GPCI Counseling Services Department

Hello GPCI Scholars and Families,

October is full of many important Activities. October is Bullying Prevention Month and the always Favorite Red Ribbon Week. See below for more information on Dress-up Days and ways you can win prizes during Red Ribbon Week. At GPCI we are wanting everyone to feel included, seen and valued...we are doing this by normalizing two phrases 1) Are you okay? 2) I'm here for you. Students and staff are encouraged to say these things to people in their lives at school, at home and in their community.

Let me know if there is anything I can do for you.

Mrs. Robb, M.Ed

School Counselor

• Oct. 1-Oct. 30th- Bully Prevention Month
• Oct. 1 FAFSA/TASFA Opens
• Oct. 25-29-Red Ribbon Week
• Oct. 18th- 22nd - Senior Chats

Guidance Lessons for October

• Bullying/Cyberbullying/Harassment Prevention Lesson
• Drug and Alcohol Prevention and Awareness

BULLYING PREVENTION INFORMATION

Bullying is widespread in the United States. Bullying negatively impacts all youth involved including those who are bullied, those who bully others, and those who witness bullying, known as bystanders.

• Bullying is common. About 1 in 5 high school students reported being bullied on school property. More than 1 in 6 high school students reported being bullied electronically in the last year.
• Some youth experience bullying more than others. Nearly 40% of high school students who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual and about 33% of those who were not sure of their sexual identity experienced bullying at school or electronically in the last year, compared to 22% of heterosexual high school students. About 30% of female high school students experienced bullying at school or electronically in the last year, compared to about 19% of males. Nearly 29% of White high school students experienced bullying at school or electronically in the last year compared to about 19% of Hispanic and 18% of Black high school students.
• Bullying is a frequent discipline problem. Nearly 14% of public schools report that bullying is a discipline problem occurring daily or at least once a week.
• Reports of bullying are highest in middle schools (28%) followed by high schools (16%), combined schools (12%), and primary schools (9%).
• Reports of cyberbullying are highest in middle schools (33%) followed by high schools (30%), combined schools (20%), and primary schools (5%)

DRUG AND ALCOHOL PREVENTION INFORMATION

Substance Use Among Teens

The guide highlights the most commonly used substances and the extent of the problem, such as

• Alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco are substances most commonly used by adolescents.
• By 12th grade, about two-thirds of students have tried alcohol.
• About half of 9th through 12th grade students reported ever having used marijuana.
• About 4 in 10 9th through 12th grade students reported having tried cigarettes.
• Among 12th graders, close to 2 in 10 reported using prescription medicine without a prescription.

Although it is illegal for people under 21 years of age to drink alcohol, the findings show that people from 12 to 20 years of age consume about one-tenth of all alcohol consumed in the United States.

Risks of Substance Use

The guide also highlights the risks of substance use among teens. Substance use can do the following:

• Affect the growth and development of teens, especially brain development.
• Occur more frequently with other risky behaviors, such as unprotected sex and dangerous driving.
• Contribute to the development of adult health problems, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and sleep disorders.

Finally, the earlier teens start using substances, the greater their chances of continuing to use substances and developing substance use problems later in life. When teens begin drinking at an early age, they increase the chance of becoming addicted to or continuing to abuse substances later in life.

Financial Aid Checklists

• Middle School Financial Aid Checklist
• 9th Grade Financial Aid Checklist
• 10th Grade Financial Aid Checklist
• 11th Grade Financial Aid Checklist
• 12th Grade Financial Aid Checklist

College Preparation Checklists

• Middle School College Planning Checklist
• 9th Grade College Planning Checklist
• 10th Grade College Planning Checklist
• 11th Grade College Planning Checklist
• 12th Grade College Planning Checklist

SENIORS

• Complete applications for colleges/universities through Xello.
• Link your Common App. to your Xello Account
• All Transcript requests must be done through Xello. If college/university does not accept through Xello, go to your College Portal and request the transcript get sent that way.
• Have copies of your most recent GPISD (Skyward), Dallas College and University of Texas-Austin Transcript.

