|
Michelle Sircy, Ed.D.
Transitions
Transitions give us defining moments in time that shape us into who we are and give us an opportunity to work toward the world we want to see. I have spent 22 years in public education and each year has given me an opportunity to readjust and work toward creating more equitable schools in which our students can thrive. A large part of that is elevating the work of school counselors.
For the past decade, I have served as the specialist for school counselors for Jefferson County Public Schools, where I worked alongside more than 300 dedicated school counselors. They were more than colleagues to me. We did life together (the good and the bad).
When I announced to them that I would be transitioning to be the program coordinator for comprehensive school counseling at the Kentucky Department of Education, I tried to sum up all of the things I would want them to remember after I transitioned. Here is the list I shared with them. I hope it is helpful to you as well!
- Do not let anyone diminish the work that you do. What you do as school counselors holds your district together. You are the heart and soul of each and every school and the voice for our students, especially those that do not have a voice or a seat at the table.
- Advocate for yourself. If you don’t, no one else will.
- Work as a team in your counseling departments. We experience greater success and support when operating together. We need each other. Meet regularly and move from someone being the “lead” at your school to a “team” at your school.
- Set boundaries. We all work to get the job done and go above and beyond. However, every day cannot be an emergency. Burnout is real. Your family, your health, your faith and friends are the things that are most important. You can be replaced in your job, but not with those that love you.
- Your job doesn’t define you. You are so much more than what you do for a living.
- Know your worth. You deserve to be respected and treated with kindness. If you do not have that in your work life, it is OK to look elsewhere.
- Don’t reply all on email. No one has time to read a bazillion replies. (Those that have been with me for a while knew this would make the list!)
- Identify healthy habits to cope with the stress of this work. Your body, mind and those you love will benefit.
- Connect with others. It is easy to be isolated in the current world. Reach out to other counselors that will lift you up and support you. You need each other.
- It is OK not to have all the answers. None of us do. Research, participate in learning opportunities outside and in the district, and get involved in professional organizations. They are your lifeline!
I am so grateful and excited for this transition opportunity in my life. I look forward to working with each of you!
 September Is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
One way to promote this work is ensuring students have access to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, Crisis text line and the Trevor Project. Professionals working in schools can access some helpful information through the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, the American Association of Suicidology and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention websites, which are provided below. Please share this information with your colleagues, friends, and family.
 New Video Series Available: Living with Suicide Loss
When it comes to suicide loss, every individual’s experience of grief is uniquely their own – yet hope and understanding can be found by connecting with others who have lost a loved one and learning about the path they have taken toward healing.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) has launched a new series of videos, “Living with Suicide Loss,” that spotlights survivors of suicide loss and their stories of hope and healing. The videos each tell one person's story of losing a loved one to suicide, navigating the pain of their loss and what they have learned about how influences like culture, religion, background and community can all affect the healing journey.
"The video series is a powerful addition to the existing resources AFSP offers suicide loss survivors," said Erika Barber, chair of AFSP's Loss and Healing Council. "We know that connection is a fundamental component to healing after a loss, and these videos offer suicide loss survivors opportunities to connect with featured speakers who are also loss survivors, and who may share similar experiences, questions, challenges and emotions."
 The Equity Dashboard Has Moved
September 2023 KSIS Infinite Campus News
The Student Equity Dashboard has been moved from the Tableau visualization link to a new aggregated-only link under Tableau visualization on the Infinite Campus Index tab. The new link limits access to aggregated visualizations that do not include student-level detail.
Users who had access to the dashboard in the prior location will need to be added to the new Tableau Aggregated Only Infinite Campus security group for access to the equity dashboards in the new location. Users who need access only to the equity dashboards should have rights removed from the previous Tableau visualization link.
The new link can be shared with district staff who need access to aggregated-only data.
For more information, reference the Infinite Campus Data Analysis Portal User Guide
Planning Guidance for Schools in Implementing the 2024-2025 Early Graduation Program Performance-Based Requirement Is Now Available
The Kentucky Department of Education has released the Early Graduation Program Performance-Based Requirement Implementation Guidance for Schools. This planning resource is for school-based leaders, counselors and other staff responsible for determining performance descriptors and evaluation procedures for the performance-based project, portfolio or capstone required of all students who wish to complete the Early Graduation program beginning in the 2024-2025 school year.
For information on the requirements for the 2023-2024 academic year, visit the Early Graduation Program webpage or check out the Early Graduation Program FAQ.
Showcase of HBCU: College and Career Fair Set for Nov. 9
Your juniors and seniors will have the opportunity to participate in an exciting college and career readiness program this fall!
The Showcase of HBCU: College and Career Fair is a college preparation program designed for students to obtain a better understanding of the college admissions process and the overall college experience. The event will be held at 10 a.m.-2 p.m. ET on Nov. 9 at the Kentucky International Convention Center, Louisville. Registration and classes begin at 9 a.m. ET.
The deadline for students to register is Oct. 23.
For more information, contact AJ Houston or Genesis Leemore or call (502) 435-4639.
Shout Outs!
Shout out to the Kentucky School Counseling Association (KSCA) for leading a powerful state school counseling conference! This year there was a record number of attendees, with more than 700 school counselors participating in targeted learning specific to our profession.
School counselors were able to hear from powerful keynote speakers, collaborate with professionals from throughout the state and learn new strategies to support Kentucky students. Mark your calendar for next year's conference on Sept. 11-13, 2024.
The Kentucky Department of Education wants to celebrate you! Please send any celebrations that can be shared statewide to Michelle Sircy.
|
