NMS COUNSELING CENTER
Volume 8, April 2024
A note from Ms. Garcia, NMS School Counselor
"You must not let anyone define your limits because of where you come from. Your only limit is your soul." Ratatouille
Hello Spring! Hello April! Hoppy Easter!
This month is the start of the STAAR testing season and the last six weeks of the school year! You have a holiday break from March 29th through April 1st for Easter...and then no breaks until the school year ends. Now is the time to make sure that you are keeping up with your grades and ending the school year on a positive note. Remember, if you want to participate in Athletics next year - you MUST pass the last six weeks to be eligible to participate the 1st Six Weeks as soon as school starts. There are many events happening this last six weeks, so please keep up with the campus/district calendar.
This month our focus will be on Test Anxiety (especially with STAAR right around the corner), Friendship (this is a topic that is important because of the misunderstandings/miscommunication that happens online between friends), and finally, we will learn more about Child Abuse Prevention Month (makeing sure that we report things that we see or hear about for the safety of our family and friends).
We will be preparing to choose our classes for next school year and planning ahead for high school. During my counseling visits, we will continue our discussions about graduation planning and how our electives will determine our pathway or endorsements at CHS.
Have a blessed Easter Holiday! Let's make this last six weeks the best one of the school year!
NMS Counseling Center - Vision Statement
The Vision of the Frank Newman Middle School Counseling Department is to GUIDE students to their highest potential by CREATING self-disciplined, motivated and responsible learners who will be our FUTURE LEADERS that will respond to worldly issues and advocate for equity for humankind. The comprehensive school counseling program will focus on academic, career and social emotional needs to support students’ college, career and military readiness.
NMS Counseling Center - Mission Statement
The mission of the Frank Newman Middle School Counseling Services program, in partnership with other educators, parents/guardians and community stakeholders is to provide a comprehensive, developmental counseling program that PROVIDES EQUITY AND ACCESS FOR ALL STUDENTS that addresses academic, social-emotional, and career development. The program ensures all students are self-directed, life-long learners who are college, career and military future ready.
April - Classroom Guidance Lessons (Overview)
Monthly Observances:
National Alcohol Awareness Month
Canine Fitness Month
Child Abuse Awareness Month
Couple Appreciation Month
National Decorating Month
Distracted Driving Awareness Month
Fair Housing Month
Financial Literacy Month
National Fresh Celery Month
Global Astronomy Month
National Garden Month
International Guitar Month
National Month of Hope
National Humor Month
IBS Month
National Internship Awareness Month
Jazz Appreciation Month
Keep America Beautiful Month
Month of the Military Child
Move More Month
National Multiple Birth Awareness Month
Parkinson's Awareness Month
National Pecan Month
National Poetry Month
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month
Records and Information Management Month
Scottish-American Heritage Month
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
National Soft Pretzel Month
National Soy Foods Month
Stress Awareness Month
National Volunteer Month
Weekly Observances:
National Public Health Week (April 1-7)
National Window Safety Week (April 1-7)
National Student Employment Week (April 7-13)
Animal Care and Control Appreciation Week (April 14-20)
National Dog Bite Prevention Week (April 7-13)
National Public Safety Telecommunications Week (April 14-20)
National Work Zone Awareness Week (April 15-19)
Undergraduate Research Week (April 19-23)
National Library Week (April 7-13)
Administrative Professionals Week (April 21-27)
Every Kid Healthy Week (April 22-26)
National Infant Immunization Week (April 22-29)
Daily Holidays/Observances:
April 1
April Fools' Day
Easter Monday
Edible Book Day
Fossil Fools Day
International Fun at Work Day
Library Snap Shot Day
Lupus Alert Day
National Fun Day
National Greeting Card Day
National Loyal Day
National One Cent Day
National Sourdough Bread Day
National Trombone Players Day
Nature Day
Reading Is Fun Day
St. Stupid Day
Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action
U.S. Air Force Academy Day
April 2
World Autism Awareness Day/Autism Acceptance Day/Autism Awareness Day
National Children's Picture Book Day
International Fact-Checking Day
National DIY Day
National Ferret Day
National Love Your Produce Manager Day
National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day
National Reconciliation Day
National Sexual Assault Awareness Month's Day of Action
