Reading List!

There have been a lot of new studies and new information pertinent to the role of the school counselor. Please add these to your reading lists for this winter break!!

College Admissions Stress and Support

While some students continue to apply to colleges, many students are preparing to hear back from the colleges through the many Early Action or Early Decision programs available.  Where these programs used to attract only a small percentage of applicants, some colleges now admit up to 50 percent of their class through these programs. Since many of these colleges are among the highly selective colleges, students report a higher level of stress both waiting for these decisions, and hearing their results.  Counselor are trying to meet these needs in a wider variety of ways, including lunch time programs, after school seminars, and newsletters and columns on how parents can support students through this challenging time (O'Connor, HuffingtonPost).  

An Introduction to School Counselors

While school counselors are often seen as the building professionals in charge of testing and schedule changes, these more visible parts of the job often overcrowd the other work of counselors.  This is one of the reasons many people don’t understand why large counselor caseloads can prevent counselors from completing their work with students.  This introductory overview of a counselor’s job puts to rest some long-held beliefs, and creates an opportunity to see how schools can make the most of their counselor’s skills (Lahey, New York Times). 

Resources to Use

• The St. Louis Fed's Econlowdown Teacher Portal. The Econlowdown Teacher Portal is a tool to enhance instruction by providing free online courses, videos, and podcasts for students about economics, personal finance, and money. The St Louis Fed also has print lessons, curricula, readings, PowerPoints, and SMART and Promethean Board materials for pre-K through college classrooms that can be searched by grade level and easily downloaded for free.
• Kindergarten Observation Tool. A new study from the Regional Educational Laboratory Southwest examined the construct validity of the New Mexico’s Kindergarten Observation Tool and provides evidence of the tool’s validity and reliability. The study found support for using the Kindergarten Observation Tool to measure two distinct domains of students’ knowledge and skills: cognitive school readiness and noncognitive school readiness.  
• ASCD Leadership Institute for Legislative Advocacy. Join educators from across the country to learn about the new administration and new leadership in Congress and hear from education policy experts about the education policy issues to be addressed in 2018. ASCD's Leadership Institute for Legislative Advocacy provides a unique venue to network with educators from around the nation who share an interest in education policy and advocacy.  

Study: How do emotions affect learning?

(Pixabay)

Emotions such as feeling sad or happy may affect how students learn, asserts researcher Caitlin Mills, who co-authored a recent study on the topic. Study findings show that watching something aimed at inducing feelings of sadness yielded better reading comprehension than watching something intended to make viewers feel happy.

The Hechinger Report (12/18) 

Encouraging Emotional Diversity in Boys Studies show that from a young age, boys are taught to suppress their emotional experience, despite research that shows that boys are more emotionally expressive than girls from infancy through early childhood. Psychologists have also found that children who deny emotional vulnerability are also more likely to become adolescents who engage in health-risk behaviors, such as substance use. Furthermore, later in development, men suppress their emotions more than women; and men, in turn experience greater depressive symptoms, and resort more often to physical violence. Click here for the full article from Scientific American that explains how boys are being emotionally suppressed, and why its important for boys, and for society at large, for that to change. Scientific American Traumatic Experiences Widespread Among U.S. Youth, New Data Show Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACEs, can have serious, long-lasting impacts on children's health and well-being by contributing to high levels of toxic stress that derail healthy physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development. New national data show that at least 38 percent of children in every state have had at least one ACE.  Click here to read more on newly released data from the Child & Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative (CAHMI) at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Click here for a special supplement detailing the first-ever national agenda to address ACEs and promote resilience, healing, and child and family well-being. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

 

Registration open!!!!

Registration for 2018 Iowa Go Alliance Academy courses is open!

Building a College-Going Culture for All Students: How to remove barriers to higher education, especially for low-income, first-generation and minority students.

January 22-March 16, 2018

March 2-April 20, 2018

June 11-July 27, 2018

College, Career, and Academic Planning: (Prerequisite: Building a College-Going Culture for All Students) How to engage students in early college and career awareness, and support students in postsecondary and career planning.

January 22-March 16, 2018

March 2-April 20, 2018

June 11-July 27, 2018

Financial Aid and College Applications: (Prerequisite: Building a College-Going Culture for All Students) How to support students and families navigating the complexities of filing the FAFSA and other financial aid and college applications.

January 22-March 16, 2018

March 2-April 20, 2018

June 11-July 27, 2018

Maximizing Counselor Impact: Module for Administrators: How school leaders can engage effectively with school counselors. Developed in collaboration with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

January 22-March 16, 2018

March 2-April 20, 2018

June 11-July 27, 2018

Iowa Go Alliance Academy is a college and career counseling training program provided by Iowa College Aid in partnership with Southern Regional Education Board and AEA Learning Online. See best practices in action and gain knowledge and resources that can be incorporated in your work with students immediately. Courses are offered for license renewal or graduate credit through Drake University, Morningside University and Viterbo University. Space is limited, so register today. For more information about Iowa Go Alliance Academy and course availability, e-mail Ashley McKenna.

