Hello!!! This newsletter focuses on the counseling program's content and goals designated by the Texas Education Agency and American School Counselor Association! Each edition focuses on important dates, concepts, topics, and themes for the month targeting grades 6-12! Thank you for viewing, have a happy and healthy September!

1. What's Happening this Month???
2. Reminders
3. Monthly Future Planning Theme
4. Monthly Mental Health Focus
5. Monthly SEL Focus
6. Junior High Hub
7. College Spotlight
8. Technical/Vocational/Trade School Spotlight
   
9. Exam Registration
10. Senior Section
11. Monthly Military Information
12. What's Coming Up???
13. Emergency Resources
14. Additional Resources and Information
15. Counselor Contact Info

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

9/4 Small Groups Start

9/10 Lunch with the Counselor

9/25 Trio Visit

9/25 8th Grade Career Fair @ Victoria College

G/T Referrals

• 8th Grade Permission slips for the Field Trip are due September 17th

This month we will focus on the different types of post-secondary institutions students can enter after high school for further career preparation. Institutions does not just mean universities, but includes community colleges where you can complete certain training or certificate programs in two years or less, trade or career schools that focus solely on skill preparation for specific trades, and military branches that prepare you for military careers

Public and private colleges and universities provide degree programs that award 4-year bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and doctorate degrees upon completion of a program. They are perfect for student pursuing a career path that requires an undergraduate's or graduate's degree.

Examples:

Texas A&M Corpus Christi
UTSA

Texas Tech University

Community colleges provide programs for that lead to 2-year associate degrees, certificates, or credits for transfer to a 4-year university or college. They are perfect for students pursuing a career that requires a certificate or training program over a degree or students wanting to save money before transferring to a four-year university.

Examples:

Blinn College
Coastal Bend

Victoria College

Trade schools, or vocational schools, provide certificate programs and training for industry-based career paths. They are perfect for students interested in a career in a trade or skilled line of work, especially if they are unaware of apprenticeship opportunities.

Examples:

Southern Careers Institute

South Texas Vocational Technical Institute

Lone Star Texas Fame

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month focuses on resources that promote suicide prevention and student safety. Suicide is now the second leading cause of death for the age groups of 10-14 and 15-19, and has risen since 2020 (CDC, 2024). If you are someone you know is having suicidal thoughts or intentions, the most important thing you can do is to reach out to an adult who can help connect you with resources to help you, or the person you know, feel better. Parents, teachers, school counselors, church leaders, doctors or nurses, or any of the hotlines below can get the help needed to keep you, or the person you are concerned about, safe.

988

988 Lifeline is the National Crisis Line that provides immediate assistance with professional when a person is experiencing thoughts or intentions of suicide by:

1. TEXTING to 988

2. CALLING 988

3. CHATING at https://988lifeline.org/chat/

Crisis Textline

Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States – 24/7, free, confidential. Crisis Text Line (CTL) is here for you. A live, trained volunteer Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds, all from our secure online platform.

1. Text HOME to 741741

2. Chat at https://connect.crisistextline.org/chat?utm_source=homepage

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Lifeline assists people in immediate crisis with a skilled, trained crisis worker who will listen to the problems they are experiencing and will connect them to local mental health services. All calls are confidential and free.

1. Call 1-800-273-8255

Camino Real
Local Mental Health Authority
Crisis Hotline/Mobile Unit: 1-800-543-5750
Main Office: 210-357-0300

TOLL FREE: 1-800-491-5201

Methodist Healthcare Ministries

Non-Profit Behavioral Health Provider

Patrick Garcez, LCSW

201 N Esplanade St

Karnes City, TX 78118

(830)666-0746

Otto Kaiser Memorial Hospital
3349 US 181
Kenedy, TX 78119
(830)583-3401

Gulf Bend Center

Mental Health and Disability Center

6502 Nursery Drive

Victoria, Texas 77904

Main Office: (361)575-0611

24 Hour Hotline: 1-877-723-3422

No Harbor Lessons this month

As we get older, our confidence and self-esteem can go up and down. Confidence is the "belief in yourself, abilities, and ideas" and self-esteem is how we think and feel about ourselves. A part of being responsible for ourselves is learning how to take care of ourselves when we don't feel our best inside and out. When we are feeling bad about ourselves or who we are there are many things we can do to build ourselves up!

