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Spring is here and we're in the home stretch!
Now, more than ever, is when your students need you. Stay strong and look ahead with our suite of professional learning opportunities. And don't forget to lean on the School Counselor Network by emailing questions or requests as you get them.
I recently spent time with new folks ready to enter our challenging but fulfilling profession. I was so energized by their passion and excitement, and I'm impressed by the caliber of counselors that hope to be working in our districts.
I love seeing you and your work in action, so please email me to visit and send in pictures of your campus or district activities. This newsletter is an outlet to share resources and best practices, so let's keep learning from each other!
Counseling Coordinator, Learning and Leadership Services
858-568-5459
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Last year, there were more than 1,250 College Signing Day events in all 50 states and even some international events. This year, you can help grow the effort to more opportunities celebrating college decisions. Even Mrs. Obama will be hosting her own College Signing Day event on May 5.
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Thanks to
DonorsChoose.org
and the College Football Playoffs Foundation there will be $500 grants toward the College Signing Day event for 200 event hosts.
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Follow
@ReachHigher
and
@BetterMakeRoom
for more updates, and don't forget to use
#ReachHigher, #BetterMakeRoom
,
#CollegeSigningDay, and #SDcounselors
in your social media posts!
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Share Your Story with Dr. Trish Hatch and
Hatching Results
Now is the perfect time to celebrate the miracles created by school counselors. Share your stories of courage and success in using data to positively impact student achievement or create unbelievable systemic change. Your story could be used in an upcoming inspirational book celebrating the use of data in school counseling. If your story is selected, you will receive a free copy of the book. Click here to share your story. Visit the website to sign up for a periodic newsletter.
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New State Accountability Tool
Known as the
California School Dashboard
, this new tool allows the public 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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Latest News from the University of California
Click
here
to sign up to receive the UC High School Articulation Bulletin.
NEW Policy: Online Visual and Performing Arts Courses
As of the 2017-2018 academic year, UC will accept online visual and performing arts (VAPA) course submissions for review and approval to fulfill the VAPA ("f") subject area requirement. The fundamental
review criteria
for online VAPA courses are exactly the same as those for classroom-based VAPA courses, as outlined on the
A-G Guide
. You're encouraged to begin submitting online VAPA courses through the
A-G Course Management Portal
.
UC Convenes Science Committee
The Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools for UC has convened a special committee of science educators from across its 10 campuses. Its charge is to review the laboratory science ("d") subject requirement and offer recommended revisions, as needed, so that UC's expectations for area "d" courses align with the Next Generation Science Standards for California. Be on the lookout for policy updates through the bulletin, as well as posted on the A-G Guide. If you have specific questions or concerns about the area "d" courses you are submitting to UC now, please contact us at
HSArticulation@ucop.edu
.
Admitted Student Deadlines for Fall 2017
For newly admitted freshman students, each UC campus has important deadlines and procedures for students to follow in order to accept the offer of admission and prepare for enrollment. Click here for the admitted student deadlines for fall 2017.
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Upcoming Professional Learning
Counselors and Curriculum
Join us and other school counselors from across the county May 19 for the final Counselors and Curriculum installment of the school year. Enjoy breakfast and networking at the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) main campus with a focus on history-social science, English language arts, and Momentum Learning (formerly SDCOE's Juvenile Court and Community Schools or JCCS).
Click here to register and check out presentations from previous installments here.
Youth Mental Health First Aid
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.
College Board Webinars
The College Board offers a series of free, live
webinars
on topics most relevant to middle and high school counselors. Click
here
for a list of all College Board professional development opportunities.
Supporting Students with Disabilities in Accessing Accommodations for
PSAT and SAT
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This free webinar from 2 to 3 p.m. on May 3 will answer any questions you have about the new process for students to receive accommodations on the SAT and PSAT. It is designed for school counselors, but open to services for students with disabilities coordinators, administrators, and anyone else interested.
Click here to register for this free event and receive the link and password.
SDCOE Hosts Peer Leader Uniting Students Training Course
A
Peer Leader Uniting Students (PLUS) Certified Training Course will be held at the SDCOE main campus April 27 and 28. The PLUS program
focuses on how to build a Youth Participatory Action Research program that aligns with a district's Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) objectives and goals. Click
here
to register.
Participants will learn how to:
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Target core campus issues impacting school climate, using data to track and monitor progress.
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Trend local behavior with unlimited access to the Direction Survey and Resource Database.
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Develop a school climate program to increase student engagement and peer connections.
- Develop a calendar of activities to engage all students in meaningful participation and measure how activity implementation impacts school climate.
Gallup Strengths Finder for Educators
Would you like to lead a strengths-based initiative at your school/district? You can become a Gallup student strengths specialist at a workshop May 24 and 25 at the South County Regional Education Center. The strengths movement is growing in K-12 and higher education with schools and districts investing in building strengths-based cultures, boosting student engagement, and providing motivation and energy for student achievement. The strengths effort focuses on developing students' strengths and talents.
Click here to learn more and register.
Commercially Sexually Exploited Children Workshop
The Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC) workshop from SDCOE 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.
Gatekeeper Training for Suicide Prevention
Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR:
Question, Persuade and Refer
learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. Click the dates below to register to attend an upcoming QPR professional learning session.
Equity Symposium Speakers Announced
Don't miss the 2017 Equity Symposium on Sept. 7 and 8! Explore student agency with Dr. Anthony Muhammad, a well-known author and speaker on transforming schools, and author Liz Murray, the child of drug-addicted parents who graduated from Harvard University after being a homeless teen. The second annual Equity Symposium builds on district efforts to ensure equity and access for all students. Learn more about the event and how you can submit a proposal to present by clicking here.
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Supporting Access to Higher Education for Immigrant and Undocumented Students
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 here to register to attend April 23 to 25 at SDSU.
CASC Annual Conference
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CASC's 17th annual School Counseling Conference focuses 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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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
.
Colleges Still Accepting Applications
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Personal, Social, and Mental Health Resources
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General Articles and Resources
Get daily local and national education news with the SDCOE Daily News Clips, by emailing communications@sdcoe.net, and learn about student scholarship and incentive opportunities with the monthly What's Happening newsletter.
Book suggestions
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The Freak Factor
, by Dave Rendall -- Learn how your weakness is your uniqueness.
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The Energy Bus
, by Jon Gordon -- Ten rules to fuel your life, work, and team with positive energy.
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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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