Dallas College- https://www.dallascollege.edu/resources/transcripts/pages/electronic.aspx

UT-Austin- https://onestop.utexas.edu/student-records/transcripts-other-records/official-transcripts/

• Wednesday, October 6, 6 to 8 p.m. at Dubiski Career High School
• Wednesday, October 13, 6 to 8 p.m. at Grand Prairie High School
• Wednesday, October 20, 6 to 8 p.m. at South Grand Prairie High School

We would like all Seniors and parents to attend a FAFSA workshop to meet the following goals:

• Participants will gain confidence in FAFSA completion and be introduced to best practices.
• Participants will understand dependency issues, parental requirements and uncover common pitfalls of the FAFSA.
• Participants will have a chance to ask questions from seasoned financial aid experts.
• Participants will begin the FAFSA process by completing the FSA ID.
• Participants will also get the opportunity, if needed, to explore with hands-on FAFSA practice with scenarios & taxes

What should I bring with me?

• Student and both parents’ W-2 Forms and other records of money earned in 2020
• Student and both parents’ 1040 Form from 2020 Federal Income Tax Return
• Student and both parents’ Social Security Number**
• Parents’ Marriage and/or divorce date (Month and Year)
• Parents’ Birthdays (Month and Year)
• Students Driver’s License**
• Student and Parents’ 2020 untaxed income records such as Social Security, Veteran’s Benefits, Welfare Benefits, Child Support, Alimony, TANF, etc**
• Student and both parents’ 2020 business investment, mortgage information and other investment records**
• Student’s alien registration card if student is a permanent resident and not a U.S. Citizen**
• A list of colleges or universities where the student has applied or will apply for

** If applicable

For more information please visit. GPISD FINANCIAL AID WEBSITE

Are you wanting to meet with someone individually to discuss College, Scholarships and FAFSA? Please schedule an appointment below with Ms. Burns. She would be happy to meet with you and your scholar.

https://booking.appointy.com/msburns

OCTOBER SCHOLARSHIPS

Embracing Our Differences Art Contest

Description: Submit a piece of art interpretation of the theme "enriching lives through diversity and inclusion." Artists, professionals, amateurs, students – everyone can participate.

Amount: Prizesat $1,000. Closing Date: October 6

Website:https://www.embracingourdifferences.org/submit-art-2022-exhibit/

National YoungArts Competition*

Description: Must be a citizen of the United States or permanent resident/green card recipient (copy of the documentation is required in the application). Be in grades 10–12 or 15–18 years of age on December 1 of the year you are applying.

Amount: Up to $10,000. Mentorship, Support, National Recognition Closing Date: October 15

Website: http://www.youngarts.org/apply

Scholarship America Dream Award*

Description: A scholarship program to help students currently enrolled in higher education programs (two- or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school) pay for their second year and beyond.

Amount: $5,000. -$15,000. Closing Date: October 15

Website: https://learnmore.scholarsapply.org/dreamaward/

Heisman High School Scholarship*

Description: Candidate must participate in at least one sport (in or out of school), community service or academic achievements will need to be proved up. 3.0 GPA and essay also required.

Amount: $1,000.-$10,000. Closing Date: Oct. 19

Website:wttps://heismanscholarship.com/about/application-scholarship-rules/

Innovation In Education Scholarship

Description: Must have designed an innovative project that makes a difference in the lives of others (this could be a website, series of blogs, an app, fundraising event, etc.) Submit an essay describing the goal of a project and provide supporting documentation. Available for High School or College/University students, 3.0 GPA and US Citizen.

Amount: $500.

Closing Date: October 20 (it is offered monthly)

Website:https://www.latutors123.com/scholarships/innovation-in-education/

Coca-Cola Scholars Program*

Description: Current High School. Minimum GPA, 3.0 Amount: 150 Scholars selected at $20,000

Closing Date: October 31

Website: https://www.coca-colascholarsfoundation.org

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Youth Scholarship*

Description: High School students 9th -12thgrades. Democratic and patriotic essay. Theme: Where do we go from here?

Amount: $1,000 - $30,000. to go to a University, College, Vocational or Technical School of choice

Closing Date: October 31

Website:https://www.vfw.org/PatriotsPen/?Action=SkipLogin&cookieCheck=true

Texas Music Educators Association Scholarship*

Description: For High School seniors interested in becoming a teacher with a commitment to music education. Must enter as a full-time student in a Texas College or University.

