The Counselor's Corral
October Edition
Welcome Fall! I cannot believe how quickly the beginning of the 2026-2027 school year is flying by. I had so much fun in August and September getting to know our students and presenting my first round of guidance lessons, which included my Howdy Lesson, Lockdown Drill at Superhero School, Kelso's Choices and Respect. Parents and guardians, please ask your child(ren) about their guidance lessons and allow them to share information with you about what they learned from the lessons.
October is a busy month as we have many upcoming campus events. The students and the staff will begin the month by signing the Declaration of Respect on Friday, October 2nd, to pledge to demonstrate respect for themselves and all others through their interactions at school.
October is Bullying Prevention Month, and Monday, October 5th, is Bullying Prevention Awareness Day in the US. It is a crucial observance that focuses on raising awareness about the harmful effects of bullying. This day serves as a reminder of the importance of creating safe and inclusive environments for all individuals. This day also encourages all schools, individuals, communities, and organizations to take action against bullying and to help promote kindness, respect, and empathy. At Steubing, we will kick off October wearing BLUE and BOOTS on Monday, October 5th, to show that Steubing Stallions are here to STOP AND STOMP OUT BULLYING!
Wednesday, October 21st is Unity Day which is the signature anti-bullying event of National Bullying Prevention Month, observed annually in the US. To send a visible message that bullying is unacceptable and that all students deserve to be safe at school, online, and in the community, we asking all of our students and staff to wear orange and help spread more kindness.
Finally, the week of October 26th-October 30th is National Red Ribbon Week, in which we will highlight the importance of living a drug-free life. We will have a Red Ribbon Spirit Week with fun dress up days to support that Steubing Stallions are drug free!
I can't wait to see all our Steubing students and staff participate in these activities and events in October!
Guidance Lessons:
I will provide guidance lessons for all grade levels and will teach our students social skills that are very important to learn and have. Some of the topics that I will be teaching are as follows: self-regulation, manners, Keslo's Choices, conflict resolution, career exploration, listening, and so much more!
Individual Counseling:
Both teachers and parents can refer students for individual counseling. Students can also refer themselves to my office. Students might see me for individual counseling to work on decision-making, anger management, family changes, friendship skills, or other concerns. I will offer 6 individual sessions with the student, as per parent permission. Parents, if you wish to refer your child(ren) for individual counseling, you may do so by emailing me, calling my office, or stopping by my office.
Small Group Counseling:
I will offer small groups during the year. I create small groups based on the results of grade level needs. As per parent permission, I will offer some students to attend small group counseling of about 4-5 students. The students will join me in my classroom/office for about 30 mins for 6 sessions per group. Some of the topics in small groups could be friendship skills, decision-making, social skills, grief, school motivation, etc.
Responsive Services:
As a school counselor, I intervene on behalf of the students whose immediate personal concerns or problems put the student's continued educational, career, personal, or social development at risk. This can include preventive, remedial, or crisis situations.
System Support:
As a school counselor I plan, organize, implement, manage, and evaluate our counseling program here at Steubing. In addition, I coordinate with providers in the broad network of interrelated services offered in the school, district, and the community to ensure individual needs of all students are met.
Making Healthy Choices Lesson
Students will learn the importance of making healthy choices for our body and our brain. Each grade level will receive an age appropriate lesson on healthy choices. For grades PK-3rd, they will listen to the book Sarah's Sick Day. The older students in grades 4th-5th will have a district required lesson on the dangers of vaping and vaping awareness.
Antibullying Awareness Lessons
I will present this lesson through books. Grades PK-2 will listen to the story Spookley the Square Pumpkin. They will learn about bullying and how to stand up for themselves. In grades 3-5 the students will listen to the story Lunch Everyday and learn about bullying, empathy, and the power of kindness.
Declaration of Respect Signing Day is Friday, October 2nd. All students, and staff will sign to pledge to demonstrate respect for themselves and all others through their interactions at school.
Purpose: Students and staff sign certificates or large classroom posters pledging to show respect for themselves and others through their daily school interactions and commit to being caring individuals who help stop bullying, listen to students in need, and work together to maintain a safe and welcoming school environment.
Leadership Support: The Northside ISD Board of Trustees and district administration traditionally sign their own declarations ahead of time to back the counseling department's program.
NISD Threads
Threads Referral
Northside Threads is a Clothes Closet created by the NISD Family Engagement Program and Community volunteers to serve every campus and family within the District that needs clothing
support. Currently enrolled students needing support can gain access to the NISD Threads Clothes
Closet at no cost by obtaining a referral from me.
Each student will be able to pick out:
- 5 tops
- 5 bottoms
- New Socks
- New Underwear
