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Happy Summer!
Well, it's happened: Another school year is in the books! For me personally, this year marks the end of an era. My daughter is a 2018 high school graduate! I must admit guiding my own child through the college application process has changed me. This picture is from Valhalla High School's College and Career Signing Day. I am one proud Mama! And while I am sharing about my family, I would also like to acknowledge and maybe brag a bit about my husband. He was recognized by CIF San Diego as Athletic Director of the Year for all of San Diego County for 2017-18.
I hope all of you have a rested and blessed summer. Relax, recharge, and take care of you, so you can return to school ready to go!
If you change districts or get a new email over the summer, don't forget to sign up to receive this newsletter with your new email.
Counseling Coordinator
Learning and Leadership Services
858-568-5459
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If you are posting any pics of events on your campus, don't forget to use #sdcounselors and tag @SanDiegoCOE to share your great work with everyone! You can also submit photos to our Google Folder. You may see them in next year's conference program or slide show. Share your pride and all your hard work!
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Unique For You! Professional Learning For New School Counselors!
If you are a new school counselor or a school counselor who could use a refresh, you will find support and customized learning at the New School Counselor Institute. The six-part series dives into the skills and resources with which every school counselor should be familiar. Topics include understanding ASCA Mindsets and Behaviors (standards), working with unique populations, group and classroom facilitation, college and career readiness, and mental health support/suicide prevention. The annual School Counselor Leadership Conference in February is included. The institute is supported by both Learning and Leadership Services and Student Support Services, two divisions at SDCOE. Past participants said they enjoyed the activities, learned about new resources, and were grateful to know they are not alone in continuing to learn and grow. Download the flier and register.
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Start Planning Now: Time to Register For Fall Conferences!
I will share opportunities for learning as they become available, but here are several dates to keep in mind for next school year:
4th Annual School Counselor Leadership Conference
UC/CSU Conferences
- Sept. 18: Sacramento
- Sept. 19: Monterey
- Sept. 21: Clovis
- Sept. 25: Pasadena
- Sept. 27: Riverside
- Sept. 5: San Diego
- Sept. 6: Pasadena
- Sept. 10: Oakland
- Sept. 11: Fresno
CSU/UC Highlights Day will be Oct. 12 for those who cannot make it to the above UC or CSU conferences. The event will be at the SDCOE main campus from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes representatives from SDSU and UCSD admissions, as well as a brief presentation about the new California Promise program.
The
American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Conference will be July 14 to 17 in Los Angeles. The event brings together about 3,000 school counseling professionals for four days of inspirational keynote sessions, informative breakout sessions, in-depth looks at hot topics in the school counseling profession, and networking opportunities galore. On a personal note, I will be there and would love to meet up with you for lunch! Contact me and let's connect at the conference. I would love to see a large San Diego presence there since it's being held nearby.
The SDCOE
Equity Symposium will be Sept. 27 and 28 in San Diego. The event is designed to meet the unique needs of district team members, including cabinet-level leaders, site administrators, classroom teachers, counselors, and parents. Author Zaretta Hammond will kick off the event with a keynote speech on the tenets of her book,
Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain: Promoting Authentic Engagement and Rigor Among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students. Several featured speakers will lead 90-minute sessions.
California Association of School Counselors (CASC) Fall Conference
The California Association of School Counselors (CASC) annual conference will be Oct. 18 and 19 at the Riverside Convention Center. It attracts about 1,300 attendees and about 100 experts from across the nation who provide the latest information, techniques, and strategies related to the school counseling profession. Attendees can choose from more than 70 topics, including effective technology integration, social-emotional learning, strategies for student transition, and college and postsecondary training.
Passion, Purpose, Potential, and Pathways
Passion, Purpose, Potential and Pathways: How Educators Leverage Middle Schooler Interests is an SDCOE professional learning opportunity open to district and school site teams. It will be held Aug. 8, Sept. 5, and Oct. 26. Participants will learn more about what it means for middle school students to be prepared for career and college, the role of teachers, counselors, administrators, and staff in the process, and preparing each and every student for success after middle school.
California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) High School Counselor Workshop
The
California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) High School Counselor Workshop will be Oct. 4 or Oct. 5 at the Scottish Rite Center. Together with the California Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, CSAC hosts annual workshops to assist in providing information and updates on state-funded financial aid programs and the student application process for California Dream Act, Cal Grant, and the Chafee Grant. In addition, attendees receive a comprehensive overview of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
College Board Counselor Workshop
The College Board Counselor Workshop is Sept. 20 at the University of San Diego (USD). The half-day workshop provides updates on College Board programs, as well as tools, tips, and resources designed to make it easier to clear a path to college and career success for your students.
