GOPHER GAZETTE
WELCOME BACK TO THE COUNSELING SERVICES NEWSLETTER
SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2019-20
MEET THE GPHS COUNSELING SERVICES TEAM
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

Counseling Services offers the following Social/Emotional Support Programs at all GPISD campuses
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.
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.
Welcome to our Future Ready Counselor, Mrs. Ronda Swanigan, School Counselor / Future Ready Lead Grand Prairie High School
SENIORS, GET FUTURE READY WITH THE SEPTEMBER CHECKLIST
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
HBCU (HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY) WEEK SEPTEMBER 9-13, 2019

WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE COUNSELING SERVICES DEPARTMENT 2019-2020?
UPCOMING EVENTS
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

Oct 29th- Be Kind with words & actions - Ed Center, 6-7pm
Nov 12th- Be Kind for your future- Ed Center, 6-7pm

Be Kind Grand Prairie ISD
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.
Start With Hello
Join the Kindness Crew
Be a role model on campus and initiate the Start With Hello program through acts of kindness & service. See the video below to learn how to join.

Have you Xello’d today?
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

Check your Skyward account to monitor grades & attendance at least once a week.
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
SENIORS!!!!! ARE YOU ON TRACK TO GRADUATE ????? Counselors will begin the week of Sept 9th with our senior class. We will be meeting students through their English classes. | Here are the grade level checklists to help students stay on top of what they need to do to prepare for graduation and post graduationSeniors- https://www.gpisd.org/cms/lib/TX01001872/Centricity/Domain/12087/SENIOR%20CHECKLIST.pdf Juniors – https://www.gpisd.org/cms/lib/TX01001872/Centricity/Domain/12087/JUNIOR%20CHECKLIST.pdf Sophmores – https://www.gpisd.org/cms/lib/TX01001872/Centricity/Domain/12087/SOPHOMORE%20CHECKLIST.pdf Freshman – https://www.gpisd.org/cms/lib/TX01001872/Centricity/Domain/12087/FRESHMAN%20CHECKLIST.pdf | COUNSELOR CHATS Counselors will meet with each student by grade level to review their personal graduation plan, classes, grades, and discuss post high school plans. |
SENIORS!!!!! ARE YOU ON TRACK TO GRADUATE ?????
Here are the grade level checklists to help students stay on top of what they need to do to prepare for graduation and post graduation
Seniors-
https://www.gpisd.org/cms/lib/TX01001872/Centricity/Domain/12087/SENIOR%20CHECKLIST.pdf
Juniors –
https://www.gpisd.org/cms/lib/TX01001872/Centricity/Domain/12087/JUNIOR%20CHECKLIST.pdf
Sophmores –
https://www.gpisd.org/cms/lib/TX01001872/Centricity/Domain/12087/SOPHOMORE%20CHECKLIST.pdf
Freshman –
https://www.gpisd.org/cms/lib/TX01001872/Centricity/Domain/12087/FRESHMAN%20CHECKLIST.pdf
Be Project – promoting healthy relationships
Did you know that 1 in 3 teens will experience physical, sexual or emotional abuse by a dating partner?
More Exciting Campus Events include:
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