R10 Counselor Conversations

🔘 60th Edition: May 2025 🔘

Closing the Year with Care and Connection

As we step into May, the finish line of the school year is in sight—and what a journey it’s been! This month brings a perfect blend of celebration and reflection as we honor both the accomplishments of our students and the importance of well-being during Mental Health Awareness Month. In this edition of R10 Counselor Conversations, we’re sharing tools, highlights, and inspiration to help you finish strong, support mental wellness, and look ahead with renewed purpose. Let’s close out the year with connection, care, and a continued commitment to student success!

Thank you for the heart, energy, and support you pour into your work each day. We’re so proud to walk alongside you in this journey.

With gratitude and encouragement,

Amanda & Nickisha

2024-2025 School Counselor Spring Training Calendar

2025 Summer Training Counselor Opportunities

We have some amazing news to share!

They say the best things in life are free, which is why we are excited to share thanks to additional funding, we are thrilled to offer a limited number of FREE registrations for this year’s Caring for Every Mind Conference 🎉✨

We know how valuable this conference is for educators and professionals in our community, and we’re so excited that we can make it even more accessible this year.

🔑 Use the discount code: R10CFEM

🎟️ This code will waive your registration fee—but act fast, because availability is limited and these free spots will go quickly!

If you've been waiting for the perfect time to register, this is it!

We can’t wait to connect, learn, and grow with you at the Caring for Every Mind Conference!

Thank you for all you do—and we hope to see you there!

Brooke Stenson - Prosper ISD

Brooke Stenson from Prosper ISD’s Windsong Ranch Elementary brought career exploration to life during their vibrant annual Career Week! With creative dress-up days, exciting truck visits for K–2 students, and inspiring guest speakers for grades 3–5, students were immersed in real-world possibilities and future dreams. Brooke also helped shine a spotlight on the staff's educational journeys by showcasing where each teacher attended college—encouraging students to envision their own paths. Her dedication to creating an engaging, future-focused experience truly made Career Week a memorable celebration of learning and aspiration!

Calling all counselors in Region 10! 🌟 We're on a mission to spotlight the incredible initiatives happening across our region. Whether you've orchestrated a stellar program, organized a memorable event, or teamed up with colleagues for a triumph, we want to hear about it! Share your success stories and let's celebrate the fantastic work happening in our schools. Your creativity and dedication deserve the spotlight – spill the details and inspire others in the process. Together, let's showcase the greatness within Region 10!

Advanced Academics & GT Updates

Texas OnCourse Network Newsletter

How to Build Healthy Friendship Habits

Texas Career Signing Day is a statewide initiative that provides an opportunity to recognize and celebrate high school students choosing to enter career pathways leading to in-demand careers and occupations directly from high school.

Internet Safety Presentation Request

Thank you for your interest in the Dallas Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Internet Safety Presentation. Our presentations are designed to educate and empower parents, schools, community groups, and organizations on the critical topic of online safety for children and teens.

To request a presentation, please fill out the form with your organization’s details and preferred dates. The team will review your request and get in touch to confirm the details.

Together, we can help keep our children safe in the digital world.

Top Tools for Building Mindfulness in the Classroom

Digital Well-Being Lessons for Grades K–12

Family Tip Sheet: Building Healthy Digital Habits

Family Tip Sheet: Building Healthy Digital Habits (Spanish)

Goal Setting - Texas Model Student Competency I.B.iii

The First Five - Free Daily Resources

School Counselor Work Time- FAQ

● 2nd Annual Audit on Counselor Work Time (80/20)

● The number of Region 10 randomly selected districts doubled this year.

Sample Assessment Submission

The School Counselor and Section 504 Plan and Process

Academic Achievement Record

Each school district must report the academic achievement record (AAR) of students who have completed a minimum, recommended, advanced (distinguished), or foundation high school program. The transcript forms must include the required standard content for the AAR. The words “academic achievement record” and “transcript” are interchangeable. The form must serve as the academic record for each student and must be maintained permanently by the district.

The following documents provide information regarding AAR minimum standards:

2024 Minimum Standards for the AAR (PDF, 446KB)
2012 Minimum Standards for the AAR (PDF, 315KB)
2009-2010 Minimum Standards for the AAR (PDF, 173KB)
2008 Minimum Standards for the AAR (PDF, 159KB)

Commissioner's Rules on Prevention, Awareness, & Reporting of Child Abuse

Rule §103.1401 Reporting Child Abuse or Neglect

Child Abuse Reporting

As mandatory reporters, Texas educators should review and refresh on child abuse prevention. Visit TEA for important facts and resources.

SCHOLAR 📩 School Counselor Handbook Online Resources

The site supports each aspect of implementing the Texas Model for Comprehensive School Counseling, 5th edition. Bookmark and visit the site often for resources, templates, lessons, and more.

Texas Model Alignment Checklist

Plan your work and work your plan for the 24-25 school year.

School Counselor Requirement & Resource Document

A Multi-Tiered Approach to Promoting SEL

🎓Graduation Toolkit🎓

The foundation high school program and endorsements help students focus their interest, select their coursework, and better plan for their postsecondary training and education.

October 1st marks the date when districts that have an executed MOU will receive authorization for new counselors and updates for existing accounts within the Counselor Suite.

