ESC Region 12 Safe & Healthy School
8/24/21 The More You Know
Do you know someone....
Region 12, Safe and Healthy Schools Training Dates
September 8, 9-4, session #246127
Heartsaver CPR/AED and First aid for school staff
September 9, 9-12, session #245601
Elementary Counselor Best Practice Institute: Childhood 2.0, SEL, Culture & Diversity
September 9, 1-4, session #245606
True Colors Training for Educators and Counselors
September 9, 9-12, session #249187
Heartsaver CPR/AED for school staff
September 10, 9-1, session #236004
Diabetes training for unlicensed school personnel
September 13, 9-11, session #245753
Diabetes Revies for UDCAs
September 21, 9-11, session #248319
Safe and Healthy Schools Series + Office Hours
September 21, 1:30-3:30, session #233643
EOP Workday
September 27, 12-1, session #248466
School Board Human Trafficking
October 5, 9-11:30, session #239275
Human Trafficking for Superintendents
Online, On-Demand Courses
- Human Trafficking for Superintendents, session #252332
- Human Trafficking for School Boards, session #252323
- SB 11: The Omnibus School Safety Bill Canvas Course, session # 252334
- School Crisis Response & Communication During the Pandemic: Canvas Series, session #251154
*Watch our live calendar at https://tinyurl.com/23d8cp2r
Training available to schedule on-site:
- Behavior Threat Assessment (to train your Threat Assessment/Safe and Supportive Schools Team)
- Digital Responsibility & Social Media Safety (to train your students)
- True Colors (offered for students and staff as a team-building/self-awareness opportunity)
- AS+K Suicide Prevention (to train staff)
- Youth Mental Health First Aid (to train staff)
- Trauma-Sensitive Schools (to train staff)
*Contact us for pricing and to schedule.
WORTHY ANNOUNCEMENTS AND WORK
1. TEA has issued revised Public Health Guidance.
https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/covid/SY-20-21-Public-Health-Guidance.pdf
2. ESC Region 12 will be working with Waco-McLennan County Public Health District to host a vaccination clinic in Waco AB on August 24th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. All three vaccine types (Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, and Pfizer) will be available for you to select. There is not a booster vaccine available at this time. Staff, family, and community ages 12 and up are welcome to come and take advantage of the clinic free of charge. No registration is required.
A follow-up clinic will be held on September 21st from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for the second shot from Moderna and Pfizer.
3. From the Campus Safety Magazine....
Dealing with Mental Health Challenges on Campus
4. The Responder, The Newsletter of the ALERRT Center...
https://t.e2ma.net/webview/jafjgi/10660a4b180f38b38b7cb40f0285b325
5. From NCMEC and NetSmarts...
- Social Media Safety for Teens (https://tinyurl.com/2cdpbvyh)
- Gaming Safety (https://www.missingkids.org/content/dam/netsmartz/downloadable/tipsheets/gaming-safely.pdf)
- Student Project Kit (https://tinyurl.com/3njz5mmp)
- Tips for Tweens (https://tinyurl.com/sm2pewkk)
- Peer Education and Mentoring Kit (https://www.missingkids.org/content/dam/netsmartz/downloadable/Peer%20Education%20Kit.pdf
6. Could You Recognize a Panic Attack?
People often joke that they are suffering from a “panic attack” without actually knowing what a panic attack is. Such talk only contributes to the stigma that surrounds panic disorder and around those who experience panic attacks.
Knowing what to do when someone is experiencing a panic attack can have a major impact on them and can help reduce the stigma surrounding panic and anxiety.
7. Back to School Tips (in English and Spanish) from Crime Stoppers of Houston
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VdiwXj9lAZVUMq2cIAoh17O4boHGMB-e/view?usp=sharing
8. From the American Association of Suicidology....
You're invited to the webinar Addressing the Back to School Struggle: Cultivating Care and Connectedness on Campus.
September 10, 2021, 12-1pm Eastern
Presenter: Jen Marr, Founder and CEO, Inspiring Comfort LLC
Registration Deadline: September 3, 2021
In this webinar, you will learn of the behaviors that stop us from showing care, the science and process of the skill, and tools and strategies you can use to break through your own personal "Awkward Zone" to show care to those who need your support.
9. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention presents Seize the Awkward.
Seize the Awkward, our groundbreaking ad campaign in partnership with the Ad Council and The Jed Foundation, recently released four new videos containing powerful advice for teens and young adults on mental health. Each video features expert advice from Dr. Doreen Marshall, AFSP’s Vice President of Mission Engagement, and Dr. Wenimo Okoya from The Jed Foundation sharing practical tips on supporting a friend who may be struggling with their mental health.
