Counselors report grief groups, restorative circles and fentanyl/vaping assemblies at Perryton ISD

School counselors at a Perryton ISD Student Health Advisory Council meeting described a range of social-emotional learning activities across campuses this school year, including lessons on gratitude and empathy, grief groups, restorative circles and a fentanyl/vaping assembly delivered to students and staff.

Counselor activities and speakers Brandy Cunningham, the high school counselor, said she started a grief group two weeks before the meeting for boys who had lost a sibling or parent. "I started a grief group this last 2 weeks ago. We have some boys that have either lost a sibling or a parent. And so I started a grief group with them, and it's been it's been really good," Cunningham said. She described using games such as UNO and Jenga adapted to prompt discussion about emotions, and bringing a therapy dog, Mav, to support students.

Elementary and intermediate counselors reported monthly guidance lessons and family engagement events. Allison at Williams campus described a December family picnic with a STEM challenge that brought parents and students together.

Fentanyl, vaping and outside speakers Cunningham and others praised a presentation delivered by a nurse from Lubbock that addressed vaping and fentanyl risk, saying staff previewed the material before students and found it effective. "She talked to our kids about fentanyl and about just vaping and how, like, you can take one hit...and it can be laced with fentanyl and you're dead," Cunningham said. The author Jean McGuire, who wrote Unshackled, also visited to speak, and free copies of the book were distributed.

Plans for expanded mental health time Cunningham said counselors are working to create time in the high school schedule for mental health and academic support days. "We're gonna build in, hopefully, 40 days within the school day to do, I'll do, like, a mental health day...they'll do, like, one day where they catch up on grades," Cunningham said. The proposed model would include short, solution-focused counseling opportunities delivered during the school day.

Restorative practice and confidentiality Cunningham described restorative circles and mediation techniques used when students report interpersonal conflicts, emphasizing voluntary participation and confidentiality. She said the goal is short-term, solution-focused support rather than long-term therapy, and that counselors routinely call parents when child-safety thresholds are met.

Why it matters Counselors framed these activities as preventive and supportive interventions designed to build students' coping skills and a sense of connection. The programs combine classroom lessons, targeted small groups and one-on-one counseling and rely on community speaker partnerships for specific topics such as substance risks.