The Role of a School Counselor

First and foremost I am an advocate for all individuals (students, staff, and parents).My goal is to foster effective communication between the home and school.

Guidance Curriculum
Providing guidance content in a systematic way to all students. Promoting awareness, skill development, and application of skills needed in everyday life through classroom guidance lessons.

Responsive Services
Addressing the immediate concerns of students through prevention and intervention.

Individual Planning
Assisting students in monitoring and understanding their own development. Addressing educational, career, and personal-social goals.

System Support
Support activities and services including professional/staff development, campus improvement plan, parent education, campus decision making, committees, etc.

Non Guidance
Planning/Coordinating special events, supervisory duties, administrative duties, etc.

Meet Our Counselor, Dawn Cummons

 

 

This is my seventh year to be an elementary counselor in Mesquite . 

I taught 6th grade for five years before becoming a counselor.

I am very excited to be at Tosch Elementary this year!!

Character Education

Our school focuses on character education in many ways.

Character lessons are taught in the classrooms and

daily announcements are made where we focus on a specific character trait each month.

September: Respect

December: Compassion/

                   Humility

March: Honesty/

              Fairness

October: Responsibility

January: Determination/

                 Commitment

April: Forgiveness
November: Leadership February: Courage

May: Patience/

          Kindness

Parent Resources

Whether you are a single parent, grandparent raising a grandchild, blended family,

or just a mother and father looking for help, there are plenty of resources out there for you.

Here are a few:

Community Resources:

Mesquite Youth Services 972-222-3198
Betty Ford Children's Program 972-753-0552
My Guardian Angel-Divorce & Loss 214-887-0069
Buckner Children & Family Services 214-328-3141
TexCare Children's Health Care 800-647-6558
Texas Department of Housing 800-792-1119
Texas Scottish Rite Hospital 214-559-5000

Hotlines:

Abuse Hotline 800-252-5400
Alcohol & Drug Abuse 800-246-4673
National Youth Crisis Hotline 800-448-4663
Mesquite Police Department 972-285-6336
Runaway Hotline 800-392-3352
Suicide Crisis Center 214-828-1000
Helpful Websites

General Information

Safety

Fire Safety (fun)

Special Needs

Children of Alcoholics/Addicts (kids 5-12 years)

Guidance Topics

I visit every classroom 4-6 times per year school year depending on the grade level.

Some topics are listed below:

  • Kindergarten: Adjusting to school, Personal Space, Diversity, Interpersonal Relationships, Feelings, etc.
  • First Grade: Safety (gun, bike, fire, stranger)
  • Second Grade: WHO “We Help Ourselves”, Diversity, Teasing, Bullying, Problem Solving, Careers
  • Third Grade: Teamwork, Cooperation, Diversity, Test- Taking Skills, Bullying
  • Fourth Grade: Bullying, Internet Safety, Test-Taking Strategies, Friendship and Cliques
  • Fifth Grade: Conflict Resolution, Bullying, Test-Taking Strategies, Communication
  • Sixth Grade: Skills for Life, Sexual Harrassment,Transition to Middle School, Test-Taking Strategies