The Elementary School Scoop
Working Together Toward Student Success
February 2023 Edition
Children are not a distraction from more important work. They ARE the most important work.
- C.S. Lewis
Talk with your child's school counselor or click the button above to request family support services.
That Rule Doesn't Apply to Me! by Julia Cook and Anita DuFalla
Celebrate National School Counseling Week (February 6-10, 2023)
Every day, professional school counselors make a difference for students in FWISD elementary schools! Every student deserves a school counselor to cheer them on and help with academic achievement strategies, managing emotions, applying interpersonal skills, and preparing for college, career, and community leadership.
Learn more about the role of your child's school counselor: https://www.schoolcounselor.org/role. We are #HelpingStudentsDreamBig.
Join us in celebrating all professional school counselors the week of February 6-10, 2023. Make it personal. Thank a specific school counselor you know, whether it’s a friend, your child’s school counselor, or your own school counselor. How did a school counselor have an impact on your life and career?
The Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show and Texas A&M Co-Hosted AgriVenture! Assemblies for Fort Worth ISD Students
AgriVenture! is a student assembly for 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students in Tarrant County. This assembly is co-hosted by the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service for AgriVenture!, which educates students about the agricultural process from plant to plate.
In this program, Farmer Howdy and Cornelius Cob take the Moos Brothers through their farm and describe the importance of each aspect of the farm. The program covers the everyday use of corn in various products, how tomatoes have vitamin C to help cuts and scrapes to heal, and how beef provides protein. The program promotes healthy eating habits and educates students about the origin of their food.
Glen Park ES
Adrienne Mathews, Professional School Counselor, is pictured here with the cast of AgriVenture!
The Moos Brothers at Glen Park ES
Manual Jara ES
Students are shown learning with their Professional School Counselor, Ms. Ingrid Shadow.
Skill-Based Classroom Instruction
Elementary school counselors are teaching skills-based guidance lessons to students in every elementary school in Fort Worth ISD. Guidance education is designed to teach students the skills they will need for success in school and in life. Students learn how to be kind, how to show respect for themselves and others, how to handle big feelings, and many other skills.
Each elementary school counselor selects lessons and topics that meet the unique needs of the students on their assigned campus after obtaining feedback from parents/guardians, teachers, and administrators. Every elementary student has the opportunity to participate in classroom lessons and campus events that teach skills that are essential to their academic, social, and emotional development.
Counselors provide information and resources to parents/guardians to help them to continue conversations about guidance topics at home. Thank you for working with us toward your child's school success!
Photo: Ted Wininger, Professional School Counselor @ Benbrook ES (Career Parade)
Spring 2023 Guidance Calendar
Guidance lessons are provided during a 30-45 minute period during the school day. Elementary school counselors provide guidance activities three times each 6 weeks' grading period.
Your child's school counselor visits elective classrooms to share character-building or skills-based lessons and interactive, activities to build skills while having fun. Lessons often include read-alouds, videos, project-based activities, and/or time for students to practice new skills. Guidance also includes campus-wide events such as Career Day, Red Ribbon Week, and other events.
Photo: Carolyn Blackman, Professional School Counselor @ Bill J. Elliott ES
Spring 2023 Calendar:
January and February:
- Safe People, Safe Places, Safe Choices (See the PROTECT section below and provide permission here: Parent Permission Form.)
- Personal Safety (K-3rd graders) and Online Safety (4th-5th graders)
- Educational Excellence, Career Day
April:
- Red Ribbon Week
- Study Skills and Test Preparation
May:
- Mental Health & Wellness
- Transition to Middle School (5th graders)
Note: Event schedules may vary by campus.
PROTECT Prevention Education
January is recognized as FWISD Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Throughout January, school counselors will facilitate lessons, Safe People, Safe Places, Safe Choices, for K - 5th graders with parental consent. These lessons promote personal and online safety and teach students the skills to reduce the risk of exploitation.
Parents/Guardians may register for the Trafficking for Caregivers class and PROTECT information sessions through the FWISD Parent Academy. Teachers and staff receive training to recognize, respond, and report trafficking. Let's keep our students "PROTECT"-ed together!
More information about PROTECT Month activities for students and parents/guardians can be found here: https://www.fwisd.org/protect.
Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?
This is an exciting time!
Soon, our 5th graders will be moving up to middle school! Making informed decisions about your child's core courses, elective courses, and opportunities for leadership through student organizations and teams will set them up for success. The purpose of transition planning in 5th grade is to design a roadmap for students and to provide information and resources to parents.
Information sessions are being offered at multiple locations in your school pyramid. Please contact your child's school counselor questions or requests. Thank you for your continued partnership!
Does Your Child Need Additional Instructional Support? We Can Help!
Learn more about programs for students with learning differences below.
Section 504 (English)
Section 504 (Spanish)
Special Education (English/Spanish)
Would you like your child considered for the Gifted and Talented (GT) program?
Please review the following information and complete the request form below.
Gifted and Talented (GT) Assessment Request Form
Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Information
For more information, contact:
Angelia Hicks, Director
Elementary Counseling Services
Phone: 817-814-2903 | Email: aj.hicks@fwisd.org