APPLY TEXAS - Counselor Suite Access

● Verify your district’s Apply Texas status here

● Contact Apply Texas for additional information: ApplyTexasMOU@highered.texas.gov.

For Apply Texas access or technical support, please contact Elaine Fackler at elaine.fackler@region10.org

Texas OnCourse is offering educators the opportunity to receive a My Texas Future Launch Kit when you use the MTF site with your middle or high school students! The kit includes a phone charging coaster, a set of 25 pens/highlighters, stickers! Request link

Verification Letter for Unaccompanied Homeless Youth for the Purposes of FAFSA

TxCAN Financial Aid Resource Hub

Online TASFA

Financial Aid Graduation Requirement - FAQs

Financial Aid Student Notification Guidance

Texas OnCourse Professional Learning Series

Effective Advising Framework

In a K-12 setting, effective advising is delivered through the individual student planning system of a comprehensive school counseling program.

Focusing on the Future-Summer Suggestions for Rising Seniors

The Class of 2025 is completing their high school experience and moving towards future career and college goals. Some students may choose to take a break, often referred to as a “gap year”, in order to work, volunteer, travel, renew and evaluate. Students who choose to take a gap year should develop a plan and timeline for what they want to accomplish. This should include communicating with parents, setting goals, and researching future careers and internships.

Current seniors who are heading to college, should reach out to their institution and confirm financial aid, housing and orientation. Colleges use email to keep students updated.

Summer is a great time for rising seniors to schedule college visits, look at summer programs in their career area of interest, and volunteer. This is also a good time for test preparation as both the SAT and ACT have June testing dates. Deadline information can be found at www.collegeboard.com and www.act.org . Taking the SAT and ACT during summer can be less stressful for students as most schools end the semester in May. Many colleges and universities offer summer programs for high school students. Making a list of dream schools based on career interest, and checking their websites for information, is the best way to look at possible offerings. Summer programs are not just limited to rising seniors. Opportunities may be available for more than one grade level.

Use My Texas Future’s 12th-grade timeline to keep seniors on track with their college applications.

As we begin the new year, we’re excited to support you in prioritizing student and educator well-being across Region 10. This edition offers resources, strategies, and professional development to help foster safe, inclusive, and trauma-sensitive environments. From restorative practices to building resilience, we’re here to help you make a lasting impact. Let’s make 2025 a year of connection, growth, and care!

Mental Health Resource Toolkit

Mental Health Resources in Spanish

Free Online Courses Related to School Mental Health

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

PAX Good Behavior Game

FREE RESOURCES AVAILABLE

PAXIS and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission have partnered to offer free training to those working with children or families in both in-school and out-of-school settings throughout Texas.

The PAX Good Behavior Game® (PAX GBG) is a school-based, classroom preventative intervention used by educators to teach self-regulation. PAX GBG is not a set of lessons or a curriculum but strategies teachers use throughout their day to build students’ behavioral skills and stamina for focused attention and on-task behavior. Training opportunities include live-virtual and online options. All Region 10 LEAs have free access to this resource.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Kate Forisha - kate.forisha@region10.org

YAM Youth Aware of Mental Health

North Texas Behavioral Health Authority (NTBHA)

Region 10 Community Resources Database

Texas School Safety Center - A Guide to Preventing Bullying Video Series

• Provides anti-bullying tools for students, including how to report a bullying situation.
• Content aligns with Texas Model student competencies in IV.C.

TEA School Safety Resources

School Behavioral Threat Assessment: 88th Legislative Session Update

How to Recognize and Report Child Abuse or Neglect

The Texas School Safety Center (TxSSC)

Texas Legislature Bills About School Counseling

As you know, the 88th Legislation recently ended and there were items passed that will effect all school counseling programs. Check out this resource to help you follow along with all the changes.

Texas Education for Homeless Children and Youth

Resources and services to ensure that all Texas children living in homeless situations have the opportunity to enroll in, attend, and succeed in school.

Updated TEA Help Desk

The TEA Help Desk has a few new or updated buttons, such as curriculum, CTE, and certification. Find them all here: https://helpdesk.tea.texas.gov/

Texas Virtual School Network

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) provides online courses to eligible students through the Texas Virtual School Network (TXVSN).

Updated LOTE Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

An updated FAQ document for LOTE curriculum and graduation requirements has been published on the TEA LOTE webpage.

Texas SPED Support Website

Discover resources and learning opportunities from experts in the field.

Career and Technical Education

Programs of Study Update

Refreshed Career and Technical Education programs of study will be implemented beginning with the 2024-2025 school year. The current programs of study went into effect in the 2020-2021 school year, allowing Texas to meet the federal program approval requirements within the Strengthening CTE for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V). The Texas Perkins State Plan included a commitment to reviewing programs of study every four years to ensure they continue to meet the needs of the Texas workforce. As the culmination of that four-year review cycle, the refreshed programs of study are now final.

Resources that support implementation of refreshed programs of study beginning in the 2024-2025 school year are available on the TEA website.

Individual Graduation Committees

Updated guidance and frequently asked questions on IGCs are now available to provide districts and charter schools with additional support for implementation and documentation of IGCs.