National School Counseling Week (February 5-9, 2024)
One week a year will never be enough to show how much your work is appreciated and highly needed. School counselors give our schools balance and keep education focused on the whole child because, as you know, students cannot learn if they do not feel loved and valued.
Feb. 5-9 is a time for celebration of the impact you have on students throughout the Commonwealth. It also gives us an opportunity to educate stakeholders on the important role school counselors play in the overall success and wellbeing of our students. Every day I am amazed at the heart, passion and dedication of Kentucky school counselors.
School counselors are actively engaged in helping students examine their abilities, strengths, interests and talents; working in a partnership with families as they encounter the challenges of raising children in today's world; focusing on positive ways to enhance students' social/emotional/personal, academic and career development; and working with teachers and other educators to provide an educational system where students can realize their potential and set healthy, realistic and optimistic aspirations for themselves.
National School Counseling Week is a wonderful opportunity to showcase all that you do. It is also a time to educate others about your function as a school counselor. You play an important role in the education of our children at all levels – pre-K, elementary, middle, and high school. A Kentucky school counselor is a certified mental health professional supporting all K-12 students in their social/emotional, academic and career development. Through a comprehensive school counseling program, counselors provide data-informed, universal and targeted learning experiences to develop the whole child in a diverse society.
I know we can often feel like the weight of the educational world is on our shoulders…and it is. It is placed there because we are change agents and we always work for the good of the whole child: mind, body and spirit. YOU make a difference-YOU are the critical piece of the puzzle-YOU move mountains when others cannot.
To every Kentucky school counselor, although thank you does not sound nearly adequate enough, thank you for being the heart of our schools!
On the right-hand side of this newsletter, you will find a link to American School Counselor Association (ASCA) materials that will help you promote National School Counseling week and to educate others on the importance of your role. Enjoy!
February Kentucky School Counselor Cadre
You are all cordially invited to attend our next Kentucky School Counselor Cadre meeting virtually on Feb. 6 from 9 a.m. to noon E.T.
Four times a year, school counselors throughout Kentucky come together for personalized professional learning developed specifically for school counselors. I hope you can join us for this quarter's training.
The February school counselor cadre will have sessions on advocacy, sustainable school counseling, breakout sessions on multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), small group counseling, early warning tools, data for school counseling and much more! You will get to customize your learning and choose a breakout session that meets your specific needs.
Pre-registration is required. On the registration, you will need to select your educational cooperative for Effective Instructional Leadership Act (EILA) purposes.
Our Kentucky Educational Cooperatives support educators regionally throughout the state and offer many professional learning opportunities throughout the year. Make sure you are connected with your co-op!
 Trauma Informed Practices for Educators and School Personnel Peer Network Event
The University of Kentucky Center on Trauma and Children staff would like to invite you to attend this year's Trauma-Informed Practices for Educators and School Personnel Peer Network event on March 7. This event starts at 9:30 a.m. ET (8:30 a.m. CT) and ends at 3:30 p.m. ET (2:30 p.m. CT).
We would love to have you join for the entire day, but you are also welcome to attend a portion of this event, as your schedule allows.
This year's theme is The Power of Connections in Trauma-Informed Practices. We will have a variety of World Café presentations for you to choose from as well as special highlights of trauma-informed practices happening around the state of Kentucky! You won't want to miss this special day! We ask that you register to attend this event.
Please contact Tracy Clemans or Josh Fisherkeller, with any questions.
 Kentucky Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program (KTPC)
KTPC is offering a mini grant to communities looking to help youth who are addicted to nicotine.
This mini grant provides scholarships to train adults in how to help youth quit. All funds must be spent by June 30, 2024.
The purpose of this grant is to increase the number of adults trained to provide evidence-based tobacco treatment to youth who are interested in quitting tobacco products.
Each application may be to become certified to facilitate the American Lung Association’s Not On Tobacco® program ($400 value); to participate in the University of Kentucky’s tobacco treatment specialist course ($900 value); or to participate in the University of Kentucky’s tobacco treatment specialist course and also become nationally certified ($1,200 value).
The Youth Tobacco Treatment Grant Application is due by March 1, 2024.
|
