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CHS Counselor's Corner

What Is School Counseling?

Program Mission 

The CCISD Counseling Department provides relevant and accessible resources and supports promoting positive citizenship, healthy relationships, social-emotional support, and valuable academic and post-secondary planning through a comprehensive school counseling program that recognizes the unique needs of all students. 

Program Components

The comprehensive counseling program includes four domains:

  • Guidance and Postsecondary Planning—Guidance conveys transferable daily skills that support long-term student success. In particular, school counselors work with students to develop intra- and interpersonal effectiveness, post-secondary readiness, and personal health and safety. 
  • Individual Planning—Individual planning services assist students, parents, and other educators in planning, monitoring, and managing students’ educational, personal, career, and social development. 
  • Responsive Services—School counselors intervene on behalf of any student whose immediate personal concerns or problems put the student’s continued educational, personal, career, or social development at risk. Responsive services include crisis intervention. 
  • Indirect Student Services & System Support—School counselors support colleagues, parents, and the community in promoting the educational, personal, career, and social development of all students. 

Bullying & Cyberbullying

Calhoun County ISD believes all students must feel safe and secure to acheive their academic potential. Bullying, harrassment, and other aggressive behaviors are conduct that disrupt both a student’s ability to learn and a school’s ability to educate its students in a safe environment. 

The Texas Administrative Code Sec. 37.0832 states that bullying is a single significant act or a pattern of acts by one or more students directed at another student that exploits an imbalance of power and involves engaging in written or verbal expression, expression through electronic means, or physical conduct. This includes cyberbullying.

  • Has the effect or will have the effect of physically harming a student, damaging a student’s property, or placing a student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or of damage to the student’s property
  • Is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive enough that the action or threat creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment for a student
  • Materially and substantially disrupts the educational process or the orderly operation of a classroom or school

OR

  • Infringes on the rights of the victim at school 
  • Physical bullying: using physical force or aggression against another person (e.g., hitting)
  • Verbal bullying: using words to verbally attack someone (e.g., name-calling)
  • Social/relational bullying: trying to hurt someone through excluding them, spreading rumor's or ignoring them (e.g., gossiping)
  • Cyberbullying: using electronic media to threaten, embarrass, intimidate, or exclude someone, or to damage their reputation (e.g., sending threatening text messages).

Are you experiencing bullying? Report the incident to CCISD administration by completing the form at the link below. 

 Alert to CCISD: Report an Incident of Bullying

  • The Texas Administrative Code Sec. 37.0832 states that bullying is a single significant act or a pattern of acts by one or more students directed at another student that exploits an imbalance of power and involves engaging in written or verbal expression, expression through electronic means, or physical conduct. This includes cyberbullying.

    • Has the effect or will have the effect of physically harming a student, damaging a student’s property, or placing a student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or of damage to the student’s property
    • Is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive enough that the action or threat creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment for a student
    • Materially and substantially disrupts the educational process or the orderly operation of a classroom or school

    OR

    • Infringes on the rights of the victim at school 

    • Physical bullying: using physical force or aggression against another person (e.g., hitting)
    • Verbal bullying: using words to verbally attack someone (e.g., name-calling)
    • Social/relational bullying: trying to hurt someone through excluding them, spreading rumor's or ignoring them (e.g., gossiping)
    • Cyberbullying: using electronic media to threaten, embarrass, intimidate, or exclude someone, or to damage their reputation (e.g., sending threatening text messages).

  • Are you experiencing bullying? Report the incident to CCISD administration by completing the form at the link below. 

     Alert to CCISD: Report an Incident of Bullying

Parent & Student Academic Planning Resources

Planning for life after high school can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. We’ve gathered key tools and resources in one place to help students and families make informed decisions about college, career, and beyond. Here you’ll find links and information about services to guide you through graduation planning, financial aid, and future opportunities.

  • Beginning with the 2025–2026 school year, all Texas secondary schools are required by law (SB 2314, 89th Legislature) to inform families about My Texas Future (My Texas Future) — a new state-supported online platform designed to simplify the path from high school to college, career training, or other postsecondary options.