- Learn the Signs (https://youtu.be/3jCCxsvYjA4)
- Have the Conversation (https://youtu.be/8evtuxohDvU)
- Tips for Better Conversations (https://youtu.be/gX0cQBL_RzU)
- Conversation Starters (https://youtu.be/H-Q6ieH_Z08)
The videos were viewed nearly 800,000 times on Instagram alone over the course of May Mental Health Awareness Month, helping to spread awareness and encourage young people to be there for their friends. Join us in sharing them with your friends and family too!
10. From the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation....
You are an incredible leader in education. That’s nice to hear, isn’t it? It’s true.
We at The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation have been holding you all in our hearts over the last year and know it must feel strange as you think about the school year to come. We know how much pressure is on you to support teachers, students and families. We want to support you and your staff in the transition back to school with social and emotional tools that are:
- Easy to use
- Evidence-based
- Created to help YOUR mental health as well as those of your students
- Rated ‘excellent’ by The Equity Project for diversity, equity and inclusion
Before diving into all of that, do something easy and will be a guaranteed success with everyone. Download our most popular resource—our annual school calendar (it’s cool… the calendar even starts in August) with one simple kindness idea every day. Hang it in your office, classrooms, teacher’s lounge, hallways… wherever someone can see it and be inspired to do something kind.
If you think the calendar is cool, then jump into the Kindness in the Classroom curriculum. We have something for everyone from kindergarten to high school. Over 40,000 schools worldwide use Kindness in the Classroom. It is recommended by the Collaborative for Academic and Social Emotional Learning (CASEL). The research showed that teachers were happier and felt closer to each other and their students, saw marked improvement in behavior and grades, spent more time teaching and less time disciplining students.
It’s FREE... Start here.
If you just need a little inspiration, join us via text at (303) 529-2494 or become a RAKtivist today.
Nurse's Corner
- In-person vision and hearing screening training sessions are on the website now for sign-ups. See training sessions at the top of the newsletter or search by keyword in escWorks. If you were one of those trained virtually last year for vision and hearing, practicum sessions with Paul Gonzalez from DSHS are also available now.
- DSHS is not offering any spinal screening sessions at this time. Watch for updates. RNs can do them without training by using the information on the DSHS website.
- COVID-19 News--TEA has published its newest guidelines: https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/covid/SY-20-21-Public-Health-Guidance.pdf
Please note the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Rule for students who have COVID.
- Here is a great resource from New York State Center for School Health and the section for Sample Health Services Forms and Notifications.
*Most of these documents are in Word or Excel so that they can be downloaded and edited for use.
- From the TEA COVID Response Team....
The current K-12 COVID Testing Project (this was schools that did COVID testing AT the school on students, staff, family) will stop being supported by the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) on September 15, 2021. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) will roll out guidance for the 2021-2022 COVID-19 Testing Program in the coming weeks.
For districts and private schools already approved to receive tests under the K-12 COVID Testing Project, re-orders of COVID tests have not been permitted until 70% of existing tests have been reported. This limitation is being waived on a one-time basis to facilitate the re-order of supplies for the start of the school year. For the purposes of managing the remaining inventory, districts are permitted to request a number of tests up to the amount (maximum) identified below. To place an order, email k-12logs@tdem.texas.gov. If extenuating circumstances require additional tests, please email us at: COVIDCaseReport@tea.texas.gov
From the TxSSC...
- Advanced School Behavioral Threat Assessment Training – December 14, 2021
https://txssc.txstate.edu/events/adv-sbta-trainings/ - Advanced Digital Threat Assessment Training – December 15, 2021
https://txssc.txstate.edu/events/adv-dta-trainings/
2. The Texas School Safety Center is pleased to offer an in-person Advanced Digital Threat Assessment Training at the Region 12 Education Service Center on December 15, 2021. This training is for Safe and Supportive School Program Team members who are responsible for investigating online threats and have previously completed the Basic Digital Threat Assessment training through the Texas School Safety Center.
The training will build and expand significantly on the skills gained in the Basic Digital Threat Assessment training. Participants will leave with a concrete understanding of how to find and curate relevant digital information as is typically represented in a real-life digital threat assessment data gathering scenario. Major engagement and hands-on practice will take place as participants are assembled into investigative teams and given mock real-life scenarios.
https://txssc.txstate.edu/events/adv-dta-trainings/
Individuals must attend entire training to be eligible to receive seven hours TCOLE Credit.
Please Note: An Advanced School Behavioral Threat Assessment Training will take place the day before. If interested in attending, you must register separately for the training.
