Section II

Program Implementation

COUNSELING ADVISORY COUNCIL

The Weslaco High School Counseling Advisory Council (CAC) meets four times a year. The counseling department meetings are held weekly, every Monday, from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m.

Below are the names of the CAC members and their positions:

Mrs. Yvett Morales, Principal
Mrs. Mischelle King, Administrator
Mrs. Rosana Olivarez, Head Counselor
Mrs. Elva Rey, Social Worker
WHS Counseling Team
Brenda Gutierrez, Parent Member
Armando Martinez, Community Member
Matilda Olivarez, Student Representative

CAC Calendar.pdf

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. The committee meets four times a year to coordinate and design the delivery of their lessons and activities. Staff and student surveys are used to establish goals for social-emotional learning at Weslaco High School. In addition, this data is used to guide and evaluate the counseling program. Based on survey results and staff recommendations, counselors implemented weekly social-emotional lessons and increased college awareness and access. As a campus, weekly social-emotional lessons and adopted a year-at-a-glance were implemented.

Organizing - Weslaco High School counseling department commits to action to identify leadership for program improvement efforts

Planning - The counseling department commits to adopting the comprehensive school counseling program model and program development process to be used and to assess the current program

Designing - The counseling department commits to establishing the desired program design, publishing the program framework, planning the transition to the desired program, and developing and implementing a master plan for implementation changes

WHS counseling team works together to make graduation special.

COUNSELING PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

The College and Career Specialist worked closely with seniors and their counselors to ensure they graduated College, Career, and Military Ready (CCMR). As a result, 96% of 2024 Seniors graduated as CCMR. College, Career, and Military Readiness is a key focus for all WHS counselors.

COUNSELING PROGRAM PLAN

School:

Weslaco High School

Counselors:

Rosana Olivarez, Caridad Salinas, Patricia Gonzales, Melinda Sosa-Ortiz, Laura Garcia, Lisa Calderón, Eunice Lejia Rico

Martha Guerrero-Lopez, Jasmine Villa, Michael Ledesma

Social Workers: Elva Rey

GEAR UP Facilitator: Perla Palomo

Mission Statement:

The mission of Weslaco High School's counseling department is to implement a comprehensive developmental guidance and counseling program promoting student success with a focus on academic achievement, prevention and intervention activities, advocacy, and social/emotional and career development to meet the needs of our 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, crisis intervention, 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 to promote student wellness, SEL, and daily check-ins.

Weslaco High School Counseling Program Plan

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 regarding 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, safety, Anxiety, Growth mindset, Grit
Bullying Prevention - Bullying awareness month, anonymous reporting tool, guidance lessons
Substance Use Prevention - Red Ribbon Week, Alcohol and drug use prevention education
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, Leaver recovery assistance

Other Duties:

504, SpEd, ARD meetings, testing assistance, supervision duty (as needed), LPAC committee participation

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; Director of Counseling
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. – 4:30 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; CCMR Specialist

WHS Early College High School students celebrate their achievements

Students unite to stop bullying by signing the Anti-Bullying Proclamation

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