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My heart is full!
More than 350 school counselors and other educators attended the 2nd annual School Counselor Leadership Conference on Feb. 14. The day got off to a great start with opening remarks from Tommy Sablan, producer on KYXY 96.5 Jeff and the Showgram, and Frank Tarantino, former counselor and Sweetwater Unified High School District board member.
There were about 50 different workshops offered in six different sessions. The sessions covered a variety of topics and were relevant for elementary, middle, and high school level and higher education participants.
We are almost through February and as we head toward a strong finish of the 2016-17 school year, many of us are already looking to 2017-18. There will be many more professional learning opportunities for counselors next year, so I encourage you to begin those conversations now with your administrators and share what you may want to attend. What a great opportunity we are given to make ourselves better every year!
I look forward to learning more about you and your great work with students throughout our county. I'd love to see you in action, so please email me to visit or send in pictures of your campus or district activities. This newsletter is an outlet to share resources and best practices, so let's learn from each other!
Counseling Coordinator, Learning and Leadership Services
858-568-5459
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2017 School Counselor Leadership Conference
ICYMI: Conference Recap
If you were unable to attend the conference or if you want to relive some of your favorite moments, there are photos, videos, presentation materials, and more available online here.
Congratulations to all the winners of the $25 Vis
a gift cards from Mission Federal Credit Union! Thank you to everyone who submitted their completed evaluation form from the conference. Your feedback helps make our professional learning offerings more targeted to your needs.
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Charles Lopez, Ramona High School, Ramona Unified School District
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Yvonne Guel, Escondido High School, Escondido Union High School District
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Cherie Foraker, Mountain Empire High School, Mountain Empire Unified School District
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Laura Dawson, Grossmont High School, Grossmont Union High School District
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Heidi Mejia, Monte Vista Elementary, Vista Unified School District
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Mara Sanchez, Central High School, Central Union High School District
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Eleina Vallejo-Paez, Sweetwater High School, Sweetwater Union High School District
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Irene Ortegam, Helix High School
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Rosa Lopez, Palmer Way School, National School District
- Robin Dominguez, Muirlands Middle School, San Diego Unified School District
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Conference T-Shirts Available in Limited Run
"School Counselors are the Heart of our School" conference T-shirts have been so popular, we are taking new orders for a limited time only. If you've been thinking about hopping on this new fashion trend, get your order in today! Cost is $10 per shirt and the deadline to order is March 1. Order your new favorite T-shirt here.
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Upcoming Professional Learning
Counselors and Curriculum
Join school counselors from across the county for breakfast and networking with a focus on curriculum updates. More than 60 counselors attended the first two sessions covering topics such as Smarter Balanced Assessments, LCAP details, math, physical education, and expanded learning.
Register here
to attend these upcoming sessions:
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March 14 -- Topics include English language learners, world languages and biliteracy, and science
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May 19 -- Topics include history-social science, English language arts, and Momentum Learning (formerly SDCOE's Juvenile Court and Community Schools)
Achievement Gap Task Force Forum
Registration is filling up fast for the March 9 forum featuring George Couros, author of
The Innovator's Mindset,
the popular book on empowering students
.
The San Diego County Achievement Gap Task Force's half-day event at the La Jolla Marriott is designed for superintendents, district and school leaders, teachers, and counselors.
Student engagement, school climate, and equity play a big role in your LCAP, the LCFF Evaluation Rubrics, and the California School Dashboard. T
eams should register today to reserve their spot.
Click
here
to register and learn more about the keynote speaker and available breakout sessions.
Youth Mental Health First Aid
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A young person you know could be experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis and you can help them. The Youth Mental Health First Aid training teaches a five-step action plan to offer initial help to young people showing signs of a mental illness or in a crisis, and connect them with the appropriate professional, peer, social, or self-help care. Click the date below to register for an upcoming training.
Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC)
This workshop will cover topics such as social and emotional dynamics of CSEC, addressing the growing problems of victims of commercial sexual exploitation through a law enforcement approach, engagement and practice strategies, and CSEC and schools. This event is designed for school administrators, teachers, support staff, school counselors, school psychologists, social workers, and school nurses. Click the date below to register for an upcoming training.
