You've nearly made it—just a few more weeks to go! As May marks Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s a perfect reminder to take a breath and refocus for the final stretch of the school year. This is your moment to dig deep, stay focused, and push through those final assignments, projects, and exams. Allow your mindset to shift so you can push through the finish line and look back proudly at all you’ve accomplished. Every bit of effort counts, and your hard work is about to pay off.

Press on. Relax. And enjoy the finish.

👏 You’re almost there—keep going!

May is Mental Health Month - a great reminder that your well-being matters. As the school year winds down, it's important to give yourself permission to rest. Summer break isn’t just a vacation—it's a chance to reset mentally and emotionally. Use this time to step back from stress, reconnect with what brings you joy, and build healthy habits that support your mental wellness.

Here’s your last challenge for this year, and it’s simple! Before school ends, take 10 minutes to write down 3 things you will do this summer to take care of your mental health. These could include spending more time outside, limiting screen time, journaling once a week, or reconnecting with a hobby you’ve missed. Post your plan somewhere visible so it reminds you to follow through and truly recharge this summer.

Congratulations to all the students who made it to May with perfect attendance! Your dedication and commitment to showing up every day truly makes a difference. A quick reminder—Dubiski’s "Make it Count Attendance Incentive Month" officially wrapped up in April. If you had no absences, no tardies, no early dismissals, and no ISS/OSS placements, you’re in the running! Eligible students will be entered into a drawing the first week of May for some exciting prizes. 🎁 Good luck, and great job making every day count!

This month’s productivity tip is all about using your summer wisely to impress colleges and prepare for your future. Colleges want to see that you are committed to extracurriculars throughout the school year, but they also love it when you are making the effort to expand and stretch yourself over summer vacation. What you do with your time can help you stand out from other applicants who have similar test scores and GPAs. Check out these four ways to turn your time off into a major advantage...

🌐 Take a Free Online Class
Explore your interests or try something new with free college-level courses on edX or Coursera. From robotics to poetry, you can stream lectures or watch past classes from top universities like Stanford and Harvard.

💼 Get a Job
Whether it’s to support your family or earn extra cash, having a job shows initiative and responsibility. A summer job builds real-world skills—and colleges notice! Just remember: you may need a work permit depending on your age.

❤️ Volunteer in Your Community
Colleges love consistent, meaningful community service. Try to volunteer at least two hours a week. You could help at an animal shelter, assist in a local food bank, or spend time with seniors at a nursing home. Stick with it—the commitment matters.

📚 Start Your SAT or ACT Test Prep
Use summer to your advantage by prepping for the SAT, ACT, or PSAT. Pick up a prep book, take a free online course, or work with a tutor. Staying mentally active over the summer helps you return to school sharp and confident.

May 1

• TSIA2 Testing
• Val/Sal Pictures
• Senior "Superlatives" Awards, 6:00 pm @ SGP Theater
• Last day for seniors to submit CPR Training documentation for graduation (see senior section for link to submit)

• 25-26 Incoming New Student Course Registration Meeting, 6:00-7:30 @ SGP Theater

May 8

• Last day for students to complete credit recovery assignments in Edgenuity

May 16

• Senior Checkout Meeting, 2nd period in Cafeteria (Mandatory for all seniors!)

May 20

• Val/Sal speeches due to District
• Senior Clap-out

May 22

• Last Day of School!

May 25

• Graduation Day, 8:00 pm @ Globe Life Field

Let’s celebrate the heart of our schools—our amazing teachers! 💛

Teacher Appreciation Week is the perfect time to thank the educators who inspire, challenge, and support us every day.

🎉 How can you show your appreciation?
Here are a few simple (and meaningful) ways to say THANK YOU:

• ✍️ Write a heartfelt note or email to your favorite teacher.

• 💐 Bring a small token of appreciation (like a snack, flower, or handmade card).

• 📸 Post a shoutout on social media using kind words and tag the school!

• 🗣️ Say “thank you” in person—a few sincere words go a long way.

• 🎨 Get creative with a drawing, poem, or video message.

