Madla Minds Matter
Counseling Department Newsletter
Counseling and Social Emotional Learning updates:
The Counseling Program at NFPS has many exciting things happening in the next few months. Firstly, we are excited to announce the adoption and implementation of a new Social Emotional Learning Program, Character Strong. After much exploration and input from families from all three campuses, our schools are ready to begin implementing the program. Students were presented with a survey the week of October 9th to measure how connected and engaged they feel to their academics, school and school community. All of this should increase with the adoption of this new program. The program’s effectiveness will be measured at the end of the school year by asking the exact questions. Lessons will be taught during their Advisory Period for 30 minutes one time a week by homeroom teachers. Parents may review the Scope & Sequence for Character Strong and request the ability to view each lesson ahead of time, if they desire. Please contact district lead counselor, Norma Arshad, on Schoology or @ 210.519.3850 ext. 3505 for more information.
Upcoming Events
Oct. 25: PSAT/NMSQT Testing
Oct. 26: Family Workshop #2
Oct. 27: No School for Students
Oct. 31: Pumpkin Decorating Contest
Nov. 13: Thanksgiving Food Drive
Nov. 16 : Madla Fun Night #1
Nov. 17: Early Release
Nov: 20-24 Thanksgiving Break
Dec. 5: STAAR Retake English 2/BIO
Dec. 22: Winter Break begins
CLICK ON CALENDAR for Parent Events Calendar
Pumpkin Fun- Family help needed
Frank L. Madla is hosting their annual Pumpkin Carving and Decorating Contest. Each homeroom competes against each other to see whose is the most unique and spirited. Parents who would like to assist may call the main office about donating a pumpkin for their student's homeroom!
Thanksgiving Food Drive
The National Honor Society will be hosting a Thanksgiving Food Drive. Please contact the front office if you would like to be considered for a basket this year: 210.519.3850.
Safety Reminders
Parents who attended Madal’s Academic Night in August and all of our students have been informed about our anonymous reporting platform See Something Say Something where reports can be made about: bullying, harassments, suspicious behavior, suicide outcries and more. The platform can be found on our school’s website.
Educational Opportunities
September was Suicide Awareness and Prevention month and October’s mission is to educate everyone about the prevalence and lethality of the drug, Fentanyl. In response, Frank L. Madla Early College High School presented to parents and guardians about Teen Mental Health and Suicide at our first Family Workshop on September 28th while Ms. Gamez shared invaluable information on graduation requirements and financial aid. For those who missed it, attached you can find the PowerPoint that was shared to all who attended. In addition, individual classroom lessons addressing all of these topics will be taught by lead counselor, Ms. Arshad, in each homeroom this month.
Our next Family Workshop is scheduled to take place on Oct. 26th at 6:00 p.m. in the Legacy Room in PAC’s Ozuna building. That session’s topics include Fentanyl Dangers (what every parent needs to know); Dyslexia Parent Education and Schoology How to, as well as a community speaker. As a reminder, students whose adult attends a Family Workshop is awarded with a 5-extra points pass to utilize in a high school class of their choice. Adults who attend all four workshops this school year will be recognized at the end of the school year. Our first Family Fun Night, which will comprise of food and crafts, is scheduled for November 16th. We are really excited about this, and it should be a great way to kick off our Thanksgiving break. Madla’s Parent & Family Engagement Calendar of Events can be referenced here, so please make sure to mark your calendars! (topics are subject to change, so please make sure to check occasionally).
Thank you. Again, if I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me, Norma Arshad on Schoology, narshad@newfrontierspublicschools.org or 210.519.3850 ext. 3505.
We love our Frank L. Madla Early College High School community!