CCMR/Counseling Newsletter

VISION: The vision of DeSoto ISD is to inspire curiosity and consciousness, develop character, build courage and nurture compassion.

MISSION: The mission of DeSoto ISD is to ensure students, without exception, learn and grow at their highest levels.

We are please to welcome two full-time Education is Freedom (EIF) Advisors to the DeSoto High School Campus to work with our high school students.

The EIF Advisors are each dedicated to one campus for the entire school year and are in their classroom throughout the school day to assist all students with activities related to their future education. In high schools, this includes:

· Researching college options

· Working on applications

· Writing admissions essays

· Completing FAFSA/TASFA applications

· Completing scholarship applications

· Exploring workforce training and certification programs

· Supporting SAT/ACT/TSIA/ASVAB preparation

In addition to the daily interaction with and guidance to students, EIF Advisors facilitate all student and parent activities throughout the year, such as college application and SAT/ACT preparatory workshops. EIF Advisors also facilitate EIF’s annual financial aid workshops for EIF parents and students to complete federal and state financial aid applications.

DeSoto High School is committed to building a strong college access culture through meaningful exposure to postsecondary institutions. Here are some recent highlights from campus visits

DeSoto High School welcomed Prairie View A&M University for Panther Night—an evening designed to connect Eagles with powerful postsecondary opportunities!

Students and families had the chance to:

• Meet directly with PVAMU admissions staff

• Explore academic programs across a wide range of majors

• Learn about scholarships, financial aid, and campus life

• Discover the pathways that lead from Eagle PRIDE to Panther Nation success

💡 Panther Night was more than an event—it was an opportunity for our scholars to see themselves on a college campus and begin shaping their journey to and through higher education.

DeSoto High School proudly welcomed the Grambling State University Admissions Team, Royal Court, and Student Ambassadors for an inspiring campus visit!

Our seniors had the opportunity to:

• Hear about majors, academic programs, and career pathways at GSU

• Learn valuable details about scholarships, admissions, and financial aid

• Connect with the Royal Court and Student Ambassadors, who shared their experiences and the vibrant culture of Grambling State

💡 This visit provided our scholars with a glimpse into life at GSU and reinforced the importance of planning for their futures. Thank you, Grambling State University, for investing in our Eagles and reminding them that Eagle PRIDE can soar into Tiger Pride!

There are scholarships available for ALL grade levels. The CCMR department has compiled a list of scholarship opportunities that range from elementary to high school. It is never too early to start securing funds for college. View the listings below and start applying today!!

Get ready to apply for college for free! The second full week of October is officially Free College Application Week in Texas. From October 13-19, 2025, Texas residents can apply to any Texas public college or university for undergraduate admission without paying an application fee.

Be sure to submit your applications through ApplyTexas to take advantage of this opportunity!

SchooLinks is a comprehensive college and career readiness platform that empowers students and parents to navigate the journey from elementary school through high school and beyond.

Through SchooLinks, students gain access to:

• Academic Planning Tools — course selection, graduation tracking, and progress monitoring

• Career Exploration Resources — interest inventories, career profiles, and pathway planning

• Postsecondary Readiness Supports — college searches, scholarship databases, and application tracking

• Parent Engagement Features — opportunities for parents/guardians to partner in goal-setting and decision-making

💡 This program equips students with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to plan their future—whether their path leads to college, career, or military service.

👉 Check out our SchooLinks Presentation (below) to learn more about all of the powerful features available to families!

The Gifted & Talented (GT) program is designed for students who show advanced abilities, creativity, or leadership skills. It gives students the chance to go beyond the regular classroom, explore new ideas, and challenge themselves in exciting ways.

🎯 What Students Experience in GT

• Challenging Classes: Learn at a deeper and faster pace.

• Creative Projects: Explore passions in STEM, arts, writing, leadership, and more.

• Special Opportunities: Research projects, competitions, and advanced coursework.

