Seasons Greetings

GPISD Counseling Services and the Grand Prairie Police Department teamed up to provide holiday gifts for families in need. 

 There was a special guest in the Bilingual/ESL Programs, Counseling Services, and Health Services area. Have you been by to see Tommy Tinsel? He has brought the spirit of Christmas to all who have visited him. We invite everyone to join him in promoting acts of kindness such as expressing appreciation for those with whom we work, sharing delicious goodies, and simply getting to know each other better. Way to go, Tommy! 

YWLA Counselors Tore Culclager and Jessica Martinez hosted a Handprints on Hearts Christmas Party Tuesday in the library. Mentors and their students enjoyed breakfast treats, a candy cane hunt and quality time with each other. We want to thank our counselors for supporting our students through building relationships with teachers. 

Character Matters

 Crockett EES is grateful for these helping hands. CEES Kindness Crew collected pantry food items for families this holiday season. 

Congrats to the 2nd senior class at Grand Prairie Collegiate Institute. They have reached another goal during #GenTX month. Their acceptance rate into a 4-year university is 100%. Now that’s amazing. #collegebound 

Crosswinds Kindness Crew handing off food items collected during their fall food drive to our social worker. 

The Grand Prairie Soroptimist Group and GPISD Counseling Services celebrated our September and October Girls of the Month.  It was a wonderful event that allowed us to share with the parents, grandparents, and siblings the amazing things our young ladies are doing at their campuses.  It was a great honor to celebrate them.

The GPFAA counselors & social worker partnered with Ms. Hurley's sixth grade math classes and GPFAA's student council to collect and donate food/gift cards to families in need for Thanksgiving.

 Kinder to 2nd grade students from Ochoa STEM Academy were recognized by their teachers and Counselor Malena for being kind to others. These students were invited to a special lunch recognition with the counselor.

The Counseling Services Department at Dubiski spoke with students about preparing for college and provided college information handouts by grade level. Our students are excited about college.

Truman 8th grade scholars held a Q & A session with professionals about careers during GenTX Week. 

YMLA counselors Randle and Campbell (RC COLA) hosted Texas Scholars Day at their campus. They had an awesome turnout featuring all male professionals. Careers were represented from various clusters and all walks of life. The speakers provided staff and students with real-world applications of dreams, will, purpose, and grit. 

Counseling Services News

A special thank you to the GPISD Social Work Hub for coordinating with campus counselors and social workers in order to provide meals for GPISD families in need.

During GenTx Week, Austin Environmental Science Academy Counselor Shannon Regalzi invited Assistant Principal Corey Atkins and Counselor Monica Soliz to speak about middle school opportunities atAdams. 5th grade students are gearing up for their future academics.

SGPHS Counseling Services helping to “Make Education Your Super Power” in support of GenTX Week.

YMLA's Kindness Crew, led by counselors Randle and Campbell (RC COLA), and sponsors Maria Tubbs and Bricia Hernandez, put together welcome packets for new students.  Students and staff worked to make sure new enrollees feel welcome and affirmed at their school. 

Making a Difference

Grand Prairie High School counselors celebrated our Social Worker, Gwen Sanders, a veteran of the United States Military who served as a dispatcher for a Helicopter Medevac Unit overseas. Mrs. Sanders is truly a blessing to our team, campus, and district as she has a heart for servant leadership. We thank her, all those that served and are still continuing to serve for our country!

 David Daniels had a Stand 4 Kind rally which encouraged students to promote kindness and compassion.  It included performances by Trevor Douglas and Polaroid Summer. The staff and students really enjoyed it. 

 GPCI scholars had their day of service event this past Saturday. They were able to clean up their school and around the community.

GPHS kicked off their campus Handprints on Hearts (HOH) mentoring program with a breakfast game time.  Students and mentors had fun hanging out together and getting to know each other over donuts and games. Mentors will meet with their mentees at least 30 minutes a week to help them with goal setting, life skills, and more.  Thank you to the GPHS staff that have agreed to mentor a student this year. - Rhona Rosenthal, GPHS counselor and HOH coordinator

Ochoa's counselors' kindness tree continues to flourish with the help of students and staff.

Travis World Language Academy had a great turnout at Chuck E. Cheese’s for College Awareness Night as students and staff celebrated GenTX Week.

GPCI 8th grade scholars had an amazing time at the 2nd Annual STEM Night. They were able to speak to many professionals in the STEM field. 

Social Emotional Lessons, Mentoring & Giving

 Counselors Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Soliz incorporated technology to provide a lesson on grit and perseverance to the students at the Digital Arts and Technology Academy @ John Adams Middle School.

 Truman Kindness Crew had their December meeting to discuss upcoming events and our December Kindness Challenge. Pictured are three of our officers for this year. 

 Florence Hill Counselor Megan Hay organized a December Handprints on Hearts activity which included making a candy cane ornament, enjoying a candy cane to eat and completing a holiday word search. 

 The ”Noche de Navidad” food drive at LBJ was a huge success. A special thanks to all the campuses that collected canned goods for our families.  

 Students at De Zavala are learning about self regulation through Social Emotional Learning lessons. Mrs. Glover, one of the counselors, demonstrated how to use breathing to self regulate in order to make good decisions. 

The Social Work Hub Social Workers Blanca, Ruth, Liz, and Ivory would like to send a huge "Thank You" to everyone who has been donating items for families in need. We are busy getting hygiene products, food, blankets, and warm clothing to students and families in need. Thank you to our GPISD friends who have made this holiday season brighter for families. Remember if you have a family in need please contact the SW Hub directly at 972-522-7070.

