• Individual Planning: The school counselor will meet individually with all students to support and address student academic, personal, social, and career needs at least twice by May 2023.

• Guidance: By March  2023, the school counselor will provide career guidance activities appropriate to grade level to ensure proper placement in coherent course sequences by providing them with classroom presentations.

• Responsive Services: By March 2023, the school counselor will conduct at least 1 parent meeting for students in danger of not graduating.

• System Support: By May 2023, the school counselor will train all professional staff on Trauma-Informed Classrooms and Practices. 

Individual Planning:

• Individual student conferences at least twice a year

• Individual course selection and four-year planning utilizing the Personal Graduation Plan

• Career options and financial considerations for post-secondary education for each student

Guidance:

• Guidance lessons addressing academic requirements, college and career readiness, career and technology education, substance use prevention, healthy relationships

• Red Ribbon Week Campaign- Drug and Alcohol Prevention

• Guest Speakers to promote drug awareness and prevention.

• Career and Technology classroom visits and Parent Nights

• College Access Team- College application drives, FAFSA application drives, virtual classroom visits, and virtual Parent Nights

Responsive Services:

• Staff training on suicide prevention

• Staff training on Bullying and Bully Prevention

• Collaboration with the community  to distribute food to families in need

• Meet with parents and students in danger of not graduating

• Grief and crisis counseling groups for staff and students

System Support:

• Staff Self-Care Professional Development

• Student Data Meetings

• Counselor representative on campus and district committees

• Attend district counseling meetings

In August 2022, the College Admissions and Scholarship Specialist (CASS) conducted a classroom presentation and advisement in English IV classes. Following this, a survey was administered to 450 seniors to gauge college readiness. The survey results revealed significant gaps, with 80% of students lacking a college essay, 60% failing to conduct university research, and 70% not having a resume. Only six students had submitted a college application.

In response, the CASS specialist collaborated with English IV teachers to assign the essay and resume, aiming to boost the likelihood of completing college applications to four-year universities. The outreach strategy included announcements, informational flyers around the school and in Google Classroom, individual advisement and meetings with students and parents, messages via the student information system (SIS), and follow-ups with the senior academic counselor. Additionally, the AmeriCorps organization from the University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) partnered with McAllen ISD to support seniors in college and financial aid application submissions.

By May 2023, collaborative efforts involving the CASS, English IV educators, UTRGV AmeriCorps members, and the senior academic counselor yielded impressive results. A remarkable 98% of seniors had submitted a college application with their essay, and 99% had completed the FAFSA, showcasing the success of the comprehensive approach in achieving these milestones.

In collaboration with the Family Engagement Program, Rowe High School Counselors actively share essential information with parents on various topics, including services and resources, graduation requirements, FAFSA/TAFSA, and the college application process. To further support parents, counselors conduct guidance lessons aimed at helping them recognize and identify trauma in children and teens. These lessons are thoughtfully delivered in both in-person and virtual formats, accommodating schedules by offering sessions during the day and evening. This multifaceted approach ensures that parents are well-informed and equipped to navigate critical aspects of their children's education and well-being.