Your school counselors are here as a support system for your child, your family, and the school staff. We want to make sure that your child succeeds academically and social-emotionally. 

In the state of Texas, each campus counselor must have a Master's in School Counseling from an accredited university and have a minimum number of teaching years. The elementary years are a time when students begin to develop their academic self-concept and feelings of competence and confidence as learners. They are beginning to develop decision-making, communication and life skills, as well as character values. It is also a time when students develop and acquire attitudes toward school.

• Provide study skills and academic information.
• Help with student/teacher relationships
• Give information about life skills and help with decision-making
• Help the student cope with family concerns
• Listen to concerns about friends and teach how to foster good friendships
• Provide college and career information
• Review your choice of subject for the transition to middle school
• Refer you to outside agencies or support personnel within the district as needed

We provide whole group classroom guidance lessons. These lessons give us an opportunity to meet and get to know all students. As school counselor, we are responsible for presenting a comprehensive guidance program focused on teaching students learning strategies, self-managements, and social skills. We also provide education and prevention intervention lessons. Our program teaches knowledge, attitudes and skills students need to acquire in academic, career and social/emotional development, which serve as the foundation for future success.

• Parent education programs will be presented on a variety of topics throughout the year. Look for information throughout the year on the various programs being offered here at Handley and in our district, free of charge. Topics will include:
  • How to help my child be successful at school
  • Completing homework ideas
  • How to help my child develop a growth mindset
  • How to help my child have a college mindset
  • Learn to live a safe life online
  • Where to locate ESL/GED classes and other valuable resources in my community.
  • Parenting/Discipline ideas from renown programs like Love and Logic, Ready Rosie, Positive Parenting

• Anti-bullying and anti-cyberbullying
• Anti victimization/personal safety/strangers
• Drug awareness
• College and career readiness
• Social skills
• Cross cultural awareness
• Gun safety
• Conflict resolution
• Healthy ways of dealing with anxiety and stress
• Goal setting
• Peer pressure

• As your support team, we are always available to meet with you for individual conferences. Please contact us to discuss any concerns regarding your child. Also, please notify us of any changes in the family dynamic, possible traumatic events or changes in medical history or medical diagnosis that could adversely affect your child emotionally or academically.
  • Loss in the family
  • Homelessness
  • Natural disaster
  • Parenting questions
  • Drastic changes in family dynamics
  • Low academics or suspected disability
  • Low self-esteem
  • Etc.

Do you ever feel frustrated because your child does not seem to listen to you? On the other hand, do you ever feel like you just really are not sure how you should effectively discipline your child?

The Love and Logic Institute is a wonderful resource. Jim Fay, Dr. Charles Fay and Dr. Foster Cline developed it. They have lots of very helpful, practical and free resources.

What builds respectful and responsible kids?

• Make sure your child knows that you love and respect him/her.
• Explain that there are rules everywhere to keep him/her safe.
• Follow up with actions/consequences immediately, so they learn to listen to you the first time.
• Be CONSISTENT
• Avoid rescuing them from the logical consequences of their wrong actions that is the only way to learn to make good choices.

Just do these actions repeatedly with lots of love and understanding.

We are also available to help you locate resources that are offered through different organizations in our community:

• Alcohol abuse or substance abuse
• Support groups
• Child abuse
• Clothing food shelter
• Crisis centers
• Youth and family counseling
• Youth shelters
• Domestic violence