This article from The News-Enterprise shows how elementary students in Hardin County learn math through video games. By considering unique ways that students may be engaged, Hardin County is seeing academic progress in math at the elementary level. 

Don't forget to check out our special edition of Counselor Connection to lean more about the new graduation requirements and early graduation!

A Call for More Social and Emotional Learning

The Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning collaborated with Civic and Hart Research & Associates, sponsored by The Allstate Foundation, to survey 1,300 current and recent high school students. "Respected: Perspectives of Youth on High School & Social and Emotional Learning"  explores how students view their school experience, their greatest challenges, how well they feel prepared for life after high school and how schools could improve.

A majority of current students and recent graduates believe going to a social and emotional learning (SEL) high school would help or would have helped:

• Improve teacher-student relationships (72 percent current students, 68 percent recent graduates);
• Improve relationships with friends/other students (67 percent current students, 71 percent recent graduates);
• Reduce bullying (63 percent current students, 64 percent recent graduates);
• Learn academic material (69 percent current students, 64 percent recent graduates);
• Prepare for college (76 percent current students, 69 percent recent graduates);
• Learn real-world skills for after high school (74 percent current students, 70 percent recent graduates);
• Prepare for jobs/careers (73 percent current students, 67 percent recent graduates);and
• Prepare for giving back to the community (66 percent current students, 64 percent recent graduates).

As these results show, students feel that an SEL school has the capacity to affect their interpersonal relationships, their academic performance and their preparation for future success in college, careers and communities.

To read  a story about the survey, visit the ASCD website here!

Career Planning Needs to Start Early 

In Kentucky, we are looking very seriously at how we can implement strong career planning in middle schools. We have some exciting things on the horizon that will connect the individual learning plan and project-based learning. 

An article from THE Journal called "Report: Career Planning Needs to Start in Middle School" discusses the “Career Readiness for All” white paper recently published by the Coalition for Career Development. This article and the study it mentions shows the critical need for strong career planning programs at the middle school level and the many benefits that can result from this.

A Case for Career and Technical Education from Mike Rowe of Dirty Jobs.

Take a look at this article about Mike Rowe's (of Dirty Jobs) blog post where he makes a case for using multiple approaches to advising.

Register Now for the Kentucky Goes to College Campaign

Registration is underway for the 2019-2020 Kentucky Goes to College campaign. Join the more than 150 high schools and community-based organizations across Kentucky that participate in events each year.

Registering for the 2019-2020 Kentucky Goes to College campaign includes the College Application Campaign, Close the Deal and College Decision Day. You can register for one, two or all three of these events. The deadline to register and receive promotional items at no cost is May 31.

Dual Credit Scholarship Grades Due Soon

By Harmony Little

Career Pathways director, Kentucky Community Technical College Systems

As the spring semester is about to wrap up, grades for students who received the Dual Credit Scholarship are due.

The Kentucky Community Technical College System (KCTCS) collects the grades on behalf of all 16 colleges and sends them to Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) so the scholarships can be finalized. KHEAA requires the grades to ensure students successfully complete the course they took for dual credit.

If the student didn’t successfully complete the course (it was dropped, they earned a grade below a D or received an incomplete) 50% of the scholarship has to be returned to KHEAA. For juniors, this means they are eligible for another scholarship in their senior year, but they cannot use it for a course they used the scholarship for previously.

Grades are due to KCTCS by May 31. Watch this video on YouTube for how instructors can post grades to KCTCS.

May 22, 2019

Dear KY School Counselors,

Being a school counselor at this time of year is extremely difficult. While you might need to take time to catch your breath, remember that although it can feel like it at times, you are not alone. 

There are times when we need to know that there are others going through similar journeys. Reach out to a school counselor just to remind yourself and them that neither one of you are alone. Together, you can make it!

I am here to support you as well.  Don't ever hesitate to give me a call at (502) 892-6639. 

The song for this edition of Counselor Connection is "Walk Alone" by Rudimental ft. Tom Walker. When you are willing to speak about what you are going through, fellow school counselors nor I will let you walk alone.

White House Releases Drug Prevention Resource Guide

Evidence-based prevention programs, delivered in school settings, can be a valuable way to reduce drug use among youth and help them succeed academically. The resources included in these new resources from the Office of National Drug Control Policy are free and can help educators protect students and schools from the impact of illicit substance use and abuse.

Register Now for Upcoming Training Sessions

The 6th Annual System of Care Academy is scheduled for June 18-20 at the Marriott Griffin Gate in Lexington.

After a screening of the film "Paper Tigers," I’ll be facilitating a conversation with several experts from Kentucky agencies, including the Department of Juvenile Justice, Medicaid and Family Youth Service Centers. I hope to see you there!

The Behavior Institute will take place June 13-14 at the Louisville Convention Center. 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. KET will be airing the series "You Are Not Alone" in back-to-back, 30-minute episodes on three consecutive Mondays. The series features people on the front lines of mental health.

Topics to be covered include:

• May 20: “Youth Speak Out” and “Help for Families and Caregivers”
• May 27: “Whole Child, Whole School” and “Depression and Anxiety”
• June 3: “Trauma and Toxic Stress” and “Suicide Prevention/Teaching Hope”

The full series is available for streaming online. Segmented videos and accompanying discussion guides are on PBS LearningMedia.

Learning to Be Compassionate to Yourself

Self-compassion is something we should all consider during this time of year. It is easy to find things that didn't go exactly as planned or that you might wish were a little different. 

Dr. Kristin Neff helps us learn how to embrace ourselves "flaws and all" in this TEDx talk. You may consider taking the self-compassion test.

You may have a score that shows that you need to work on your self-compassion. If so, sit down and make a plan. Consider an accountability partner. You deserve to be happy and you are enough!