Shepton Counselor Newsletter
August 2026
Hello Parents and/or Guardians of Shepton Students:
Welcome back to school!
I hope your students school year has started off strong. Coming back after a long break can be hard, but hopefully the transition back to school is peaceful. Please check school calendars and Shepton Newsletter for any upcoming school dates/deadlines. The school year is always fast and furious. Please take some time to and remember to slow down and breathe. Remember to be mindful of what is going on within and try to have stress free moments in your day. Make the most of your August.
Assigned Counselors for 26-27 (by alpha last name):
Stephanie Richards - A-FL - stephanie.richards@pisd.edu - 27620
Stephanie Archer - FO-MAR - stephanie.richards@pisd.edu - 27618
Paul Sanford - MAS-REY - paul.sanford@pisd.edu - 27619
Jamie Alexandris - RIC-Z - jamie.alexandris@pisd.edu - 27617
Please be aware of the schedule change policies:
Schedules change will no longer be made unless:
- You are leveling up a class (if space allows).
- Already have credit for a class, or it is a UIL course (sports, performing arts, etc.) where you have had coach or teacher approval.
If you are wanting to level down in a course, you must stay in the course until the end of the 3rd week of school. There will be level change forms in the counseling office for student to fill out and get approval to level down (if space allows).
Schedule changes WILL NOT be considered for the following reasons:
· A student wants to change the order of class periods.
· A student wants to be scheduled with friends.
· A student wants a different lunch.
· A student wants to request or change a specific teacher.
· A student wants to change electives that were selected during course registration.
We always encourage everyone to take a moment to destress. Take a walk, take some breaths, laugh, call a friend. Remember to be in the present moment and take care of you.
Wishing everyone a lovely August!
Shepton Counseling Staff
GOAL Setting
G represents the Guts of the goal, which includes choosing a topic, writing a goal statement, setting a standard for success, and setting a time frame.
O represents the Obstacles that stand in the way of reaching their goal.
A represents three Action Steps students plan to help them move toward their goal.
L represents Looking Ahead to life afterward, where students visualize how they will feel upon reaching their goal and think about what they might strive for next.
Academic Supports
Did you know you can look at the online gradebook, Skyward Family Access, to see your child's grades? You are also able to establish email notifications to alert you of when grades of a certain threshold of your choosing are entered in gradebook. Visit Family Access Help for information on how to set up notifications.
Gradebook Notifications provide you with timely information regarding your child's academic progress and facilitate your ability to have family conversations to address academic needs.
Teachers often include notes in the online gradebook regarding the status of past due assignments and opportunities to improve failing grades. The schedule page in gradebook also provides you with the email contact information of your child's teachers. Teachers welcome students to meet with them during tutorials before and after school and during scheduled Connect appointments. Check with your teacher about tutorials.
Parents are also able to monitor Chromebook usage at home through GoGaurdian Parent. This mobile app gives parents/guardians the ability to manage and monitor student activity on school-issued Chromebooks during out-of-school hours. GoGuardian Parent is a companion to the classroom management and internet filtering tools that our district uses during the school day.
In the spirit of collaboration, parents and teachers are encouraged to communicate and work together to develop strategies and supports for struggling students. Counselors are available to support students, parents and teachers to collaborate for every student's academic and social emotional success.
Just a Little Guidance for Success
Helpful Links for Common Questions
See Something Say Something
In Plano ISD, school safety is a top priority and everyone can be a part of keeping schools
safe. Students, staff and parents can anonymously share safety and other concerns with school administrators at any time of day. You can submit an anonymous tip here: https://asp.schoolmessenger.com/planoisd/quicktip/.
