Congratulations to our newly minted graduates and the Mabank ISD Class of 2022!

The Lazy Days of Summer are here at Last! With the ringing of the last school bell for the 21-22 school year, our students and teachers head out the door to a well deserved summer break. Enjoy your break, summer adventures, and be sure to take some time to just relax and spend time together. Whether you're traveling far and wide, or sticking close to home, use this time when kids are home to slow down, get outside, and make memories with family and friends.

With its change in schedule and routine, summertime offers an opportunity and the downtime for students to refresh and recharge. We want this summer to be safe, happy, and healthy for everyone, so read on for tips on things to do, benefits and how-to's for maintaining a summer schedule, and the importance of tuning into the mental health of your child. For even more helps, take a look at our newsletter archives on our Counseling Webpage under "Newsletter Archive" in the left-hand column.

As always, if you are concerned that you or someone you know may be experiencing a mental health issue, it is important to act. Start the conversation. Seek help from a trusted adult. A list of area Mental Health resources and hotlines can be found on our district counseling website under Counseling Resources. You are not alone.

Take care of you, take care of each other, and a very Happy Summer to you all!

Ashley Ward, MS, LPC, CCTP

Coordinator of Counseling and Student Support

Mabank ISD

amward@mabankisd.net

These days it seems that we don't even have to turn on the news to hear of something else that is going sideways in the world. Sometimes every ding from our phone brings deadlines to meet, details to handle, or serves up more emotional turmoil on already full plates. From the daily of pressures of growing up to the mental health crisis plaguing the world and our nation, read on for tips to help our kids, teens (and ourselves).

Social Emotional Learning teaches life-long skills that are the building blocks for personal success in school, work, and our personal lives. Mabank ISD integrates guidance curriculum from Capturing Kids Hearts and Momentous Institute' ChangeMaker's program to teach our students the five tenants of social emotional learning and to weave the building of those skills into our everyday interactions. Almost anywhere you look, the research confirms what we know to be true – that people with solid social emotional intelligence are happier, healthier and more successful.

All lessons are built on safe relationships and move up through self-regulation, awareness of self and others, empowering students to become successful changemakers in the world around them.

Lets take a closer look at each of these:

Self-Awareness: The ability to understand one's own emotions, thoughts, and values, and how they influence behavior.

Self-Management: The ability to manage one's emotions, thoughts, and behaviors effectively in different situations and to achieve goals and aspirations.

Responsible Decision Making: The ability to make caring and constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions.

Relationship Skills: The ability to establish and maintain healthy and supportive relationships and to effectively navigate settings with diverse individuals and groups.

Social Awareness: The ability to understand the perspectives of and empathize with others, including those from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and contexts.

This is an amazing scholarship opportunity available to any Texas student who plans to pursue a trade or vocational degree or certification at an accredited community college or nonprofit trade school in the state of Texas. The Life Association Scholarship may be used for tuition, fees, books, and equipment. They only have 1 applicant as of April 21st, so please share this great opportunity!

Click the link below to complete the 2022 Universal Application for the Communities Foundation of Texas (CFT) scholarship opportunities. This allows you to apply for multiple scholarships hosted by CFT in one spot.

A chatbot named ADVi – short for “adviser” – uses artificial intelligence to provide on-demand support to Texans looking to attend or return to higher education. Right now, any student in Texas may access ADVi by texting “COLLEGE” to 512-829-3687 or by starting a freshman application in ApplyTexas.

When students sign up to receive messages from ADVi, they receive:

• The ability to ask questions about college 24/7 via text message,
• Backup support from our virtual advisers if a student has needs or questions beyond what ADVi can provide,
• Student-friendly, accurate, and engaging messages about key college access milestones,
• Information and tips to help with their college applications, planning, and financial aid, and
• Resources to help navigate the transition to college.

Learn more at www.askADVi.org.

Ashley Ward, MS, LPC Coordinator of Counseling

Email: amward@mabankisd.net
Website: https://www.mabankisd.net/page/counseling
Location: 310 East Market Street, Mabank, TX, USA
Phone: 903.880.1300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mabankisd
Twitter: @mabankisd