Annetta School Counselor
Mrs. Pope
🤝 Role of the School Counselor
School counselors support students in their academic, personal, and social development and help remove barriers that may interfere with a student’s success at school. Support may include classroom guidance lessons, small groups, individual student support, and collaboration with families, teachers, and other professionals.
School counseling is not therapy. When a student meets individually with the counselor, the concern being addressed should have an impact on the student’s educational experience, such as learning, attendance, behavior, relationships, or ability to participate successfully at school. Counseling support is typically short-term and solution-focused, with referrals to outside providers when a student needs more extensive or ongoing mental health support.
Our goal is to partner with students and families to help students overcome barriers, build important skills, and thrive at school.
💡Monthly Guidance Lessons
October- Bullying Prevention
This month, students will participate in guidance lessons focused on bullying prevention, kindness, inclusion, and being an upstander. Students will learn how to recognize the difference between conflict, unkind behavior, and bullying; practice safe and respectful ways to respond; and identify trusted adults they can go to for help. We will also discuss how our words and actions can help create a school where everyone feels safe, included, and valued.
*Materials used in guidance may be previewed by emailing cpope@aledoisd.org
💛 Counselor Tip: Be an Upstander!
October is a great time to talk with your child about kindness, inclusion, and what to do when they see someone being treated unkindly. Help your child understand that they can make a difference by being an upstander—someone who chooses to help rather than join in or ignore the situation.
Talk with your child about the 3 R's:
Recognize – Notice when someone may be being left out, teased, or treated unkindly.
Refuse – Don't join in, laugh along, or encourage the behavior.
Report – Tell a trusted adult when someone is being hurt, threatened, or repeatedly targeted.
At home, ask your child:
- “What could you do if you saw someone being left out?”
- “Who are trusted adults you could talk to at school?”
- “How can you help someone feel included?”
Remind your child: You don't have to handle a bullying situation alone. Getting an adult's help is a strong and responsible choice.
🌟 October Character Strength: Perspective
This month, we are celebrating Perspective! Students are learning to pause and consider how someone else may be feeling, thinking, or experiencing a situation. Perspective helps us understand that people can see the same situation differently, and it encourages us to listen, show empathy, and respond with kindness.
We are excited to recognize students who demonstrate Perspective throughout our school!
👕Clothing and School Supplies Financial Assistance
The Aledo AdvoCats Clothes Closet is a wonderful resource to help families with clothing needs. If this is a need your family has, and you believe your family qualifies for this financial assistance, please email Mrs. Pope. Please include all names and birthdates for those in the household.
Additionally, please email Mrs. Pope if your child needs assistance purchasing school supplies.
College Colors Day- 1st Wednesday of Every Month
Red Ribbon Week- October 26-30
🧡 Bringing Up Bearcats | Parenting University
Raising kids today comes with a whole new set of questions. 📱🧠💬
That’s why Aledo ISD is excited to launch Bringing Up Bearcats, a new Parenting University series designed to help Aledo families navigate the challenges, trends, and conversations that come with raising today’s teens.
Join us for three evenings focused on understanding what our students are experiencing and how we can support them along the way.
📍 AHS Lecture Hall
⏰ 5:30 PM
🗓️ October 26
Keeping Up With Parker County: Trends, Risks & Realities
What’s happening in our community? We’ll explore social media, substance use, emerging trends, and the realities facing today’s teens.
🗓️ February 22
Anxious Minds: Helping Bearcats Navigate the Worry
Learn more about anxiety, recognizing when worry becomes a concern, and ways parents can support their Bearcat.
🗓️ April 26
Inside the Teen Brain: Why They Do What They Do
Take a closer look at the developing teen brain and what it can teach us about behavior, decision-making, emotions, and connection.
Supporting today. Preparing tomorrow. Together. 🐾🧡
These conversations are for all Aledo ISD parents. Because raising a Bearcat is better when we do it together.
#BringingUpBearcats #ParentingUniversity #AledoISD #GrowingGreatness #AllInAledo
Aledo ISD Bully Prevention
Please click below for the Aledo ISD procedures for reporting allegations of bullying.
