High School Counselors -1) If you are not a member of IA Association for College Admissions (IACAC) – please consider joining.They are a vital link to assist you in linking your graduates to appropriate post-secondary institutions.Information to join - http://www.iowaacac.org/2) Pres. Obama’s announcement in Des Moines to change when families can make out the FAFSA was announced - (From the Chronicles of Higher Ed)Another article from the Chronicles of Higher Ed is also an interesting read – ‘New Fafsa Changes will Bring Unintended Consequences for Colleges”Please have a conversation with your college admissions reps to see what their thoughts are.
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
FAFSA
Google Webinar
Join us for another exciting webinar in the ISCA/ICAN Webinar Series!Organizing and Collaborating in the World of GooglePresented by Sue Schirmer, Heartland AEAMonday, October 12, 2015 - 3:30 p.m.Register Today - https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/ 6842680141958727682 Do you constantly get invites for Google docs but then can’t find them when you want them? How do you organize your documents so that you can find them and use them when you want to? In this one hour session, we will go over the basics of Google drive and help you to organize your important items.
iKeepSafe Curriculum
iKeepSafe Launches Privacy K-12 Curriculum Matrix: One important step to addressing student privacy concerns while expanding access to education technology innovation is helping students understand how to protect their own personal information and respect the privacy of others. Working with experts in privacy and child development, iKeepSafe designed the matrix to help educators provide students with age-appropriate information and guidance. It contains concrete examples and role-playing activities. Learn more.
Advocacy Webinar
The webinar held on Wednesday, Sept. 16 Stepping Up for School Counselor Advocacy: How to Implement Advocacy in your Program Every Day was recorded and is now available for viewing.ISCA Website – Members Only section: www.iowaschoolcounselors.orgICAN Website – www.icansucceed.org/en/professionals/webinars If you have suggestions for future webinar topics, please email them to bmorey@icansucceed.org
Eating Disorder Coalition of Iowa - Fall Fundraiser
The Eating Disorder Coalition of Iowa is having our fall fundraising program this Thursday, September 24, from 7-8:30 PM at Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center in Johnston. Our headline speaker will be Robyn Cruze, author of Making Peace with Your Plate. The event is free with the opportunity for voluntary donations. You can register for the event at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/celebrate-hope-eating- disorder-coalition-of-iowa- fundraiser-registration- 17739447164.
Friday, September 18, 2015
President at North High School
Making College the Dream
Watch this inspiring video as student body president (North High School, Des Moines, IA) Russhaun Johnson introduces President Obama at a town hall with high school juniors, seniors, and their parents to discuss college access and affordability. Johnson, the son of a recovering drug addicted mother who was incarcerated for more than four years, said “education means the world to me because I no longer feel lost.”
The President joined Secretary Arne Duncan’s sixth annual Back-to-School bus tour where he announced a new initiative to allow students and families to apply for financial aid earlier – starting in October as the college application process gets underway – rather than in January. Learn more about the new College Scorecard and other ways to make better college choices.
ISCA Registration!
Time is running out! Register for the 2015 ISCA Conference by September 30 in order to take advantage of earlybird rates. Rates increase on October 1.
To register, go to http://www.
Be BOLD -- and register today!
Iowa School Counselor Association
W: http://www.
E: isca@assocserv.com
W: http://www.
E: isca@assocserv.com
2015 Conference: http://www.
First Gen College Students Conference
Engage. Empower. Support.
Creating a Bridge of Opportunity for First-Generation Students
Friday, October 16
8:30am-3:45pmGrand View University Student Center
Registration deadline: October 9
This is a collaboration conference for education and community professionals working with students from middle school through higher education and will include the following: College Board/Road Trip Nation's Why Not Us? documentary film, a first-generation student and alumni panel, break-out sessions, resource booths and information about programs, services and financial aid available for first-generation or potential first-generation students.
There is no registration fee. A continental breakfast & lunch are included.
Click here to register & feel free to forward to others who would benefit from attending.
The conference agenda and driving directions will be sent at a later date. Thank you for your participation!
There is no registration fee. A continental breakfast & lunch are included.
Click here to register & feel free to forward to others who would benefit from attending.
The conference agenda and driving directions will be sent at a later date. Thank you for your participation!
Marcela Hermosillo-Tarin
Community Engagement Consultant
Iowa College Student Aid Commission
Iowa College Student Aid Commission
If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.
IHAPI Update
I hope your school year is off to a great start. There are many questions regarding the future of I Have A Plan Iowa® and career guidance in Iowa. Although there are decisions yet to be made, information regarding the current status is below:
Update for 2015-2016
The Iowa Department of Education received funding to continue to provide I Have A Plan Iowa® (IHAPI) at no-cost to districts through June 30, 2016. Iowa Code 279.61 (commonly referred to as the Student Curriculum Plan or the 8th grade plan) has not been rescinded. All Iowa students in 8th through 12th grade are expected to complete the grade level Required State Components. IHAPI trainings will be offered throughout the year. For more information, contact your AEA or Nancy Ankeny Hunt at Nancy.Ankeny-Hunt@iowa.gov.
