Fall, 2015 SSW News
A Busy Fall...
I have seen close to 500 school social workers in the past month. When I ask them how things are going, I almost always hear, "It's been a busy Fall".
Some are blaming it on the late start. Others say there is something in the water. While I don't know the cause, I can say that despite the "busyness", there are a lot of great things happening for kids this year. So on behalf of all the folks that you serve, I say, "Thanks".
My own busyness has lead to participating in many cool and innovative things for kids and schools, so please read on...
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SSW Time Study Tool and Community of Practice
The tool serves two purposes. The first is to give SSWs a greater awareness of how they use their time. This allows them to think about service delivery and analyze the reality of their work environment. The second purpose is to have data to enter into discussions with colleagues about service delivery and assignments.
Since the development of the tool, 11 SSWs have been piloting the tool and working on refinements. Partnering with Michael S. Kelly from Loyola University, this group is meeting virtually once a month to reflect on their practices and become more effective by studying Evidenced Based Practices.
The tool should be ready in January for general use. Please contact me if you would like a copy.
Note: Above is a chart from the time study tool. Looking at it, what do you see? What thoughts come to mind? What do you wonder? What might you do if this was your practice?
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SSW Community of Practice Event
Thanks to all who attended. Next year, please join us on November 8.
Below: The resource below was shared at the Community of Practice Event.
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Why Try? Spotted at Oakland Schools
Why Try founder Christian Moore gave the keynote, "Resilience Breakthrough, Why Try?" to 200 people. The presentation was inspiring with many great ideas on engaging and motivating students. Other community resources and presentations were featured during the day as well.
Chris Brown was here two weeks ago giving the Why Try? Level 1 Training. 31 participants took part in discussion and activities on building student engagement and socio-emotional learning by utilizing a therapeutic, multi-sensory approach.
Our level 2 training takes place in February. More information is available by clicking here.
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Congratulations to Jessica Buchheister, Rochester Schools
The Board of the Michigan Association of School Social Workers (MASSW) was proud to celebrate the contributions and accomplishments of several honorees at the 2015 MASSW Annual Awards Dinner on Thursday, October 29 at The Lansing Center. Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley presented the 2015 School Social Worker of the Year Award to Jessica Buchheister, MASSW President and Region F member (see photo above).
Jessica has been a School Social Worker for nine years. Currently, Jessica works at West Middle School in Rochester Schools where she provides services to resource level students and the Emotional Impairment Categorical classroom. Jessica's contributions to the field are extensive and profound. Jessica was nominated by colleague Rhonda Tomei who wrote, “Jessica is incredibly passionate in her desire to educate, advocate, and make change in our school district towards mental health education and empowerment!”
Way to go, Jessica!
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Thanks Tim Schroeter from Wayne -Westland Schools
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Updated SSW Department Rosters & E-mail Needed
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Book Studies & Evidenced Informed Practice
A focus of the book is evidenced based practice. To assist in having an evidenced informed practice, I have created a video and resource list in the new miPlace system. To access them, log into www.miplacek12.org with your Google APPs for Education E-mail or G-Mail. Then go to the HUB and search for Evidence Informed Practice For School Social Workers. There you will find the video, links to resources and curated content. The video is open to everyone regardless of book study status.
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Resources
Materials Center now featuring Why Try Materials.
Just added to our Materials Lending Library has been the Why Try? Kits for Elementary and Secondary Levels!!! The center features three sets including posters for each level. You may start your ordering by sending a username/password request to MCRequests@oakland.k12.mi.us. They will send you ordering instructions.
The materials center has other great resources as well. Please click here for a list of Educational Assessments. Click here for the Psychology Loan Library. Other Resources are available here.
Also feel free to send me recommendations for future resources at steve.whitmore@oakland.k12.mi.us.
Google Forms For Progress Monitoring
Additionally, we have a Google Community just for Google Forms and progress monitoring. Please e-mail me at steve.whitmore@oakland.k12.mi.us if you would like to apply for community membership.
Please also let me know what you are doing with Google Forms. I think it has so many uses and applications, and I would like to spread the word.
mi Place is coming soon.
An awesome new tool that takes some of the functions of Moodle and combines them on a Google Platform. No more separate log in will be needed if you have a Google for Education e-mail.
When fully operational, it will also allow us to hold special on-line courses and chats.
Look for this great tool that will keep us connected and help us organize known resources. For a preview, please go to miPlaceK12.org
Are you Scooping?
Have checked out the SCOOP.IT pages? They are articles, ideas and resources that I have found on the web. You don’t need an account, and it is super easy. So check them out at: http://www.scoop.it/u/steve16.
Scoops have started to include resources mentioned on our listserve.
Scoops are also sent to you on Twitter: @oaklandssw or @masswmi and Facebook: www.facebook.com/MASSWMI.
As always, feel free to send me articles, blog postings, activities and resources that others might find useful.
OS Listserve Resources and More!
So whatever has happened to those list-serv resources? Thanks to follow school psychologist consultant, Susan Koceski and our project assistance, Erika Geyman, we now have a great compilation. In addition to what we’ve seen on the SSW listserv, Susan has also added some additions from other sources. This will no doubt be an invaluable resource. You may access the list by clicking here.
