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Who Is The Counselor?
My name is Paula Ortiz and I am the Theiss Elementary counselor. This is my sixth year at Theiss Elementary and my 17th year in education. I am honored to serve as your school counselor.

The Counseling Program
My position at Theiss entails many tasks that assist students in achieving their educational, social and career goals. These tasks are derived from the state guidance program and these tasks support district and school goals.

The Theiss counseling program is divided into four areas. Those areas are as follows:

a) Guidance Curriculum
The purpose of guidance is to provide students with developmentally appropriate classroom lessons that teach awareness, skill development and application of skills needed in every day life.
(Woven Word, Second Step: A Violence Prevention Program and
Steps for Respect: A Bullying Prevention Program)
More Information on Guidance Programs can be found on the guidance link at the bottom of the page.

b) Responsive Services
The purpose of responsive services is to intervene on behalf of those students whose personal concerns or problems put their social, career or educational development at risk.
(Individual Counseling, Small Group Counseling, Referral Service, Teacher and Parent Consultation)

c) Individual Planning
The purpose of the individual planning system is to guide all students as they plan, monitor and manage their own educational, career and personal-social development.
(Goal Setting, Behavior Contracts and Reward Systems)

d) System Support
The purpose of system support is to provide services and management activities, which indirectly benefit students.
(Staff Development, 504, At Risk Monitoring, Professional Learning Community, 5th Grade Transition)

Pride Programs
This year students will have an opportunity to become involved in many school-wide counseling–oriented programs. They include:

Woven Word Guidance Lessons (Kindergarten)
Second Step Guidance Lessons (1 - 2)
Steps to Respect Guidance Lessons (3 – 5)
Red Ribbon Week Drug Prevention Activities (All Students)
D.A.R.E. (5)
Well Managed Classroom Skill Lessons (K – 5)


Contacting the Counselor
My job is to serve as an advocate for students, parents and teachers. I hope to be of service to all Theiss Tigers. You can reach me at (832) 484-5894 or email me at portiz@kleinisd.net .

I look forward to a fantastic 2009 – 2010 school year!

Guidance Lessons
For information on guidance lessons, please visit the following web address –
classroom.kleinisd.net/webs/theisscounselor/