Counselors will help you by:

• reviewing your choice of subjects each spring during registration (February - April)
• helping solve academic scheduling problems
• providing study skills and academic information
• providing career and college information
• helping in teacher/student relationships
• helping cope with family issues
• listening to concerns about friends, etc.
• giving you information about life and decision-making skills
• referring you to people or places outside of school for help if necessary
• being your advocate – counselors are here for you!

Counselors for each campus are certified by the state of Texas in School Counseling, have a Master’s Degree, and previous teaching experience. Each middle school has two guidance counselors to help ensure that adequate support for helping students to succeed and meet their goals is available.

In addition, each middle school campus has a Responsive Services Counselor. These specific counselors have had additional training in specialty areas to help students maintain and choose a healthy lifestyle. They provide counseling, support groups, presentations, prevention activities, classroom guidance, and crisis intervention for students.

Visit the district website for more information about the GISD Guidance & Counseling and Responsive Services programs.

Resources:

• Counseling Services
• Course Guides

The vision of the counseling program at Schrade Middle School is to provide both a proactive and responsive program that academically, socially, and emotionally equips students to be successful, resourceful, and conscientious members of society. Our students will be college and career ready and will have the tools necessary to thrive as adults in a global, technological, and diverse 21st century world. Our students will possess the skills necessary to persevere, overcome, and problem-solve when facing challenges, trials, and obstacles in life. They will use their experiences, backgrounds, and education to form an empathetic, ethical, and sound perspective. They will use this perspective to make a positive impact in their communities and reach their fullest potential. 

The mission of the counseling program at Schrade Middle School, in alignment with the Garland Independent School District, the Texas Department of Education, and the American School Counselor Association’s National model, is to promote the academic, career, social, and emotional growth of all students. Through our proactive, responsive, and comprehensive program, we will provide support and guidance to students in a secure environment that fosters mutual respect, trust, and cultural sensitivity. Counselors will work to ensure that students are academically successful, college and career ready, and socially and emotionally healthy through individual student planning, responsive services, guidance curriculum, and system support. Counselors will serve as trusted leaders and advocates and promote equity, access, and success for every student. We will use campus data to identify and address areas of need to form our program goals. We aim to not only create immediate results through developmentally appropriate activities and curriculum, but strive to create long-range results for students that will impact their future and their communities. All of this will be accomplished through partnership and collaboration with parents, guardians, administration, staff, and community members. 

It’s okay, not to be okay. Life can present great challenges that can take a toll on mental health. Know that counselors are here to support you mentally and emotionally. Conversations we have are confidential unless you plan to harm yourself or others, or you are being abused or neglected. Know that when you speak with us, our office is a safe place to voice your concerns, get assistance, and/or ask for help. You matter!

Resources:

• Anxiety & Depression - English
• Anxiety & Depression - Spanish
• Anxiety Disorders in Children – English
• Anxiety Disorders in Children – Spanish
• OCD – English
• OCD – Spanish
• Self Care
• Signs and Symptoms of Mental Illness

Help your child stay onTRAC® with their studies. Hopefully, their S.A.M. book can be an asset to them.

• How are your child’s note taking skills? Can you follow their notes when you help with homework?

• Review some of their recent notes from school. Are they using the Three-Step Checklist?
• How well are they using their the assignment pages in the planner? Hopefully, your child is showing success with “Thinking” and “Recording.”
• With an appropriate place and environment they should have no problem “Acting.”
• As you review your child’s S.A.M. book nightly, please touch base with the hints, tips, and questions relating to setting up a great space for action.

Talking Tidbits: 

Tell about a time when you wanted to stand up for something or someone, but you were afraid to. What would you do differently now?