Dragons Dig Deep
A Mental Health & Wellness Newsletter from CHS Counselors
NOVEMBER 2021
Important Dates:
Nov. 3 College and Career Fair @ CSHS
Nov. 8 The Gifting Project kicks off
Nov. 22-26 Thanksgiving Break
Nov. 25 Thanksgiving
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 support, social development, academic guidance, and career planning. School counselors are now a strong, collaborative member of an educational team to today’s focus on embracing a comprehensive approach to optimize student outcomes.
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? While it is always acceptable to simply recharge your batteries, there are many things you can do to occupy yourself, whether holidays are a week long or longer. Look for 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.
CHS/CSHS College and Career Fair
The Gifting Project
The Angels are coming to CHS!
The Gifting Project (formerly known as Christmas is for Children) will be available on Monday, November 8 in the CHS Counseling Office. Please stop by and adopt an angel……they won’t last long!
The goal of The Gifting Project adoption is to fulfill each child's Christmas wish list. Students and their families can "sponsor" a child by shopping for items specified on the wish lists and delivering the gifts to the school.
Students can earn up to 5-success scholar/ community service hours for their participation with this worthy cause. The breakdown will be as follows:
$1- $15 – 1 hour
$16 - $35 – 2 hours
$36 - $55 – 3 hours
$55 - $75 – 4 hours
$85 - $100 – 5 hours
Would you like to learn more about the US Naval Academy?
Carroll High School students and parents have an awesome opportunity to do that with one of Carroll ISD’s own graduates. Stephanie Lee graduated from CSHS in 2020, plays for the Naval Academy’s Varsity Women's golf team, and is a double major in Operations Research and Chinese. She represents a congressional program which promotes the Naval Academy and increases national awareness of the values and opportunities offered in a service academy education.
Stephanie will host a Google Meet for students and parents designed to familiarize themselves with the Academy on Monday, November 22, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. If you cannot attend the virtual meeting at that time, please reach out to Stephanie through one of the contact methods below. She is available Nov. 20-27 for questions and information.
Email: m243594@usna.edu
Phone number: 214-704-1572
Google Meet joining info:
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/rit-sqvn-psx
Or dial: (US) +1 980-999-2669 PIN: 226 475 408#
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/rit-sqvn-psx?pin=5849759910157
Looking to Make a Difference? Check out this opportunity from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society: Students of the Year Campaign
Students of the Year is a philanthropic leadership development program for high school students in the Fort Worth/Tarrant County area. Anyone 9th-12th grade is eligible to apply or be nominated. Students can participate as a solo candidate or as a co-candidate team of up to three people. The campaign itself is a 7-week long endeavor, in which students are raising funds and awareness for LLS and our mission. The campaign kicks off January 9, 2022 and wraps up at our Grand Finale event on February 26, 2022, where the top fundraising team will be named the 'student of the year' and the collective Fort Worth candidate total will be announced!
This campaign is unlike any other and our candidates have the opportunity to utilize and learn various skills such as: marketing, entrepreneurship, presentation skills, communications/networking and so much more. There are many reasons students participate, whether that is for the growth in professional skills, community service hours, a great resume builder/college essay topic, scholarship opportunities, or a personal connection, each candidate grows tremendously throughout this experience and is a part of making an incredible lifesaving impact on so many.
While January is still a ways out, applications and nominations are happening now, because the sooner we can begin our planning and brainstorming the better! If you would like to apply or nominate someone please reach out to Olivia Corley, the campaign manager for Students of the Year at olivia.corley@lls.org or 817.201.1649
Click here to watch a video from a former candidate to hear her experience and perspective! https://llsdata.box.com/s/gmyjjluj9xl74zdeqz1pn7tnzc09zw3o
Counselor Virtual Offices
How to log in to Naviance
How to log community service hours in Naviance/X2VOL
College SuperMatch
Researching colleges
Finding your strengths
Tutoring resources
Local counseling resources
High School Road Map
The counselors have plans to add more videos and resources regularly, so check back often to see what is there. Click on the link below for a quick look at your counselor's virtual office!
Carroll High School Counseling Staff
CHS Counselors:
A-D Melissa Watson
E-K Sherry McCoy
L-Q Becca Piriano
R-Z Kara Cuellar
Intervention Janay Hunt
Registrar Karen Moore
Office Secretary Jill Coates