GPISD BACK TO SCHOOL FAIR

GPISD SCHOOL COUNSELORS PROMOTE OUR COMPREHENSIVE COUNSELING PROGRAM TO STUDENTS & PARENTS

GPISD Spotlighted by Career Cruising

Out of the over 200 districts in Texas, that are Career Cruising clients, GPISD was selected to present with the Canadian-based company at the Texas Career Education Conference in Fort Worth.  The company applauded GPISD for our Cradle to Career focus, which gives all GPISD Pre K-12th grade students access to this internet-based career exploration and college planning tool.  They also recognized the excellent job GPISD School Counselors did with implementing the Career Cruising program, district-wide.  

Reagan Power Team

Reagan students and staff were entertained this past Friday when the Power Team stopped by the campus.  But, it wasn’t all fun and games as all were moved by the powerful message about suicide prevention.

SGP9 Career Day

SGP9 hosted our last Career Friday of the school year featuring Military Personnel from the U.S. Army. Our students obtained valuable, first-hand information about different college and career opportunities available through the military. Our freshmen were especially intrigued in learning about the financial scholarships and the multiple careers that are offered via joining the U.S. Army or any military branch.

 

The SGP9 counselors and students appreciate the time and effort that the U.S. Army put into their presentation. We look forward to hosting them again for future Career Friday events.

Career Day at Powell

Anti-Bullying Rally at Garcia Elementary

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Garcia Clean-Up

​Garcia Clean-Up

This past Saturday, Garcia students and staff participated in a community clean-up day. They picked up trash around the school and the surrounding area. Students received volunteer hours and were excited about being active and involved citizens in their community. Go Toros!

Career Week at De Zavala

​Career Week at De Zavala

The staff shared their personal career choices with the students based on the theme for the day. The students journeyed to the staff’s alter ego, listened to presenters and witnessed staff members wearing their cap and gown. Students also participated in a mock signing day where they signed a letter of intent to be successful, and then they dressed as their career of choice.

Dragon Girls on Fire Girls Club at David Daniels

Daniels Finance

Dragon Girls on Fire Girls Club at David Daniels was able to learn about finance and banking from a Chase manager. They were able to get information on a career in the financial world and the importance of education. ​They were challenged with math problems related to the real world and work collaboratively to solve. At the end of the presentation they were rewarded by sharing something they learned with a dollar coin. This brought a smile to many of our aspiring career young ladies. 

Career Day at Adams

​Adams Middle School hosted its annual career day on Friday. The event was organized by counselors, Jessica Johnson and Schavonda Burton-Johnson. Over 40 presenters engaged and inspired Adams Middle School students by sharing their accomplishments and journeys to success. Professionals ranged from Grand Prairie's mayor, political figures,  engineers, business owners, pilots, radio personalities, police, fire fighters and many others. The awesome event was used to help student focus on career exploration and college readiness. 

Watch the 45-second video.

Garcia Star Buck Store

Garcia Elementary opened their Star Buck store this week. Teachers passed out star bucks to students that were showing academic growth, completing all homework, and those that have improved their test scores. School Counselor Mrs. Swanigan had many toys that the students could buy. The store also taught them how to count money correctly and spend their money wisely. Go Toros!

South & SGP9 Show Appreciation to their Administrative Professional Satff

SGPHS Counselors appreciate their Administrative Professionals.

SGP9 Appreciates Their Administrative Professionals

SGP9 celebrated our amazing Administrative Professionals yesterday with flowers, mini-bundt cakes, thank you notes, and a duty-free lunch. We truly appreciate Mrs. Gentry, Mrs. Chmielewski, Ms. Curry, and Mr. Lee for everything they do for our Warrior staff and students.

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STAAR Motivation!!!

NFL Player Visits Daniels

Former NFL player Devin Wyman spoke to 5th grade Daniels students encouraging them to do well on their STAAR test.

