Counseling Connection

Swenke Counselors 2023-2024

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Swenke Elementary School

Welcome Back!


We are excited to begin the 2023-2024 school year! We look forward to working with your child this school year. Below you will find a brief biography of each of our counselors at Swenke.



Swenke Guidance and Counseling Department


  • Mrs. Stephanie R. Gable
  • Mrs. Lauren Fitzgerald

Stephanie R. Gable, M.Ed. : Professional School Counselor

Stephanie Gable has been an educator for 18 years. She received her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kansas, and her Master's degree in School Counseling from Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas. She has taught various grade levels over the years in Kansas and in Texas, and this is her sixth year as a school counselor.


She and her husband grew up together in a rural Kansas community and have been married for almost 36 years. They have 4 adult children and 4 precious granddaughters! Her favorite activities outside of school include reading and writing inspirational pieces, camping, and spending holidays (and any chance she gets) with her family.


This school year, Mrs. Gable serves grades ECSE, Life Skills, Pre-K, First Grade, Third Grade, and Fifth Grade. You may contact her by email at stephanie.gable@cfisd.net or by phone at (281) 213-1205.

Lauren Fitzgerald, M.A, M.S : Professional School Counselor

Lauren Fitzgerald has been in education for 10 years. She completed her undergrads at Houston Community College and Springfield College with a focus in Human Service Counseling and Drug and Alcohol Abuse Counseling. She then went on to complete two graduate degrees in Professional School Counseling and Crisis and Trauma Response Counseling from Angelo State University and Liberty University.


She started out in Cypress-Fairbanks at ALC in 2014 with middle and high school students. She then went on to teach a variety of Social Studies subjects and CTE courses in the Harmony Public School Systems for middle and high school students. She returned to Cypress-Fairbanks in 2020 to teach CTE and the Teacher Prep Program at Cypress- Park High School. Mrs. Fitzgerald is absolutely thrilled to meet her new kiddos this year at Swenke!


She is married to a Texas State Trooper and has three girls, ages 16, 11, and 7. Mrs Fitzgerald enjoys reading, going to the movies, and enjoying new places to eat with her family. She also enjoys going to her children's various sporting events/games and traveling with her family.


Mrs. Fitzgerald serves Prekindergarten, ECSE, Kinder, Second grade, and Fourth Grade this school year. You may contact her by email at lauren.fitzgerald@cfisd.net or by phone 281-213-1205.

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.

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 (Dads of Great Students)

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 or 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

dadsofgreatstudents.com.


The Swenke Watch DOGS program for 2023-24 is currently full. To be placed on the waiting list in the case of a cancelation, email stephanie.gable@cfisd.net.

GIFTED AND TALENTED EDUCATION

GT TESTING: ALL Kindergarten students will be assessed for GT in early spring, so no referral is required. Currently enrolled students in grades 1-5 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 this school year. (In grades 1-5, testing is for services beginning in the 2024-25 school year. For Kindergarten, services will start in March, 2024. For more information about the HORIZONS program and referral process, please refer to the CFISD Gifted & Talented HORIZONS link below.)


*Beginning-of-year GT screenings are available for students new to Texas or coming from private schools. The deadline for requesting this testing is September 2. Contact your school counselor for more information.

CREDIT BY EXAM

The State Board of Education has established procedures to allow elementary students to “skip” one grade level OR math only by taking a series of exams which assess the Texas Essential Knowledge/Skills (TEKS) established for that grade level. Parents interested in having their children screened for credit-by-exam should contact their school counselor. If the school is unable to answer a question, please email the Testing Office at creditbyexam@cfisd.net.


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.


For more information about the CBE process, please refer to the CFISD Credit by Exam link: https://www.cfisd.net/Page/1823