Dragons Dig Deep
A Mental Health & Wellness Newsletter from CHS Counselors
May 2021
We're in the Home Stretch!
Welcome to May! Hopefully we can all see the light at the end of the tunnel on the 20-21 school year. While spring is in the air, and we may have an extra skip in our step, we as counselors also know that Spring brings lots of TESTING, which may produces stress for students, parents, and staff! This season can be overwhelming as our list of to-do's seem to be never-ending and our minds are drifting to those summer days.
Below are a few practical tips from Mental & Behavioral Health at TEA that can help support your student's (and your!) overall wellness and resiliency during this time.
- Get enough sleep. Getting 7-9 hours of sleep increases daily productivity and boosts mood.
- Exercise daily. Getting up and moving for at least 30-45 minutes of a sustained activity produces the endorphins that improve mood and self-esteem.
- Eat healthy and well-balanced meals. Make sure that you are getting adequate protein, healthy fats, and a variety of vegetables and fruits. Avoid processed foods and sugar.
- Go outdoors. Getting outside can help you escape the stressors of work and school. Being outdoors is good for your mind and mood and can help strengthen your immune system.
- Build a strong support system. Connect with friends and family and embrace new and existing interests.
- Manage stress. Although some stress can fuel motivation and drive, when we don’t properly manage stress it can lead to exhaustion, burn out and physical ailments. Find some time each day to sit quietly and take a deep breath. Try starting your day with a few minutes of deep breathing exercises.
STAAR End-of-Course Test Day Reminders
The last two End-of-Course exams are coming up during this first week of May.
On Wednesday, May 5, CHS will administer the Biology EOC. On Thursday, May 6, CHS will administer the Algebra 1 EOC. Students who are currently enrolled in these courses are required to take the EOC.
On both days, students will report to CHS by 8:00 a.m. for testing. Please supply your student with pencils and a calculator for testing days. All calculators will be cleared prior to testing. Buses will leave campus at 12:30 for students testing at CHS.
No student dismissals will be allowed until all testing is completed.
Lunch will not be served on either day.
Students will not be released from classrooms to pick up items from the drop off table.
Students who are not testing on these days will participate in asynchronous learning.
AP Exams
1. For exams that are scheduled in the morning, students must be dropped off at Carroll Senior High School by 7:30 a.m. Busses will take students back to Carroll High School following the exam dismissal.
2. For exams that are scheduled in the afternoon, students need to report to the Student Activity Center (by the lunchroom) at CSHS by 11:45 a.m. Busses will take students from CHS to the senior high. There will not be bus transportation back to CHS after the exam is over.
3. Students are not allowed to enter the testing rooom after testing has begun.
4. Students should NOT bring backpacks, bags, purses, cell phones, smartwatches, or mechanical pencils to the exam room. Due to construction and space limitations, there is not a place to put these items during testing. Carroll Senior High and Carroll High School are not responsible for any items that are lost or stolen during the exam.
5. All students are required to bring their own #2 pencils and blue or black pens to testing. These items will not be supplied to all students.
6. Students whose exam allows a calculator or ruler must bring their own. These items will not be supplied to students.
7. Students are allowed to bring a small snack and/or water bottle. These items will be stored under the testing tables until scheduled break times.
8. All students are required to wear their masks during testing.
GOOD LUCK ON YOUR EXAMS, STUDENTS!
Counseling Office Poll: What are you looking forward to the most this summer?
Mrs. Cuellar: I am looking forward to relaxing and more me time (self-care) this summer.
Mrs. Hunt: I am so excited to finally be able to travel with my family this Summer!
Mrs. Watson: Relaxing on the beach with my family and finishing my entryway building project.
Mrs. McCoy: Spending more time with my family and the birth of my FOURTH grandchild!
Mrs. Piriano: Enjoying our new house and pool!
Important Dates for 2020-21
New Student Registration: Appointments are required. Please call the CHS Counseling Office at 817.949.5620 to schedule an appointment on June 2, June 7, June 8, July 28, Aug. 2, or Aug. 5.
July 20 – August 13: Student schedules are viewable in Skyward.
August 6: Fish Camp for all incoming freshmen at CHS, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
August 6: New Student Lunch for 9th and 10 graders who are new to Carroll ISD, 11:30 – 1:00 at CHS.
Sept. 8: Curriculum Night, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
The Importance of Commitment for Student Success
You have to believe in yourself before others start believing in you. Whatever it is that you would like to achieve, make sure that you believe in it and trust your abilities to accomplish it.
Now that you know what you want to pursue in life, it’s time to make an action plan for it. Whether your goals are small or big, you need to commit yourself to take action every single day without any excuses.It starts with preparing your brain to chase your dreams or whatever you are passionate about in life. You can begin by making a plan.
Adaptability and zeal to grow can take you places in life. Never stop learning, as most times there is more than one way to do the same thing.
Success often comes to those who are willing to do whatever it takes to be successful. That means putting in the work and saying no to things that don’t align with your goals. Stay moral and ethical with your goals.
Maintaining proper work-life balance is definitely something to strive for. Your physical and mental health play an important part in your life as everything directly or indirectly depends on it. Don’t get too consumed in working hard that you start ignoring your health.
Never give up! As you walk through life, you will fall down many times. You might also make mistakes and fail, and it’s absolutely okay. That’s life, and things will happen but never let this hamper your spirits in any way. Keep in mind that in order to succeed and become your best version, you have to have a lot of faith in yourself.
Above and beyond all of this, keep in mind the 3 P's when it comes to commitment for student success: Prepare, Participate, and stay Positive!
Counseling Office Poll: On Staying Positive
What is one positive experience or lesson learned that you will take from the 2020-21 school year?
Mrs. Watson: I have learned that our campus can adapt and rally together. At the beginning of the year everyone was very unsure of how things would look, but we figured it out one step at a time. We were able to learn from one another and lean on one another when things got difficult. WE SURVIVED!
Mrs. Cuellar: Though I feel there are many positive experiences that I can take away from this school year….One that sticks out the most is how supportive, understanding, and caring my counseling team is at CHS.
Mrs. Coates: Always be thankful for a busy, student and parent-filled counseling office. I can’t wait to see a full office again.
Mrs. Piriano: I’ve learned that we can adapt and make the best of any situation. How we go about things sometimes had to adjust, but the end goal was still the same.
Mrs. Hunt: No matter how old you are, there will always be obstacles to face. This year has been one of the toughest years of my life for so many different reasons. I’ve realized that through my faith, my family, and my friends, I am able to get through anything.
Mrs. McCoy: I have learned that even in the midst of the most difficult experiences - like an unprecedented school year - there are still good things that we can celebrate. The birth of a new baby, a new or restored friendship, cooking a meal with the family, learning a new skill or getting better at something you love - all of these are blessings to appreciate even when surrounded with challenges.
Carroll High School Counseling Office
CHS Counselors:
A-D Melissa Watson
E-K Sherry McCoy
L-Q Becca Piriano
R-Z Kara Cuellar
Intervention Janay Hunt
Registrar Karen Moore
Office Secretary Jill Coates
800 N. White Chapel Blvd. (817)949-5620
Twitter: @CHSCnslingCrew