Job Descriptions

If you have a formal job description (from your HR dept) for your school counseling position, would you please send it to me? I am collecting several as examples. Please send it to: sschirmer@heartlandaea.org
Thanks!!

Opening

Due to a retirement, there will be a school counselor opening in Indianola at the middle school. If interested, go to the Teach Iowa website or the school's appli-track system. Great district!!

A Perfect Storm!

Greetings Counselors!!

I have crossed paths with many of you recently and have been spreading the word about how this is such an exciting time in our profession. So many efforts are all coming together and they all have school counselors in a highly leveraged position. Some of those connections are:

•  House File 2392 – the district plan and individual career and academic plan (ICAP)
•  The MTSS process is gaining traction in schools – this is what we have always done when implementing an ASCA program
•  Greater focus on Early Warning Systems (EWS) to detect struggles and provide interventions 
•  Strength and growth of PBIS programs
•  Iowa definition of College and Career Readines
•  Future Ready Iowa and the October release of their recommendations
•  Iowa AEA Postsecondary Readiness and Equity Partnership (AEA PREP)

I like to say this is a “perfect storm” for school counselors and the school counseling profession. This is our time to shine!!!

If you are not familiar with some of these connections and initiatives, please let me know and I would be happy to share more information. There are links provided for some of the information. 

One of the areas you might not be aware of is AEA PREP. This is a relatively newly formed group that was convened by the AEA Chief Administrators. Dave Ford is the leader of this group whose focus is to improve postsecondary readiness and education attainment with a focus on closing attainment gaps that exist for those populations traditionally underrepresented in higher education. The group will focus on building equitable capacity throughout Iowa among AEAs, and in turn, PK-12 schools. The primary functions include:

• the collection and distribution of timely and relevant postsecondary readiness data to PK-12 districts including the creation of a statewide postsecondary data dashboard with district-specific data;
• the development of a statewide network of postsecondary readiness leads with specialized training in leading and implementing postsecondary readiness initiatives and programs;
• a resource center for K-12 educators to improve postsecondary readiness, including the latest research, evidence-based practice, webinars, presentations, and other relevant materials.

In the midst of this “perfect storm” is you – a valued school counselor! Please take this opportunity to demonstrate your leadership by connecting with those in your building about these exciting programs and initiatives. 

Thank you for all you are doing and have done for students and communities!!

Sue Schirmer

Homeless - Cyberbullying

The Dept of Education Superintendent notes are attached here. Please read the updates regarding homeless criteria and support as well as updates to cyberbullying.

Position Opening

Coon Rapids - Bayard has an opening for a secondary school counselor for next year. This is a great district with great support! For more information, please go to teachiowa.gov
or contact:

Margie Schwenk

Director of Curriculum and Professional Learning 

Coon Rapids-Bayard CSD

712-999-2208

email:  margie.schwenk@crbcrusaders.org

Please Pass the Love Fun Fundraiser Night

understanding minds. changing lives.

A friendly reminder that our Pub Trivia and Silent Auction Fundraiser is filling up fast!  Join us on November 30th for a fun night with hysterical emcees, a DJ, thousands of dollars of items being raffled and auctioned off, and highly competitive trivia at the Iowa Taproom.  To register your team (up to 8), you need a clever team name, and to register at www.pleasepassthelove.org!    Social hour and silent auction begin at 5pm with trivia starting at 6:30pm.  All proceeds benefit increasing school mental health supports, training, and resources in schools!

Please Pass the Love is committed to increasing school-based mental health supports to improve the quality of life and educational opportunities for children, families, and educators as well as offer culturally responsive comprehensive services and evidence-based supports to school systems. We strive to bridge positive relationships between the educational and mental health communities to more effectively prevent and address mental health issues for our children and adolescents throughout the state of Iowa. 515.329.0220           info@pleasepassthelove.org          www.pleasepassthelove.org

Position Opening

Heads up - here is a opportunity for a high school position at Marshalltown High School - They are posting early, due to retirement, and are now accepting applications for a High School Counselor for the 2018-2019 school year.  Interested applicants should apply soon! Here is the link to apply

Classroom Mental Health: A Teacher's Toolkit for High School

I was just made aware of a great resource - Classroom Mental Health: A Teacher's Toolkit for High School at https://www.classroommentalhealth.org/ 

There are some great resources here to use and share with your staff!!

Open position

Ankeny Northview Middle School has an opening for a 8/9 School Counselor  (This position is needed for the remaining portion of the 17-18 school year and a temporary contract will be issued. The potential candidate may be able to be offered a continuing contract for future contract years. ) 

Great opportunity - short time frame!!!

