 Dear Counselors,
Happy New Year!
What happened Wednesday at our nation's Capitol may affect your students and staff members.
It is important to acknowledge that events in the community and country are not separate from the context of school. We also must acknowledge the fact that what happened in Washington, D.C., may, in fact, create an emotional response for your stakeholders.
For tips on how to support your school community, please take a look at the Kentucky Department of Education's "Guidance on How Districts Can Facilitate Conversations About Race-based Stress and Trauma."
Also, check out the American School Counseling Association's (ASCA) document, "Eliminating Racism and Bias in Schools: The School Counselor’s Role." This document describes the ethical responsibilities of the school counselor while also describing how this work connects to ASCA's Mindsets and Behaviors for Student Success (your student standards).
I want you to know that this work is hard. It is very possible that there will be pushback. As mentioned, this work creates many different emotional responses. I recently had a conversation with Dr. Lacretia Dye, an associate professor and the school counseling program coordinator from Western Kentucky University, who offered these tips:
- You can care without carrying.
- You can observe, but not absorb.
- You need to take care of you first.
Together, we will "Rise Up." Enjoy this song by Andra Day.
Join Me! 2021 American School Counseling Association (ASCA) Webinar Series: 'Facilitating Courageous Conversations in Anti-racist Organizations'
On Jan. 14 from noon to 1 p.m. ET, I will present with two colleagues on the following session with ASCA:
How do school counselors get involved in breaking down racial barriers for their schools and stakeholders while facilitating courageous conversations to bring about social change? How do schools become anti-racist and ensure educators have a voice in the process?
Learn about the Kentucky Department of Education’s "Guidance on How Districts Can Facilitate Conversations About Race-based Stress and Trauma" and the Continuum on Becoming an Anti-Racist Multicultural Organization. Hear how to navigate these and other tools to become the educators our traditionally marginalized students have always needed.
After attending this webinar, you should be able to:
- Discuss the importance of facilitating critical and courageous conversations
- Identify the data needed to consider when reflecting on your school’s progress toward becoming anti-racist
- Describe the need to implement a multitiered system of supports in your program and how to use this system through a racial trauma lens
- Identify where your school/district/organization is in its efforts to become anti-racist and know what to do to help any organization progress
ASCA members can attend the session by registering on the group's webpage.
How Are Your Seniors Doing?
We know that the pandemic has created stress for everyone. We also know this stress may be amplified for high school seniors. Checking in with your seniors about their social and emotional well-being will be crucial over the next few months.
I vividly recall the days of pulling kids in my office from the hallway and saying things like, "I noticed you haven't completed your FAFSA. This is what I need you to get from your parent, guardian or caregiver tonight so we can do it tomorrow," or "Let's get your college application submitted." Unfortunately, in a virtual world, we don't have that same level of access to students.
College applications and completions of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are down in Kentucky and nationwide.
Here is a FAFSA Tracker so you can see where your district is in terms of completion.
Speaking of the FAFSA, check out this article from The New York Times about how the term Expected Family Contribution will be removed from the process in the future.
This article from the National College Attainment Network also offers advice and ideas on how to continue supporting your seniors.
As a reminder, the Individual Learning Plan can truly help your seniors (and others) identify postsecondary goals (whether they are going directly into the workforce, going to the military or attending college).
 Destiny O'Rourke, College and Career Coach at Bowling Green High School
ProjectMe: An Approach to Career Exploration in High School
Bowling Green High School (Bowling Green Independent) developed a prototype career development framework to help fill the existing gap in the provision of career exploration for its students.
The school introduced its version of the Individual Learning Plan called ProjectMe in 2019. ProjectMe seeks to help students navigate their career development per ASCA guidelines. It also aims to utilize the college and career development activities that already are taking place in the school so as not to overwhelm faculty or duplicate efforts.
For more information about Bowling Green High School's ProjectMe program, visit the National Career Development Association website..
Middle School Career Studies Webinar Series
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) Office of Career and Technical Education will be hosting a two-part webinar series on middle school career studies.
The first webinar, "Design Principles for Middle School Careers Studies," will be co-hosted by Judy Franks, middle grades program director with the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB). The webinar is scheduled for Jan. 27 at 2 p.m. ET.
The second webinar, "Planning and Implementing Middle School Career Studies," will be held 2 p.m. ET Feb. 3. Use this Google form to register for the Feb. 3 session.
For more information, email Teresa Rogers.
Computer Science Training Opportunity to Obtain ACS Permission
The Approval for Computer Science (ACS) is a portable teacher permission that lets teachers with an existing high school certification to teach all Computer Science courses.
To learn more about the ACS permission, read the ACS FAQ. Grant applications for the year-long professional learning program are now available through Advance Kentucky.
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