For more information about the training, please contact Laura Anaya Rodriguez at laura12@txstate.edu.
3. TCOLE #4064 Virtual Trainings
The Texas School Safety Center School-Based Law Enforcement (SBLE) Training Division will host 20 free virtual and 20 free in-person TCOLE #4064 trainings beginning September of 2021. The goal of this training is to assist SBLE officers and school districts with compliance with legislative mandates requiring districts employing a peace/resource officer to create a policy requiring officers to complete education and training.
These trainings will be 20 hours divided into two 10-hour days. We have updated training materials to ensure that participants receive the most current information available. Topics will include:
- Child and Adolescent Development and Psychology
- Mental Health Crisis Intervention and Cultural Competency
- De-escalation Techniques and Techniques for Limiting the Use of Force, Including the Use of Physical, Mechanical, and Chemical Restraints
- Mental and Behavioral Health Needs of Children with Disabilities or Special Needs
- Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, Conflict Resolution Techniques, and Restorative Justice Techniques
This training is open to school-based law enforcement, public ISDs, open-enrollment charter schools, junior colleges, and state agencies that support schools. Due to limited seating, vendors and contractors are not permitted to register or attend the training.
This training is free, but registration is required. Please register early for both virtual and in-person trainings.
Participants must attend the entire virtual or in-person training to be eligible to receive 20 hours TCOLE Credit.
For more information about the TCOLE #4064 trainings, please contact
Joe Munoz at joe.munoz@txstate.edu | 512.245.6827,
Sirenna Cumberland at scumberland@txstate.edu | 512.245.5856, or
Felisha Nauert at fbn@txstate.edu | 512.245.5284.
SAVE THE DATE for State and Nat'l Conferences
1. School Mental Health Summit - Virtual (Online Via Zoom)
Emerging Stronger and More Resilient: Learning from the COVID-19 Crisis
August 31 & September 1, 9:00am - 4:00pm ET
The Northeast & Caribbean Mental Health Technology Transfer Center will present this 2-Day Virtual Conference designed for K-12 educators and staff. This conference will highlight the voices of students and their thoughts about mental health and how schools can best support students. Additional sessions will focus on strategies to support student and educator wellness as we transition back to school. Topics will include trauma-informed approaches, addressing grief, transitioning back to school, strengthening partnerships with family and community, and staff self-care.
Attendance at the conference can be used toward your professional development hours. Certificates of Attendance will be provided.
After registering, you will receive a link to our conference website to access the direct Zoom webinar links to join each workshop session of the conference.
2. Register Now! October 14-15, 2021
The theme of this year’s conference is School Mental Health: Moving Forward Together. Each year, the Annual Conference on Advancing School Mental Health brings together leaders, practitioners, researchers, and other stakeholders in the school mental health field to share the latest research, best practice, and innovation. The conference emphasizes a shared family-school-community agenda to bring high-quality, evidence-based mental health promotion, prevention, and intervention to students and families as part of a multi-tiered system of support.
Upcoming State Safe and Healthy School Deadlines
Public Schools should conduct a safety audit of facilities from September 2020 through August 2023.
Charter Schools should conduct a safety audit from September 2019 through August 2022.
2. District Audit Reports
At the culmination of the Safety Audit process, schools will be required to submit a District Audit Report to the Texas School Safety Center.
The Public School expected deadline is August 2023.
The Charter School expected deadline is August 2022.
3. Threat Assessment/SSSP
Collection period September 1, 2020 through August 31, 2021 is due in November 2021 by Qualtrics survey (https://tinyurl.com/27fp2437).
Take a look at the proposed data to be collected (https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/november-2021-proposed-survey-questions.pdf).
Last cycle was due in November 2020 and covered September 1, 2019 to August 31, 2020.
4. Emergency Operation Plans and Annexes
Can be requested at any time by TxSSC.
5. Vision, Hearing, Spinal Screening State Reports
Due to the state by June 30, 2021
8/17/21 The More You Know
8/2/21 The More You Know
7/26/21 The More You Know
ESC Region 12 MTSS Newsletter 1.5
State Initiative Website
District Resources
Title IV, Part A FAQs
Promoting School Safety & a Well-Rounded Education for all Students
Contact us!
Michelle Butler, Education Specialist/Nurse
Jeni Janek, Education Specialist III/Coordinator
Heather Wheeler, Education Specialist
Email: hwheeler@esc12.net
Website: esc12.net
Location: ESC Region 12, West Loop 340, Waco, TX, USA
Phone: 254-297-1166
Twitter: @R12SafeHealthy