    🎓 What Is My Texas Future?

    My Texas Future is a one-stop, electronic portal created by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). Its purpose is to help students and families make informed decisions about education after high school. The portal allows students and families to:

    • Create a personalized profile beginning in 9th grade, so students can track progress and match their academic achievements with postsecondary opportunities.
    • Apply to Texas colleges and universities through a direct link to ApplyTexas.
    • See “Direct Admissions” opportunities, showing which institutions may offer guaranteed admission based on academic profile.
    • Explore financial aid options by viewing a list of scholarships, grants, and aid awards for which a student may be eligible.
    • Compare program value by reviewing state-provided data on completion rates, earnings, and workforce outcomes of different majors or credentials.
    • Review real data about program costs, completion rates, and typical wages after graduation.
    • Use one centralized platform for college applications and financial aid, reducing paperwork and confusion.

    ✅ Next Steps for Families

    1. Visit My Texas Future
    2. Create a student profile or update an existing one.
    3. Explore admissions, direct admissions opportunities, and financial aid options.
    4. Revisit the portal regularly to update your student’s progress and see new opportunities.


    📌 Our school is committed to keeping families informed about My Texas Future, in compliance with SB 2314, so that every student has access to the tools and information needed for a successful future. For additional information of assistance, contact your student's school counselor. 

  • ApplyTexas is the official application portal for students applying to public colleges and universities across Texas. Whether you're planning to attend a two-year community college or a four-year university, ApplyTexas allows you to complete and submit your admissions application, scholarship applications, and more — all in one place.

    Students can:

    • Apply to multiple Texas institutions with one application

    • Track application status and deadlines

    • Submit required essays and supporting documents

    • Explore scholarships offered through participating colleges

    🔗 Visit ApplyTexas

    The video below will guide students through the process of creating an account for the first time. If you have any questions, please contact your school counselor.

     

  • The Common Application—often called Common App—makes applying to college easier!  With one application, students can apply to 900+ colleges and universities across the U.S. and even some international schools.  The platform also helps track deadlines, manage essays, and organize recommendation letters all in one place. 

    Visit CommonApp

     

  • Paying for college starts with completing a financial aid application! The video below, provided by Texas OnCourse, explains the FAFSA and benefits that can be accessed through the application. 

     

    Most students will use the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to apply for grants, loans, and work-study opportunities through the US Department of Education. Students who are not eligible to complete FAFSA may use the TASFA (Texas Application for State Financial Aid) to access state-based financial support. Both applications are free and are the first step to unlocking college financial assistance. 

    🔗 The FAFSA form can be accessed through this link: Federal Student Aid

    🔗 The TASFA form can be accessed through this link: THECB: Texas Application for State Financial Aid

    IMPORTANT: Students must complete a FAFSA, TASFA, or signed opt-out form during the student’s senior year to comply with state graduation requirements. For more information, contact your student’s school counselor. 

     

  • SchooLinks is a modern, college and career readiness platform to prepare students for what comes after graduation. SchooLinks helps students discover their interests and strengths, explore colleges and careers, and create an individualized career and academic plan that best reflects their post-secondary goals. SchooLinks at Calhoun County ISD is accessible in 9th-12th grades by students and their parents.

    SchooLinks features are incredibly user-friendly and were designed to streamline the college and career readiness workflow.

    Using SchooLinks, students and families can:

    • Access career interest, strength and mindset surveys
    • Explore 2-year and 4-year colleges
    • Take virtual reality college campus tours
    • Search and apply for scholarships
    • Learn about financial aid
    • Find internship and volunteer opportunities
    • Explore traditional, emerging and military career fields
    • Create digital portfolios / resumes
    • View and register for college, career, and military readiness events
    • Manage college applications 
    • Request electronic transcripts for college applications 

    Students in 12th grade will also establish an alumni account that will grant them access to SchoolLinks after high school graduation.

