GPISD has 8 School Social Workers: Ruth Amaro, Desiree Cohn, Julie Ellison, Malaina Hickey, Norma Garcia, Valerie Martin, Blanca McGee, and Will Wright.
Connections Coordinator: Sonia Ortega.
Three Graduate Social Work Interns: Charles Gillum, Courtney Massicci and Lincy Sam.
And the district also has employed licensed social workers in different capacities: Lacy Hensley, Sue Ann Rios, Esmeralda Rodriguez and Rebekah Swaim.
We salute all of you!
Shaira Waziullah • YWLA
Both students received a $2,500 college scholarship. They will be recognized at the foundation’s annual Scholarship Celebration to be held at 2:30 pm on Sunday, April 19 in Lone Star Auditorium at UTA.
This year the foundation received a record number of 234 scholarship applications from 123 schools.
The Bobby Bragan Youth Foundation is pleased to announce its 37 winners of a $2,500 college scholarship for the 2014/2015 school year.
In all, 142 schools located in 22 independent school districts and three charter schools were given the chance to submit two finalists each for consideration. This year the foundation received a record number of 234 scholarship applications from 122 schools and one charter school.
The Bobby Bragan Youth Foundation congratulates all the participants in this year’s scholarship competition. Every student that completed an application will receive a certificate of participation at their end-of-year 8th grade awards assembly.
The 2014/2015 winners and remaining finalists will be recognized at the foundation’s annual Scholarship Celebration, to be held at 2:30 pm on Sunday, April 19th in Lone Star Auditorium (Maverick Activities Center) on the campus of the University of Texas at Arlington.
Scholarship Winners
De Zavala’s KC Club sponsored a toiletry items drive in support of the homeless. The Help the Homeless drive collected enough items to create 134 gallon-size bags to be donated to a local organization that will distribute the bags to the homeless.
As a victim services counselor, Lacy Hensley responded on scene with officers to assist victims of all types of crimes. Recently, an Arlington homicide detective contacted her about a cold case where she assisted the victim’s family. This case is featured on tonight’s episode of Cold Justice on TNT. Lacy was interviewed over the phone regarding her recollections of the case and may be featured on the episode.
Currently, Lacy Hensley is GPISD’s At-Risk Counseling Services Facilitator; she formerly served as a victim services counselor with the Arlington Police Department.
Students applied for a school position of interest by first completing a job application; then, the finalists interviewed for that particular position.
Those that are selected for the job will get to shadow that person for an entire day. They will then write a paper about their experience and what they learned. We are moving our students from cradle to career.
School Counselor, Mrs. Swanigan, put together the Leukemia drive at Garcia Elementary. The school reached their goal by collecting over $2,000. On the last day of the drive, the students and staff wore yellow to support those who are fighting with Leukemia.
Go Garcia Toros!
Hobbs Williams KC Club created Kindness stones to share with others. Students were encouraged to leave the stones at various places for others to find. In the last photo, KC member left a stone for someone to find while she was out grocery shopping with her family this weekend.
Last week, Daniels had the pleasure of celebrating with Mrs. Alicia Polk for Counselor's Week. Students and teachers presented her with gifts and cards as a way to say thanks for the priceless work she does everyday. We appreciate you, Mrs. Polk.
Dating violence can happen to anyone no matter where they live, how much money they have or what they look like. It doesn’t just happen in the movies. Visit our school counselor if you or someone you know needs help.
Loveisrespect.org
Students at Hobbs Williams are being encouraged this week to take on some random acts of kindness to celebrate Kindness Week 2015. They are invited to share these acts on a post it note to fill the hearts with love!
(These tips are to help raise your awareness for yourself and your students. Feel free to share this information.)
Over 57% of high school students know someone who is in a physically or verbally abusive relationship. If you’re not sure if your relationship is healthy, visit loveisrespect.org to take a quiz and get help.
The Grand Prairie Rotary Club provides free dental screenings and sealants to our school's 2nd grade students. Sandra Williams, a dental hygienist and Rotary representative, came to give a lesson on dental hygiene to all the 2nd grade students at Hobbs Williams Friday. She also reviewed the techniques and steps that are used when applying the sealants. This is a great resource for our students, and we are lucky to be a part of this program.
The counselors and nursing staff at Lee Elementary coordinated services with Community Dental Care to provide free dental screenings for all the students and staff at school in celebration of Better Dental Health Month. Thank you to Ms. Bowler, Ms. Winters, Ms. Loyd, and Ms. Rodriguez.
Powell Elementary celebrated the 100th day of school by having all grade levels collect items for the non-profit, Brighter Tomorrows. Items collected were kitchen sponges, toilet paper, paper towels, Kleenex, body wash and hand sanitizer. Over 100 of each item was collected for a total of 885 items.
Shown in the picture are the Powell Student Council, the Kindness and Compassion Club, our school counselor, Kelley Meeks and the representative from Brighter Tomorrows. "Just another way we are teaching our students the joy of giving."
5th Grade donated the blankets they made learning area and perimeter to gpfdheartsandhoses.com.
Thank you so much to all who took the time to make Valentine Cards for the Troops. Over 1,000 cards were collected and sent to troops abroad and to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. Can't wait to do it again next year! - Eisenhower
1 out of 3 high school students will be in an abusive relationship by the time they graduate. Abuse can cause injury and even death; it doesn’t have to be physical.
It can include verbal and emotional abuse. This may include constant insults, isolation from friends and family, name-calling, extreme jealousy and controlling what someone wears.
If you or someone you know needs help, text loveis to 22522. Find out more.
I want to say thank you to the staff at Hobbs Williams for all the kind notes and gifts this week in recognition of National School Counseling Week. Ya'll are incredible!- Angela Argumaniz
The GPISD Social Workers would like to wish all of the Counselors an amazing week! We love working along side each and everyone of you. You always make a difference in the lives of our students. Thank you for all you do!
As many of you know, I was named the Middle School Counselor of the Year last year for the State of Texas. The Texas Counseling Association nominated me for the American School Counselor of the Year Award. I submitted several items and was a semifinalist. I represented Texas on the national level at the White House and Gala at Union Station.
The First Lady, Michelle Obama, and actress Connie Britton gave a presentation and remarks at the School Counselor of the Year Ceremony. This is the first year this ceremony was held at the White House as a part of the FLOTUS Reach Higher Initiative. View the ceremony. (Amber Moffitt is the counselor at YMLA.)
Motivational speaker, Jon Pritikin, spoke to SGP9 students Wednesday. He presented his inspiring, personal message about anti-bullying and being a hero to someone through kindness. Our students witnessed his strength from the inside out and left with a powerful reaction.
