Hope Squad is Coming to McMillen HS
A Message from the District Counseling Department
A Message from the District Counseling Department: Hope Squad is Coming to McMillen HS!
Plano ISD is pleased to introduce Hope Squads to the McMillen and Plano East campuses for the 2020-2021 school year.
Hope Squads are proven to decrease suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in teens as it provides a path for students to reach out to peers if they are experiencing struggles.
Hope Squad members are students who have been selected by their peers who then agree to participate in the training needed to be a Hope Squad member.
Every student on a campus should be able to identify a fellow peer/student that they are familiar with and that they trust if they need help. The first goal in building a Hope Squad is to identify students that are trusted by their peers and to select a group that represents a cross-section of the student body.
This week, we will be asking your 8th grade student to nominate peers from Murphy 8th grade class that they believe possess the following characteristics:
- Concerned about others
- Easy to talk with
- A good listener
- Someone you could turn to if you needed a friend
- Someone who does not bully others
Students who are nominated to serve as Hope Squad members will be contacted by their counselor at McMillen. If the recommended student and their parent agrees with the nomination, then the future Hope Squad member will be enrolled in a dedicated class period at McMillen HS, and they will be trained to listen effectively and take appropriate action if a peer needs help.
Please note that the emphasis for any peer mentor is on reporting and is not designed to cause a Hope Squad member to feel that they must take personal responsibility for a person that is in crisis. Detailed training will cover all goals and expectations for Hope Squad members.
Want to find out more? Please visit the following websites:
Please also feel free to reach out to your campus counselor if you have questions. Counselors at both Murphy MS and McMillen HS are able to answer your questions.
Thank you for your continued support as we work to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all students!
Terri Azcarate, 8th grade Counselor at Murphy
Ali Hassan, Lead Counselor at McMillen HS