O'Connor Counselor Connection
The O'Connor High School Counseling Department provides a comprehensive developmental program addressing the whole child to maximize academic achievement, social and emotional development, and post-secondary college and career readiness.
Please refer to this newsletter for important information on upcoming counseling and campus events throughout the school year. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your counselor. (Contact information below).
Instagram oc_counseling
Twitter @OC_Counseling
OC Counseling website Click here
Request to Speak to Counselor Click here
OC Events Calendar (click here)
Interested in taking summer courses to advance your credits?
April is the Month of the Military Child
April marks the nation’s Month of the Military Child. As a way to honor military youth affected by deployment, school district employees and students across the state are encouraged to wear purple on Monday, April 15, as part of “Purple Up! for Military Kids.”
Purple is the color that symbolizes all branches of the military because it is the combination of Army green, Coast Guard blue, Air Force blue, Marine red, and Navy blue.
Attn: Juniors - Class of 2025
Panther Prowess
Every month students nominate a teacher/staff member who is making a positive impact on campus. This past month we recognized 2 amazing staff members, Mr. Gomez & Mr. Jesus. Thank you for helping to make O'Connor great!
Previous Panther Prowess Award recipients:
October: Mr. Marin
November: Mr. Quick
December: Mrs. J. Clay
January: Mrs. Johnson
February: Mr. Malesich
O'Connor Prom is May 18th
Attention Class of 2025 🎉
UT Austin Reinstates Standardized Test Scores in Admissions: After four years of test-optional admissions for undergraduate applications, The University of Texas at Austin will return to requiring standardized testing scores, beginning with applications for the Fall 2025 semester.
NISD provides the SAT (free of charge) to all current juniors on April 17th. Free online practice available through College Board.
Campus Testing Information
2024 EOC, SAT, AP Exam Dates
College Board AP Exam Schedule
Semester Exam Exemption Criteria & Schedule
Attn Seniors & Senior Parents
SEE IMPORTANT SENIOR INFORMATION BELOW:
*Completing the application is a graduation requirement. Submitting the FAFSA is also a requirement for the Alamo Promise (free tuition at Alamo Colleges).
*Do you need to take the TSI? Take advantage of the opportunities available for seniors to test at O'Connor. Click on the link below to register.
*Are you receiving scholarship offers? Report ALL scholarships using the link below.
FAFSA application
Scholarship Recognition
Seniors! Don't forget to report ALL scholarships that you are being offered (even if you do not accept them). Deadline to submit scholarships to have them printed in the graduation program is MAY 3RD.
Course registration for the 2024-25 school year took place in February. Students met individually with their counselor to submit their course selections for next year. The deadline to make changes was March 8th. Please contact your counselor for more information on late change requests.
Click on the Course Registration planning hub links below for access to all the information regarding course registration. (Information found in the hub: course planning guide, online course catalog, registration timeline, graduation requirements, endorsement information, etc.)
C/O 2024 Graduation Date is set!
Visit this website for everything associated with it this year's graduation
FLEX Enrichment Opportunities offered by Counselors
OC Clubs List
Important Message about Vaping - Parents: Please discuss with your children
The Texas Legislature recently enacted HB 114 requiring all school districts to implement mandatory disciplinary alternative education program (DAEP) placement for students found in possession of, using, selling, giving, or delivering e-cigarettes or vaping devices on school grounds or at a school-related event.
This alternative school placement, required by law, is made regardless of whether the substance being vaped is a controlled substance or not.
NISD Parent Vape-free website/resources (Click here)
Schedules for 2023/2024
Follow us:
Instagram oc_counseling
Twitter @OC_Counseling
OC Counseling website Click here
Request to Speak to Counselor Click here
Head Counselor
210-397-4825
Alpha: A - Car
210-397-4855
Alpha: Cas - Fl
210-397-4826
Alpha: Fo - H
210-397-4857
Alpha: I - Ma
210-397-4856
Alpha: Mc - P
210-397-4827
Alpha: Q - So
210-397-4831
Alpha: Sp - Z
210-397-4828
Ag Magnet
Counseling Secretary
210-397-4832
Registrar's Office
210-397-4838
College, Career & Military Advisor
Click on link below to access Panther Parent Quicks links.
