Section II
Program Implementation
COUNSELING ADVISORY COUNCIL
The Weslaco High School Counseling Advisory Council (CAC) meets four times a year.
Meetings are held on the first Monday of the month from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m.
Meeting dates: September, November, February, and April (every academic school year)
Below are the names of the CAC members and their positions:
Mrs. Yvett Morales, Administrator
Ms. Caridad Salinas, Head Counselor
Mrs. Mischelle King, Administrator
WHS Counseling Team
Parent Member
USE OF IMPLEMENTATION CYCLE
The Counseling Advisory Council Committee's focus is to ensure a Comprehensive School Counseling Program is in place to meet the needs of the campus and review the effectiveness of the programming implemented campus-wide. Our committee meets four times a year to coordinate and design the delivery of our lessons and activities. Staff and student surveys are used to establish goals for social-emotional learning in our school. In addition, this data is used to guide and evaluate our program. Based on survey results and staff recommendations, we implemented weekly social-emotional lessons and increased college awareness and access. As a campus, we implemented weekly social-emotional lessons and adopted a year-at-a-glance.
COUNSELING PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Our College and Career Specialist worked closely with seniors and their counselors to ensure they graduated College, Career, and Military Ready (CCMR). As a result, 95% of our 2023 Seniors graduated CCMR. College, Career, and Military Readiness is a key focus for all of our counselors.
COUNSELING PROGRAM PLAN
School:
Weslaco High School
Counselors:
Caridad Salinas, Patricia Gonzales, Melinda Sosa-Ortiz, Laura Garcia, Lisa Calderón, Krystal Muñoz, Rosana Olivarez, Eunice Lejia Rico
Mission Statement:
Our mission at the WHS counseling department is to implement a comprehensive developmental guidance and counseling program promoting student success through a focus on academic achievement, prevention and intervention activities, advocacy, and social/emotional and career development to meet the needs of the students and community. The available services include, but are not limited to: individual planning, guidance in high school course selection and schedules, individual counseling, small group counseling, community resource referrals, career guidance, college application guidance, financial aid and scholarship information and assistance, credit recovery, and so much more.
Goals & Performance Indicators
The WHS Counseling Team aims to implement a balanced counseling program. The indicators of a balanced comprehensive counseling program will reflect the following program service percentages:
Guidance Curriculum - 15-25%
Individual Planning - 25-35%
Response Services - 25-35%
System Support - 15-20%
The WHS Counseling Team utilizes Panorama and Ripple Effects to promote student wellness, SEL, and daily check-ins.
Academic Planning:
The WHS Counseling team utilizes classroom guidance visits and student/parent conferences to meet with all students to discuss high school graduation plans, graduation requirements, classification, GPA, Latin honors, dual enrollment, graduation accolades and performance acknowledgment, current credits earned, credits remaining to be earned, graduation deficiencies, credit recovery options, course selection for the upcoming school year, student concerns, and student goals in regard to their social, personal and career goals.
Guidance Curriculum:
CCMR - College Application Drive, CCMR Expo, No Pie Til You Apply, FAFSA Drive, College Representative Lunch Visits, PSAT and ACT during the school day administration, Dual Enrollment Partnership, Dual Enrollment Information Meeting, and College Fairs
SEL Lessons/Topics - Resilience, Communicating via email, Mental Health Resources, Life after high school, Trusted Adults, Teen Dating/Violence Prevention, Self-management, Self-awareness, Self-efficacy, Social Awareness, Relationship skills, Supportive relationships, School climate and safety, Spring Break, Anxiety, Growth mindset, Grit
Bullying Prevention - Bullying awareness month, Anonymous reporting tool, guidance lessons
Substance Use Prevention - Red Ribbon Week
Suicide Prevention - Suicide Awareness Month, Staff training on recognizing the signs, Counselor training on suicide assessment/procedures
Response Services & System Support:
District Mental Health Resources, Health and Community resources, STC partnership, UTRGV partnership, Courts in School, 504/SpED Referral, Data Collection (Failure Report, STAAR Scores, etc.), Scheduling/Schedule changes, Transfer HS Records and Data
Other Duties:
504, SpEd, ARD meetings, testing assistance, duty (as needed)
Resource Planning:
Materials & Budget: Materials and supplies to assist our counseling department are purchased based on this Annual Program Plan and the Campus Improvement.
Professional Development Needs: professional development opportunities are provided as needed in various topics; SEL, CCMR, Academic Support
Comments/Reflections: Administrators, Counselors, and the Counseling Advisory Committee work collaboratively to ensure we provide the most effective program and materials to assist our students, families, and community.
Professional Consultation:
Principal and Counselor Meeting - Monthly; Counselors
School Counseling Team Meetings - Weekly; Counselors
504 Meeting - Monthly, Assistant Principal; Counselor
ARD Meeting - As needed; Counselors
Instructional Leadership Team Meetings - As needed; Principal
Operational Planning Meetings - As needed; Head Counselor, Principal
District School Counseling Meetings - Monthly; Counselors
PLC/Data Meetings - Monthly; Counselors
Campus Coordinated Health Meetings - As needed; Head Counselor
District Committees - Monthly; Head Counselor
School Counselor Availability / Communication:
Office Hours & Appointment Method:
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Appointments may be scheduled through the Counseling Department Secretaries.
Available meeting methods: In person, virtual, phone, email.
Communication Systems:
Announcements - Phone call, email, social media; Head Counselor
Social Media - WHS website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (X); Instructional Coach
School Website - As needed; Instructional Coach
Counseling Department Website - As needed; Head Counselor
College and Career Readiness Center Website - As needed; Head Counselor