Have you registered for RISE yet? There is still time to register!

An innovative education conference, RISE provides a stage to the voice of our students with the support of our educators. This student leadership conference includes a variety of sessions including keynotes from educators and leaders from all over the country and is followed by breakout sessions in the afternoon. We welcome students of all ages throughout Iowa to come and make their voice heard in this annual student education conference.

REGISTER Today

Schedule There is a full day planned at the 5th annual RISE Student Leadership Conference! Do not miss out on: 5 AMAZING Keynote Speakers 4th of NOVEMBER is the day you can't miss 3 UNIQUE times for breakout sessions 2 SET times for you to network with students across the date 1 FREE Lunch For more information and the detailed schedule visit iowasli.org/RISE.

Find Out More

FAFSA Webinar

If you were not able to attend this morning’s IASFAA High School Counselor Training: Avoiding Common Mistakes Made on the FAFSA the recording is now available at:

https://youtu.be/GRLWlE2Jcfc

The webinar goes over the common mistakes made when submitting the FAFSA as well as talk about the changes for 2018-19. Even if you’re familiar with completing the FAFSA, we’re sure you’ll learn something new!   

Susan Collins,  Financial Aid Advisor at La James International College and Matt Falduto, Financial Aid Director at Kirkwood Community College are the presenters.  

Anti-Bullying Ad

Counselors - Check out this amazing ad from Burger King regarding bullying. It is a great resource!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnKPEsbTo9s

Community Conversation on Mental Health - Gilbert Schools

Please see this flyer regarding a great opportunity for professional learning around mental health. This is being hosted/sponsored by Gilbert schools on October 26 beginning at 6:00 pm, but is open to anyone to attend!!

Future Ready Iowa Final Recommendations

As many of you know, the Future Ready Iowa Alliance has been hard at work over the last year to put efforts in place that will lead to attainment of the FRI goal of 70% of workforce have education or training beyond high school by the year 2025. The final recommendations were released yesterday. Please read these and consider how you might work toward implementation of these actions.

For more information on FRIA - please visit their website or view this short video about the process.

Counselor Training - FAFSA - Free webinar

IASFAA High School Counselor Training: Avoiding Common Mistakes Made on the FAFSA

Join us for a webinar on Oct 27, 2017 at 10:00 AM CDT.

Register now!

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5726159086617358595

This webinar will go over the common mistakes made when submitting the FAFSA as well as talk about the changes for 2018-19. Even if you’re familiar with completing the FAFSA, we’re sure you’ll learn something new!

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

View System Requirements

Youth Program PPTW

understanding minds. changing lives.

Please share our new three youth eight-week program groups with your networks (9-11 year olds, 12-14 year olds, 15-19 year olds).  The purpose of this programming is to increase youth self-worth through building friendships, social skills, and communication skills. This 8-week opportunity will be filled with games, activities, and the chance for students to feel safe and empowered. These groups are well suited for students who have been diagnosed with anxiety or ADHD. This is a FREE program at Meredith Middle School in Des Moines, on Monday evenings 5:30-6:45p starting on October 2nd!  Space is limited, so hurry and register!  Educators please share this info with your families.  This is a rare opportunity!  Register here https://www.pleasepassthelove.org/the-hangout

Please pass the love - community sessions!!

understanding minds. changing lives.

Exciting news!  First of its kind youth mental health partnership with Mercy, Unity Point and Broadlawns Medical Centers to provide FREE youth mental health caregiver educational sessions on a variety of topics.  The next session is October 10th at Broadlawns covering a huge challenge for parents... medication management!  We rely on schools and community agencies to help provide this information to families.  There is an immense need for these educational opportunities, so please hang this schedule, email it to your families, post it in your district's online flyer center, hand it out, post it in bathrooms if you have to, any way to help parents access a FREE support.  Free childcare will also be provided.  More information is available at www.pleasepassthelove.org.

Professional Learning Opportunities!

College and career counseling courses begin October 16

Iowa Go Alliance Academy will offer these three online courses beginning October 16:

• Building a College-Going Culture for All Students: How to remove barriers to higher education, especially for low-income, first-generation and minority students.
• Financial Aid and College Applications (Prerequisite: Building a College-Going Culture for All Students): How to support students and families navigating the complexities of filing the FAFSA and other financial aid and college applications.
• Maximizing Counselor Impact: A Module for Administrators: How school leaders can engage effectively with school counselors. Developed in collaboration with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

Iowa Go Alliance Academy is a college and career counseling training program provided by Iowa College Aid in partnership with Southern Regional Education Board and AEA PD Online. See best practices in action and gain knowledge and resources that can be incorporated in your work with students immediately. Courses are offered for license renewal or graduate credit through Drake University, Morningside University and Viterbo University. Space is limited, so register today. For more information about Iowa Go Alliance Academy and course availability, e-mail Ashley McKenna.