Safe
and Drug-Free Schools
The
Safe and Drug-Free Schools Program focuses on the district goal
of teaching positive citizenship and character and addressing
emotional, social and health needs of students. This program
was originally established to unite school and community efforts
for the identification and prevention of alcohol, tobacco, and
other drug use among youth through education. Staff members
conduct student/parent education programs, employee inservice
training and special programs on individual campuses, drug pre-assessment
interviews, work with community prevention efforts, and provide
information and referral sources.
Conflict
management and violence prevention programs provide education
and training in appropriate ways of handling anger and conflicts.
Peer mediation programs use students trained with specific skills
in resolving disputes between peers under the supervision of
trained staff
School
Health Services
HGA
employs nurses to work with students and staff throughout the
district. The focus of the school health program is the prevention
of illness and absenteeism. The school nurse provides assistance
to students who become ill or injured at school and works with
students with chronic disabilities to enable them to function
in the school setting. The school nurse presents health related
programs to students at various grade levels. These programs
include topics such as growth and development, drug education,
nutrition and hygiene. The school nurse also serves as a resource
for teachers, students and parents regarding health matters.
Texas
State Law requires immunizations for all students. School nurses
interpret records and work with parents to insure compliance
with state laws. Vision and hearing screening is required for
kindergarten, first, third, fifth and seventh graders as well
as all students new to Texas schools. Scoliosis (spinal) screening
is required for all students in grades five and eight. Screenings
for acanthosis nigricans, a skin marker, are required for all
third, fifth and seventh graders. Referrals for all screenings
are made as indicated.
The
goal of the school nurse is to insure every student a healthy
and productive life-style during their academic years thus enabling
them to become healthy, productive adults.
School
Counseling
The
purpose of the school guidance program is to promote and to
enhance the learning process. School counselors work closely
with administrators, teachers, parents, and the community to
support the Plano ISD mission and accomplish goals with focus
on three strands of guidance: academic success, college/career
information, and personal/social development.
Comprehensive
guidance and counseling is an integral part of each school’s
educational program. A developmental school guidance program
includes activities which are organized and implemented by certified
school counselors and are based on identified student needs.
Emphasis at the elementary level is on prevention of problems
which might affect school work and providing classroom guidance
on such topics as study skills, problem-solving, communication
skills, and conflict management. . Counselors conduct classroom
presentations at all levels and trained community volunteers
to teach personal safety rules and help students respond appropriately
in difficult situations.
Counselors
will work with parents and teachers to assist students in developing
plans for academic and behavioral success. In addition, counselors
coordinate standardized testing, work with peer support groups,
and provide information about community resources. Parents are
welcome to consult with their school counselor about the counseling
program and their child’s special needs by calling the
school for an appointment.
