CCMR/Counseling Newsletter

VISION: The vision of DeSoto ISD is to inspire curiosity and consciousness, develop character, build courage and nurture compassion.

MISSION: The mission of DeSoto ISD is to ensure students, without exception, learn and grow at their highest levels.

We are please to welcome two full-time Education is Freedom (EIF) Advisors to the DeSoto High School Campus to work with our high school students.

The EIF Advisors are each dedicated to one campus for the entire school year and are in their classroom throughout the school day to assist all students with activities related to their future education. In high schools, this includes:

· Researching college options

· Working on applications

· Writing admissions essays

· Completing FAFSA/TASFA applications

· Completing scholarship applications

· Exploring workforce training and certification programs

· Supporting SAT/ACT/TSIA/ASVAB preparation

In addition to the daily interaction with and guidance to students, EIF Advisors facilitate all student and parent activities throughout the year, such as college application and SAT/ACT preparatory workshops. EIF Advisors also facilitate EIF’s annual financial aid workshops for EIF parents and students to complete federal and state financial aid applications.

In November, Southern Illinois University leaders—Chancellor Austin A. Lane, Vice Chancellor Wendell Williams, and Assistant Vice Chancellor Tania Wittgenfeld—visited EIF partner schools DeSoto High and Kathlyn Joy Gilliam Collegiate Academy. Their goal: to recognize admitted seniors, meet prospective students, and build collaborative relationships with students' families.

SIU stays continuously engaged with EIF students, increasing applications and enrollment through generous scholarships and an excellent postsecondary education.

“EIF’s mission to empower students through education and economic mobility aligns seamlessly with SIU’s mission to serve first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students,” said Dr. Wittgenfeld. “Together, we are breaking down barriers and helping students who might not have otherwise viewed college as an attainable goal by providing resources, guidance, and encouragement to turn possibility into achievement.”

There are scholarships available for ALL grade levels. The CCMR department has compiled a list of scholarship opportunities that range from elementary to high school. It is never too early to start securing funds for college. View the listings below and start applying today!!

SchooLinks is a comprehensive college and career readiness platform that empowers students and parents to navigate the journey from elementary school through high school and beyond.

Through SchooLinks, students gain access to:

• Academic Planning Tools — course selection, graduation tracking, and progress monitoring

• Career Exploration Resources — interest inventories, career profiles, and pathway planning

• Postsecondary Readiness Supports — college searches, scholarship databases, and application tracking

• Parent Engagement Features — opportunities for parents/guardians to partner in goal-setting and decision-making

💡 This program equips students with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to plan their future—whether their path leads to college, career, or military service.

👉 Check out our SchooLinks Presentation (below) to learn more about all of the powerful features available to families!

This fall, EIF launched an exciting new partnership with Kaplan to help students boost their SAT scores and achieve TSI-met status.

Through this pilot initiative, 11th and 12th graders at 21 Dallas ISD campuses, two Garland ISD campuses, and one in DeSoto now have access to Kaplan’s premier SAT Prep program. Students can join live online classes or learn on demand, giving them flexibility to prepare on their own schedule.

By improving SAT scores, students can unlock more scholarship opportunities and avoid costly remedial courses—saving time and money as they begin college.

The Gifted & Talented (GT) program is designed for students who show advanced abilities, creativity, or leadership skills. It gives students the chance to go beyond the regular classroom, explore new ideas, and challenge themselves in exciting ways.

🎯 What Students Experience in GT

• Challenging Classes: Learn at a deeper and faster pace.

• Creative Projects: Explore passions in STEM, arts, writing, leadership, and more.

• Special Opportunities: Research projects, competitions, and advanced coursework.

• Supportive Peers: Learn alongside other students who love to think big and dream big.

🌱 Benefits for Students

• Stay Challenged – Explore advanced topics and never feel bored.

• Grow Confidence – Discover strengths and talents.

• Be Ready for the Future – Gain skills for college, careers, and beyond.

• Make Friends Who Inspire You – Build connections with other motivated students.

• Learn to Lead – Practice problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership.

💡 Why GT Matters

GT programming helps students reach their full potential by giving them the tools to think critically, act creatively, and succeed academically—all while having fun learning!

On November 5th, DeSoto High School students in grades 9–12 proudly participated in ACT School Day. This important college-readiness assessment helps open doors for our Soaring Eagles by providing:

🎓 More Opportunities to Stand Out

Many colleges and universities still require or consider test scores as part of a holistic admissions process. A strong ACT score helps students shine in competitive college admissions.