Let’s make this week extra special for the educators who make a difference every day. 🧑‍🏫💙

#ThankATeacher #TeacherAppreciationWeek #WeLoveOurTeachers

AP Exams Are Coming! 📚✏️

AP Exam season is almost here! From May 5th to May 16th, students will have the opportunity to showcase their hard work and earn college credit. Be sure to check your exam schedule, get plenty of rest, and review your study materials.

💡 Tips for Success:
✅ Know Your Exam Date & Time – Double-check the schedule so you're prepared.
✅ Get a Good Night’s Sleep – Rested brains perform better!
✅ Review Smart, Not Hard – Focus on key concepts and practice questions.
✅ Pack Your Essentials – Bring pencils, erasers, a calculator (if needed), and your school ID.

Stay confident, stay prepared, and give it your best shot! You’ve got this! 💪🎯

If you have any issues or need assistance, be sure to contact Dr. Nelson-Moy, DCHS Campus Testing Coordinator(D402) immediately.

I. Volunteer at Grand Prairie United Charities (1417 Densman St. Grand Prairie, TX 75051)

• Open availability
• Contact us online or at 972-262-2014

III. Earn Volunteer Hours as a TurnUp Intern!

Looking for a meaningful way to earn volunteer hours? TurnUp, a non-profit organization dedicated to making our nation more just, fair, and equitable, is offering internship opportunities for students like you! As a TurnUp Intern, you’ll engage in youth activism and civic engagement, working to strengthen our democracy while gaining valuable experience.

📄 See the flyer to learn more and apply for this incredible opportunity to make a difference!

Are you looking to stay organized with your community service hours? Use our Community Service Log to easily track and document all your volunteer activities! Keeping an accurate record of your hours is important for scholarship applications, college admissions, and service awards.

Download and start using the Community Service Log today to make sure you’re ready to showcase your dedication and impact. 🌟

#CommunityService #StayOrganized #VolunteerImpact

Summer school is an opportunity for currently enrolled students to recover high school credits and stay on track for graduation. This year, summer school credit recovery will be online-only through Edgenuity—a virtual learning platform that allows students to complete their coursework from home. That means no need to report to campus! All lessons and assignments will take place entirely online.

📅 Summer school dates are still TBD, but more information will be shared soon.

📢 Save the Date: Summer School Parent Meeting
Join us on May 28th at 6:00 PM for an important meeting. This meeting is for families of students who will need to complete summer credit recovery.

(Student notification & parent invitations will be sent after Semester 2 grades are finalized.)

❌ Summer School is not available for acceleration purposes.

(It is only available for students who previously failed a course required for graduation and did not receive credit.)

"Stay tuned for updates—please be sure to check back regularly as new information is added."

Summer is around the corner, and college application season will sneak up fast. Before you know it, you'll draft your Common App essays (which you can begin doing now) and finalize your early decision applications. And just like that, November 1 will be your first major deadline.

But here's the deal: nearly every college application requires a letter of recommendation, and your teachers (and counselors) will be flooded with requests come Fall.

Want to avoid the October scramble? Ask now. Like, now!

✳️ Recommenders won't be able to upload their letters until applications officially open (usually August 1). Once that happens, you'll want to remind them that they'll receive a link to submit their letter online.

Why Asking Early Makes a Huge Difference

• Counselors and teachers appreciate advance notice — it shows maturity and respect for their time.

• Early requests often result in stronger, more personalized letters.

• It's one less thing to stress about later — your future self will thank you.

Who Should You Ask?

• Most colleges require at least one or two teacher recommendations, but many also require or strongly encourage a letter from your counselor. While teachers can speak to your growth and performance in their classroom, your counselor provides a big-picture view of your character, involvement, and academic journey throughout high school.

• Aim for junior-year teachers in core subjects: English, math, science, or history.

• Choose someone who knows you well and can speak to your growth, effort, and personality.

• Both teachers and counselors will ask for a brag sheet or resume so they can write a letter highlighting your strengths. Be ready to provide it.

