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Counselors,
I’m using a new email system this semester led by our Communications Office. I’m hoping to reach more of you consistently. If you have colleagues who have issues receiving Counselor Connections, please have them email me at Damien.Sweeney@education.ky.gov. Check out our Counseling page here for resources and a backlog of Counselor Connections from this school year. 
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We have had a lot of tragedy and loss among our youth in Kentucky this year.
We have to continue to help our kids feel loved and valued. Let’s be leaders in this work.
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At the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) we are currently developing a bullying and resilience lesson for elementary schools that seeks to teach these skills to our young kids. Our message is simple. You are loved. You are valued. You belong. We have sought feedback from elementary counselors, principals and teachers and should have a video out to you soon that walks you through this lesson.
In the meantime, we all (no matter the level) could use some resources to share with our staffs in order to offer them ways to help our young people that we love so much.
Quick Article that offers suicide risk factors, suicide warning signs, ways for you to help, the role of the school, the role of the parental/guardian notification and participation, resiliency factors:
We are fortunate to have educators like Joshua DeWar in Kentucky. Watch the Counselor Connection Video Series below with Joshua to learn more about his work at Boston School in Nelson County, which helps students feel like they belong by creating “families” within the school.
This is an example of how one school sought to help students relate to one another, learn from one another and care for one another. Click here to watch the video!
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Kentucky Department of Education
Updates
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On Dec. 5, the Kentucky Board of Education approved changes to the proposed minimum high school graduation requirements, 704 KAR 3:305. The changes add "graduation prerequisites" and "graduation qualifiers" to ensure students have basic competency in math and reading, as well as experiences intended to equip them for success in postsecondary education and the workforce. The changes will now go to the Kentucky General Assembly for review.
The Early Warning Tool is to help districts with early detection of students at risk of dropping out (or not successfully transitioning to next grade level). It’s available for all schools grades 6-12. Check out this video to gain a basic understanding of how it works and each feature included.
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE), in partnership with the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYStats), has launched the Kentucky School Proficiency Dashboard, a web-based tool that compares proficiency levels of Kentucky schools and districts. Check out this article from Kentucky Teacher describing what is included in the dashboard.
Please be advised that a new SACS policy that was to go into effect starting in the 2019-2020 school year preventing dual credit and non-dual credit students from being in the same course has been reversed. The policy was updated in December 2018 to remove this prohibitive language. The updated policy is linked here for your reference.
It is expected that the course offered be of the same rigor as the college course, regardless of the setting, and the integrity of the dual credit course should be maintained, regardless of blended or non-blended courses. Please use this information to make decisions about course offerings for the 2019-2020 school year. Also, please collaborate with your regional college or university before scheduling your dual credit courses.
If you have questions, please contact Damien Sweeney or Kiley Whitaker.
The Kentucky Department of Education and Valvoline Inc., sponsors of the Kentucky Teacher Awards, have opened nominations for the 2020 Kentucky Teacher Awards. Nominations may be submitted electronically by visiting the 2020 Kentucky Teacher of the Year website at kentuckytoy.com. The deadline for nominations is Feb. 15.
The Kentucky Department of Education’s Engage for Change work group is committed to partnering with school districts, higher education, state agencies and businesses to make positive changes in the transition experience and success of d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) individuals. In order to do that, we need your feedback regarding what is currently happening in each of these important areas.
We have developed a short survey in order to learn programs and services that work for you. This will allow us to consider how we can improve our efforts for future support and networking. Would you take a few minutes to complete this brief survey and share your experiences with us?
In a news conference on Sunday, Jan. 13, Kentucky Education Commissioner Wayne Lewis issued a call to action to student-based organizations across the Commonwealth, asking them to participate in a new initiative aimed at promoting the importance of education. To participate in the Kentucky Department of Education’s Student Ambassador Initiative, interested student groups from public schools, faith-based organizations or nonprofit organizations must submit an “Intent to Participate” form online by Jan. 30 that details an education-related community service project to be performed over the remainder of the school year.
In March, the student groups will submit a video and any supporting materials highlighting their project, including its impact. Commissioner Lewis will select five groups that made the largest local impact and invite them to an awards luncheon in April.
Many counselors have asked about the audiobooks that I’ve been listening to in my travels with this new position at KDE. Here is a list:
- “The Body Keeps the Score” by Bessel Van Der Kolk
- “Emotional Intelligence” by Daniel Goleman
- “The No Complaining Rule” by Jon Gordon
- “You Win in the Locker Room” by Jon Gordon
- “The Hard Hat” by Jon Gordon
- “Soup” by Jon Gordon
- “The Mentor Leader” by Tony Dungy
- “Love Does” by Bob Goff
- “Good to Great” by Jim Collins
- “Toughness” by Jay Bilas
- “Happy” by Ian K. Smith
- “The Secrets of Happy Families” by Bruce Feiler
- “Noticer” by Andy Andrews
- “Noticer Returns” by Andy Andrews
- “The Traveler’s Gift” by Andy Andrews
- “The Final Summit” by Andy Andrews
- “The Heart Mender” by Andy Andrews
- “The Power of Vulnerability” by Brene Brown
- “The Empath’s Survival Guide” by Judith Orloff, MD
- “The Keeper” by Tim Howard
- “Born to Win” by Zig Ziglar
- “NPR American Chronicles: Civil Rights”
As I’ve mentioned in previous emails, I use Hoopla through my local library and get up to 15 titles for free each month. I’ve also heard that Libby is a great, free audiobook app. Enjoy!
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