Tips to build self-esteem and confidence from Mind (2023):

*Be kind to yourself

*Recognize and challenge your unkind thoughts
*Remember its okay to make mistakes

*Repeat positive statements to yourself
*Avoid comparing yourself to others

*Look after yourself
*Sleep well

*Eat well
*Stay active
*Spend time outside
*Avoid drugs and alcohol

*Focus on the positives
*Make an achievement jar
*Make a motivational board

*Spend time with people who build up your confidence

*Be kind to others
*Have fun with family or friends
*Use your skills to help others

*Volunteer

*Learn to assert yourself
*Set boundaries when others make you feel bad about yourself
*Speak up when others make you feel bad about yourself
*Say no

*Don't agree if you don't agree

• Type: 2-year College
• Location: Beeville, Texas
• Cost/year (30 hours): $4,000 per year
• Application Requirements
• GPA: no minimum
• SAT: not required
• ACT: not required
• TSI: Required or Proof of Exemption
• Fee: Free
• Degrees/Certification Programs Offered
• Associate Degrees and Certificates offered by CBC:
• https://www.coastalbend.edu/instruction/index.html
• ***Famous Alumni***
• Jessica. Rios
• .Shevon Ramirez
  
• Stacy Kraatz

• Type: Trade School
• Locations: Seguin, San Antonio, Dallas, and Orange Texas
• Total Cost: Free to selected applicants
• Career Training Programs Offered
• Work/Study program for Associates Degree in Manufacturing
• Includes courses on:
  
• electricity
• robotics
• fluid power
• mechanics,
• fabrication (welding and machining),
• industrial troubleshooting
  
• more

For Trio Students:

February 12th

May 6th

SAT School Day Dates:

October 23rd
March 19th

SAT Registration

Link for Registration is provided below! You will need your College Board Account to register. If you qualify for a waiver or accommodations, please see me before the deadline for changes date.

So is the link to this school year's test dates! You will need to create a ACT account to register.

On Campus Date for Career Investigation: January 22nd

The early your start applying...the better!!! Application windows for incoming undergraduate freshman students will vary by college or university. Important information regarding dates, deadlines, , and requirements can be found on the admissions departments webpage of the institution's website or on www.bigfuture.org. Most Texas colleges and universities accept their applications through ApplyTexas.org or CommonApp.org, some are only using Common App as of this past year, and out-of-state universities require an application through their admissions website or commonapp.org.

We will have our enrollment specialist, Mr. Proctor, from Victoria College and our TRIO Specialist Andrea on campus over the next few months to help with dual credit, Apply Texas, and FAFSA and our!

Seniors in Texas are required through HB3 to submit a financial aid application through FAFSA or TASFA, or complete an opt-out form, as a graduation requirement. FAFSA provides federal public education loans for higher education and open applications for the following collegiate school year in late fall the current school year. TASFA provided state public aid to students who meet qualifications. Opt-out forms are available in the counselor's office for seniors attending trade or technical schools, entering the workforce, or joining the military after graduation.

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From Today's Military (2024):

The Army is a powerful fighting force defending and serving our nation by land, sea and air. Elite groups within the Army, such as the Army Rangers and Special Forces, receive specialized training for advanced combat situations.

Quick Facts:

*Full-Time Service

*461,000 Active Duty Service Members

*Over 200 Career Specialties

Enlistment Information:
*be between 18 and 35 years old (17 with parental consent).
*be a U.S. citizen or resident alien
*high school diploma is preferred
*must also take the ASVAB & a physical fitness exam.
*complete 10 weeks of Basic Training

From GoArmy (2024):

Benefits Package:

*Full time salary

*GI Bill up to 100% free college tuition

*Low cost-free healthcare

*Up to $50,000 bonuses

*One month vacation

*Home Loans
*Veteran Benefits

*Retirement Plans

*More

Bullying Presentations October TBD

TACROA College Fair at Victoria College 10/18

SAT School Day Wednesday 10/23

PSAT/NMSQT Wednesday 10/23

FAFSA Opens 11/1

FAFSA Night 11/7 (1:00-5:30)

Senior Application Day Wednesday 11/13 with TRIO

December EOC Retests 12/3-12/13

ASVAB Wednesday 1/22

8th Grade Parent's Night 1/30 5:30-6:30

DC Information Event (during an 8th grade Parent's Night) 1/30 from 5:30-6:30

Healthy Relationships Presentation February TBD

TSI #1 for TRIO Students Wednesday 2/12

Dual Credit Applications 2/21 from 8:00-11:00 with Victoria College

SAT School Day Wednesday 3/19

TSI #2 for TRIO Students Wednesday 5/19

Victoria College Recruitment 5/9 from 8:45-1:00

GT Testing 5/12-5/13

Career Day 5/21

Stephenae Harrington

District Counselor; Testing Coordinator

Runge Independent School District

600 Reiffert St.; PO Box 158

Runge, TX 78151

830-239-4315 x 402

sharrington@rungeisd.org