LIGHT Program
Mission Statement
The LIGHT program is committed to providing education, intervention, and resources to students, parents, administrators, and the community in a way that assists students in choosing healthy lifestyles.
Program Overview
Student Services Specialists, also known as LIGHT Counselors, work with students, parents, and staff at all GISD schools. The LIGHT program’s overall goal is to strengthen the educational process of students who are experiencing the effects of substance abuse, crisis, or exhibiting behaviors of concern. This is accomplished through the development of a healthy school environment for students by providing counseling, support groups, presentations, prevention activities, classroom guidance, and crisis intervention.
Areas addressed include:
- Family issues
- Coping skills
- Healthy relationships
- Anger management
- Physical and Emotional Abuse
- Stress
- Grief and loss
- Depression
- Self-injury
- Suicide
- Substance abuse
Program Components
Prevention
Through classroom guidance, group presentations and counseling students receive information about the physical effects and the dangers of alcohol and other drugs. In addition, students learn a variety of ways to maintain healthy lifestyles. Students are encouraged to get involved with the Junior LIGHT Brigade or the LIGHT Brigade.
Intervention
- Individual Counseling
- Referral Services
- Consultation
Support
- Support Groups
- LIGHT Brigade
- Junior LIGHT Brigade
- Individual Counseling
Programs & Activities
Red Ribbon Week
Red Ribbon Week, the fourth week in October, is a week of alcohol and other drug awareness activities that promotes a drug-free lifestyle. Wearing a red ribbon signifies a unified effort to support a drug free environment. The LIGHT program provides red ribbons to students, staff, and the community members while individual campuses plan special activities to promote the week.
Positive Peer Groups
LIGHT Brigade (high schools students) and Junior LIGHT Brigade (middle school students) are the positive peer groups on the secondary campuses. These groups are comprised of students who share the desire to be positive role models for their peers. Student members pledge to live a positive drug and violence-free lifestyle and to encourage and educate others to do the same through prevention activities.
LIGHT Advisory Council
The LIGHT Advisory Council is a coalition of school officials, counselors, and community members who provide a link between the school and the community for the purpose of promoting activities that encourage healthy lifestyles for the youth in the Garland ISD communities.
Camp Real World
Camp Real World is a one-day camp for middle and high school students who are interested in drug and alcohol prevention. At the camp, students have an opportunity to learn about the dangers of alcohol and other drug use and prevention strategies that they can undertake at their own school. The camp activities are designed with fun and fellowship in mind, while working on drug prevention and leadership activities.
Prom Promise
Prior to prom season, high school LIGHT Brigade members encourage an alcohol and drug free prom by promoting awareness activities. Brigade members distribute information concerning the dangers of drinking and ask their fellow students to sign a pledge promoting an alcohol and drug-free prom.
Grandparent Support Group
The grandparent support group provides grandparents who are primary caretakers for their grandchild(ren) with a forum where they can share common experiences, support each other through the challenges that “parenting” presents, and learn how to access resources.
Program Staff
The student services specialists, frequently referred to as LIGHT counselors, are certified school counselors who have additional training in specialty areas.
Each high school has a full-time student services specialist and each middle school shares a specialist with another middle school campus. In addition, the specialists are assigned to a cluster of elementary campuses as a resource. The community resource specialist works to link students and families in crisis with social services in the community.
| Name | Location | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| Jim Foster | Bussey Sellers |
(972) 494-8391 (972) 494-8337 |
| Sandra Foreman | Lyles Austin |
(972) 240-3720 (972) 926-2623 |
| Ginger Mohan | Brandenburg O'Banion |
(972) 926-2630 (972) 279-6103 |
| Ann Noska | Sam Houston Jackson |
(972) 926-2640 (972) 494-8362 |
| Karen Gordon | Coyle Schrade |
(972) 475-3711 (972) 463-8790 |
| Susan Spagnolo | Hudson Webb |
(972) 675-3070 (972) 675-3080 |
| Name | Location | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| Pat Crooks | Garland | (972) 494-8492 |
| Trelica Dotie | Lakeview | (972) 240-3735 |
| Vivian Johnson | Naaman Forest | (972) 675-3095 |
| Candice Conner | North Garland | (972) 675-3120 |
| Lou Kemp | Rowlett | (972) 475- 3863 |
| Angela Sharp | Sachse | (972) 414-7450 |
| Jolynn Briggs Lead Student Services Specialist |
South Garland | (972) 926-2713 |
Community Resource Specialist
Sherion Stribling (972) 487-3198
Social Services Specialist
Marylu Booth (972) 487-3201
LIGHT Program
Administrative Leadership:
Coordinator of Guidance and Counseling
Ruby Armstrong
Contact Information:
A876@garlandisd.net
(972) 487-3194
(972) 487-3195
Street Address:
501 South Jupiter Road
Garland, TX 75042
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 469026
Garland, TX 75046-9026