Counseling & Health Services News
End of Year Newsletter | May 2026
Celebrating the Incredible Work of School Nurses
National School Nurse day is a special occasion to recognize and thank the dedicated professionals who support student health across our campuses.
In collaboration with the National Association of School Nurses, we proudly celebrate the vital role our school nurses play each day. Their unwavering commitment to the health, safety, and academic success of every student makes a lasting impact. At Lake Travis ISD, relationships and service are at the core of what we do, and our nurses exemplify both - caring for more than 10,700 students with compassion, skill, and professionalism.
Whether managing chronic conditions or responding to complex - and at times life-threatening - health situations, our nurses are always prepared. They lead with confidence, equip staff with essential training, and serve as trusted advocates for students and families.
Luanne Belville
Molly Hinds
Katie Dillon
Local Harvest in the Cafeterias
This month, Food & Nutrition Services featured several Texas-grown produce items in the cafeterias, including green beans and bi-color corn from J&B Farms (Hondo, TX) and “Bugs Bunny Carrots” (with tops on!) from Gundermann Acres (Wharton, TX).
Each local item was paired with educational materials in the lunch line highlighting the unique nutritional benefits and sharing where the food was grown, helping spark curiosity and connect students to the origins of their food.
Bring a Chicken to School!
In partnership with Greener Pastures Chicken (Elgin, TX), students at Hudson Bend Middle School sampled local, organic, certified humane chicken wings and interacted with a chicken from the farm!
A farm representative was present to answer questions about production practices, and students engaged in thoughtful conversations about where the meat they eat is raised.
The event was a hit and a memorable hands-on learning experience!
End of Year Meal Account Refunds & Transfers
As we close out the school year, we want to remind families about the process for requesting refunds or transfers of student meal account balances.
If you would like to request a refund or transfer of funds, please complete the request form on the Food & Nutrition Services website.
Celebrating Years of Leadership and Service
After more than 23 years of dedicated service to LTISD Food & Nutrition Services, Dolores Arriaga, Cafeteria Manager at Serene Hills Elementary School, will retire at the end of the school year.
Dolores has made a lasting impact on the Serene Hills community through her leadership and commitment to serving students.
May is Food Allergy Awareness Month: Helping Keep Students Safe at School and All Summer Long
As the school year comes to a close and summer activities begin, Food Allergy Awareness Month serves as an important reminder that food allergy safety remains essential both at school and throughout the summer months. From end-of-year celebrations and summer camps to vacations and family gatherings, planning ahead can help keep children with food allergies safe and included.
At school, families are reminded that only store-bought food items with clearly labeled ingredients may be shared for classroom activities or celebrations. Homemade food items are not permitted due to the risk of unknown ingredients and cross-contact. Students are also encouraged not to share food and to remain mindful of classmates with food allergies and dietary restrictions.
Families of students with food allergies are encouraged to:
Ensure emergency medications, including epinephrine auto-injectors, are current and available through the last day of school
Review allergy action plans with caregivers, camp staff, and family members
Notify camps, childcare providers, and travel programs of food allergies in advance
Pack allergy-safe snacks and meals when appropriate
Read ingredient labels carefully and remain aware that ingredients can change
Help prevent cross-contact during food preparation and serving
Consider non-food treats or activities for celebrations and events
Creating safe environments for students with food allergies requires awareness, communication, and partnership. By working together, we can help ensure all students remain healthy, safe, and included throughout the summer season.
Helpful Food Allergy Resources:
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to recognize the importance of mental wellness and reduce stigma surrounding mental health challenges. Lake Travis ISD remains committed to supporting the emotional well-being of all students and staff through connection, self-care, healthy coping skills, and help-seeking behaviors.
As summer begins, maintaining routines, healthy sleep habits, physical activity, and meaningful connections can help students feel supported and balanced. Encouraging time outdoors, hobbies, limited screen time, and open conversations about feelings can also positively impact mental wellness.
If a student or family needs immediate mental health support, help is available 24/7 by calling or texting 988 - the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - to connect with trained counselors for free and confidential support.
Lake Travis ISD Community Resource Directory
The Lake Travis Independent School District Community Resource Directory is a valuable tool designed to connect families, students, and community members with a wide range of support services.
While it includes important mental health resources, it also provides information on housing assistance, medical insurance enrollment, childcare programs, food resources, and other essential services.