April 3
Day of Hope
Independent Artist Day
National Chocolate Mousse Day
National Film Score Day
National Find a Rainbow Day
National Inspiring Joy Day
National Tweed Day
National Walking Day
Pony Express Day
World Cloud Security Day
April 4
International Carrot Day
International Day for Landmine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action
National Alcohol Screening Day
National Burrito Day
National Cordon Bleu Day
National Hug a Newsperson Day
National Vitamin C Day
National Walk Around Things Day
School Librarian Day
April 5
Bell Bottoms Day
Go For Broke Day
Hospital Admitting Clerks Day
International Day of Conscience
National Body Care Day
National Caramel Day
National Dandelion Day
National Deep Dish Pizza Day
National Flash Drive Day
National Peeps Day
National Self Care Day
Read a Road Map Day
Walk to Work Day
April 6
Army Day
Drowsy Driver Awareness Day
Every Day is Tag Day
Fresh Tomato Day
International Pillow Fight Day
Jump Over Things Day
National Acai Bowl Day
National Caramel Popcorn Day
National Carbonara Day
National Employee Benefits Day
National Handmade Day
National Library Day
National Love Our Children Day
National Pajama Day
National Siamese Cat
National Student-Athlete Day
National Twinkie Day
April 7
National Coffee Cake Day
National Girl Me Too Day
National Geologists Day
National No Housework Day
Public Television Day
World Health Day
April 8
Draw a Bird Day
International Feng Shui Awareness Day
International Kids Yoga Day
International Pageant Day
International Romani Day
National All Is Ours Day
National Empanada Day
National Zoo Lovers Day
Step Into the Spotlight Day
April 9
International Be Kind to Lawyers Day
National Cherish an Antique Day
National Chinese Almond Cookie Day
National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day
National Library Workers Day
National Mature Women’s Day
National Name Yourself Day
National Unicorn Day
National Winston Churchill Day
April 10
National Cinnamon Crescent Day
National Encourage a Young Writer Day
National Farm Animals Day
National Hug Your Dog Day
National Youth HIV and AIDS Awareness Day
April 11
Dog Therapy Appreciation Day
National Clean Up Your Pantry Day
National Eight Track Tape Day
National Parkinson’s Day
National Submarine Day
April 12
National Big Wind Day
Day of Silence
D.E.A.R. Day
Hamster Day
International Day for Human Space Flight
National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day
National Licorice Day
National Only Child Day
April 13
International Plant Appreciation Day
National Catch and Release Day
National Make Lunch Count Day
National Peach Cobbler Day
National Scrabble Day
National Silly Earring Day
Thomas Jefferson Day
April 14
Air Force Reserve Birthday
Children with Alopecia Day
Good Deeds Day
International Moment of Laughter Day
National Dolphin Day
National Donate a Book Day
National Gardening Day
National Look Up at the Sky Day
National Pecan Day
National Reach as High as You Can Day
Perfume Day
April 15
Jackie Robinson Day
National Anime Day
National ASL Day
Take a Wild Guess Day
Tax Day
Universal Day of Culture
World Art Day
April 16
National Healthcare Decisions Day
National Librarian Day
National Orchid Day
National Reveal the Genius Within Day
Selena Day
World Semicolon Day
World Voice Day
April 17
International Bat Appreciation Day
International Day of Mastering Conversations That Matter
National Banana Day
National Cheese Ball Day
National Crawfish Day
National Haiku Day
No Limits for Deaf Children Day
World Circus Day
Youth Homelessness Matters Day
April 18
Adult Autism Awareness Day
Celebrate Teen Literature Day
College Student Grief Awareness Day
Education and Sharing Day
National Animal Crackers Day
National Lineman Appreciation Day
National Exercise Day
National High Five Day
National Piñata Day
National Velociraptor Awareness Day
Pet Owners Independence Day
World Amateur Radio Day
April 19
Humorous Day
National Cat Lady Day
National Dog Parent Appreciation Day
Poetry & The Creative Mind Day
Refresh Your Goals Day
Sylvester the Cat Birthday
April 20
Chinese Language Day
Husband Appreciation Day
National Cheddar Fries Day
National Look-Alike Day
National Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Day
April 21
Big Word Day
Go Fly a Kite Day
Keep Off the Grass Day
National Bulldogs Are Beautiful Day
National Chocolate Covered Cashews Day
National Kindergarten Day
National Yellow Bat Day
Thank You for Libraries Day
World Creativity and Innovation Day
April 22
April Showers Day
Girl Scout Leader Appreciation Day
International Mother Earth Day
National Jellybean Day
April 23
Army Reserve Birthday
International English Language Day
Movie Theatre Day
National Cherry Cheesecake Day
National Email Day
National English Muffin Day
National Lost Dog Awareness Day
National Lover's Day
National Picnic Day
St. George's Day
School Bus Driver Appreciation Day
Take a Chance Day
Talk Like Shakespeare Day
