Counselor's Corner

October Edition

Counselor Greetings!

Welcome to October. This month is full of learning and opportunity. October we observe Mental Illness Awareness Week, America's Safe Schools Week, and Red Ribbon Week. We will also learn about the reporting school bullying/harassment, living a drug free live, and the pros and cons of dual credit enrollment. Please read the newsletter carefully to uncover valuable resources.

As always, please reach out to me if you need support. Have a safe and accomplished October!

- Mr. Mason Dover

Parent Needs Assessment!

It is vital that we have parent voice when planning to support your child. Please take time to complete the survey and give us a better idea of the needs you and your family have. The assessment can be completed by selecting the "Parent Needs Assessment" button below.

Parent Needs Assessment!

PD for Parent's: Pro's and Con's of Dual Credit!

Each month I will provide a professional development meeting designed for parents. We will discuss topics on mental health, academic success, and college/career readiness. The goal of these lessons is to educate and inform parents so they can continue to be advocates for their students success.

This months PD for Parent's will be centered around dual credit. The PD for Parent's segment will take place during Coffee with the Principal.

Parent Counselor Request!

At BOMLA we encourage parent support and input. Throughout this year, please utilize the Counselor Request Form/Parent to arrange a time to meet with me. I will do my best to connect with you within 24-48 hours of your request. However, keep in mind that there is a high volume of needs at the start and end of each semester. It may take me more time to connect and arrange a meeting.

Small Group!

BOMLA Counseling Services will be hosting 5 small groups for the fall semester. Please see the descriptions and times for the small groups below. To enroll your student, please complete the Small Group Request Form. Parent approval forms will be sent out upon request.

"Weighted Conversations" Small Group (9-12)

The"Weighted Conversation's" small group will focus on combining weight lifting activities with social skill development. Many young men find comfort in weight lifting with their peers. Brothers will feel a sense of camaraderie within the group. They will also benefit from increased movement, positive peer interactions, and tools to better regulate their emotions. Our School Based Clinician, Mr. Isaac De La Torre will lead this group. Parent approval is required through the small group permission slip and the MHS Counseling Services consent packet.

LGBTQ+ Support Group (6-12)

Studies indicate that youth who are LGBTQ+ are at risk for a number of negative experiences and outcomes associated with how others react to their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Compared with other youth, youth who are LGBTQ+ are two to three times more likely to attempt suicide. They are more likely than their peers to suffer from depression and use or abuse substances.

Youth who are LGBTQ+ may also be more likely to experience harassment from other youth and significant adults in their lives, and to be subjected to verbal, sexual, and physical abuse and other forms of trauma. Further, they are more likely to drop out of school and become homeless.

Finally, bullying and rejection by peers and family members due to a youth’s LGBTQ+ identity may exacerbate mental health challenges.

At BOMLA, all students will exist in an environment that is safe and accepting of their individuality. To support or LGBTQ+ identifying brothers, Mr. De La Torre will be offering a support group. In order to access the group brothers must have an individual group consent and MHS paperwork filed with the counseling services department.

The Fit Group (6th Grade)

Is your 6th grader struggling to adapt to life on campus? The counseling team is here to help you. Many 6th graders find it challenging to adapt to the high expectation and rigorous coursework at BOMLA. In this group, brothers will grow their skills in emotional regulation and peer communication through team building activities that encourage movement, leadership, and teamwork. Parent approval is required by completion of the small group consent form.

Senior Small Group (12th Grade)

Are you a parent of a senior? Senior year is in full swing. Some seniors may be feeling overwhelmed with the planning, applying, testing, coursework, etc. Seniors have the opportunity to participate in a small group with Mr. Dover to discuss these stressors, answer questions, or receive advice on accomplishing the many task that come with senior year. Parent approval is required through the completion of the small group consent form.

Be Project Healthy Relationships Small Group (6-12)

This school year we have partnered with the Family Place and the Be Project to provide healthy relationship training to all student enrolled in a health class. The Be Project will also provide two small groups to our campus. One for Middle School and one for High School brothers. The group will focus on building healthy peer relationships. Parent approval is required through the Be Project parent consent form.

September Events!

