Dubiski Counselor Connection

Let’s get this school year started! 🥳

We hope your summer was filled with sunshine, laughter, and moments of true relaxation. Whether you took time to unwind, explored new places, got lost in a good book, caught up on your favorite movies, or simply enjoyed a break from the routine—welcome back! Maybe, just maybe, school crossed your mind once or twice… and now it’s time to jump back in.

The 2025–2026 school year is finally here, and we’re excited to make it one of our best yet. Together, let’s create meaningful experiences, set new goals, support one another, and grow in ways we never imagined.

Here’s everything you need to kick off the year with confidence—check out the info below to get a head start. We can’t wait to see you soon! 👋

👀 Get Familiar: Ease those first-day jitters by reviewing school procedures, dress code, bell schedules, and even planning out your day. Pro Tip: Student schedules will be available in Skyward starting August 7th—check yours early!

The College & Career Center is a resource location designed to help our students and parents towards post-secondary success. Among the many services offered at the College & Career Center, students and/or parents are able to:

1. Receive information and/or register for the SAT or ACT
   
2. Obtain current information about colleges, scholarships, military, & the workforce
3. Work on college and scholarship applications
4. Obtain assistance with completing the FAFSA/TASFA
5. Participate in visits from various post-secondary programs (i.e. colleges, technical schools, military)

Be on the lookout for future updates from the DCHS College & Career Advisors. Our mission to serve all students to the best of our abilities.

August 1:

• New Student Jag Camp/Orientation (missed the event? see presentation here)

August 7:

• Schedules drop in Skyward (viewable to students/families)
• Window for Schedule Change Corrections opens

August 12:

• First Day of School

August 18-22:

• Start with Hello Week

August 25:

• Last day to request changes to your schedule.

August 29:

• TSI Testing
• Jostens Junior Class Meeting; 11:00 in DCHS Cafeteria
• Jostens Senior Class Meeting; 11:45 in DCHS Cafeteria
• Last Day for Juniors (not selected to take the PSAT/NMSQT) to pay to take the test in October - See Dr. Tracie Nelson-Moy, Testing Coordinator to sign-up.

Student schedules will be available to view in Skyward on August 7th. However, counselors are still working to resolve some scheduling conflicts to ensure that every student has a finalized schedule on the first day of school.

Please be sure to log into Skyward to view your schedule on the morning of the 12th and every morning for the first 10 days of school, as schedules are subject to change by administration and counselors due to class balancing.

1st Week Scheduling Procedures

If you have any of the below issues with your schedule, please report to the counseling office ONLY during the missing class period for assistance (ex. if 2nd period is missing from your schedule, you will go to your 1st period class and report to the counseling office at the start of 2nd period).

Example of Missing Class Periods on Schedule:

1. Students with a HOLE in their schedule: (you're missing a period).

2. Students with Double Periods: (you have two classes scheduled during the same period)

3. Students without a schedule: No classes scheduled (*report immediately to counseling office)

Requests for schedule changes are only allowed during the first 10 days of school. The window for schedule changes begins Monday, August 12th and ends Friday, August 25th at the end of the school day.

Completion of this request DOES NOT GUARANTEE a schedule change. If your schedule change request is approved, please understand that additional changes to your classes/schedule may happen in order to maintain balanced classes and accommodate your schedule request. Changes will not be made based on teacher, period, or lunch preference. Your counselor will reach out to you via CANVAS when and if your schedule has been updated. FOLLOW YOUR CURRENT SCHEDULE until you are notified of an updated schedule in Skyward.

Schedule changes will ONLY be made for the following reasons:

• Incomplete schedule (you are missing a period on your schedule).
• Academic misplacement - you were placed in the wrong level of a course than what you originally selected (this includes being placed in On-level instead of Advanced or AP/Dual Credit/OnRamps, and vice versa). Disclaimer: you may have been placed in a different level based on your grades, EOC, or AP Test scores per District policy.
• Placed in a class without meeting the pre-requisite (ex. placed in Animation 2 without having Animation 1).
• Placed in a class that you’ve already passed/earned credit in a prior year, summer school, credit recovery, or CBE.
• Program of Study Change – you were accepted into a new Pathway
• Missing a core academic class (ex. English, Math, Science, Social Studies)
• Course balancing - to avoid overcrowded classes (this will also dictate how student schedule/requests are fulfilled). THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES.

