 Counselors:
Listen to "Don't Be So Hard On Yourself" by Jess Glynn. In our roles, we tend to be perfectionists. Remember that you live in an imperfect world with many obstacles.
Be easy with yourself. Speak well to yourself and know that you will find a way to overcome the challenge in front of you today and live to see a better tomorrow. The Kentucky Department of Education and I are so proud of you. Focus on taking time for your own needs. You are important and deserve it!
Join me 3-4 p.m. ET Dec. 9 for a school counselor meet-up.
At this meet-up, you will be introduced to a resilience lesson recently created for students. As we walk through this lesson, my hope is that you will consider ways to embed it in your own comprehensive school counseling program and tier 1 school counseling curriculum lessons.
Mark your calendars!
Join on your computer or mobile app
Join the meeting on Microsoft Teams
Or call in (audio only)
(502) 694-1960, then enter 85336916#
Mental Health Supports Provided by the Kentucky Department of Education
As a reminder, the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) has created and collaborated on the following supports for you and other educators. If you need more information on a document below, email Damien Sweeney.
School Counselor Highlight: Sherlyn Bratcher, Butler County High School
 Sherlyn Bratcher
Question: How are you handling school counseling during the pandemic?
Answer: I created a personal Google Site that includes the link to my Sign Up Genius for students to sign up to talk or see me. (I have set it to not include the names so only I see them when I am logged in).
I also have included copies of my newsletters that I have created using Canva. Also included are mindfulness activities including art therapy, breathing exercises, calming collages, scavenger hunts and zentangles.
Our counseling office sends out weekly emotional check-ins that we have incorporated suicide prevention information, Sources of Strength, resiliency, counselor information, rewards and more. This has been a great way to connect to students and give them the opportunity to not only let us know how they are feeling, but also to tell us anything they want to share. I try to email several of the students back weekly commenting on what they have shared.
With the hybrid schedule, we have tried as a school to come up with ways to motivate, reward and celebrate students. We have given out gift cards by drawing student names from those who have completed all of their assignments. We have grilled out for students who have met ACT benchmarks in math and reading/writing or all three, as well as provided homemade ice cream and goodies. The district helped us purchase a poster maker this year so we have been posting pictures of students who are college or career ready, achieve athletic accomplishments, etc. Finally, we have had spirit weeks/days both for teachers and students to participate in to help build school culture.
Don't forget to do those things that your students need - have those college fairs (just come up with ways to meet your districts requirements), have KHEAA come in to hold workshops and have recruiters come in your building.
Communication, as always, is such an important element of our jobs. but especially now. We use social media (which I post, so it allows me to make sure the counseling office's information is included). We use email as we have asked our district technology coordinator to create an email group of students so we can communicate with them more easily. I also have a Google Voice account which allows me to call or text students and parents and easily print off conversations.
Very important - check on your parents with a check-in to see what they are needing. And don't forget your teachers - check on your teachers and see how you can help ease their stress. Oh, and don't forget to have chocolate available for them.
Finally - data, data, data. Even with the school year not a normal year, keep data on what you are using your time on and then share that information with your school and stakeholders. It is so important for us to advocate for ourselves and our roles as school counselors.
Any middle or high school counselor, feel free to contact me or share your thoughts and practices. My email is Sherlyn.Bratcher@Butler.kyschools.us.
2021 United States Senate Youth Program
The 2021 United States Senate Youth Program materials are ready for distribution through email. Counselors interested may email Donna Melton.
The U.S. Senate Youth Program is open to high school juniors and seniors who are currently serving in a schoolwide, district, regional or state ELECTED capacity in a student government, civic or educational organization. Student leadership positions held during the 2019–2020 academic year will be allowed to qualify students for 2021 if they are unable to hold the usual qualifying positions for the current academic year due to disruption caused by the pandemic.
Selected students should possess a keen interest in government, have above average grades and be very articulate, as they will be participating in virtual discussion groups with national leaders.
The U.S. Senate Youth Program offers two student leaders from each state a $10,000 college scholarship and a weeklong virtual conference with special guests from all levels of government. It is funded entirely by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation.
Upon the counselor’s request, application information will be emailed. Note that all testing must be overseen by a qualified proxy, even in virtual learning situations. Answers should not be discussed among students, teachers and/or the school official administering the test.
All completed applications and tests must be returned with a postmark no later than Dec. 31, 2020.
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