBULLYING PREVENTION AND AWARENESS
We are now living in the digital age where cyberbullying has become a serious problem leaving a devastating effect on our youth and the way their live their lives today, which is why it is the goal of CSHS to promote a culture of positivity on and offline, by teaching our students digital citizenship, online safety, as well as providing them with the knowledge to reject and prevent cyberbullying.
WHAT IS CYBERBULLYING?
Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place using electronic technology. Electronic technology includes devices and equipment such as cell phones, computers, and tablets as well as communication tools including social media sites, text messages, chat, and websites.
Examples of cyberbullying include mean text messages or emails, rumors sent by email or posted on social networking sites, and embarrassing pictures, videos, websites, or fake profiles.
Why Cyberbullying is Different
- Cyberbullying can happen 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and reach a kid even when he or she is alone. It can happen any time of the day or night.
- Cyberbullying messages and images can be posted anonymously and distributed quickly to a very wide audience. It can be difficult and sometimes impossible to trace the source.
- Deleting inappropriate or harassing messages, texts, and pictures is extremely difficult after they have been posted or sent.
Be Aware of What Your Kids are Doing Online
Talk with your kids about cyberbullying and other online issues regularly.
- Know the sites your kids visit and their online activities. Ask where they’re going, what they’re doing, and who they’re doing it with.
- Tell your kids that as a responsible parent you may review their online communications if you think there is reason for concern. Installing parental control filtering software or monitoring programs are one option for monitoring your child’s online behavior, but do not rely solely on these tools.
- Have a sense of what they do online and in texts. Learn about the sites they like. Try out the devices they use.
- Ask for their passwords, but tell them you’ll only use them in case of emergency.
- Ask to “friend” or “follow” your kids on social media sites or ask another trusted adult to do so.
- Encourage your kids to tell you immediately if they, or someone they know, is being cyberbullied. Explain that you will not take away their computers or cell phones if they confide in you about a problem they are having.
Establish Rules about Technology Use
Establish rules about appropriate use of computers, cell phones, and other technology. For example, be clear about what sites they can visit and what they are permitted to do when they’re online. Show them how to be safe online.
Help them be smart about what they post or say. Tell them not to share anything that could hurt or embarrass themselves or others. Once something is posted, it is out of their control whether someone else will forward it.
Encourage kids to think about who they want to see the information and pictures they post online. Should complete strangers see it? Real friends only? Friends of friends? Think about how people who aren’t friends could use it.
Tell kids to keep their passwords safe and not share them with friends. Sharing passwords can compromise their control over their online identities and activities.
Understand School Rules:
District Policy on Cyberbullying
Additional resources and education:
http://www.safekids.com/bullying-cyberbullying-resources/
http://www.ncpc.org/topics/cyberbullying/
https://www.stopbullying.gov/resources
If you have questions or concerns, please contact your campus counselor, together we can make a difference.
RED RIBBON WEEK OCT. 22nd-26th
SIGN THE RED RIBBON PLEDGE
Take the National Red Ribbon Campaign Pledge now and be a part of the creation of a drug free America.
WHAT'S THE PLEDGE ABOUT?
- As parents and citizens, we will talk to our children and the children in our lives about the dangers of drug abuse.
- We will set clear rules for our children about not using drugs.
- We will set a good example for our children by not using illegal drugs or medicine without a prescription.
- We will monitor our children's behavior and enforce appropriate consequences, so that our rules are respected.
- We will encourage family and friends to follow the same guidelines to keep children safe from substance abuse.
DRUG AWARENESS/PREVENTION
Figuring out if your child is using drugs or alcohol can be challenging. Many of the signs and symptoms are, at times, typical teen or young adult behavior. Many are also symptoms of mental health issues, including depression or anxiety disorders. Explore our parent Drug Guide for even more substance-specific warning signs.
If you’ve noticed any of the described changes or behaviors in your child, don’t be afraid to err on the side of caution. Prepare to take action and have a conversation during which you can ask direct questions like “Have you been drinking or using drugs?” While no parent wants to hear “yes,” being prepared for how you would respond can be the starting point for a more positive outcome.
Of course, not every child is inclined to confess and a “no” could also mean they’re in need of help for other reasons, including a mental health issue. In either case, experts strongly recommend that you consider getting a professional assessment with your child’s primary care doctor or a clinical psychologist to find out what’s going on.