PLEASE NOTE: If your schedule change request does not meet one of the criteria above, your request will be DENIED!

All returning Dubiski students and returning GPISD students may pick up their student ID in the Dubiski library during the following dates and times:

Thursday, August 7th
🕘 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
🕑 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Friday, August 8th
🕘 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
🕑 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

📌 Note: Students who are new to GPISD will have their IDs made during the first week of school.

All students who plan to drive to school must have a student parking pass to park in the student lot.

✅ QR codes will be posted around campus
📲 Please scan and complete the application
🎟️ Parking permits will be issued in Week 2/3 of school.

Don't delay—secure your ID and parking pass to avoid any disruptions!

Your I-Team is here in the library all year to support your library and technology needs. Here’s what you need to know to start the year off right:

• 🔌 Returning 10th–12th graders: Bring your GPISD-issued iPad, fully updated and charged, on the first day of school.

• 🎓 Upperclassmen that are new to GPISD will receive their iPad during the first week of school —your teachers will let you know when to report to the library.

• 🆕 Incoming 9th graders will be issued iPads during World Geography class in the first week.

🚫 Reminder: GPISD does not support personal devices aside from providing you with the correct login credentials so that you can access everything you need.

💡 Pro Tip: Protect your device—purchase iPad insurance through MySchoolBucks. We’ll send reminders after school begins!

Let’s make it a great year!
—Your I-Team 💻📖

We’re kicking off the school year with Start with Hello Week, a national initiative that promotes inclusion and connectedness among students. We have fun and meaningful activities planned to help students build friendships and create a more welcoming school environment. Let’s start the year by building a more inclusive Dubiski culture—one hello at a time!

Counselors are available to assist and advise each student with personal/social concerns, academic concerns, career exploration and choices, course selections, college choices, scholarship applications, recommendation letters, test score interpretation, setting goals, examining post-secondary options, and any special situations that may be important to a student.

• Students, If you have a quick question you'd like to ask your counselor, feel free to send a message in CANVAS. Your counselor will message you back within 24-48 hours.
• Walk-ins are available during non-instructional time (before/after school, during lunch, or during an off period).
• Students may also see their counselor anytime during the school day with a pass from their teacher.
• If your counselor is unavailable, students may schedule an appointment with their academy counselor, by scanning the QR Code below.
  

Parent Meeting Requests: Counselors make students a priority during the school day. Therefore, we encourage parents to make an appointment prior to coming to the campus to ensure your student's counselor is available, to avoid scheduling conflicts, and to ensure you will have the time you need to address your concerns and questions. To make an appointment please use the QR code to schedule a time to meet with your student's counselor.

*Please note that the Counseling Department Office Hours are from 8:30 - 4:00 M-F

Please click on the newsletter below to meet our school social worker and to get information about resources for students & families.

2990 South Highway 161

Grand Praire, Tx, 75052

https://www.gpisd.org/Domain/11979

Vision

The Vision of John A. Dubiski Career High School Counseling Department is to GUIDE students to their highest potential by CREATING self-disciplined, motivated and responsible learners who will be our FUTURE LEADERS that will respond to worldly issues and advocate for equity for humankind. The comprehensive school counseling program will focus on academic, career and social-emotional needs to support students’ college, career and military readiness.

Mission

The mission of the John A. Dubiski High School Counseling Services program, in partnership with other educators, parents/guardians and community stakeholders is to provide a comprehensive, developmental counseling program that PROVIDES EQUITY AND ACCESS FOR ALL STUDENTS that addresses academic, social-emotional, and career development. The program ensures all students are self-directed, life-long learners who are college, career and military future-ready.