HGMS Counseling Connection
November 2019- 2nd Six Weeks
HGMS Students Accept Rachel's Challenge
Each grade level participated in a heartfelt and touching presentation about the life of Rachel Joy Scott, the first person killed int he Columbine High School shooting on April 20, 1999. After her death, many students that Rachel reached out to shared stories with the Scott family about the impact her simple acts of kindness had on their lives; even preventing one young man for taking his own life. They soon realized the transformational effect of Rachel’s story and started the non-profit organization that is Rachel's Challenge today.
Rachel believed in starting a chain reaction of kindness and our hope at Garcia Middle School is for our students to contribute to creating a positive school climate that is less susceptible to harassment, bullying and violence.
For more information, please visit www.rachelschallenge.org.
Red Ribbon Week 2019 Activities
Red Ribbon Week Poster Contest Winners
6th Grade Winners
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
7th Grade Winners
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
8th Grade Winners
1st Place
2nd Place
Thank you!
VAPE FREE NISD
Vaping Links for Parents:
Explain vaping to kids https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/e-cigarettes.html
https://e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov/documents/SGR_ECig_ParentTipSheet_508.pdf
Warning signs: https://drugfree.org/article/look-for-warning-signs/
How can I monitor my kid? https://drugfree.org/article/set-limits-monitor/
Take action (parents): https://drugfree.org/article/prepare-to-take-action/
My kid is using, now what? https://drugfree.org/article/start-talking/
Stay positive, get involved. https://drugfree.org/article/reinforce-the-positive/
Self care for parentst:https://drugfree.org/article/self-care-isnt-just-for-yourself/
Teens and Vaping: https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/content/teens-and-vaping
College kids on their Vaping Addiction: https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/15/health/vaping-ecigarette-students-portraits/index.html
Electronic Cigarettes: https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/electronic-cigarettes-e-cigarettes
Lung Damage from Vaping: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/02/health/vaping-illnesses.html
Know the Law
Info from D.E.A.
Dangers of Drug Use
RRW Student Resource Table
Our First Annual Daughter Date
Hello Parents!
On Friday, November 15th from 6:00-8:30 PM in the Cafeteria, the HGMS Counseling Office is hosting our first ever Daughter Date for all Garcia girls to bring a special adult to spend some quality time! We will have many fun activities planned such as live music, games, contests, photo booth and more! This event will be FREE to any HGMS girl who attends!
We want to make this event very special and we need your help! If you are able to donate something, we would really appreciate it! Donations will help us cover the costs of pizza, drinks, decor, photographer and hopefully a fondue fountain. If you are interested in helping, please drop off donations to the HGMS Counseling office!
Please review the available slots below and click on the DONATE HERE to sign up. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact Julie Minnis at julie.minnis@nisd.net.
Thank you! XOXO
The HGMS Counseling Department
HGMS Kindness Club
7th Annual Bullying Symposium
Kindness Rock Project 2019
Fanny Packs ARE Back!!!!
Reasons YOU Should ROCK a Fanny Pack too:
- You can keep all of your most important things in one place.
- You can make it whatever style you want.
- Batman wears one.
- You can make a bold statement.
- Being hands-free is a life-saver and time-saver.
- You can store all of your awesome and helpful "Coping Skills on the Go."
Coping Skills on the Go Examples
Even a parent sporting her fanny pack!
Principals rocking the Fanny Pack!
PTA President living that Fanny Pack life!
September Counseling Facts & Figures
New Registrations 12
Guidance Lessons 49
Individual Planning 48
Responsive Services 612
Small Group Counseling Sessions 29
Parent Consultations 241
October Counseling Facts & Figures
New Registrations 5
Guidance Lessons 71
Individual Planning 91
Responsive Services 549
Small Group Counseling Sessions 7
Parent Consultations 263
11/6/2019 Kindness Club Meeting in library
11/7/2019 GRIT Lesson
11/8/2019 Campus Life Forum during lunches
11/13/2019 Course Selection Fair for current 5th graders
11/14/2019 8th Grade Counseling Guidance Lesson
11/15/2019 HGMS Girls' Daughter Date Event
11/18/2019 Kindness Club Field Trip
Community Resources
Trauma-focused group for teen girls beginning soon at Clarity Child Guidance Center
Sign up is now open for a trauma-focused teenage girls group to be held at Clarity CGC. The group is for teenage girls ages 13-16.
The group sessions will provide a confidential and safe place to talk about traumatic experiences, develop and practice coping skills related to trauma symptoms, and utilize positive peer support to enhance emotional healing. Additionally, caregivers will be provided supplemental material related to trauma-informed parenting.
Dates and times for the sessions will be finalized depending upon participants. There will be 10 sessions. The group will be run by Megan Lawson, PsyD, under the supervision of Joshua Essery, PsyD, ABPP.
The group will meet in the Clarity CGC Outpatient Services Building #10 at 8535 Tom Slick Drive.
Contact Dr. Lawson at 210.447.6925 for more information, insurance coverage options and to reserve a spot.
The Parent Support Network of San Antonio Military
There is a new group designed to support military and veteran caregivers in our community with children 0 and 24 years old who may struggle with their mental or emotional health.
The Parent Support Network of San Antonio Military, created by The Youth Mental Health Project, is a revolutionary model for parent-driven, family focused support meetings for parents. One in Five Minds and Clarity Child Guidance Center are proud to bring this program to San Antonio military and veteran families with the help of USAA.
We believe that providing parents with a dependable and caring network and valuable peer support for challenges related to emotional or behavioral concerns, such as anxiety, depression and mood dysregulation, will fill a need in our community that has been historically underserved. It is especially critical for parents who recently moved to our community or just suspect their child needs help for the first time.
The Parent Support Network of San Antonio Military will be holding monthly meetings that are structured as follows:
- Meetings are in-person, confidential and free for parents and caregivers;
- Meetings are always open to any parent or caregiver who is concerned about their kids (ages 1 - 24) who struggle with anxiety, depression, mood dysregulation, or other emotional, behavioral or mental health problems;
- A child does NOT need to have a diagnosis for a parent to benefit from meetings;
- Meetings are organized and led by a trained Facilitator who is a parent or caregiver with lived experience raising a child with a mental health condition;
- While the dialogue among parents is facilitated, the content is driven by the needs of the parents in attendance;
- Parents work together to share experiences and resources;
- Childcare is NOT provided.
- The meeting location is on the RSVP form below.
- Again, the meetings are confidential!
Here is the date of the upcoming parent support meetings:
Wednesday, December 11th from 6:00- 8:00pm
MEETING LOCATION:
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service – Bexar County
3355 Cherry Ridge Dr., Suite 208
San Antonio, TX 78230
Contact the HGMS Counseling Department
(Pictured left to right)
Mrs. Elma Flores
Counseling Secretary
210-397-8432
Ms. Adrianna Nieto
8th Grade Counselor
210-397-8427
Mrs. Lindsey Goane
6th Grade Counselor
210-397-8425
Mrs. Julie Minnis
7th Grade Counselor/ Head Counselor
210-397-8428