Counseling Connection

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Swenke Elementary School

Welcome Back!


We are excited to begin the 2020-2021 school year! We would love to thank our CFISD school board for approving the two-counselor model for all of our elementary schools! To streamline the process at Swenke, your child's grade level AP has been paired with a counselor who will follow your child through his or her academic career at Swenke. We look forward to working with your child this upcoming school year. Below you will find a brief biography of each of our counselors at Swenke.


Thank you,


Swenke Guidance and Counseling Department

Mrs. Stephanie R. Gable & Mr. Scott C. Talley

............. Stephanie R. Gable ............. Elementary School Counselor

............. Stephanie R. Gable ............. Elementary School Counselor

Having 15 years of experience working in public education, I hold an expectation of success for every learner entering the classroom. In my experience, both parental and community involvement are essential to a successful classroom and school environment. It is my belief that students are to be given opportunity for development into lifelong learners through promotion of creative and critical thinking. As a professional school counselor, supporting students and staff in this endeavor is of utmost importance. I am dedicated to the highest standards of learning by creating and working within a comprehensive school counseling program where relationship-building with students and families, school personnel, and community members serves to benefit all students in academic, career, and social/emotional domains.


While I work with all students, please note that for the 2020-21 school year, I will be the counselor to contact for Kindergarten, 2nd, 4th, ECSE, and Life Skills students. I encourage parents to contact me with any questions or concerns regarding their students via email (stephanie.gable@cfisd.net) or by phone (281.213.1200).

............. Stephanie R. Gable ............. Elementary School Counselor
Mrs Gable New Student Version
............. Scott C. Talley ............. Elementary School Counselor

............. Scott C. Talley ............. Elementary School Counselor

Mr. Scott C. Talley will serve as the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Grade counselor at Swenke Elementary School. As an educator, he continues to have a passion for teaching and learning. His motivation for his work is ensuring that all students receive a high-quality educational experience despite their cultural or economic backgrounds. Mr. Talley has served as an elementary and secondary teacher, instructional technology coach, and school counselor. Mr. Talley joined the CFISD team in 2016 and has served at Copeland, Fiest, Hoover, and now Swenke Elementary.


Mr. Talley completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Houston and his graduate studies at the University of St. Thomas. He received his Bachelor of Arts in History with a minor in Education, his Masters in School Counseling, and is working on his Doctor of Education in Ethical Leadership.


While I work with all students, please note that for the 2020-21 school year, I will be the counselor to contact for Pre-K, 1st, 3rd, 5th, ECSE, and Life Skills students. I encourage parents to contact me with any questions or concerns regarding their students via email (scott.talley@cfisd.net) or by phone (281.213.1095).

............. Scott C. Talley ............. Elementary School Counselor
Mr. Talley! New Student Version
A Comprehensive School Counseling Program

A Comprehensive School Counseling Program

The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) has created the ASCA National Model as the framework of a comprehensive school counseling program. This planned, holistic approach to promoting and supporting achievement of all students has four major components ~


  • Guidance Curriculum: Structured lessons designed to help students attain the desired competencies and to provide all students with the knowledge, attitudes, and skills appropriate for their developmental level.
  • Individual Student Planning: Coordinated ongoing systemic activities designed to assist students in establishing personal goals and developing future plans.
  • Responsive Services: Activities designed to meet the immediate needs and concerns of students. Services may include counseling in individual or small-group settings or crisis response.
  • System Support: Services provided on behalf of students through interactions with others, including referrals for additional assistance, consultation, and collaboration with parents, teachers, other educators, and community organizations.


*More information regarding the counseling program can be found on the CFISD website at https://www.cfisd.net/en/parents-students/academics/guidance-counseling/

A Comprehensive School Counseling Program

Credit By Exam (CBE) November 30th through December 4th

The testing window for Credit By Exam (CBE) is November 30th through December 4th.


Please email your grade level counselor for more information.



Students in grades K-5 will have four opportunities during the school year to use “credit-by-exam” to accelerate to another grade level. Students will only have one opportunity to test for each grade level considered.


To apply to take the test to skip kindergarten, a student must be 5 by September 1, and registered in a CFISD school. To apply to take the test to skip grade 1, a student must be 6 by September 1, and enrolled in a CFISD school.


Students who earn scores of 80% or better on each component of the credit-by-exam will qualify to advance one grade. Only one grade level may be “skipped” each year. No retests will be given.


If you are interested in getting more information about credit-by-exam, please contact the school counselor.


..... Swenke Elementary is No Place for Hate .....

DEEP IN THE HEART OF SWENKE, we believe every moment matters! The No Place for Hate initiative provides PK-12 schools with a structured framework for combating bias, bullying, and hatred, leading to long-term solutions for creating and maintaining a positive climate. Swenke continues to earn its designation of being a No Place for Hate campus by...


  • building inclusive and safe communities where respect is the goal, and all students can thrive.
  • empowering students, faculty, administration, and families to take a stand against hate and bullying by incorporating new and existing programs under one powerful message.
  • sending a clear, unified message that all students have a place to belong.

Family and Community Involvement

We promote strong parent and community involvement here at Swenke Elementary! Be sure to stay connected by reading our weekly newsletter. The Paw Print is an electronic newsletter that is sure to keep you updated on the latest activities and events that can involve YOU!

Watch Dogs On Hold for 2020-2021

Our Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) program is a sure way for our students to be positively influenced by male role models! Fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers, uncles, and other father figures are invited to serve one day a year in a variety of school activities by spending an entire school day on our campus. For more information about the program, see the organization's informational page at

http://dadsofgreatstudents.com/media/wysiwyg/support/ALL_ABOUT_WD_Color_2017_Sept_RVSD.pdf


*Currently, our Watch D.O.G.S. program is on hold for the 2020-21 school year.

We will update information as directed.

GIFTED AND TALENTED EDUCATION

GT NOMINATION: Currently enrolled students may be referred by parents or teachers for the HORIZONS program. Referrals must be received by the last school day in November in order for students to be assessed in early spring. In grades 1-5, testing is for services beginning in the 2021-22 school year. For kindergarten, services will start in March, 2021. The referral window for the 2020-21 testing cycle has closed. For more information about the HORIZONS program and referral process, please refer to the following link:

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