Mental Health Awareness Week October 3rd-7th

Mental Illness Awareness Week was established in the U.S. in 1990 recognition of efforts by the National Alliance on Mental Illness to educate and increase awareness about mental illness. It takes place every year during the first full week of October.

Check out 10 ways to look after your mental health.

Black College Expo October 15th

America's Safe Schools Week October 17th-21st

America's Safe Schools Week was established in 1984 to advocate for safer schools. Safety is our number one priority when working with our students. As members of our community, you play a vital role in ensuring our school is safe.

Please see below the "Say Something Anonymous Reporting System" to learn about a tool that you can utilize to ensure our school community remains safe.

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The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System is a tool the district utilizes to allow all community members to anonymously report any safety concerns (i.e. bullying, suicidal ideation, assault, threats to others, etc.). Students will be trained during lyceum to utilize this tool.

To utilize this tool, click the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System link and type in "Obama MLA, Dallas, TX". After selecting our school, please complete the document with as much information as possible. Detailed information assist school officials in their investigations.

In the case of an emergency, please call 911 for assistance.

Red Ribbons Week October 24th-28th

About Red Ribbon Week:

Since 1988 Red Ribbon Week has served as a catalyst to mobilize communities to educate

youth and encourage participation in drug prevention activities. Since that time, the campaign

has reached millions of U.S. children and families. Students nationwide learn about drug

prevention, negative effects of drugs, and ultimately take a pledge to live a drug free life.

Red Ribbon Week at BOMLA:

Red Ribbon Week is an important time for our brothers here at BOMLA. According to the

National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Men are more likely than women to use almost all types of

illicit drugs, and illicit drug use is more likely to result in emergency department visits or

overdose deaths for men than for women.” It is vital that our brothers receive a comprehensive

drug prevention program.

This year’s theme is “Celebrate Life, Live Drug Free”. We will celebrate Red Ribbon Week on

October 23-31, 2022. Our students will participate in drug prevention lessons, targeted

activities, and themed dress throughout the week.

Natural High Video Competition!

The natural high campaign is an extension of Red Ribbon Week. This initiative shares advice from influential people on achieving a natural high (i.e. playing an instrument, exercise, painting, etc.). Brothers will have the opportunity to submit a video displaying or discussing their unique way in achieving a natural high. Teachers will select the top 3 videos. The top 3 students will receive a 25-dollar amazon gift card and their video showcased to the community during lyceum.

Competition rubrics will be shared with students in lyceum. Videos are due by October 23rd. To submit the video, brothers will upload video to YouTube and send video link to mdover@dallasisd.org. Teachers will vote for their favorite video Tuesday October 25th, 2022. Winners will be announced Wednesday October 26th, 2022 during lyceum.

Check out the videos below to learn more on the Natural High initiative.

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Red Ribbon Week Autograph Poster!

Each house will receive a Red Ribbon Week Autograph Poster. Brothers that take the pledge to live drug free will sign their name to their house pledge. Upon signing the house pledge, brothers will receive a pledge sticker.

Plant the Promise!

In groups, brothers will plant 100 red tulips. What better way to “Celebrate Life, Live Drug Free” than to plant new life into the earth? The tulips will bloom in the spring and serve as a reminder to the commitment brothers made to live a drug free life.

Class with the Counselor!

This school year Class with the Counselor will be held once a week in the library during A, B, and C lunch. This seminar style session will provide brothers information on a variety of topics that aren't widely covered in classroom guidance, but are still highly important to our brothers success. Class with the Counselor is optional for all students. Topics for the month of October are "Mental Health Awareness Week", "Bullying Prevention", "Safe Schools", and "Drug Prevention".

Classroom Guidance!

Each month, our amazing science team agrees to host the counselor for classroom guidance. Brothers are provided a 45 minute guidance lesson on various topics. This months topic is an Anti-Harassment/Racial Equity and Sensitivity.

Upon completion of the lesson brothers will master the following!

Brothers will explore why we tend to label people
Brothers will understand how labels can hurt people
Brothers will increase their awareness of the connection between labeling/stereotyping and bullying
Brother will learn methods to report bullying and harassment

Test Prep!

Health and Wellness!

The health and wellness of our brothers and families are of high importance to the counseling services team at BOMLA. We know that if our brothers basic needs are not met, they will struggle to meet our high expectations. Please click the images below for more information.