SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2019-20

Stacy Parker- Brown, Lead Counselor

Twila Read (A-CHAT)

Danielle Townsend (CHAV-GL)

Meagan Brown (GO-LOP)

Teresa Sandoval (LOR-ON)

Rhona Rosenthal (OR-R)

Melissa Zarazua (S-Z)

Gwendolyn Sanders, Licensed Master Social Worker

Ross Pride, Social Work Intern

Our Vision: Gopher Counseling Services inspire success one student at a time to reach their fullest potential, ensured by support of a comprehensive counseling program, that partners with families, staff, and community members. We equip students to conquer challenges of tomorrow and move them forward into unparalleled excellence.

• Bullying Prevention

• Suicide Prevention

• Start with Hello Program

• Child Abuse Prevention

• Handprints on Hearts

• Stand4Kind Kindness Crew

• Service Learning

• Sexual Harassment Awareness and Prevention

• Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention

• Small Group Counseling

In addition to advising students about their personal graduation plans, endorsement and college & career decisions.

Our Mission

Grand Prairie High School Counseling Services believe in assisting all students with removing social emotional barriers that are impeding student academic achievement through implementation of a comprehensive counseling program that promotes resilience and focuses on college, career, and/or military readiness by partnering with family, friends, and community members.

Senior September Checklist

• Narrow your selection of colleges and universities to your top 6-8 choices
• Start working on or completing all required college essays
• To begin the college application process
• Texas Colleges: Log in at www.applytexas.org
• For colleges outside of Texas Log-in at www.commonapp.org
  
• Register to take the next available ACT ( Oct. 26 deadline to register September 20th) Fee waivers are located in the college center
• School wide SAT day Oct. 16th for all seniors.
• Send transcripts off to colleges by logging into your Xello account ( www.xello.world)
• Submit at least 5 of your applications and other documents to the universities by November 1st
• Attend College Night September 19th, at SGP at 6:00pm
• Apply for 3 scholarships this month
• Create your FSA ID to prepare for FAFSA, which opens October 1st.
• Use the Counseling Office and Go Center for college and scholarship searches
  

Please see your Future Ready Counselor Mrs. Swanigan on Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday if you have any questions about applying for college.

Free SAT prep classes provided by UTA Sign - up

https://www.uta.edu/universitycrossroads/sat/registration.php

Full Tuition Senior Scholarships for September

Questbridge- Due September 26

https://www.questbridge.org/high-school-students/national-college-match/how-to-apply

Gates Scholarships- Due September 15

https://www.thegatesscholarship.org/scholarship

PLEASE VISIT WITH MRS. SWANIGAN, AS SHE SERVES OUR CAMPUS ON TUESDAY, THURSDAY, OR FRIDAY

Ronda Swanigan, School Counselor / Future Ready Lead

Grand Prairie High School

Monday, Sept 9th – Meet the Teacher from 6:00pm – 7:30pm

Thursday, Sept 19th – College Night from 6:00pm – 8:00 pm at South Grand Prairie

High School (401 S. Warrior Trail)

Tuesday, Sept 24th – Be Kind Online Parent Night – hotdog dinner at 6:00pm &

Program at 6:30pm at Grand Prairie High School Chambers Auditorium

The Be Kind program will host a different Parent Night topic each month-most will be held at the Education Center.

Oct 29th- Be Kind with words & actions - Ed Center, 6-7pm

Nov 12th- Be Kind for your future- Ed Center, 6-7pm

In Grand Prairie ISD, school counselors and social workers work directly with students to prevent bullying in schools, foster empathy, and good decision-making skills in students and facilitate a global perspective through community-based outreach. Be Kind Grand Prairie ISD is a multi-faceted initiative that encourages students, staff, and community members to become emotionally connected and to cultivate respect for others. This is a commitment to change the culture of our schools and community by promoting kindness and compassion. It is our hope that the lessons shared by school counselors and social workers can spark a movement that makes the world a little bit kinder for all of us.

A prevention program that teaches children and teens how to be more socially inclusive and connected to each other. Start With Hello asks students, educators, parents and other community leaders who interact with children to take steps in class, the lunchroom and/or other times in their day to be inclusive and connected.

Xello is an engaging, fun-to-use software that students can access online, at school or at home. Students can even access Xello from their mobile devices. Using Xello, students plan their journeys toward the future by creating their very own unique roadmap for future success. Xello is your student “go to Hub” that will help to link you to your Skyward account, access your counselor, college & scholarship information, and much more.

Login Instructions

• Get started on the journey to becoming future-ready by logging in to Xello.

xello.worldOpens a New Window.

Username: GP-Student ID Number (no spaces)
Password: fllllmmdd

• f: first letter of the first name

• llll: first four letters of the last name

• mm: the month of birth

• dd: day of birth

Progress Report and Report Card Dates for 1st semester

1st Nine Weeks Progress Reports – 9/18/19

1st Nine Weeks Report Cards – 10/23/19

2nd Nine Weeks Progress Reports – 11/20/19

Semester exams – week of Dec. 16th – Semester ends 12/20/19

2nd Nine Weeks Report Cards – 1/8/19

Grand Prairie High School is excited to partner once again with the Family Place to bring their classroom education series, Be Project, to our health classes. Their mission is to empower youth to be part of the solution to end relationship violence and to help promote a safe, violence free campus. Jackie Guardiola, will be our campus facilitator & she will also be working with some of our student leadership organizations and assisting our campus social worker with conducting therapeutic groups. She will also be providing workshops for our staff and parents so stay tuned for dates and times.

Suicide Awareness & Prevention Week – Sept 9 – 13

Bully Prevention Month – October Red Ribbon Drug Prevention Week – Oct 21-25

Gen TX College & Career Focus - November

Follow us on Social Media: @GPHSCounseling

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