Introducing a new tool: The Student Success Plan
The Student Success Plan (SSP) is a new, flexible alternative to the Guideways. It provides an easy-to-use tool for students to complete the required components. Students can complete the steps in any order and educators can assign additional activities. Tracking of student progress is available through the Professional Center. To learn more, register to attend a training webinar. Register Now!
Looking toward 2016-2017
The Secondary CTE Task Force has drafted recommendations that promote college and career readiness to ensure all students receive a high quality career planning experience. The recommendations will be finalized at a meeting in October 2015. Updates on the task force work can be found at: https://www.educateiowa.gov/
Please share this update with counselors in your area and other interested parties.
Thank you!
Nancy Ankeny Hunt
Education Consultant
Iowa Department of Education
Grimes State Office Building
(o) (515) 725-0436
(c) (515) 326-1031
Iowa Latina/o Education Conference
The fourth annual Iowa Latina/o Education Initiative Conference will be held on Tuesday, October 20, 2015. The conference is free of charge and will be held at the FFA Center on the DMACC Ankeny Campus.
Click on the following link for conference registration:https://iastateeducation.
For conference details, visit: http://www.cclp.hs.iastate.
Please contact Dr. Michelle Robinson, mrobins@iastate.edu, 515-294-9631, for additional questions and conference information.
Larry H. Ebbers
University ProfessorIowa State Universitylebbers@iastate.eduHispanic Students in STEM Careers-Free Webinar
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The Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) Southwest supports educators in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas in using data and research evidence to address high-priority education needs. We conduct our work through innovative research alliances, which bring together educators, practitioners, policymakers, researchers, and others to address education issues.
Visit the REL Southwest website to learn more. Subscribe to the REL Southwest Spotlight e-bulletin to stay informed about our work, services, resources, and events.
This document was developed under Contract ED-IES-12-C-0012 from the U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences. The content does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of IES or the U.S. Department of Education, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. government.
Questions or comments should be directed to:
Jackie Burniske
Dissemination Director, REL Southwest American Institutes for Research 4700 Mueller Blvd. Austin, TX 78723 Tel: 800-476-6861 Email: relsouthwest@air.org Website: relsouthwest.sedl.org Twitter: @relsouthwest |
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
ISCA Conference Proposals!!!
It's not too late to submit a session proposal for the 2015 ISCA Conference held November 1-3 at the Prairie Meadows Conference Center in Altoona, Iowa. However, you'll have to act fast -- the deadline is this Friday, September 11th. To submit a proposal, visit the ISCA website at:
We are celebrating 50 years of school counseling in Iowa and our conference theme is "Be Bold". "Be Bold" and submit a conference proposal today!
Free Homeless Webinars
Homeless Webinars -- Free!!
NCHE invites you to participate in one of its upcoming webinars in September or October. As the school year begins, take advantage of one of NCHE's free webinars to participate in high-quality professional development from the convenience of your desk. During September and October, NCHE will offer the following sessions:
- Determining Eligibility for McKinney-Vento Rights and Services
Tuesday, September 15, 2015 | 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM CT - McKinney-Vento 101: School Access and Stability under the McKinney-Vento Act
Wednesday, September 23, 2015 | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CT - McKinney-Vento 102: Support for School Success and Special Populations
Thursday, September 24, 2015 | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ECT - Supporting the Education of Unaccompanied Homeless Students
Tuesday, September 29, 2015 | 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM CT - McKinney-Vento 101: School Access and Stability under the McKinney-Vento ActTuesday, October 13, 2015 | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CT
- NCHE Coffee Break: Understanding Doubled-Up
Wednesday, October 21, 2015 | 1:00 PM - 1:45 PM CT - McKinney-Vento 102: Support for School Success and Special Populations
Thursday, October 29, 2015 | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CT
Please visit http://center.serve.org/nche/
Friday, September 4, 2015
The Missing Link: The High Cost of Truancy
The Missing Link. The High Cost of Truancy by Farah Z. Ahmad and Tiffany D. Miller,
Center for American Progress, outlines
the tremendous consequences of truancy. The report takes a deep dive into chronic
absenteeism, examining how and why students become disconnected from schools,
and identifies promising solutions taking hold in parts of the U.S. It also presents concrete federal,
state, and local policy recommendations to combat truancy, including improving
data collection, increasing wrap-around services, and reducing punitive
policies.
Thursday, September 3, 2015
New Practitioner in Des Moines area
Counselors - While I am not willing to endorse any facility or person, it has come to my attention that a new practitioner has started at Pine Rest in Urbandale. Please see the attached flyer for more information.
ISCA Conference
School Counselors:
Welcome back to school! Celebrate this new school year by making plans to BE BOLD and celebrate 50 years of school counseling in Iowa by attending the Iowa School Counselor Association's annual conference November 1-3 at Prairie Meadows Convention Center in Altoona, Iowa.