STAAR Motivation at Daniels

Watch Daniels' STAAR Motivation basketball/volleyball games featuring our fearless leader Mr. Morrow and his All-STAAR staff.  The students had a blast and enjoyed seeing their teachers sweat it out on the court. Video 1. Video 2.

 

And, students were energized as the Mavs Mascots provided 5 Tid-Bits for successful testing. They also gave away Maverick memorabilia for correct answers.

GPFAA Support

High schoolers at GPFAA wrote words of confidence to their middle school buddies. Testers can take one of the notes of encouragement with them. We love that our kids support one another.

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Daniels, May the Scores Be With You

The week was filled with a variety of activities to motivate our students as they reviewed for the upcoming STAAR.  Thanks to all the students and staff members who participated.

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Garcia STAAR Rally

Garcia STAAR Rally

From GP we had the drill team, cheerleaders, football players, and the drumline. We also had Miss White Settlement’s Ady Lee Forrester (former Toro).

 

Thanks to all for encouraging our students to be great and pass STAAR.

SGP9 Career Friday

SGP9 Career Friday

SGP9 hosted another Career Friday featuring scientists and Professional Development Coordinators, Nicole Bates and Dustin Miller, from the Perot Museum. Our students received valuable, first-hand information about different career opportunities available in museums. They also did an experiment making their own clouds and were able to observe Madagascan Cockroaches.

 

The SGP9 Counselors and students appreciate the time and effort that the Perot Museum Scientists put in their presentation. We look forward to our future Career Friday presentations geared towards Military and Law Enforcement careers.

National Kick Butts Day

Top 4 tobacco facts that every educator should know 

1.  Tobacco and alcohol are the true gateway drugs because they are legal, easily accessible and not as scary to kids because of parental use and social acceptance.

 2.   Tobacco companies need replacements for their dying customers.

 3.   Tobacco products are colorful and offer candy flavors to market to high school students.

 4.   Tobacco related deaths kill more than HIV, illegal drugs, car accidents and firearms combined.

 

The Drug Prevention Team set up "Kick Butts Day" awareness displays at Grand Prairie and South Grand Prairie High.

GP counselor, Melissa Honstreiter and student, Marco Villareal illustrate how tobacco companies need replacements for their dying customers.

Hanging out the dirty laundry on the tobacco industry 

Anti-Bullying Pledges for Rachel Challenge at GPHS

 

Kick Butts Week Awareness Activities: Stay Tobacco-Free

Grades 9^th-12^th Lunchroom Awareness Activities

Tuesday-Tombstone Display-Dying to "Fit In"

Wednesday-Airing out Tobacco's Dirty Laundry

Thursday- #Not A Replacement Selfies

Friday- Pledge Cards and Pencils 

  #notareplacement            “Hang Tough Don’t Puff”

Counselors love our School Social Workers!!!!

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School Social Worker Week

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!

Bobby Bragan Youth Foundation Scholarship Winners

             Shelby Harris • Adams

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.

Bobby Bragan Youth Foundation Scholarship Winners

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 8^th 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 19^th in Lone Star Auditorium (Maverick Activities Center) on the campus of the University of Texas at Arlington.

Scholarship Winners

Name, School, District
Shelby Harris, Adams Middle School, Grand Prairie ISD
Shaira Waziullah, YWLA , Grand Prairie ISD

Dana Jackson
Director of Counseling Services
Grand Prairie Independent School District

De Zavala Kindness Club In Action

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.

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Tonight on Cold Justice on TNT

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. 

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Job Hunting at Garcia

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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.

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Garcia Wears Yellow

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!

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Kindness at Hobbs Williams

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.

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Career Cruising Online Course Registration

​Online Course Registration for GPISD high school students is currently underway.  Students are working with their School Counselors and parents to select courses for next school year and creating their Personal Graduation Plans.

GPHS Counselors Celebrate Teen Dating Violence Prevention Week by Wearing Orange

We Appreciate Our School Counselor: Garner FAA

We Appreciate Our School Counselor: Austin EL