Counselors' Newsletter

HELLO January!During the month of January, the school counselors will be conducting Character Trait lessons in the classrooms with all of our students. We will be focusing on the important character trait of Accountability and helping students with setting up SMART goals. Counselors will discuss with students why it's important to set goals, how to set a goal, and how to make progress on the goal.

As your fifth grader begins preparing for the exciting transition to middle school, we will be working with students to help them feel confident and ready for this next step. We will be working with students on a career inventory and talk about the different middle schools that offer different pathways.

You can help reinforce what students are learning in the classroom by doing the following activities at home.

Set goals as a family for the new 2026 year, keep track of them and celebrate when they are accomplished.

• Allow the kids to participate in choosing the family goals.
• Make it fun! Turn goal setting into a game or talk about family goals while eating ice cream.
• Start planning on a high note, talk about what the family did well over the past year.
• Ask each family member to point out something they would like to accomplish together. Then, after compiling a list that includes input from everyone, go through the options, and ask for feedback.
  
• Start with short-term goals that will have long-term success.
• Make your goals SMART. Specific, Measurable, Action-based, Realistic, and Timely.
  
• Celebrate what the family is doing well, and remember to be consistent and committed to reaching the goal together!

Social Emotional Classroom Lessons 😃

Individual Counseling 👧🏽

Group Counseling

504 Coordinators 🗓️

Handprints on Hearts Mentoring Program ❤️

College and Career Readiness 🎓

5th Grade (MS) Course Selection

Monthly Counseling Newsletters 📜

Parent Workshops

Crisis Intervention 🙁

Mon. Jan. 19 = MLK Holiday (No School)

Mon. Jan. 12 = Kindness Crew Mtg. (5th grade)

Wed. Jan. 21 = Parent Night (5th Grade ONLY)

Tue. Jan. 22 = Jackson MS Visit (5th grade)

Thur. Jan. 22 = 2nd Grade Performance 6:00 PM

Mon. Jan. 26 = Kindness Crew Mtg. (5th grade)

The mission of the De Zavala Counseling Department is to collaborate with stakeholders to promote kindness, compassion and respect among the entire student body by providing them with the social emotional tools needed to assist with real-life experiences.

The vision of the De Zavala Counseling Department is to empower all students in reaching their maximum potential and becoming responsible, contributing 21st century leaders. Through our comprehensive counseling program, we will address academic, social emotional and career goals which will empower their college, career, military and emotional readiness.

3rd; 4th; 5th

email: nedin.glover@gpisd.org

phone: 972-522-6410

Mrs. McCraney

PK; KG; 1st; 2nd

email: temeka.lewismccraney@gpisd.org

phone: 972-522-6411

Website: https://www.gpisd.org/zavala
Location: 3410 Kirby Creek Drive, Grand Prairie, TX, USA
Phone: 972-642-0448
Twitter: @ZavalaCounselor