Have you seen the MASSW Pinterest Page?
MASSW Website now has three "How To" Videos.
Under the Member dropdown as well are directions for common functions. Please check it out.
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Other professional learning activities are included on the MASSW website (click here), and my SSWscoops page (click here).
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Upcoming Events at OS- Please Register Now!
Restorative Practices
November 13, 2015 or January 12, 2016
8:00am-3:00pm
This workshop equips school personnel with the necessary skills to facilitate the Restorative Practices Circle Process in their classrooms. By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to: establish a positive community in their intervention space by learning how to use the circle process in preventative ways; effectively address mis-behaviors; expand their positive climate management tool belt; and improve learning.
November 13 Registration Link: https://events.oakland.k12.mi.us/coe/coe_p2_details.aspx?eventid=135596&cc=COEE&oc=10
Verbal Strategies to Address Challenging Behaviors
Karen Rusniak, PhD & Jim Wood, PhD
11/16/2015 or 5/19/2016
8:30am-3:30pm
Participants will learn verbal strategies that are designed to help prevent, de escalate, and resolve behavior difficulties. Strategies will be drawn from the most applicable parts of Life Space Crisis Intervention (LSCI), Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NCI), Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS), and Motivational Interviewing (MI). At the conclusion participants will be able to recognize when to use such strategies and to employ strategic elements. Handouts will be provided electronically.
11/15/15 registration: https://events.oakland.k12.mi.us/coe/coe_p2_details.aspx?eventid=134224&cc=COEE&oc=10
5/19/16 registration: https://events.oakland.k12.mi.us/coe/coe_p2_details.aspx?eventid=134239&cc=COEE&oc=10
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Practical Management of Tough Kids - School Psych Series
William Jenson, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Educational Psychology, University of Utah
12/9/2015
8:30am-3:30pm
This workshop is part of the Skills for School Psychologist Series. This presentation will focus on the practical management of behaviorally disordered/emotionally disturbed students (BD/SED). These students are frequently referred to as "tough kids" because they exhibit strong behavioral excesses such as arguing, noncompliance, and aggression; while at the same time they possess significant behavioral deficits in self-management (rule governed behavior), social skills, and academic abilities. This presentation will review what causes "tough kid" behavior, how to practically assess it, and strategies to remeditate it. An emphasis will be placed on proactive strategies and positive behavior management interventions such as Mystery Motivators, the "Sure I Will" program, the "Yes and No" classroom management program, reward spinners, a whole school positive discipline program (Principal’s 200 Club) and several more. Strategies to decrease the behavioral excesses of noncompliance and arguing will include differential attention, What If Charts, effective classroom rule design, precision requests, and a variety of practical reductive classroom interventions. In addition, information will also be presented on how to get other people such as parents and other educators to follow through and implement these techniques. There will also be an introduction of two new programs, the Tough Kid Bully Blockers program and the Super Heroes Social Skills Program for High Functioning Autistic Children. All the strategies to be presented will be research validated interventions that can be time efficiently implemented in classrooms at low cost.
Registration Link: http://tinyurl.com/PsychSeries12-9-15
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High-Scope Approach to Conflict Resolution for Young Children (2 Days)
Christine Maier, PhD
12/10/15 & 12/11/15, or 3/11/16 & 3/18/16
9:00am – 3:30pm
Participants will learn the HighScope 6 Step process of conflict resolution. Social workers will examine understandings and beliefs about conflicts and begin to see conflict situations as learning opportunities. Throughout the two sessions, social workers actively engage in examining and discussing the concepts behind each of the 6 steps.
More information coming soon.
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SEL Progress Monitoring: Google Forms
Steve Whitmore, LMSW
12/11/2015
8:30am-12:00pm
This highly interactive and hands on workshop will examine the essential elements of progress monitoring and assist participants in creating note and IEP monitoring tools in Google Forms. Participants will have a completed form by the end of the session. Bring a copy of your current progress notes/monitoring form with you. Comfort with technology is required. Participants should have a current Google Education or G-mail account and should send the account address to Steven.Whitmore@oakland.k12.mi.us prior to the workshop. Upon registering workshop participants should completed a survey located at: http://tinyurl.com/PMGoogle1.
12/11/15 Registration Link: https://events.oakland.k12.mi.us/coe/coe_p2_details.aspx?eventid=132714&cc=COEE&oc=10
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SSW PSA Community of Practice: Winter ' 16 Event
1/14/2016
4:30pm-7:15pm
This event is for SSWs who work in Public School Academies & Charters Schools. School social workers will identify common practice strengths & challenges and spend time using a problem-solving model to work through some of the identified issues. Some time will be set aside for compliance questions as well. (Minimum of 7 required)
More information coming soon.
