Homestead Elementary

Sally Rodgers, M.Ed.

Professional School Counselor

Email: rodgerss@lisd.net
Website: lisd.net/homestead
Location: 1830 East Branch Hollow Drive, Carrollton, TX, USA
Phone: 469-713-5181
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/homesteades
X: @MrsRodgersHES

I am so excited to start a new school school year at Homestead as your school counselor. This is my 19th year at Homestead and my 24th year in education. The fresh new school year brings opportunities for new learning, new friendships, and so many other wonderful experiences. In my role on campus, I will see all of your students at least once a month for guidance lessons where we will be learning about empathy, social problem solving, bullying, growth mindset and managing emotions. In addition to large group guidance lessons, I facilitate small groups that are focused on a variety of topics and also conduct individual counseling sessions with a solution focused approach. If at any time you have a question as a parent or would like to request a counseling visit for your student, please feel free to reach out. I am here to help however I can.

In Lewisville ISD, the whole child is at the core of everything we do as a district, including our students' mental, emotional and physical health. With counselors on every campus, LISD knows parents want their children to receive an outstanding education, but more importantly, they want their children to be nurtured and cared for beyond just academics.

The Lewisville ISD Counseling and Social Work Department is grateful to partner with you to support the social emotional needs of all LISD students. We believe education on these issues is key to helping our students become happy, successful people.

Please review the links below describing different social issues our students may face. If you have any areas that we may assist you or your student, please reach out to Mrs. Rodgers.

We appreciate the opportunity to work with your students.

Here is the story of a little raccoon who confronts the first day of school and needs reassurance. Mother Raccoon finds an unforgettable way of communicating the message that everyone most needs to hear. The perfect book for any child taking the plunge into school, endearing illustrations are as soothing as the simple story.School is starting in the forest, but Chester Raccoon does not want to go. To help ease Chester's fears, Mrs. Raccoon shares a family secret called "the Kissing Hand" to give him the reassurance of her love any time his world feels a little scary.

Since its first publication in 1993, this heartwarming book has become a children's classic that has touched the lives of millions of children and their parents, especially at times of separation, whether at the start of school, daycare, or camp. It is widely used by kindergarten teachers on the first day of school.

Summary by SCHOLASTIC BOOKS

Wemberly worried about spilling her juice, about shrinking in the bathtub, even about snakes in the radiator. She worried morning, noon, and night. "Worry, worry, worry," her family said. "Too much worry."

And Wemberly worried about one thing most of all: her first day of school. But when she meets a fellow worrywart in her class, Wemberly realizes that school is too much fun to waste time worrying!

"Henkes once again puts his finger on the pulse of young children, combining good storytelling, careful characterization, and wonderfully expressive artwork to create an entertaining and reassuring picture book." - School Library Journal (starred review)

Llama Llama just can't get out of bed. It's his first day of school, and he's not too happy about it. Still, he trudges along and makes his bed, brushes his teeth, and eats his breakfast.

But once he arrives at his classroom - with so many new faces, new names, and new games - little Llama doesn't know what to do. And when Mama Llama leaves, the little guy feels even more shy and alone. What will this lonely llama do? Will Mama ever return?

Summary By Scholastic Books

Everyone's favorite dinosaurs are back, and this time they are going to school. More fun dinosaur antics await. These prehistoric pupils are in a class of their own! As in their previous books, Yolen and Teague capture children's rambunctious natures with playful read-aloud verse and wonderfully amusing pictures.

What would you do if a very large Ceratosaurus stomped into your classroom? And what if the student sitting next to you was a gigantic Silvisaurus, who decided to jump on top of the desk? Come along and join the fun as dinosaurs ride the bus, read their favorite books, and have fun on the playground with all their friends. Filled with entertaining details and familiar scenes, each illustration includes the name of the featured dinosaur hidden in the picture. Going to school has never been so much fun!

Summary By Scholastic Books

Parents and guardians,

Please remember when filling out your student's Back-to-School forms in Skyward that you will need to say "yes"/"opt-in" for SB9 lessons labelled as Prevention of Family Violence (For grades k-5, the lesson is called Healthy Families) and Child Protection Unit. Listed below are presentations in which this curriculum is explained in more depth:

Healthy Families Presentation for Elementary Students (English and Spanish)

Parent/Guardian Child Protection Unit Preview Presentation (English)

Parent/Guardian Second Step Preview Presentation (Spanish)

The Healthy Families and Child Protection lessons will be presented spring 2025.

All counseling department curriculum materials are also available for review via the LISD Counseling Services/ Curricula Previews. webpage.

Please reach out if you have any questions.

As a reminder, the LISD community now has access to STOPit, an anonymous reporting system that allows individuals to submit concerns at any time, from anywhere. Visit LISD.net/safety for more information about this resource and how to access it. The tip line reopens for the 23-24 school year on Aug. 8.

Common Sense Media is the leading nonprofit organization in the nation that provides kids, families, and educators with trustworthy information to help them make smart decisions online. Reviews for books, games, media, TV, and movies are provided by Common Sense Media to help parents get involved in their kids technology usage and determine if the content is age appropriate. You can view the Common Sense website by clicking on the button below.