OC Bell Schedule
Early Release Days 2023-24
Attendance Matters
Attendance Office:
Susana Roeder (210-397-4821) susana.roeder@nisd.net
Panther Calendar
OC Clubs & Organizations
Announcements for club activities will be on OC social media, made over the intercom during morning announcements, posted in the cafeteria on the bulletin board, and shared by the club sponsor.
PTSA
Need Help in your Classes?
FLEX
Flexisched: https://ohs.flexisched.net/
FLEX FAQs
OHS FLEX information for families:
P.A.W.S.
OC Campus Expectations & Dress Code
Interested in purchasing a Yearbook?
Career Center
Here's some helpful information for you to inquire about college and career readiness, scholarships, financial aid, SAT/ACT Admission Exams, and summer programs!!
Scholarship Information
Click on the link below to find scholarships that you may be interested in applying for.
Ordering Transcripts
How do I request a transcript?
Is there a cost?
These questions and others answered here.
NISD Resources
NISD Back to School 23-24
Hub for NISD info for Parents
Link for parents to set up HAC, Schoology, School Messenger, SchoolCafé, My School Bucks accounts
https://www.nisd.net/parentsSchoolCafé (NISD Child Nutrition)
*SchoolCafé (Cafeteria meal payments)
https://www.schoolcafe.com/NORTHSIDE
-Make Payments
-View Menus
-Set up Auto Pay
-Set Purchase Restrictions
-Get Low Balance Alerts
-Submit Meal Applications
-View Letters
-View Purchases
NISD Bus Information
Utilize NISD Online Tutoring!
SAT/ACT
College Board
*PSAT/SAT prep
*Register for SAT
*AP exam information
*Big Future (college & career exploration, scholarships)
2023-24 SAT/ACT Registration Information
ACT
Test Prep Resources
SAT Prep
SAT Prep
SAT/ACT Prep
The Princeton Review is a college admission services company offering test preparation services, tutoring and admissions resources, online courses, and books published by Random House. Click on the picture to get started.
Mental Health Resources
Have a #RealConvo
Some Quick Tips for Having a #RealConvo About Mental Health include:
- When someone is struggling, just listen
- Let the other person share at their own speed
- Don’t pass judgment or offer advice — just be there
- We all experience mental health differently, and that’s okay
- Check back in, and offer to connect them to help if they need it
NISD Safeline
Safeline is a proactive telephone hotline used to increase safety at Northside Schools. The system is an automated voicemail and text message system that is monitored and managed by the Northside ISD Police department. It is operated seven days a week, 24 hours a day and addresses reports of crime, violations of district policy, and safety concerns. The system is completely anonymous, although callers are encouraged to leave their names and telephone numbers. (210)397-7233
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
988 is now active across the United States. This new, shorter phone number will make it easier for people to remember and access mental health crisis services. (Please note, the previous 1-800-273-TALK (8255) number will continue to function indefinitely. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States.
Clarity Child Guidance Center
Clarity Child Guidance Center exists to transform the lives of children and families. We are the only not-for-profit mental health treatment center specializing in children ages 3-17 in San Antonio and South Texas. Our inpatient and outpatient programs incorporate a range of services including crisis stabilization, psychiatric evaluations, and ongoing therapy.
Children's Bereavement Center of South Texas
Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas is so much more than a place where grieving children come to heal. We change lives. Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas was founded on May 20, 1997, as a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. Recognizing the permanent impact loss can have on young people, the Center was established to help children and families grieving the death of a loved one. In a culture that does not talk about grief and bereavement, and in a world that doesn’t “get it,” we do.
stopbully.gov
When adults respond quickly and consistently to bullying behavior they send the message that it is not acceptable. Research shows this can stop bullying behavior over time.
Parents, school staff, and other adults in the community can help kids prevent bullying by talking about it, building a safe school environment, and creating a community-wide bullying prevention strategy.
Love is Respect
*About dating
*Healthy relationships
*Personal safety
*Supporting others
*Get help
San Antonio Counseling and Behavioral Center
American Counseling Association- Mental Health Resources
The ACA has many mental health resources regarding anxiety, depression, family separation, grief & loss, LGBTQ+, Substance Abuse, and Suicide Prevention.
https://www.counseling.org/knowledge-center/mental-health-resources
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
NAMI envisions a world where all people affected by mental illness live healthy, fulfilling lives supported by a community that cares.