December Updates

OK State Dept of Ed sent this bulletin at 11/29/2023 11:18 AM CST

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Counselor Spotlight:

Dawn Martinez; Inola Public Schools

Dawn is in her twelfth year as the 9-12th grade counselor at Inola Public Schools. We are thankful for you!

What is your favorite part of being a school counselor or the most rewarding aspect of your position?
Helping students plug into their futures; I have a role in teaching students life skills for success, be it coping skills when they are angry or how to map out goals and objectives to meet their goals, or simply offering assessments so they can better know themselves. It is a role I do not take lightly and I love facilitating the learning process.

Why is creating a comprehensive school counseling program important to you?
We know the four basics of education, Reading, Writing, Arithmetic (is it even called that anymore lol?) and Science, but I dare say the FOUNDATION of any building/district is the culture set and maintained by Comprehensive School Counseling Programs.

What quote inspires you?
"A goal without a plan is a dream". I actually use that quote daily; Students come in and often have a ""life goal"" that is far reaching, i.e. wants to be a doctor but hates math and science and doesn't want to go to college; I NEVER discourage a student, but I help them goal map, look up plans of study for medical school etc., and by the end, they have made step by step realistic goals that can result in a career path in the medical field, and feels more attainable.

What do you do when you need inspiration to tackle another day working on behalf of students?
I watch feel good movies like The Blind Side to remind myself we all make a difference every day...I just want the difference I make to be positive.

What do you do to decompress and refuel for the next day?
I love to take evening walks with my husband, nature decompresses me.

SEAL: Supporting Emergency and Alternative Licensed School Counselors

The Oklahoma School Counselor Association is proud to announce we will be sponsoring the SEAL program for OSCA Members!

The Supporting Emergency and Alternative Licensure (SEAL) Program for School Counselors was developed to support practicing school counselors who have not completed master’s level training in school counseling. The semester-long program includes seven intensive virtual training sessions that will help these school counselors develop the knowledge, attitude, and skills necessary to implement a school counseling program based on the ASCA National Model and the Oklahoma Comprehensive School Counseling Framework.

Qualifications:

OSCA Member
School counselors who are emergency OR alternatively certified AND in their first two years as a school counselor who have not previously participated in the SEAL Program.
School counselors who are committed to building a school counseling program aligned with the ASCA National Model and the Oklahoma Comprehensive School Counseling Framework

Applications for the program will be open soon! Keep an eye on the SEAL website for more information!

Download Flyer

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!

Register for upcoming dates:

Each session will be held 9am - 10am

Is Work-Based Learning getting you down?

Fear not! Our College and Career Readiness Specialist, Meredith Dennis, will be heading efforts to support schools with developing and connecting students to quality Work-Based Learning experiences.

Already have questions for Meredith?
Connect with her HERE to schedule a meeting or send a message to Meredith.Dennis@sde.ok.gov

Work Based Learning Oppourtunity

Everett Music Studio in Bartlesville is looking for multiple interns who are interested in pursuing a future of arts and music! Internship positions cover aspects of marketing & advertising, social media, and scheduling & event planning.

For those interested, please contact Meredith Dennis at Meredith.Dennis@sde.ok.gov for more details!

Check out Everett’s website here: https://www.everettmusicstudios.org/

Prevention Playbook

National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month

Each December, we go out for fun, parties and drinks with family and friends. But we ask you to stop and think for a second about being responsible. December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month and since the holiday season has a higher accident rate than others on average, it is important to echo the message of consciousness of being in a proper state behind the wheel. According to the National Safety Council, over 40,000 people died in alcohol-related traffic accidents last year. So this year, stay safe during the holidays.

Download the December Playbook

OSDE Regional Professional Development Training Offered

Below you will find the details on registering for this installation of PD that will satisfy the PD requirements for the following prevention requirements:

Bullying, Substance Abuse, Violence and Suicide

This training will focus on true prevention strategies and information, growing beyond awareness campaigns, and offering easy and effective tools to use in the classroom and help shift school culture.

Space is limited to room capacity and registration will close by December 31^st. In the event that you are unable to secure a spot for in-person training, you can still find on-demand resources to help meet your required PD, by visiting the Prevention & Intervention Connect Canvas platform HERE.

An email confirming your attendance at the event will be sent out by January 10^th.

All sessions/dates/locations are from 1:30-3:30pm.

