Health Education Survey

The Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) and the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) are working together to develop resources and professional development to support school districts and teachers as they implement the provisions of the Health Education Act, effective by the 2023-2024 school year. 

To support schools and teachers, OSDE and OSDH have developed a survey to better understand the needs that currently exist within districts. The survey should take no more than 15 minutes to complete with all responses staying anonymous. 

Here is the survey link for staff members who might teach health education now or in the future. The survey will be open on Monday, October 10th. The deadline for completing the survey is Friday, November 11th. If you have any questions about the survey or its intended purpose, please contact Shana Classen at Shana.Classen@sde.ok.gov.

>> Complete the Survey Here

ACT Fee Waiver Program

Across the country, more than one in five registrations for the national ACT test (taken by students on a Saturday) are completed using a fee waiver. ACT's fee waiver program is a key part of ACT’s nonprofit mission to help everyone find success in education and the workforce. 

ACT's Fee Waiver program provides:

• 100% coverage of ACT test fees
• FREE access to learning resources
• FREE additional score reports
• Eligibility to have college application fees waiver

>> Learn More Here

FREE PREPaRE CRISIS WORKSHOPS

We are now scheduling PREPaRE Workshops 1 and 2 for the Spring semester. The PREPaRE Curriculum is developed by the National Association of School Psychologists, PREPaRE is a comprehensive, evidence-based, and resource-rich curriculum for school crisis prevention and response. This training is ideal for schools committed to improving their school safety and crisis management plans, empowering crisis teams, and providing appropriate emergency response with an emphasis on balancing physical and psychological safety for students and staff.

OSDE Crisis Toolkit Training

The OSDE Crisis Toolkit is getting an update! Several important documents have been added to aid schools in their crisis response. The Toolkit has also been divided into crisis sections to make it easier to find what you need. 

Some of the new documents include:

OSDE Connect Platform

This asynchronous training platform includes webinars, discussions, and technical assistance as you work towards implementing the Oklahoma Comprehensive School Counseling Framework. This platform is for new school counselors and those with established school counseling programs. It was created to help you wherever you are on your journey towards comprehensive school counseling!

• The platform includes self-paced modules. You can earn 20 professional development hours through the modules. While the modules are asynchronous, synchronous support will be provided along the way.   
• Note: This is the same course that was published last year, but it is now in Canvas. If you started this course on the previous platform, you will need to create a new account, however, you are able to begin where you left off.  

To sign up for the OSDE Connect: Oklahoma Comprehensive School Counseling Framework Platform, see the detailed instructions here.

>> Click Here to Register

Coffee With Counselors

Please join us for "Coffee with Counselors!" This is an informal time for school counselors from across our great state to come together for celebration, collaboration, and continued growth. We look forward to you joining us!

• November 8^th from 9:00-10:00
• December 6^th from 9:00-10:00

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting (it will be the same Zoom link for all sessions).

>> Register in Advance Here

Secondary School Focus

November 3rd, 10th, and 17th
1:00 - 2:00 pm

>> CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

HOPE Squad Grant Application

Suicide is the leading cause of death between youth ages 10-19 year old. Hope Squad's mission is to reduce youth suicide through education, training, and peer intervention. The Oklahoma State Department Student Support team is grateful to announce an opportunity to apply for a grant through the INTEGRIS Health Community Giving Fund to develop your own Hope Squad program in your school. 

What is HOPE SQUAD?
Hope Squad is a peer-to-peer suicide prevention program. Hope Squad members are nominated by their classmates as trustworthy peers and trained by advisors. The program reduces youth suicide through education, training, and peer intervention. Nationally known for their ability to connect students with each other and to mental health resources, Hope Squad has a process that works on all levels for youth suicide prevention. Join the movement and empower students to seek help and save lives.

You may visit www.HOPESQUAD.com to learn more about this peer led initiative or click the link below to apply. Once your application is complete or if you have additional questions, please email  tom.cassidy@integrisok.com.

>> Download Grant Application Here

Purple Star School Program

The Purple Star program is designed to help schools respond to the educational and personal challenges military-connected children face during their transition to a new school and keep them on track to be college, workforce and life-ready. To learn more about the ongoing impact of the Purple Star program, click here.

Application Information

To receive an application or additional support, please email the OSDE Assistant Deputy Superintendent of Student Support, Elizabeth Suddath- elizabeth.suddath@sde.ok.gov

Districts that meet the necessary criteria and are ready to apply can submit applications during the phase one time window. Districts that need additional time to ensure their programming aligns with the necessary criteria can submit applications during the phase two time window.

Application Timeline - Phase Two January 1 - February 28, 2023

>> Click for More Information

Healthy Help for the Holidays

From tykes to teens, TSET has free hacks and resources for students

As the holidays get closer, it can be difficult to keep kids focused. Help them get in the seasonal spirit while also staying engaged in school with free, healthy resources for your classroom from Shape Your Future.

Shape Your Future, a program of the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET), helps Oklahomans of all ages to eat better, move more, drink water and live tobacco free. From seasonally-themed, age-appropriate worksheets to festive activities, visit https://ShapeYourFutureOK.com for freebies that will sail your students through October to February. Bonus: When winter weather arrives, be ready! Grab 10 Ways to Be Active During Indoor Recess tips. Your students will think you’re A+!

Then, be sure to sign up for the Shape Your Future bi-monthly teacher newsletter. This email focuses on providing healthy classroom tips, tasty break-room recipes and snack ideas for kids, physical activity ideas and more to help teachers and school staff make the healthy choice the easy choice.

Middle school and high school teachers are also encouraged to connect with the TSET Healthy Youth Initiative. Through this series of research-based health education campaigns, TSET is helping Oklahoma youths live longer, healthier lives through reduced tobacco use and improved nutrition and physical activity. Campaign brochures, flyers and posters are available free to Oklahoma schools and educators from TSET’s ordering website.

In November, new vaping prevention messaging will launch on digital and social media from our rural-focused Down and Dirty campaign. Titled “Ain’t Runnin’ Right,” the message explains how much like a truck’s engine with dirty oil in it, the brain can’t function properly when it’s clogged by the toxic chemicals in e-cigarettes, like nicotine. The campaign will roll out to teens on digital and social media beginning November 7. To view all TSET Healthy Youth Initiative videos and read the latest news, visit TSETHealthyYouth.com.

Request FREE Professional Development

Did You know we offer FREE training in School-Based Mental Health, Prevention and Intervention and Comprehensive School Counseling? We offer in person as well as virtual trainings.

>> Request FREE Professional Development