Counselor’s Comments
Roland Cadena, DHS Counselor
The 2021-2022 school year is off to a very good start. The teachers and students were anxiously awaiting the start of the new school year. Time has really gone by quickly. All of the activities that usually take place at the high school are in full swing. The first six weeks of school ends on October 1. At the present time, we have a total of 555 students enrolled inclusive of the small senior class that has only 115 seniors.
Athletic activities, National Honor Society, FFA, FCCLA, class officers, and many other student activities are already doing what they do. Juniors received information on school rings and seniors have received information on their graduation invitations, as well as, caps and gowns. Homecoming has come and gone. We would like to thank everyone that participated in Homecoming activities. The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude test (ASVAB) was administered last week for students interested in joining the different military branches. Some of our senior students went on a fieldtrip trip to Café College where they received information on applying to colleges, scholarships, financial aid and the Free Application for Federal Student Assistance (FAFSA). Some parent class meetings have been held and a variety of fundraisers are underway.
This year the Texas State legislature passed two mandates that will impact our students. One was that all students that did not master their respective STAAR exam must receive additional test tutoring in a classroom setting. Second, the legislators mandated that all senior students receive instruction on how to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Assistance (FAFSA). Seniors must also receive training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and Police Officer Interaction (POI). The speech class essential knowledge and skills are now being taught in the language arts classes.
The school district has also provided Chrome tablets for all of the students. In addition, this school year the school district will be providing breakfast and lunch at no cost to the students. On October the 26 the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) will be administered and the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) will be given on October 28. This school year the high school will be providing a college fair on November 16 that will not be a virtual fair.