Best Behavior: Building Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
This training is presented by Dr. Jeffrey
Sprague
of
The University of Oregon to guide school sites through the process of developing and sustaining a school-wide Positive Behavior Support system. In order to implement Response to
Instruction and Intervention in the area of behavior, school sites must develop a system of universal screening, site-wide teaching of positive behaviors, and a mechanism to support staff in ongoing implementation. Attendees must participate in school site teams of three to five with a site administrator included.
Click
here
to register to attend the March 8 and 9 event at the Marina Village Conference Center.
GLSEN: Creating a Safe Space for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth 1.0
This professional learning for middle and high school educators will include topics such as:
- Current federal and state laws that address bullying and harassment
- How to take a stand against bullying and harassment in schools
- Bullying that targets LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual, and Transgender) Youth
- What it means to become an "ally" to LGBT youth
- How to comply with the Fair Education Act (SB 48) and the Success and Opportunity Act (AB 1266), which mandates the contributions of LGBT people into the curriculum and ensures fair opportunities for transgender students
Click
here
to register to attend this event on March 13 at the San Diego County Office of Education main campus.
Strengths-Based Group Facilitation
This training will provide participants with the basic framework needed for facilitating student support groups. Participants will learn strategies for connecting and reaching out to different student populations and have the opportunity to practice leading a group and receive constructive feedback. Click
here
to register to attend from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 3.
Excellence in Equity Leadership
Gain strategies for your district and school leaders, teachers, and counselors to make equity a reality in your district or school. Build leadership excellence and capacity to lead for equity across systems, and foster an inclusive and supportive learning environment for each and every student and student group. Click
here
to register to attend the three-day event on April 5, 6, and May 31.
Strengths-Based Schools by GallupĀ®
You are invited to an informational session presented by Gallup to learn about the Strengths Movement in education. During this free, 90-minute session, school leaders will learn how to set a course for building a strengths-based culture in their school or district. A strengths-based culture can boost teacher and leader engagement, empower parents, and get students motivated and energized to improve achievement. Click
here
to register to attend one of two morning sessions on March 15 at the San Diego County Office of Education main campus.
Equity Symposium
The Equity Symposium on Sept. 7 and 8 at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina is designed for school and district leaders, teachers, and counselors to uncover the specific barriers preventing students from the supports and opportunities they need for success.
This year the theme of the event is Equity through Student Agency: Mindsets, Relationships, and Innovations. Click here to learn more and submit a presentation proposal.
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Evidence-Based School Counseling Conference
The Evidence-Based School Counseling Conference provides school counselors with critical information about successful practice, evaluation, and relevant research to create dynamic and powerful school counseling programs. The conference uses a unique format to incorporate both peer-reviewed research presentations and small group consultation with leaders in the field. Click here to register to attend March 10 and 11 at the University of San Diego.
Supporting Access to Higher Education for Immigrant and Undocumented Students
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The Supporting Access to Higher Education for Immigrant and Undocumented Students is presented by the Center for Excellence in School Counseling and Leadership (CESCaL) at San Diego State University. Hear from national and local advocates and experts focusing on the rights, laws, and policies to support immigrant and undocumented students. Sessions will include best practices, building aspirations, academic planning, the college exploration and application process, funding options, admissions, and transitions. Practitioners will strengthen their skills to mentor, counsel, and advise students as future college candidates. Click hereto register to attend April 23 to 25 at SDSU.
CASC Annual Conference
The 17th annual School Counseling Conference
will focus on five themes: safe and supportive schools; reaching higher for college and career readiness; evidence-based school counseling; professional practices; and the digital landscape. Click
here
to learn more and register to attend the Oct. 23 and 24 event in Riverside.
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New State Accountability Tool
California School Dashboard
A new phase in the California school accountability system is expected to be rolled out this month. Known as the
California School Dashboard
, the public will be able to view district and school reports that cover different indicators or topics that impact overall student achievement and success. This multi-layered dashboard replaces the single number or score that used to rank a school or district's performance. It uses multiple measures to keep the focus on student equity and strengthen local control.
Read more about the dashboard here, and access a communications toolkit here.
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Explore this curated list of up-to-date resources, best practices, websites, and articles that school counselors and others can use to aid students in exploring college options and selecting post-secondary options. If you have resources you think should be added, just fill in this form.
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Personal, Social, and Mental Health Resources
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General Articles and Resources
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Get up-to-the-minute information about what's happening at SDCOE and in our districts across the county.
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