Registration is now open. You can find a link to register as well as information on preconference sessions, keynote speakers, and room reservations here:
Please note that preconference sessions are an additional cost and are part of the attendee registration form.
Added bonus: When you register for the conference this year, your membership will also be renewed for 2016.
Rooms and registrations will fill quickly, so don't wait -- make your plans today!
Iowa School Counselor Association
W: http://www.
E: isca@assocserv.com
W: http://www.
E: isca@assocserv.com
Advocacy Webinar
ISCA/ICAN Webinar Series: Stepping Up for School Counselor Advocacy: How to Implement Advocacy in Your Program Every Day!
September 16, 2015 at 3:30 p.m.
Register Today - https://attendee.gotowebinar.
Advocacy is one of the four ASCA themes that school counselors need to demonstrate. Sometimes we overlook the things we do on a daily basis that can be used for the purpose of sharing our program and letting people know what we do and the difference we make. Join us to learn ways to advocate on a daily basis that make an impact.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Advocacy is one of the four ASCA themes that school counselors need to demonstrate. Sometimes we overlook the things we do on a daily basis that can be used for the purpose of sharing our program and letting people know what we do and the difference we make. Join us to learn ways to advocate on a daily basis that make an impact.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Suicide Prevention Week
Dear Friends,
We have some real momentum going into National Suicide Prevention Week –September 6-12. We recently partnered with the Anxiety Depression Association of America and the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention to conduct a public opinion poll on mental health and suicide prevention, and the results are truly encouraging.Highlights include:
- Nearly all respondents think suicide is sometimes or often preventable (94 percent).
- Adults (93 percent) would do something if someone close to them was thinking about suicide.
- Of those that have received treatment for mental health conditions, most thought it was helpful whether it was psychotherapy (82 percent), medication (78 percent) or another form of treatment.
- Two out of three people said they would tell someone if they were having thoughts of suicide.
This is great progress. Public perception of suicide prevention and mental health is improving, and I credit this shift to the hard work of our volunteers, staff, and partner organizations who are out there every day raising awareness and working to improve suicide prevention and mental health care. So, thank you!
There’s still much work to do. More than half (55 percent) of respondents have been affected by suicide in some way. Men are significantly more likely than women to say they would not reach out to anyone if they were contemplating suicide.
It’s up to us to change the culture. That’s why our main message for suicide prevention week this year is “You Can #StopSuicide.”
We need your help to reach out to family, friends, coworkers and classmates to spread the word that mental health is important, and suicide preventable. Yesterday, AFSP’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Christine Moutier joined our survey partners to brief interested reporters on the public opinion poll results. Today, Dr. Moutier gave media interviews to radio and TV stations across the country to raise awareness for mental health and suicide prevention – including how to get involved in the movement through our Out of the Darkness Community Walks this fall.
And tomorrow through next week, we’re partnering with To Write Love on Her Arms on its See You Tomorrow campaign, sharing information about the Campaign to Change Direction, publishing blog posts in the Huffington Post and WebMD, and collaborating with our partners (NAMI, Mental Health America, and the Treatment Advocacy Center) to post articles on their websites about the hopeful message that suicide is preventable. Our VP of Research Dr. Jill Harkavy-Friedman will also be doing a Twitter Chat with the Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness onSeptember 8, and our VP of Public Policy John Madigan will be speaking on Capitol Hill on September 10.
We’re counting on you to spread the word on social media this week and next week. Use hashtag #StopSuicide, take selfies to #StopSuicide on World Suicide Prevention Day, September 10, and wear your Be the Voice apparel with pride. You can find more information on National Suicide Prevention Week and download shareable graphics on our website. Keep checking the site throughout the week for updates and links to all the content surrounding National Suicide Prevention Week.
Thanks for being a part of this life-saving work.
Bob Gebbia
CEO, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Homeless Informaion
As the school year begins, there can be several questions regarding homeless determinations, definitions, enrollment, etc.
Click here for an updated resource sheet (PDF copy) that you may find helpful.
As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have regarding homeless education.
If you are not currently your district’s homeless education liaison, please let me know the liaison’s contact information ASAP (name, position, email address & phone).
Have a great year and thank you for the important work you do for children and youth.
Sandy Johnson
Title I Consultant /Homeless Education Coordinator
Iowa Department of Education
Des Moines, IA 50319
Office: 515-281-3965
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
School Leader Update-September
This issue of the School Leader Update for September is packed with information for the school counselor. Inside you will find info regarding
- Senate Youth Program
- Presidential Scholar Program
- Current state of IHAPI - Bridge Funding for 2015-16
- Mindsets and Behaviors
- FREE training on psychological factors -- Kognito
- Iowa Learning Online info for spring
- Emergency Planning Training
- BEDS Info
- Equity Audit
- Homeless Information
Make it a point to download this and read it!!! Stay informed!!!
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