The College Board Counselor Summer Institute Webinars
The College Board Counselor Summer Institute Webinars are free professional development opportunities designed to make it easier for counselors to prepare students for college and career success. Engaging, online presentations by counseling and higher education leaders will explore college counseling strategies and show how to apply that learning in the classroom.
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Different Ways to Engage Students
Bring Change to Mind
Bring Change to Mind has a high school program that gives teens a platform to share their voices and raise awareness around mental health. The goal is to empower students to educate one another and their communities, and to create a culture of peer support within their schools to end the stigma around mental illness. The program provides resources to schools interested in starting their own program, including:
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An annual $500 grant for group activities;
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Educational and promotional materials;
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Mental health trainings and learning opportunities;
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An invitation to the annual BC2M HS Student Summit where all club members come together to learn from leaders in the mental health field and share their club stories and experiences with each other;
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Arrangements for speakers to come to club meetings or school presentations; and
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Invitations to upcoming events in your area.
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Motiv for Volunteer Connections
Motiv identifies, amplifies, and connects high school students to meaningful volunteer service. Teens are compelled to do service for many different reasons. But no matter their motive, by directing teens to high-level volunteer experiences, Motiv aims to instill values of lifelong volunteerism. In partnership with local nonprofit organizations, Motiv spotlights impactful service opportunities around San Diego County. They also sponsor Good Deeds Day which will take place April 7, 2019.
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Get resources for working with students, staff, and families as the second season of the Netflix series "13 Reasons Why" is released.
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Ways to End Tattling with Your K-5 students
Kelso's Choice is a conflict management tool that's been used by school counselors for more than 25 years. It works right out of the box, and dramatical
l
y reduces tattling and discipline referrals so that you have more time for your counseling priorities. The program offers a free preview and a 30-day trial.
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Character Day is a global initiative where school districts, individual classrooms, companies, organizations, and families -- groups of all sizes -- screen films on the science of character development from different perspectives and dive into free discussion materials catered to different ages. Groups also join an online, global conversation featuring prominent leaders discussing the importance of developing character strengths, such as resilience, grit, empathy, courage, kindness -- all rooted in evidence-based research. Last year there were more than 133,000 Character Day events in 150 countries and all 50 states. Learn more by
watching the one-minute trailer or
signing up.
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Are you a District or Site Leader Hiring a School Counselor?
Contact Tracy Wilson for help with creating interview questions, better understanding the counselor's role, or any other counselor-related question!
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We Need Your Voice!
California Department of Education Updating PPS Requirements
The California Department of Education is working on updating the Performance Expectations for the Pupil Personnel Services Credential. They need your help in determining what needs to stay and what needs to go. Please take a few minutes to complete this
survey and provide your feedback.
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Professional Development and Supervision Needs Assessment by USD
Please consider taking the
School Counselor Professional Development Survey being conducted by Dr. Erika Cameron from the University of San Diego on your access to and needs for professional development and coaching. Your contribution could help practicing counselors, counselors-in-training, counselor educators, and district personnel. The data gathered will be used for program planning and counseling-related publications. As a small token of appreciation, one participant will be randomly selected to win a $50 gift card.
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Explore
this curated list of websites, resources, best practices, 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, please
complete this form.
Resources from Affordable Colleges Online
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My Next Move offers free O*NET OnLine interest profiler and career search.
Virtual Job Shadow empowers individuals to discover, plan, and pursue their dreams with a unique video-based, career planning platform. The interactive tools help students and job seekers develop career paths based on choice, not chance.
The
California Career Resource Network is a program within the California Department of Education that provides free career development information and resources. Students can create accounts and take assessments, and there are lesson plans for grades 5 to 12. The
CalCRN Resource Handbook is a great place to start and learn all the valuable resources available.
The
San Diego Workforce Partnership website has great resources for educators and students such as current labor market information, links to
offered majors at community colleges, and assessments students can take to understand their passions.
CTE Professional Learning Opportunities and More
You can find great resources for counselors a the
SDCOE CTE webpage. There are links to past workshops and resources to help you support students to find their right path.
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General Articles and Resources
School Counseling Analysis, Leadership, and Evaluation (SCALE) Research Center is an interactive tool focused on the facilitation and dissemination of school counseling research and evidence-based practices to demonstrate the connection between comprehensive and developmental school counseling programs and student success. There are many sample lessons and curriculum available. Use the search tool and discover the vast resources.
SDCOE's
Teachable Moment video series covers a different topic of interest to parents in each video. Topics include the new California School Dashboard, scholarship searches, the difference between SAT/ACT, how to find a great preschool, how to keep kids safe in school, and what to do if you think your child is being bullied. There are more being added every month!
Professional Organizations
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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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