    SchooLinks is a modern, college and career readiness platform to prepare students for what comes after graduation. SchooLinks helps students discover their interests and strengths, explore colleges and careers, and create an individualized career and academic plan that best reflects their post-secondary goals. SchooLinks at Calhoun County ISD is accessible in 9th-12th grades by students and their parents.

    SchooLinks features are incredibly user-friendly and were designed to streamline the college and career readiness workflow.

    Using SchooLinks, students and families can:

    • Access career interest, strength and mindset surveys
    • Explore 2-year and 4-year colleges
    • Take virtual reality college campus tours
    • Search and apply for scholarships
    • Learn about financial aid
    • Find internship and volunteer opportunities
    • Explore traditional, emerging and military career fields
    • Create digital portfolios / resumes
    • View and register for college, career, and military readiness events
    • Manage college applications 
    • Request electronic transcripts for college applications 

    Students in 12th grade will also establish an alumni account that will grant them access to SchoolLinks after high school graduation.

    Students can access SchooLinks through ClassLink.

    Parents can gain access to SchooLinks through a unique Guardian Claim Code provided by the student to the parent. Instructions on accessing the Guardian Claim Code can be accessed via SchooLinks at the links below:

    🔗 Accessing Guardian Claim Codes in SchooLinks

    🔗 Guardian Access in SchooLinks (Select the “Student Claim Codes” option)

Counseling Transparency

Calhoun County ISD values parent partnership in student learning. We support parents as the primary educators of their children. As a parent, you have the right to review instructional materials. Through the links below, you can gain access or information about the verious instructional resources we utilize. 

  • SchooLinks is a modern, college and career readiness platform to prepare students for what comes after graduation. SchooLinks helps students discover their interests and strengths, explore colleges and careers, and create an individualized career and academic plan that best reflects their post-secondary goals. SchooLinks at Calhoun County ISD is accessible in 9th-12th grades by students and their parents.

    SchooLinks features are incredibly user-friendly and were designed to streamline the college and career readiness workflow.

    Using SchooLinks, students and families can:

    • Access career interest, strength and mindset surveys
    • Explore 2-year and 4-year colleges
    • Take virtual reality college campus tours
    • Search and apply for scholarships
    • Learn about financial aid
    • Find internship and volunteer opportunities
    • Explore traditional, emerging and military career fields
    • Create digital portfolios / resumes
    • View and register for college, career, and military readiness events
    • Manage college applications 
    • Request electronic transcripts for college applications 

    Students in 12th grade will also establish an alumni account that will grant them access to SchoolLinks after high school graduation.

    Parents can gain access to SchooLinks through a unique Guardian Claim Code provided by the student to the parent. Instructions on accessing the Guardian Claim Code can be accessed via SchooLinks at the links below:

    🔗 Accessing Guardian Claim Codes in SchooLinks

    🔗 Guardian Access in SchooLinks (Select the “Student Claim Codes” option)

  • iLead is a curriculum resource developed by the Maxwell Leadership Foundation that supports students’ soft skills and character trait development.The curriculum centers around the following: 

    • iChoose—Connects Values and Leadership 
    • iDo—Connects Actions and Leadership 
    • iLead—Connects Influence and Leadership

    Additional information about the iLead program can be accessed at Maxwell Leadership Foundation: iLead.

    To review iLead materials, contact your student’s school counselor.

Counseling Contacts

Brandi Williams
Director, CTE & Advanced Academics
361-552-3775 Ext. 4311

Courtney Herren
School Counselor, Student Support
361-552-3775 Ext. 2364

 

Sandra Rudellat
School Counselor, A – L 
361-552-3775 Ext. 2370

Lance Schultz
School Counselor, CTE & Advanced Academics
361-552-3775 Ext. 2330

 

Blan Willoughby
School Counselor, M – Z 
361-552-3775 Ext. 2622

Lisa Venecia-Fredericksen 
Secretary, CTE & Advanced Academics 
361-552-3775 Ext. 2671

 

 

Tess Gossett 
PEIMS Clerk 
361-552-3775 Ext. 2306

Jayme Hermes
Registrar 
361-552-3775 Ext. 2626