Start with Hello & Career Cruising

 The Kindness Crew at DATA@John Adams Middle School created welcoming posters to greet students in the morning.
 

GFAA School Counselor Casey Rubio explored careers on ccSpark with 1st graders.
 

Our Future Leaders

Thursday was Dress for Your Future Career Day at Dickinson Elementary School. We had singers, doctors, nurses, police officers, military, lawyers, judges, teachers, business owners, bakers, chefs, and many more. Aiden wants to be a chef in a big restaurant when he grows up.

 Garcia Elementary is rockin' GenTX Week! The counselor teamed up with teachers and staff to provide a "college-going" atmosphere and build career awareness. Students and staff wore purple to represent and learn about TCU. Students and staff also "dressed for success" by dressing up as what they want to be when they grow up. Students researched celebrities who went to college and displayed their findings for the College and Career Gallery Walk. Teachers placed college pennants and banners outside their doors and displayed names of careers throughout our school. Our students are college-bound!

Marshall students had so much fun learning about careers, character traits of successful people, and making decisions with the Fielder Kids Fun and Magic Show presented by magician Rafael Rondon and organized by counselor Nancy Jimenez.

Crockett EES celebrating GenTX Week. Class of 2032 "We can, we will, watch us, change the world!" 

 Garner Fine Arts Academy students participated in the GenTX Week daily theme by dressing up as the career they wish to have one day.

 Moseley fourth graders hard at work on career cruising exploring learning styles and study habits, occupation environments and tools, organization, bullying, cyber safety, and coping skills.

Counselors promote GenTX Week at Travis World Language Academy as students focus on their future college and careers with the help of their teachers' support.

Counselor Hernandez and all Bonham students gathered in the cafeteria to celebrate GenTX Week. Teachers wore caps and gowns, students and their families created career posters, and the students even dressed up to show off their future career. College get ready, here come the BEES!

It’s a DJ, it’s a nurse, it’s “What I want to be when I grow up!"  Shannon Regalzi, Austin’s counselor organized a 5th grade Peer to Peer Career presentation to end GenTX Week. Students researched and presented their career of choice. Look around, careers are everywhere.

Whitt Fine Arts Academy students capped off GenTX Week by having their Student Career Fair which was presented by 4th and 5th grade students.  These students researched their careers using the career cruising program and presented to all K-3rd grade students.  Counselor Collins would like to thank the parents, 4th/5th grade teachers, and media arts teacher for their assistance in helping to prepare these students.

YWLA counselors hosted Texas Scholars Day. Our 8th graders had the opportunity to hear from professionals in different career fields. This is the students' first step in planning for a successful future. A special thanks to all of the speakers who volunteered their time and expertise.

Jacquelyn Solis, the counselor at Garcia Elementary, held a hygiene drive benefiting our Grand Prairie ISD students who are homeless. They collected 431 items of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, baby wipes, toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash and deodorant. Awesome job, Toros!

 The Student Council and Kindness Crew at Powell led a Socktober Drive during the month of October. Staff and students were happy to bless families in need. Donations were given to Sonnia Ortega, GPISD’s Connections Coordinator. Powell’s counselor is so proud of the generosity and kindness shown by the families at Powell.  

 Ohio State, Florida State, TCU, UTA- oh my! Students in grades 6-8 atTWLA learn more about college options during the student-led college fair in support of GenTX Week 2018.

Rayburn’s Kindness Crew helped coordinate our SOCKTOBER community service project.  Mrs. Peek’s kindergarten class won a popcorn party by donating 220 pairs of socks! The school total was 872 pairs. All donations will go to the GPISD Social Worker HUB to benefit our students in need. 

A member of the Kindness Crew presented Truman's November Teacher of the Month, Coach Arrington, with a congratulatory gift. 

Truman Kindness Crew and School Social Worker Ms. Barrett hosted new students for lunch. 

Counselor Mrs. Lopez and Behavior Specialist Ms. Swaim hosted a Kindness Session with the focus on Social Emotional Learning at Travis World Language Academy.
 

GPISD Counseling Services News

The GPFAA counselors organized a Texas Scholars Day assembly for the 8th graders.  The guest speaker, Gabriel Escobedo, inspired the students to pursue their educational dreams.  Gabriel is a college advisor in GPISD through our partnership with UT Arlington.

The counselor and students at Powell are showing their college spirit this week for GenTX Week.  

Donna Jeffreys, school counselor at Seguin Elementary, coordinated the  2018-2019 Handprints on Hearts Kick-off on Friday, November 2. There were games and books at each table in the library.  Food and drinks were enjoyed while mentors and mentees got acquainted.  Seguin has over 40 mentors and even more mentees.  Way to go, Seguin staff!

For GenTX Week, Counselor Shannon Regalzi held a class contest for students at Austin for earning badges for Career Cruising. Students were super excited.

 Behavior Therapist Rebekah Swaim and Crockett EES counselor presented “Creating a Trauma Sensitive School” at the Lone Star School Counselor Association.

 DAEP showing off their favorite college pennants for GenTex Week 2018.

Jackson Counseling Program received the 2018 Lone Star State School Counselors Bronze Award for having a stellar comprehensive counseling program. 

Counselors at De Zavala, Mrs. Glover and Ms. McGriff, have encouraged all students grades K-2 to research a university and grades 3-5 to research a career. During GenTX Week their posters have been displayed outside of classrooms and students will soon take a gallery walk and learn all about the universities. De Zavala Lions are college bound!