Behavioral Changes
- Has changed relationships with family members or friends
- Uses chewing gum or mints to cover up breath
- Often uses over-the-counter preparations to reduce eye reddening or nasal irritation
- Frequently breaks curfew
- Has cash flow problems
- Drives recklessly, and has car accidents or unexplained dents in the car
- Avoids eye contact
- Locks doors
- Goes out every night
- Makes secretive phone calls
- Makes endless excuses
- Has the “munchies” or sudden appetite
- Exhibits uncharacteristically loud, obnoxious behavior
- Laughs at nothing
- Has become unusually clumsy: stumbling, lacking coordination, poor balance
- Disappears for long periods of time
- Has periods of sleeplessness or high energy, followed by long periods of “catch up” sleep
Mood & Personality Shifts
- Exhibits mood changes or emotional instability
- Sullen, withdrawn, depressed
- Shows loss of inhibitions
- Silent, uncommunicative
- Hostile, angry, uncooperative
- Deceitful or secretive
- Less motivated
- Unable to focus
- Hyperactive
- Unusually elated
Hygiene & Appearance Problems
- Smell of smoke or other unusual smells on breath or on clothes
- Messy appearance
- Poor hygiene
- Red, flushed cheeks or face
- Track marks on arms or legs (or long sleeves in warm weather to hide marks)
- Burns or soot on fingers or lips (from “joints” or “roaches” burning down)
Health Issues
- Unusually tired
- Lethargic movement
- Unable to speak intelligibly, slurred speech, or rapid-fire speech
- Nosebleeds
- Runny nose, not caused by allergies or a cold
- Frequent sickness
- Sores, spots around mouth
- Seizures
- Vomiting
- Wetting lips or excessive thirst (known as “cotton mouth”)
- Sudden or dramatic weight loss or gain
- Skin abrasions/bruises
- Accidents or injuries
- Depression
- Headaches
- Sweatiness
School and Work Concerns
- Absenteeism or loss of interest
- Loss of interest in extracurricular activities, hobbies or sports
- Failure to fulfill responsibilities at school or work
- Complaints from teachers or supervisors
- Reports of intoxication at school or work
At Home and in the Car
- Disappearance of prescription or over-the-counter pills
- Missing alcohol or cigarettes
- Disappearance of money or valuables
- Receiving unusual packages in the mail
- Smell in the car or bottles, pipes or bongs on floor or in glove box
- Appearance of unusual containers or wrappers, or seeds left on surfaces used to clean marijuana
- Appearance of unusual drug apparatuses, including pipes, rolling papers, small medicine bottles, eye drops, butane lighters, or makeshift smoking devices, like bongs made out of toilet paper rolls and aluminum foil
- Hidden stashes of alcohol
What are some proven ways parents can help prevent drug use?
- Talk to your children – initiate the conversation about not using drugs, utilize current events as examples, be honest about your history to encourage their trust, devise a plan about how to rescue your child from a risky situation, establish ground rules for expected behavior and enforce those rules consistently.
- Have family dinners – kids who eat with their families less than 3 times a week are 2 ½ times more likely to have used tobacco and marijuana.
- Monitor your teen’s activities and his internet use - prescription drugs are easily obtained without a prescription via the web and have been proven to lead to illegal drug use.
- Be an example – children do what they see.
- Be active in your house of worship – a teen who is involved religiously is half as likely to use marijuana as a teen who isn’t.
- Recognize your role as the single most influential factor in your child’s life and rise to the challenge.
- Educate yourself about the most commonly abused drugs and their effects here.
DRAGON TIP LINE - 817-406-2512
The Dragon Tip Line system 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.
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.
SAVE TIME: PRE-REGISTER FOR THE COLLEGE FAIR BEFORE OCT. 31ST
- Go to www.gotocollegefairs.com
- Select ‘TACRAO’ for the fair you plan to attend
- Spend more time talking with college reps and less time filling out information cards.
- About half the reps will have barcode scanners; not all scanners will be able to read smartphones, so be sure to print out the paper barcode.
- By registering, students can elaborate on their special interests, accomplishments, and extracurricular activities.
- Information is shared securely and accurately only with the colleges of the student’s choosing.
SAT & ACT INFORMATION & DATES
Students if you are planning to attend a 4-year college or university after high school, it is very important that you take the SAT and/or ACT, since it is one of the many factors considered in college admissions.
Register online for the SAT at: www.collegeboard.org and
to register for the ACT, visit: www.actstudent.org
Both tests offer online test preparation materials. Additional resources are also available at our School's and College Career Center, which is located in the Guidance office. Students eligible for Free/Reduced lunch, you could also be eligible for a test fee waiver. If you have any questions or need assistance, stop by and see us!
Free Online SAT Prep: Khan Academy
Free Online ACT Prep: https://academy.act.org/
Chegg Test Prep: https://www.chegg.com/test-prep/free-resources/ACT
Informational Resource: http://blog.prepscholar.com
$$ PAYING FOR COLLEGE $$
Financial Aid, FAFSA
WHY SHOULD I FILL OUT THE FAFSA?
Don't leave money on the table. Here's why it's worth the effort to fill out the FAFSA. The FAFSA helps determine whether students are eligible for federal loans, grants or work-study programs. Many colleges also require it to be on file for their own need-based or merit-based aid packages.
Fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aide)
Seniors, as you may know the FAFSA is available to complete beginning as early as October 1st of your Senior Year.
You may access the FAFSA online at: https://fafsa.ed.gov/
SCHOLARSHIPS, FREE MONEY $$$
Check our Scholarship list in Naviance Monthly:
- Log in
- Click on the Colleges Tab
- Scroll down to and Click Scholarship List.
**Seniors this list will grow, make sure you check at least once per month.
You can also visit:
Our Counseling Team
Serving Students Last Names A-D
Tracey.Flores@southlakecarroll.edu
Melissa Woodward, M. Ed.
Serving Students Last Names E-K
Melissa.Woodward@southlakecarroll.edu
Keri Bettencourt, M. Ed.
Serving Students Last Names L-Q
Keri.Bettencourt@southlakecarroll.edu
Tammy Grasmick, M. S.
Serving Students Last Names R-Z
Tammy.Grasmick@southlakecarroll.edu
Guidance Office Support Staff
Deidra Mulloy
Registrar
Deidra.Mulloy@southlakecarroll.edu
Anne Fore
Receptionist
Patricia.Fore@southlakecarroll.edu
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