This directory helps ensure that individuals and families can more easily access the support they need to thrive both inside and outside of school.
The High School Zen Den - Supporting our High School Students During Finals
LTISD social workers at Lake Travis High School created a “Zen Den” to help students prepare for and decompress after final exams.
This calming space allows students to reset and refocus through mindfulness activities, quiet music, and a supportive environment designed to reduce stress. Students also have access to snacks, the opportunity to write thank-you notes to teachers who made a positive impact this year, and one-on-one support from a social worker if needed.
The Zen Den provides a welcoming space that promotes wellness and helps students approach exams with a calm, grounded mindset.
LTISD Social Workers Bring Mental Health Expertise to Lake Travis Community
LTISD social workers Joelle Nagel, LCSW and Amanda Roberts, LCSW, recently presented at the third annual Engage & Heal Foundation, a regional event focused on promoting mental health awareness, community engagement, and student well-being.
The symposium brought together mental health professionals, educators, and community advocates to engage in meaningful conversations surrounding the growing mental health needs of children and adolescents.
Drawing from their experience supporting students and families in LTISD, Joelle and Amanda shared current trends impacting youth mental health, practical strategies for supporting student well-being, and the important role schools play in fostering connection, resilience, and emotional support systems for students.
Their participation reflects LTISD’s continued commitment to supporting the whole child and prioritizing student mental health and wellness both within our schools and throughout the broader community.
Advancing Safe and Supportive Schools Through Region 13 Collaboration
A group of Lake Travis ISD counselors and social workers recently attended the Safe and Supportive Schools Symposium, an annual gathering that celebrates the collective progress of the mental health and school safety communities with the 2026 theme, “Elevating School Climate through Connection and Care.”
Hosted at Education Service Center (ESC) Region 13, the event brought together educators and experts from across the state to explore how fostering authentic relationships, compassionate practices, and effective school safety strategies can strengthen safety and well-being across school campuses.
Throughout the day, our team engaged with evidence-based strategies, enhanced their professional and personal skills, and collaborated with colleagues, researchers, and leading experts. They attended a variety of sessions and workshops focused on keeping students safe, connected, and engaged at school. The learning experiences provided valuable tools and insights to further strengthen supportive practices across campuses and enhance student well-being throughout the district.
Bee Cave Elementary School
Bee Cave Elementary School has had an exciting end to the year! We hosted our annual Career Day last week and welcomed some incredible community members to share their crafts with our students. Students explored careers including hat making, dentistry, firefighting, entrepreneurship, and even Olympic skiing! Our students were engaged, curious, and inspired as they learned about the many different paths they can take in the future.
Thank you to our wonderful volunteers! Your time, energy, and willingness to share your expertise made the day meaningful and memorable for our students!
Hudson Bend Middle School
Counselor Spotlight: Dedication in Action
Hudson Bend Middle School is excited to celebrate Angela Carey for her outstanding commitment to our student-athletes! During the final pep rally of the school year, the 7th Grade Track & Field team took a moment to publicly recognize Ms. Carey for her dedication to the 7th grade class.
Whether she is cheering from the sidelines or providing a supportive ear in her office, Ms. Carey balances her professional expertise with genuine heart.
The recognition from the Track & Field team highlights the fact that school counseling isn't just about schedule changes or academic planning - it’s about relationship building. When a counselor shows up for students in "their world" (like at a track meet or a pep rally), it builds the foundation of trust necessary for deep social and emotional growth.
Congratulations, Ms. Carey, on this well-deserved honor!
Lake Travis High School
Lake Travis High School counselors celebrated the Class of 2026 at the Senior Awards Ceremony on May 19 at the LTISD Performing Arts Center. Students were recognized for their achievements and awarded more than $130,000 in local scholarships provided by community partners and the Lake Travis Education Foundation. We extend our sincere gratitude to all donors whose generosity, combined with university and external scholarships, has helped LT students pursue their college and career aspirations.
Counselors have also been busy preparing for graduation and senior celebrations, including distributing cords and coordinating diplomas.
In addition, LTHS hosted a College Application Workshop for juniors on May 7, with approximately 175 students in attendance. This event provided valuable support as students began preparing for their postsecondary plans. If you were not able to attend, you can view the presentation slide deck by clicking this link.