WISD Guidance & Counseling

Welcome to the Willis ISD Guidance & Counseling Parent Newsletter!

We are committed to supporting the well-being of our students and their families. This newsletter will provide valuable information, resources, and tips to help you navigate mental health and wellness topics. Our goal is to create a supportive community where everyone feels empowered to prioritize mental health.

Thank you for being a crucial part of our community. Together, we can grow healthy minds and happy hearts in all our students.

Warm regards,

Kelly Locke

Director of Guidance & Counseling
Willis ISD

Previous Newsletters -

August 2024 - Back to School Tips

September 2024 - Suicide Prevention

October 2024 - Substance Use Prevention & Bully Prevention

November 2024 - National Career Development Month & World Kindness day

January 2025 - National Thank You Month & Healthy New Year’s Resolutions for Children

School Counselors Help Students Thrive By...

School counselors help students thrive by providing the support they need to grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Whether guiding them through challenges, fostering resilience, or equipping them with the skills to succeed, our work ensures every student has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

We Know Students Are Thriving When...
We know students are thriving when they feel confident, supported, and prepared for their future. Seeing students set goals, overcome obstacles, and develop into their best selves is what makes this work so rewarding.

We Thrive as School Counselors When...
Dear [Administrator's Name],

We thrive as school counselors when we have the resources and support to make a meaningful impact on students' lives. Whether it's collaborating with teachers, advocating for student needs, or creating a safe and inclusive environment.

We are School Counselors Because...
We are school counselors because we believe every student deserves someone in their corner—someone to listen, guide, and inspire them to believe in their potential. The relationships built and the positive impact made every day are why we love this profession.

Every Student Needs a School Counselor Who...
Every student needs a school counselor who advocates for them, believes in their potential, and helps them navigate both challenges and opportunities.

LET'S CELEBRATE!!

Random Acts of Kindness Week is February 9-15, 2025

Random Acts of Kindness Day is February 17, 2025

FREE Resources to Make Kindness the Norm at home and in your community..

Dating violence is more common than you may think, especially among teens and young adults: 1 in 3 U.S. teens will experience physical, sexual, or emotional abuse from someone they’re in a relationship with before becoming adults. And nearly half (43%) of U.S. college women report experiencing violent or abusive dating behaviors.

Each February, young adults and their loved ones nationwide raise awareness about teen dating violence through Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM). This annual, month-long effort focuses on advocacy and education to stop dating abuse before it starts.

Talk to Teens!

Everyone can make a difference by reaching out to young people in simple ways. As we interact with teens in our work or personal lives each of us can act on President Obama’s call to stand against teen dating violence by:

• Discussing the warning signs of dating abuse (all kinds, not just physical abuse).
• Creating a positive connection to the issue – talk about the characteristics of healthy teen relationships, not just abusive ones – and use statistics sparingly.
• Talking about how the media portrays healthy and unhealthy relationships. For example, many popular movies, TV shows, commercials, books, and magazines portray stalking as romantic or harmless when it is actually very dangerous.
• Getting involved even if you don’t have a lot of resources – an information table, classroom discussion, or school announcement can get the conversation started.

adapted from loveisrespect.org & youth.gov

adapted from loveisrespect.org

If you know of a teen or parent that could benefit from speaking to a caring, well-trained peer advocate, please connect them with the National Dating Abuse Helpline, a project of the National Domestic Violence Hotline, at 1-866-331-9474 (TTY: 1-866-331-8453), by texting "loveis" to 77054, or through live chat at loveisrespect.org.

For more information, please visit the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Women.

Parents should be mindful of the amount of time their children spend on TikTok and consider using parental controls to monitor content. Engaging in conversations with teenagers about the platform’s potential negative effects on mental health can open up important dialogues.

A study published in BMJ Mental Health found that problematic smartphone usage (PSU) is linked to anxiety, depression, and insomnia among UK adolescents aged 13-16. The study included 69 students from two secondary schools and used semi-structured questionnaires to assess their mobile usage, sleep, and mood.

Click HERE to read the article.

Click HERE to read the article.

Click HERE to read the article.

Click on the icons below to see our content.

Use these planners to inspire conversations about tech use as a family.

Entertainment and tech have the potential to spark meaningful conversations. And tech planners are a great way for kids to have a shared understanding of how your family makes the most out of entertainment and tech time.

Willis ISD proudly offers a free mental health connection service to all our students, staff and families. Reach out to your child's school counselor for more information.

Click HERE to access.

Free Resources

• ParentGuidance.org helps parents find answers to help guide their child.

50+ On-demand Courses

• Led by licensed therapists and clinicians who provide trusted and specialised courses. Discover the power you have to shape your child's well-being.

Ask A Therapist

• Find 30+ mental health questions submitted by parents, answered by licensed therapists.