Amount: Multiple ranging from $2,500. -$3,000. Closing Date: November 1

Website: https://www.tmea.org/scholarships

Prudential Spirit of Community Scholarship

Description: Have engaged in a volunteer activity that occurred during the 12 months prior to the date of the application. This should be a service that you lead, that you created or that you played a leadership role in.

Closing Date: November 10

Website: Apply Now | The Prudential Spirit Of Community Awards

Links

• GPISD College Access Resources Hub
• GPISD Scholarships

FAFSA OPENS OCTOBER 1ST

• Steps for completing FAFSA

TASFA

• TASFA Website

Scholars, be successful in your dual credit courses. Please make sure you do not procrastinate and ask for help from the professor when needed.

Your dual credit grades are in blackboard, so a good practice is to look at them everytime you go into blackboard.

Here is the presentation from our recent dual credit parent night.

Xello is an engaging, fun-to-use software that students can access online, at school or at home. Students can even access Xello from their mobile devices. Using Xello, students plan their journeys toward the future by creating their very own unique roadmap for future success.

The program is implemented through the GPISD Counseling Services Department at every elementary and secondary campus. The mission of the Counseling Service Department is to guide students from cradle to career, making every student future-ready!

Scholars Sign in link for Xello. (Do not use old login information)

See Canvas for specific login information

https://auth.xello.world/SAML/Student/d2046896-095a-4acd-919e-28dca02b9564

Xello Resource Website

How Students Request Transcripts in Xello

• Access the College Planning Tools

• To begin with, go to College Planning from the Goals & Plans link in the top menu of on the Dashboard.
• This page is a central hub to view all the applications you're tracking, and local scholarships available. Or check our the Knowledge Hub with topics to help you plan for college.
• Create an Application to Track
• Click Create Your First Application to choose the college you want to track your application with.
• If this isn't your first one, this page will be a list of your previous applications.
• Use the search bar to enter the school name and click Select, then click Next.
• On the next page, add details such as your application Admission Type and Deadline. Then click Create to begin tracking your application for this college.
• Send a Transcript
• In the application tracker for the college, you'll see the Applications Checklist. Use this checklist to track the things you need to complete for the application.
• From the list, where it says Transcript, click Request to request your high school send your transcript to the school.
• If you don't see Transcript listed under the requirements, this college may not require it. You can still make a request by clicking Add Task and selecting Transcript.
• View the Progress
• View the status of your sent Transcript by opening the Application Tracker of the college you want to view.
• From under Application Checklist, click the drop-down next to Transcript and select Track Transcript.
• View the chronological updates of your transcript request.

Unsure of what you want to do as a career, what you want to study in college, where to apply? Come see Mrs. Robb or Ms. Burns to help you get started.

Mimi Robb

Grand Prairie Collegiate Institute

School Counselor

Mimi.robb@gpisd.org

972.343.3151(Office)

972-885-9741(Google Voice-Call & Text Enabled)

Schedule Appointment Here

GPCI Counseling Services Department Website

Rebecca Burns

GPCI Campus Hours: 8:15am-3:45pm, M/W/TH

rebecca.burns@gpisd.org

Google Voice Phone: 404-926-6829

Appointy Link: https://booking.appointy.com/msburns

Vision Statement

The Grand Prairie Collegiate Institute Counseling Services Department will support students so they can reach their maximum potential personally and academically, by using a comprehensive program that addresses personal/mental/social, academic and college/career readiness goals so scholars can establish a solid foundation that they can build upon through post-secondary goals and through adulthood. The counseling services department also aligns with GPCI in that we will promote a rigorous academic and College/University going culture.

Mission Statement

The Grand Prairie Collegiate Institute Counseling Services Department's mission is to give scholars in grades 6-12 lifelong personal/mental health/social resources and strategies. Counseling Services will implement a comprehensive counseling program that aligns with GPCI in that we will promote a rigorous academic and college going culture while partnering with families, staff, and community members to provide social/emotional/academic and career resources.