• Supportive Peers: Learn alongside other students who love to think big and dream big.

🌱 Benefits for Students

• Stay Challenged – Explore advanced topics and never feel bored.

• Grow Confidence – Discover strengths and talents.

• Be Ready for the Future – Gain skills for college, careers, and beyond.

• Make Friends Who Inspire You – Build connections with other motivated students.

• Learn to Lead – Practice problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership.

💡 Why GT Matters

GT programming helps students reach their full potential by giving them the tools to think critically, act creatively, and succeed academically—all while having fun learning!

September was a month full of exciting hands-on learning and real-world experiences for our CTE scholars!

🍴 Culinary Arts

Our talented Culinary Arts students showcased their skills by catering dinner for the DeSoto ISD College & Career Fair on September 11. Their professionalism and creativity impressed district leaders, families, and community partners—demonstrating the impact of CTE in action.

🌱 Agriculture & 🩺 Health Science

Agriculture and Health Science students took their learning beyond the classroom with a special visit to Woodridge Elementary. They engaged younger Eagles in interactive, hands-on activities—bringing science, wellness, and agriculture to life for our elementary scholars.

💡 These experiences highlight the purpose of CTE: preparing students with the skills, confidence, and community connections to be college, career, and military ready.

👏 Our middle school CTE scholars at Katherine Johnson Technology & Mathematics Academy had an incredible experience at Texas Career Day, sponsored by Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas!

Students explored hands-on career pathways, connected with industry professionals, and gained valuable insights into the world of work. Opportunities like these help our Eagles see the direct connection between their CTE coursework and real-world careers—building confidence, sparking interest, and fueling their future-ready journeys.

💡 Thank you, Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas, for investing in our students’ futures and helping us prepare them to soar!

Our Counseling Services team is committed to helping students build their future readiness from elementary through high school. Here are age-appropriate tips to guide students at every stage of the journey:

🏫 Elementary School – Awareness

• Dream Big: Talk about future jobs and careers you’re curious about.

• Build Habits: Practice organization, responsibility, and teamwork in school and at home.

• Explore Interests: Join clubs, sports, or arts to discover what you enjoy.

• Learn from Role Models: Ask parents, teachers, and grandparents about their jobs and education.

• Reading Matters: Strengthen literacy—it’s the foundation for all future learning.

🏢 Middle School – Exploration

• Connect Interests to Careers: Take career interest surveys and explore pathways in SchooLinks.

• Focus on Academics: Build a strong foundation in reading, math, and science—these open more opportunities later.

• Get Involved: Participate in CTE courses, clubs, and extracurriculars to test new interests.

• Goal Setting: Set short-term and long-term goals; practice tracking progress.

• Parent Conversations: Talk with your family about future plans, including college, military, or career options.

🎓 High School – Preparation

• Course Planning: Choose classes aligned with your graduation plan and career pathway (AP, Dual Credit, CTE, etc.).

• College & Career Research: Use SchooLinks to research colleges, scholarships, and programs of study.

• Testing Readiness: Prepare for SAT, ACT, and TSIA; review results with your counselor.

• Hands-On Experience: Seek internships, job shadowing, volunteer work, and leadership roles.

• Scholarships & Applications: Track deadlines, request recommendations early, and stay organized.

• Ask for Support: Regularly meet with your school counselor for guidance and resources.

College will offer your student countless opportunities in life. There are some simple things you can do to help your student prepare.

Start early.

• No matter how young your student is, it is never too early to begin planning for college and talking with your student about it.
  

Be clear.

• Communicate your expectations to your student about his or her behavior and performance in school.

Talk.

• Have frequent conversations with your student about schoolwork, goals and the importance of education.

Encourage.

• Motivate your student to try new activities, volunteer in the community and succeed in school. Studies have shown that students involved in school activities enjoy school more and do better academically. Extra activities at school help students make new friends, gain confidence and new skills and have fun!