💰 Increased Scholarship Access

Taking the ACT can lead to new or higher scholarship awards, helping families save money on college expenses.

👏 Hats off to our DHS Soaring Eagles for taking this step toward their future success! 🦅✨

Our Gifted & Talented scholars are “unwrapping” their creativity this season as they dive into Holiday STEM Fair projects. From innovative designs to hands-on experiments, students are exploring real-world concepts while showcasing their unique ideas.

It’s never too early to begin honing strong research, inquiry, and problem-solving skills, and our GT students are off to an exciting start!

Our Gifted & Talented Middle School scholars proudly presented their Road to Success projects this week. These presentations highlight each student’s postsecondary aspirations, personal strengths, and long-term academic goals.

Students will continue sharing their projects with peers to encourage meaningful dialogue about college education, future pathways, and the importance of planning for success.

CTE Super Saturday – December 13 | 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
The CTE Department will host a CTE Super Saturday on Saturday, December 13, from 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Student Services will be open to the public across several of our signature pathways, including:

• Cosmetology

• Culinary Arts

• Animal Science

Families and community members are invited to explore our programs, receive student-led services, and learn more about CTE opportunities in DeSoto ISD.

Law & Public Service Field Experience – December 8
On Monday, December 8, our Law & Public Service students will participate in a field experience at the Dallas County Court of Judge Vonda Bailey. This visit will provide students with real-world exposure to courtroom operations, legal professions, and civic engagement.

Educational planning is a critical step in ensuring each student’s success on their academic journey. To support this process, our school counselors are conducting advisement sessions with students and parents in grades 5 through 11. During these sessions, we will work together to develop and update an individualized education plan tailored for postsecondary success.

The courses identified in each student’s educational plan will be utilized for the 2026–2027 course enrollments. To assist in this process, we’ve provided the 2026–2027 Course Catalogs. Please review the appropriate document linked below to explore the wide range of course options available.

We encourage you to contact your school counselor to schedule an advisement session and review this important information. These sessions are an invaluable opportunity to align your student’s academic choices with their long-term goals. We look forward to working with you!

Our Counseling Services team is committed to helping students build their future readiness from elementary through high school. Here are age-appropriate tips to guide students at every stage of the journey:

🏫 Elementary School – Awareness

• Dream Big: Talk about future jobs and careers you’re curious about.

• Build Habits: Practice organization, responsibility, and teamwork in school and at home.

• Explore Interests: Join clubs, sports, or arts to discover what you enjoy.

• Learn from Role Models: Ask parents, teachers, and grandparents about their jobs and education.

• Reading Matters: Strengthen literacy—it’s the foundation for all future learning.

🏢 Middle School – Exploration

• Connect Interests to Careers: Take career interest surveys and explore pathways in SchooLinks.

• Focus on Academics: Build a strong foundation in reading, math, and science—these open more opportunities later.

• Get Involved: Participate in CTE courses, clubs, and extracurriculars to test new interests.

• Goal Setting: Set short-term and long-term goals; practice tracking progress.

• Parent Conversations: Talk with your family about future plans, including college, military, or career options.

🎓 High School – Preparation

• Course Planning: Choose classes aligned with your graduation plan and career pathway (AP, Dual Credit, CTE, etc.).

• College & Career Research: Use SchooLinks to research colleges, scholarships, and programs of study.

• Testing Readiness: Prepare for SAT, ACT, and TSIA; review results with your counselor.

• Hands-On Experience: Seek internships, job shadowing, volunteer work, and leadership roles.

• Scholarships & Applications: Track deadlines, request recommendations early, and stay organized.

• Ask for Support: Regularly meet with your school counselor for guidance and resources.

College will offer your student countless opportunities in life. There are some simple things you can do to help your student prepare.

Start early.

• No matter how young your student is, it is never too early to begin planning for college and talking with your student about it.
  

Be clear.

• Communicate your expectations to your student about his or her behavior and performance in school.

Talk.

• Have frequent conversations with your student about schoolwork, goals and the importance of education.

Encourage.

• Motivate your student to try new activities, volunteer in the community and succeed in school. Studies have shown that students involved in school activities enjoy school more and do better academically. Extra activities at school help students make new friends, gain confidence and new skills and have fun!