The College Board's BigFuture Direct Admissions program offers an exciting opportunity for Class of 2026 students to receive early college admission offers—without the traditional application process. By opting in before June 13, 2025, eligible students can:​

BigFuture

• Receive admission offers from participating colleges as early as August 2025

• Skip essays, recommendation letters, and application fees

• Gain more time to plan for college, financial aid, and scholarships

• Maintain privacy—colleges receive de-identified profiles during the selection process​BigFuture+6BigFuture+6BigFuture+6

To participate, sign in to your College Board account, indicate your interest, provide key information like your GPA, and select colleges you'd like to hear from. ​BigFuture

Don't miss this streamlined path to college admissions. Opt in by June 13, 2025, and take a significant step toward your future!​BigFuture

🔗 Learn More and Opt In

Don’t let a missing step keep you from walking the stage! All seniors in Texas must complete CPR instruction before graduating.

🗓️ Deadline: Extended to May 2nd!

Here’s what you need to do:
✅ Watch the CPR Instruction Video
📝 Submit your documentation—even if you’ve already completed CPR training elsewhere!

This training is for awareness only (not certification), but it’s a must-do to graduate.
Do your part—you might save a life one day ❤️

📌 Get it done today so you’re all set for graduation!

All seniors are required to attend the Senior Checkout Meeting on Thursday, May 16 during 2nd period. During this important meeting, counselors will walk you through the checkout process so you can be cleared for graduation. Don’t miss it—this meeting is essential to make sure you're eligible to participate in the graduation ceremony!

*Check-out forms will also be provided at the meeting!

$5000 SCHOLARSHIP - SUMMER 2025

• Applications will be available on major scholarship directories and require essays of at least 500 words.
• Scholarships will be awarded to high school seniors based on the most compelling stories -- regarding their life story, their intended field of study, career and how they will make an impact on the world.

HOW TO APPLY

The scholarship application is due by June 15, 2025 by 11:59 PM EST. The winner will be chosen by a committee of three judges and notified by early August 2025. Responses submitted after the due date will not be considered.

Apply Now

• 💰 Five $10,000 scholarships available

• 🎓 Open to U.S. high school senior or undergrad women pursuing STEM fields

• 📝 Submit a 500+ word essay about a human-centered STEM project idea

• 📅 Deadline: June 30, 2025

• 🏆 Winners announced: September 23, 2025

• 💰 Award: $1,000

• 🎓 Eligibility: U.S. high school seniors, vocational, college, or graduate students with a minimum 3.0 GPA; must be immigrants or first-generation college students

• 📝 Requirements: 750–1,000 word essay sharing your or your family's immigration journey, a professional résumé, and academic transcripts

• 📅 Deadline: Not specified; check the scholarship website for updates

👉 More information about the scholarship

• 💰 Award: $2,500 for tuition and fees at an accredited college, university, or trade school

• 📍 Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors who are Texas residents; Masonic affiliation is considered but not required

• 📅 Application Window: Opens January 1 and closes April 30 annually

• 📨 Notification: Recipients are notified by email on May 31

• 📝 Application: Online submissions only; no mail-in applications accepted​Masonic Children's Services of Texas

👉 More information about the scholarship

1. 2025 Unity Unlimited Scholarship.

• https://unityunlimited.org/scholarships-2/
• Deadline: May 16, 2025

2. Erma Hadley Scholarship

• https://unityunlimited.org/scholarships-2/
• Deadline: October 17, 2025

3. Your Voice Unleashed Scholarship Application

• https://juneteenthstrong.com/yvu/
• Deadline: June 15, 2025

2990 South Highway 161

Grand Praire, Tx, 75052

https://www.gpisd.org/Domain/11979

Vision

The Vision of John A. Dubiski Career High School Counseling Department is to GUIDE students to their highest potential by CREATING self-disciplined, motivated and responsible learners who will be our FUTURE LEADERS that will respond to worldly issues and advocate for equity for humankind. The comprehensive school counseling program will focus on academic, career and social-emotional needs to support students’ college, career and military readiness.

Mission

The mission of the John A. Dubiski High School Counseling Services program, in partnership with other educators, parents/guardians and community stakeholders is to provide a comprehensive, developmental counseling program that PROVIDES EQUITY AND ACCESS FOR ALL STUDENTS that addresses academic, social-emotional, and career development. The program ensures all students are self-directed, life-long learners who are college, career and military future-ready.