DHS Counseling News
Special Edition
Duncanville High School Counseling Department
Website: https://www.duncanvilleisd.org/domain/44031
Phone: 972-708-3700
Twitter: @DHSCOUNSELORS2
Hello Panther Family:
As we transition to remote learning due to COVID-19, Your DHS Counselors want you to know that we are here to support you during this time. Counselors are available for students and parents through e-mail correspondence during the hours of 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Feel free to email us with questions or concerns and we'll do our best to respond within 24 hours.
DHS COUNSELING DEPARTMENT
As students hear or read about COVID-19, school closures, and potential changes to their daily routines, they may feel a range of emotions -- fear, anxiety, stress, curiosity, uncertainty, etc.
If your child needs support or would like to talk with one of our support counselors, you may email or leave a voice mail for them between the hours of 9:00-11:00 a.m. or 1:00 – 3:00 p.m, Monday through Friday.
Candace Hubbard, (9th Grade)
940-536-3260
Takoya Mandigo (10th–12th Grade)
469-702-0656
Mental Health Resources
If you feel that you or a friend is in a crisis situation and/or need someone to talk to and there isn’t a caring adult you can reach right away, please reach out to one of the following:
- Call 214-828-1000 – Suicide and Crisis Center of North Texas (24/hr Crisis Line)
- Call 866-260-800 – Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (formerly ADAPT)·
- Call 1-800-784-2433 – National Hopeline
- Call 1-800-273-825 – National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- Or call 911 – In case of a life-threatening emergency
These crisis lines are operated 24/7, so please call anytime you have questions or concerns, day or night.
Remote Learning Tips
By now, you have already received work for various classes. It is really important, now more than ever to stay on top of your work. Here are a few tips to help you make your time meaningful and productive:
1. Try active study. This means asking yourself questions before, during, and after your studying. Questions such as, what do I already know about this topic, or while doing the work, what did I just read, can I paraphrase it, and then when you are done, what do I need to review before studying again.
2. Get a good night's sleep. It is really important to maintain a regular bedtime routine.
3. Study at the right time. This could be early morning or later in the day. You know yourself better than anyone, find the right time to do work.
4. Have a designated study area. This could be the kitchen table, or at a desk, if you have one. It is really important, though, to study away from the TV or other screens, such as your phone.
5. Eat properly. If you can, have snacks ready to go before you study.
6. Get chores out of the way. Many of your parents or guardians may have given you chores to do while you are at home. If this is the case, make sure they are done before studying.
7. Create a timetable. This is a fancy way of saying come up with a schedule. This means figure out how much time, and none is not an option, you need to spend on each subject. For instance, maybe you need to schedule more time for language arts, but not as much for social studies.
8. Set a timer. Your phone has one important use while you study, it has clock. If you know how, set a timer so you can keep track of your time spent on each subject.
Course Requests Update
DHS counselors are working to finalize course requests/registration for the 2020-2021school year. Course Request are available for you to view in Skyward Family Access. If you would like to make corrections or changes to your requests, please complete the attached form and email it to your counselor (download the form, type directly on the form, save it, and attach it to your email).
STUDENTS HAVE UNTIL APRIL 3 TO MAKE ANY ADJUSTMENTS!
Click here to view the 2020-2021Academic Handbook/Course Catalog
Managing Anxiety or Stress
Ways to Cope with Strong Feelings Related to COVID-19: below are some ideas for coping with anxiety related to the COVID-19 outbreak:
Maintain a Circle of Support
- Talk about how you are feeling with people you trust
- If you have questions, ask people you trust to help you understand
- Keep in touch with friends
- Video chat and call friends and loved ones who don't live near you
Practice Breathing and Meditation Exercises
- There are plenty of apps available for guidance
Set Small, Daily Goals
- Try to remain focused on what you have control over
Be mindful of your media consumption
Look for Fun
- Board games, arts and crafts, etc.
Give Back
- Is there anything you can do to assist someone in need? Write letters to residents of nursing homes, help with chores at home, check on someone who could use some encouragement......
Still need more?
- Write your worries on a piece of paper. Then wad or tear them up and place them in a trash can.
- Set a 2-minute timer. Think of your worries during the 2 minutes. Afterward, get up, move to a new space, and think of something else.
Heads Up, Hearts Up, Hopes Up.
I know the world is bruised and bleeding, and though it is important not to ignore its pain, it is also critical to refuse to succumb to its malevolence. Like failure, chaos contains information that can lead to knowledge--even wisdom. ~ TONI MORRISON
We are family and we're going to get through this together.