World Book Day
World Laboratory Day
World Table Tennis Day
April 24
Administrative Professionals Day
Denim Day
International Guide Dog Day
National Pigs In a Blanket Day
April 25
Hairstylist Appreciation Day
License Plate Day
National Telephone Day
Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day
World Penguin Day
April 26
Alien Day
International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day
National Arbor Day
National Dissertation Day
National Garage Day
National Help a Horse Day
National Kids and Pets Day
National No Makeup Day
April 27
Autism Super Mom Day
Eeyore’s Birthday
Independent Bookstore Day
Marine Mammal Rescue Day
National Day of Puppetry
National Prime Rib Day
National Tell a Story Day
Save the Frogs Day
Teach Children To Save Day
Woody Woodpecker Day
World Healing Day
World Veterinary Day
April 28
Global Pay It Forward Day
Great Poetry Reading Day
National Blueberry Pie Day
National BraveHearts Day
National Cubicle Day
National Pet Parents Day
National Superhero Day
Occupational Safety & Health Day
Workers' Memorial Day
World Day for Safety and Health at Work
April 29
International Dance Day
National Peace Rose Day
National Shrimp Scampi Day
National Supply Chain Day
National Zipper Day
National Kiss of Hope Day
Poem In Your Pocket Day
Viral Video Day
World Wish Day
April 30
Day of the Child
Hairstyle Appreciation Day
Healthy Kids Day
Honesty Day
Last day of Passover
Mr. Potato Head Day
National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day
National Animal Advocacy Day
National Bubble Tea Day
National Bugs Bunny Day
National Oatmeal Cookie Day
National Raisin Day
National Rebuilding Day
National Tie Dye Day
Lesson Focus:
Students will focus on test anxiety, friendships, and Child Abuse Prevention month.
Guidance Visits: Students will focus on text anxiety - coping strategies and activities to help ease anxiety symptoms related to tests and testing; friendship - recognizing the traits of a friend and how to cope when things are not "good" or communication is lost; and Child Abuse Prevention Month - encouraging and teaching students to advocate for themselves and others in need. We will continue working with School Links in preparation for course selections and graduation planning.
Small Group Sessions - groups will continue (continued focus on friendships/leadership)
Individual Counseling Appointments - continue to utilize the appt form
8th Graders will continue Graduation Planning, Endorsement Decisions
8th Graders will complete the Texas Common Application with CHS representatives on Monday, April 15, 2024.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Easter Holidays
Monday, April 1, 2024 - Easter Monday - No School
NMS Cowgirl Softball
Wednesday, April 3, 2024 vs. Crystal City
Monday, April 8, 2024 vs. Carrizo Springs
NMS Cowboy Baseball
Wednesday, April 3, 2024 vs. Dilley
Wednesday, April 8, 2024 vs. Carrizo Springs
Wednesday, April 17, 2024 vs. Crystal City
STAAR Test Administrations - NMS
RLA - Grades 6-8 - Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Soc.Studies - Grade 8 - Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Science - Grade 8 - Thursday, April 25, 2024
Math - Grades 6-8 - Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Alg. I EOC - Grade 8 - Tuesday, May 2, 2024
6th and 7th Grade Awards
8th Grade Completion Ceremony and Banquet
6PM - NMS Gym
Individual Counseling Services
Ms. Garcia is available for appointments during the school day. There are some weeks that Ms. Garcia visits classrooms, but she will make time to visit with individual students by appointment on those days, as well.
School Counselors work with students individually for an array of different issues/concerns.
These issues can include, but are not limited to, academic, social, emotional, personal, and emergent concerns. Students are reminded that individual counseling is confidential in nature unless they report someone hurting them, they hurt someone else, they want to hurt themselves, or they give permission for the counselor to speak with his/her parent/guardian or another trusted staff member on his/her behalf.
Teachers can refer students for counseling services; just as students can self refer.
In the event of an emergency, the proper protocols will be followed with regards to student safety and confidentiality.
Small Group Counseling Services
Small group sessions will:
- help students overcome issues impeding achievement or success
- help students identify problems, causes, alternatives and possible consequences so they can make decisions and take appropriate action
- are planned, goal-focused, evidenced-based and short-termed in nature
April Lunch Menu
Mental Health Resources and Hotlines
8th Grade Graduation Plan Resources
SUGGESTIONS...
Nanette M. Garcia, M.Ed., CSC, MHS
Email: nanette.garcia@cotullaisd.net
Website: www.cotullaisd.net
Location: 608 Carrizo Street, Cotulla, TX, USA
Phone: 830-879-4376