Northwest Regional PD Training - January 16 High Plains Technology Center Woodward Room (Maximum Capacity 55) 3921 34^th St.Woodward, OK 73801 https://forms.office.com/g/Gigv8VQyG4	Southeast Regional PD Training - January 31 Kiamichi Technology Center-Atoka campus Seminar Center (Maximum capacity 90) 1763 W. Liberty Rd.Atoka, OK 74525 https://forms.office.com/g/eSEjdbsgJg
Southwest Regional PD Training - February 6 Southwest Technology Center Seminar Center (Maximum capacity 60) 711 Tamarack Rd. Altus, OK 73521 https://forms.office.com/g/BBH6DiLYdb	Central Regional PD Training - February 15 Metro Technology Center Conference Center-DC ROOM H (Maximum capacity 90)1900 Springlake DriveOklahoma City OK 73111 https://forms.office.com/g/86yRukxAM2
Northeast Regional PD Training - February 16 Claremore High School STEM Lab Maximum capacity 100201 E. Stuart RoosaClaremore, OK 74017(918)-923-4211 https://forms.office.com/g/jBnc72Kv0A

ALTed Talk

ALTed talks were developed after the Alternative Education team realized it was hard for teachers and staff to attend online professional development during the day. After discussing the issue at our regional meetings, the decision was made to host professional development for teachers, staff, and students. The team sent out surveys at the end of 2022 and asked " What professional development do you and/or your students need from us at the State Department of Education".

After the data was collected and organized, we started reaching out to resources across Oklahoma for help. We have worked with Oklahoma Workforce, Mid-American Industrial partners in Pryor, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, Cherokee Nation, and Alton Carter from Stillwater Oklahoma.

This year we will be working with, High Ed, Francis Tuttle Career Technology Center, Bridges in Norman, Goodwill, OSDE, and motivational speakers Kevin Honeycutt and Robert Wilkins.

Join us for our next online ALTed Talk on Dec. 5^th featuring Francis Tuttle Career Technology.

Click Here to Register

PREPaRE Crisis Response Training

SDE will continue to offer PREPaRE Crisis Response training to Oklahoma School Districts upon request. School districts will need to provide the funding for the curriculum to NASP. $45/person for Workshop 1 and $55/person for Workshop 2. SDE will continue to provide certified PREPaRE trainers to facilitate the curriculum for free.

Download Workshop Descriptions

Questions: Jackie Lindley - jackie.lindley@sde.ok.gov

^{**Inclusion of upcoming events in this newsletter does not constitute an endorsement by OSDE. The information provided is for general awareness purposes only. OSDE does not assume any responsibility for the content or outcomes of these events.}

School Resource Officer Newsletter

The Oklahoma Office of School Security Institute is interested in developing a quarterly newsletter directed toward School Resource Officers. The newsletter would contain specific training that would be offered to them along with legal updates.

However, there is no comprehensive list of officers. We are asking that if they have no objection you might provide us with their contact information. If possible we would like to have their name, email address, and contact number.

The information can be sent to me at the below email address.

M.E. Fike
Oklahoma Department of Public Safety
Director Office of School Security Institute
580-571-5720
mike.fike@dps.ok.gov

FREE Online BTAM Training

Behavioral Threat Assessments (BTA) are a proven method of early intervention that can help prevent acts of targeted violence in school environments.

Unleash the power of professional development with PCG’s exclusive training course in the Behavioral Threat Assessment Case Management System, spotlighting the John Van Dreal Salem Keizer Cascade model. This immersive e-learning experience equips you with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in threat assessment within your educational environment, with a laser focus on utilizing PCG’s system to follow the SK Level 1 and Level 2 protocols.

To secure your spot in the course, please utilize the appropriate registration link below.

Tuesday, December 5th, 2023

You do not need to sign up for both

Download Training Flyer

Contact PCG today to learn more: 833-827-2977 threatassessment@pcgus.com
https://www.publicconsultinggroup.com/bta

Contact Student Development

Marissa Lightsey, Program Director; Student Development

Dr. Sheri Fleming, Program Manager; Prevention & Intervention Services

Christi Sturgeon, Program Manager; Comprehensive School Counseling

Jennifer Peters, Program Manager; College & Career Readiness

Rachael Hernandez, Program Manager; School Based Mental Health

Emily Hicks, Administrative Assistant; Student Development

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