MAC COUNSELOR CONNECTION

Mission: The MacArthur High School Counseling program provides all students with an equitable, collaborative, student-centered environment.

Vision: The vision of MacArthur High School Counseling program is for all students to achieve their maximum potential, become lifelong learners, and productive contributors to society. Our students will be equipped to accept and embrace challenges of a global society, in a diverse, competitive workforce of the 21st century.

MacArthur counseling team will be meeting with 8th grade and 9th grade scholars during the month of November and December to assist with the 2026-2027 Course Selections. This information will be recorded in the Xello app for review.

The Mac Counseling team will deliver school-wide, guidance lessons on Drug Awareness and Prevention during the month of October.

Note: In November, guidance lessons on Bullying Awareness and Prevention will be deliver to the student body.

Monday, October 27, 2025: “Wake up Drug-Free”

Crazy Hair Day: WEAR RED. Funky hairstyles, temporary hair dye, fun accessories.

Tuesday, October 28, 2025: “We’re Wild About Being Drug-Free”

Wear animal prints or bring a stuffed animal friend.

Wednesday, October 29, 2025: “Black Out Drugs” –

All Black Day: All-black clothes, sunglasses, accessories.

Thursday, October 30, 2025: “Peace, Love, and Drug-Free Choices”

Hippie/Retro Day: Bell-bottoms, peace signs, flower crowns, round sunglasses.

Friday, October 31, 2025: “Storybook Choices, Drug-Free Voices”

Book Character Day: Dress as a character from a book or graphic novel.

Prescription Drug Safety: Know the truth

• The Basics (20 mins)
• Science of Addiction (20 mins)
• Understanding Prescriptions (20 mins)
• Safe Use (20 mins)

Vaping: Know the truth

• Know (15 mins)
• Uncover (15 mins)
• Overcome (15 mins)
• Change (15 mins)

Alcohol Education: Safe and Smart

• Introduction (20 mins)
• Know Your Influences (20 mins)

Understanding Mental Wellness

• Intro to Mental Health (15 mins)
• Understanding Mental Health Challenges (15 mins)
• Mental Health Coping Strategies (15 mins)
• Staying Healthy in Times of Uncertainty (15 mins)

Substance abuse can have lasting impacts on a young person’s academic performance, mental health, and overall well-being. By educating students early and consistently about the risks associated with drug use, we empower them to make informed, healthy choices that support their future success.

Using THC products like edibles, vaping, and dabbing are bad ideas. Marijuana can increase the risk of suicide.

Together, we can create a strong foundation of awareness, support, and prevention.

Side effects can include:

• Drowsiness

• Anxiety or paranoia

• Hallucinations

• Trouble concentrating

• Rapid heart rate

• Vomiting (in rare cases)

If you suspect a child or teen has ingested Delta-8 and is experiencing adverse effects:

• Call Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222

The Home Access Center allows access to assignments, grades, attendance records, and registration.

El Centro de acceso desde el hogar permite acceder a tareas, calificaciones, registros de asistencia y registro.

Create a HAC Account (Crear una cuenta HAC):

https://homeaccess.irvingisd.net/HomeAccess/Content/Register/Default2.aspx

If you forgot the username and password, go to the HAC website: https://www.irvingisd.net/hac

• Click on Login
• Select the link for FORGOT MY USERNAME OR PASSWORD link.
• Either enter your USERNAME or your EMAIL ADDRESS and HAC will send you instructions on re-setting your account:
• Follow the steps in the email from HAC.

Si olvidó su nombre de usuario y contraseña, visite el sitio web de HAC: https://www.irvingisd.net/hac

• Haga clic en Iniciar sesión.
• Seleccione el enlace "¿OLVIDÉ MI NOMBRE DE USUARIO O CONTRASEÑA?".
• Ingrese su NOMBRE DE USUARIO o su CORREO ELECTRÓNICO y HAC le enviará instrucciones para restablecer su cuenta:
• Siga los pasos del correo electrónico de HAC.

Mental health, just as physical health, are a vital part of our overall health. Good mental health builds confidence in oneself. By identifying, understanding, and managing our emotions, we can build stronger relationships and improve our connections.

It is important to have open communication about mental health, build supportive communities, educate to reduce stigmas, and increase access to care.

Headspace offer limited free mental health wellness content . Check out there FREE Resource Hub

Insight Timer: The number 1 free meditation app.

Check out there FREE Guided Meditations

October 10-13, 2025

November 24-28, 2025

December 22, 2025- January 2, 2026

Open to all Texas residents applying for undergraduate programs. All applications must be submitted through the ApplyTexas system.

Home to Free College Application Week

DATE: Monday, November 3, 2025

TIME: 2:00-5:00pm

Join us for assistance with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA).

Wednesday, October 22, 2025; 7:30-8:15a.m. @ MacArthur High School library

Please join the MacArthur Counseling team for Q & A as we discuss the topic Drug Awareness. This will be an opportunity to learn about readily available resources and what our comprehensive counseling program has to offer for you and your scholar.

Saturday, November 15, 2025; 10am-1pm @ Irving High School

This is a district wide event where all of our Class of 2026 seniors and their families are invited to get support completing the FAFSA or TASFA financial aid applications.

25-26 Irving ISD FA Saturday Sign Up

My Texas Future is an online portal for adult learners who want to go back to school start school, or advance their careers.

2025-2026 SAT Preparation (Khan Academy)

A college entrance, standardized examination with a score range of 200-800 for each section. The sections on SAT include math, reading, and writing (optional).

Preparing for the ACT 2025-2026

A college entrance, standardized examination that includes a science section and has a score range of 1-36 for each subsection. The score may also be a factor in merit based scholarship offers at postsecondary (higher education) institutions.

IMPORTANT: Students must connect their Xello account to the Common App for any notifications to be sent to the Counselor or Teacher.

Application Deadlines (closes): February 15, 2026

Semifinalist Notifications: By March 1, 2026

• Application Deadlines (closes): early-January, 2026
• Semifinalist Notifications: By March 1, 2026

• Rumba Meats & USHLI Partner Scholarhip (12th)
• 2025 Hispanic Heritage Essay Contest (8th-12th)
• Be A Friend Project Scholarship (9th-12th)
• Building Bridges Scholarship (11th-12th)
• Digital Responsibility Scholarship (9th-12th)
• Delete Cyberbullying Scholarships (9th-12th)