The Buzz! is a monthly memo filled with great information from our school counselor.

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In Garland ISD, our mission is to provide guidance programs and counseling services to all students in a way that promotes academic success, personal and social growth, and college and career readiness. 

The school counseling mission at Keeley Elementary School is to support and enhance the school's existing goals and objectives by providing a safe and inclusive environment where every student can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Our vision is to empower students to become responsible, respectful, and compassionate individuals who are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in school and beyond. 

To achieve this vision, we will use a child-centered approach that recognizes and respects the unique strengths and needs of each student. We will work collaboratively with teachers, parents, and other stakeholders to set high expectations for all students and provide ongoing support to help them achieve their full potential.

We will also prioritize the development of self-responsibility and social-emotional skills, recognizing that these are critical components of long-term success. Through our guidance and support, we hope to instill in students a sense of confidence and competence that will serve them well throughout their lives. 

In all that we do, we will hold ourselves to the highest standards of professionalism,  integrity, and respect, modeling these values for our students and helping to create a positive and supportive school culture. 

As your school counselor, I'm here to teach you all about:

• Personal health and safety
• Postsecondary (college and career) planning and readiness
• Interpersonal effectiveness
• Intrapersonal effectiveness

I'm also honored to support your social and emotional needs through responsive services such as:

• Individual and small group sessions
• Parent/Family conferences
• Crisis intervention

I also serve our campus through:

• 504 coordination
• Membership on MTSS/SST Team
• FIE initiation support
• Child Find coordination

You might see me:

• At the front doors at the beginning of the school day
• Teaching lessons in the classrooms
• In my office with students or families
• Talking to students in the hallways
• Connecting with teachers and staff

Each week, Keeley students have "Hive Time" guidance lessons with Mrs. Honeybee Halpin. Students learn life-long skills to cultivate their emotional wellness and academic growth. Monthly topics include friendship-making skills, positive self-image, emotional regulation, calm-down strategies, study skills, and much more. Through the SEL lessons, we tackle one topic a week. 

Pictured is Mrs. Honeybee Halpin going over lessons with songs and talking in Mrs. Tilson's first-grade class. 

Kuleana is a Hawaiian word that means "the things I do in my life to honor my obligations, keep strong positive relationships, and serve my community." We have a Kuleana Kids Club of 63 fourth-grade and fifth-grade students who do service projects around our school. They are the ones who do the heavy lifting to make our school a great place to be.  Teachers recognize our "Kuleana Kid of the Week" who displays that week's virtue. We celebrate them with a certificate and a small prize.

Pictured above are Kuleana kids making a giant banner in honor of Unity Day.  

Hive time guidance lesson themes are listed below by month.

• September - Strengths!

In September, we will talk all about strengths, self-confidence, and caring for our community through honesty and trustworthiness.

• October - Healthy living

In October, Cowboys will celebrate Unity Day (anti-bullying) and Red Ribbon Week (making healthy choices; avoiding drugs and alcohol), and we will begin to discuss the importance of self-management. 

• November and December - Caring and giving to the community

During the months of November and December, we will celebrate our veterans on Veteran's Day. We will discuss charity, generosity, empathy, compassion, consideration, and caring for the common good. 

• January - Goal-Setting and career exploration

New year, new goals! We will cover reliability, goal-setting, and diligence. We will also tackle career navigation.

• February - Kindness and courtesy month

February is Kindness Month! We will celebrate and promote kindness and courtesy in communication. We'll also celebrate National School Counseling week and practice manners.

• March - Diversity & acceptance

This month, we will gain an appreciation for the uniqueness and value of our differences. Students will learn about cultural learning and physical differences and understand the importance of embracing and accepting those who may differ from them. We'll also cover problem solving and teamwork.

• April - Conflict resolution and fairness

In April, we cover conflict resolution, fairness, and integrity. We remember anti-bullying and standing up to bullying behaviors. We also celebrate National Principal's week.

• May - Responsible decision making

Cowboys will learn how to keep themselves safe. They will learn about safety measures in the kitchen, car, swimming areas, and while biking. Additionally, students will be educated on recognizing and responding to abuse, understanding the three steps for staying safe: saying no, getting away, and informing a trusted adult using the "No, Go, Tell" model. We will think through ethical responsibility and responding with all the tools we've learned over the year when faced with challenges. We also honor Principal's Day and Teacher Appreciation week. 

 

Mrs. Halpin holds weekly lunch bunch groups in her classroom with students who have returned their parent permission slips. These lunches are 30 minutes of skills practice while eating lunch. Kindergarten through fifth-grade each have their own group. The first nine weeks are focused on emotional regulation. 

Red Ribbon Week is a week of alcohol and other drug awareness activities that promotes a drug-free lifestyle. Wearing a red ribbon signifies a unified effort to support a drug-free lifestyle. 

College Week encourages students to pursue higher education after high school. This begins at the elementary level and raises college awareness and promotes the benefits of receiving a college degree. 

Students learn about and work on different character traits through each grading cycle during the school year. At the end of each grading cycle, teachers choose a student who most represents the character trait. For example, the character traits for the 1st grading cycle are respect and responsibility. 

Keeley works closely with many organizations and churches in Rowlett that support our students in need. Through their generous donations, students are able to receive:

• School supplies
• Backpacks filled with food for the weekend
• Thanksgiving meals
• Christmas assistance

A way for Keeley to give back is the food drive we have during the month of October. This food drive supports our local food pantry called Hope in Hand that survives solely on donations.