Hobby MS Counseling Newsletter
February 2024
We invite you to explore our February newsletter for details on what's happening in classroom guidance this month as well as to find some helpful resources, updates 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
February/March Classroom Guidance: Personal Health and Safety
Throughout February and into the beginning of March, the Hobby Counseling team will be visiting 6th, 7th, and 8th grade Hobby Hawks in their classrooms to deliver a Personal Health & Safety Lesson to all students.
- February 5, 2024: 7th grade classroom guidance through Social Studies classes
- February 21 & 23, 2024: 8th grade classroom guidance through CommApps/AVID/IT3 classes
- March 8, 2024: 6th grade classroom guidance through Social Studies classes
Next Year Course Planning Update
By now your 6th, 7th, and/or 8th grade students have had several opportunities to learn about the courses available to them next year (in 7th or 8th grade at Hobby or as a 9th grader at Clark) and to make their selections regarding what courses they plan to take next year. 6th and 7th grade students at Hobby have had the opportunity to enter their course requests into HAC.
If your student has a change of mind regarding the courses they plan to take next school year at Hobby, please encourage them to make an appointment with their assigned counselor to update their requests.
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.
๐พ Meet Sunny the Therapy Dog ๐พ
Hi, My Name Is Sunny!
I am a therapy dog certified through TASA (Therapy Animals of San Antonio). I work as a team with Mrs. Staib and I love to bring comfort and smiles to people. I have been volunteering in the community for a couple of years. I've worked with kids and teens at Clarity, in Uvalde, and at various events around town. Now I'm ready to visit Hobby from time to time and provide some smiles and comfort to some of our Hobby Hawks when they need it!
What is a Therapy Dog and how did Sunny become one?
A therapy dog is specially trained to provide comfort, stress reduction, and support to people who may benefit from it. A therapy dog is different from a service dog because a service dog is trained to help one specific person, while a therapy dog is trained to support many different people. A therapy dog is also different from an "emotional support animal" because the therapy dog and his/her human took special classes, passed an evaluation, and hold a unique certification to provide comfort to other people in various settings such as schools, hospitals, libraries, nursing homes, etc. Sunny became a certified Therapy Dog through TASA in 2021 and has since been volunteering in and around San Antonio, providing comfort to many. He's ready to meet some new friends at Hobby now too!
Questions?
Have questions about Sunny? Or would you like to request that he visit (or specifically not visit) with your student? Reach out to your child's alpha counselor with your questions or requests.
Important Upcoming Dates in February
February: Black History Month
February 5-9: National School Counseling Week
February 5: 7th Grade Classroom Guidance
February 8: 6th & 8th grade ELA STAAR Field Test
February 10: I ๐ My School Day
February 12-16: Random Acts of Kindness Week
February 13: 6th grade I Heart Learning Night
February 14: RLA Interim STAAR test and Early Release Day
February 19: Student Holiday/Staff Development Day
February 21 & 23: 8th Grade Classroom Guidance Lesson
February 22: I Heart Learning 7th & 8th Grade
February 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 studentsโ 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 yearโs 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