Preparing students for academic success

As eighth graders at our school begin to imagine their futures, one person quietly becomes a central guide in their journey: our school counselor. Long before students step into high school courses, Margo Spence is already helping them build the academic foundation they’ll need to thrive.

Throughout the spring semester, she meets individually with every eighth grader—one conversation at a time, one student at a time. These meetings are more than simple check-ins. They’re thoughtful, personalized discussions where she helps students reflect on their strengths, their interests, and the goals they’re beginning to form. She listens closely, asks the right questions, and helps each student see the possibilities ahead.Once students begin selecting courses, her role becomes even more essential.  Spence helps them understand how their choices today shape the opportunities they’ll have tomorrow. 

Her goal is simple but powerful: to help every student choose a path that challenges them, supports them, and sets them up for long‑term academic success. By the time eighth graders finalize their schedules, they aren’t just picking classes—they’re stepping into high school with purpose, clarity, and a plan.

In many ways, she is the bridge between middle school and the future our students are building. And with her guidance, that future looks bright.

Bullying

No student should be subjected to bullying or harassment that interferes with their ability to learn or their safety.

Visit the Bullying Prevention and Investigation page on the district website for more information and resources.

Anonymous Alerts®

You can use the Anonymous Alerts® webform or mobile app to quickly, easily and anonymously report bullying, cyberbullying and other sensitive topics to school officials.

Anonymous Alerts® is monitored by GISD Security 24-hours daily and should only be used for serious and urgent matters. In the event of an emergency or life-threatening event, always call 911.

Submit an Anonymous Alert®

Download the app

To place a report from a mobile device, first download the free Anonymous Alerts® app from the Apple App Store or Google Play store. Then open the app and enter activation code garlandisd.

Cyberbullying

What to know:

• Never respond to harassing or rude comments.
• Save or print the evidence.
• Talk to your parents or guardian if you are harassed; get help reporting this to your ISP, school, or local law enforcement.
• Respect others online.
• Only share your password with your parent or guardian.
• Change your passwords often.
• Use privacy settings to block unwanted messages.
• Think before posting or sending photos - they could be used to hurt you.
• Contact the site administrator if someone creates a social networking page in your name.

What to report:

• Anyone you don't know who asks you for personal information, photos, or videos.
• Inappropriate or obscene material from people or companies you don't know.
• Misleading URLs on the Internet that point you to sites containing harmful or inappropriate materials rather than what you were looking for.
• Anyone who sends you photos or videos containing obscene content of individuals 18 and younger (the possession, manufacturing, or distributing of child pornography is illegal)
• Anyone who asks you to meet in person for sexual activities (no one should be making sexual invitations to you online – and it’s an especially serious crime for adults to do it).
• If any of the above happens to you or a friend, tell an adult you trust and report it to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's CyberTipline at https://report.cybertip.org.

Guiding students to the finish line...many paths, one goal: GRADUATION