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CoT and the SSW Role (3 Evenings)
Jennifer Hollander
1/26/2016, 2/9/2016 & 3/8/2016
5:30pm-7:30pm
The goal of this course is to give social workers an opportunity to learn the philosophy and foundation of Cultures of Thinking, explore and participate in Thinking Routines, and discuss how to use these routines when working with students individually, in small groups, or when doing whole classroom lessons in another teacher’s classroom. Social workers will come away with an understanding of why Cultures of Thinking is vital to the future academic success of our students and the challenges of helping many of our students with special needs to think deeper and be able to visually explain their thinking. Social Workers will learn and experience 7 Thinking Routines and will discuss how these thinking routines can be integrated into working with students. Social workers have many unique needs as they are the sole social worker in that school. By exploring and experiencing these thinking routines together, participants will feel supported by their peers to risk trying something new with their students. In addition, social workers will also learn how to integrate thinking routines into their curriculum to best meet IEP goals. Each participant will receive a copy of the book, 'Making Thinking Visible.' Note: SW-CEH's are awarded to eligible participants at the end of the series.
Registration Link: https://events.oakland.k12.mi.us/coe/coe_p2_details.aspx?eventid=133194&cc=COEE&oc=10
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Executive Function Skills for Success in the Classroom
Sarah Ward, SLP
1/19/2016
8:30am-3:30pm
What skills do students need to learn to be organized and successfully manage their own time and tasks in the classroom? This multidisciplinary workshop will provide practical, hands- on strategies to develop students' executive functions skills for success in school. The term 'Executive Function' is used to describe the skill set required for setting goals, carrying out organized steps and modifying a plan to complete a task successfully, all of which are vital for academic and social success in elementary and middle school classrooms. Classroom teachers, special educators and ancillary staff will learn how to work together and use strategies such as 'Tuning In, "Get Ready-Do-Done, 'STOP and Read the Room", and Seeing and Sensing the Passage of Time' to support the success of all students in a classroom, including students with IEPs. Beginners and advanced participants will learn and practice these strategies to improve students' awareness, working memory, hindsight and forethought skills, impulse control, cognitive flexibility, organization and time/task management.
Registration Link: https://events.oakland.k12.mi.us/coe/coe_p2_details.aspx?eventid=126577&cc=COEE&oc=10
More information is available at: http://www.oaklandschoolsliteracy.org/professional-learning/grades-k-5/sarah-ward-national-speaker/
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Homework Helpers: Using Executive Function Skills to Close the Homework Circle (For Parents & Educators)
Sarah Ward, SLP
1/20/2016
7:00pm-9:00pm
(No SW- CEH Credits)
For many students, including students with weak executive function skills, homework is a challenge. Parents and students alike can get frustrated while trying to complete homework. While teachers and school professionals might teach students strategies to break down assignments or to make the material easier to process, parents often are not familiar with these interventions. Parents don't want to be teachers, but if they can have familiarity with these supportive strategies, then they can smooth the homework process. In this workshop, the following topics will be addressed:
- Closing the Homework Circle-Supporting students in recording, bringing home, completing and returning assignments.
- The Homework Space: Learning how to create a positive and productive environment for homework.
- Setting Up Successful Homework Sessions: Learning simple techniques to help students organize and process information for assignments, long term projects and study skills
More information is available at: http://www.oaklandschoolsliteracy.org/professional-learning/grades-k-5/sarah-ward-national-speaker/
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Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NCI)
NCI Hybrid Training
2/9/2016 or 3/31/16
8:30am-3:30pm
Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NCI) is a safe behavior management system designed to aid all professional staff in the management of disruptive and assaultive students, even during the most violent times.
Day One - The Preventative Techniques: The focus of day one is to provide nonverbal, paraverbal and verbal skills to maintain the best possible care, welfare, safety and security for both staff and students, while intervening to prevent a crisis. Defense techniques for personal safety will be introduced and practiced.
Day Two - Therapeutic Physical Intervention: When all nonverbal and verbal techniques have been exhausted and when the individual presents a danger to self or others, the use of physical restraint may be necessary.
2/9/16 REGISTRATION: https://events.oakland.k12.mi.us/coe/coe_p2_details.aspx?eventid=134403&cc=COEE&oc=10
3/31/16 REGISTRATION: https://events.oakland.k12.mi.us/coe/coe_p2_details.aspx?eventid=134406&cc=COEE&oc=10
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Bully-Free Schools Circle of Support for Learning
2 Day Training
February 10 & 11, 2016
Strategies to impact the behavior of students who engage in bullying and other forms of peer-to-peer aggression––including an intervention process that teaches alternative behaviors. Elements of effective limits and consequences, and strategies to ensure school-wide consistency. Strategies to support the "targets." Strategies to empower "bystanders" and change cultural norms. Strategies to work with the parents of bullies and targets. Tips for implementation and integration with existing school initiatives, such as PBIS and MiBLSi.
Registration Link: coming soon
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Bully Free Schools: The Next Step
February 12, 2016
Bully-Free Schools: The Next Step Workshop is designed for teams from schools that have already attended a 2-day Bully-Free Schools training at Oakland ISD. One of the goals of the training is to better prepare school staff to conduct the Investigation and Reflection steps of the Individual Intervention Process (IIP). Time in the workshop will be provided to critique (anonymously) schools' drafts of rubrics and completed reflection forms so we can learn from each other's efforts. The rest of the workshop will be specifically tailored to address participants' needs.
More information coming soon.
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SEL Intervention: Why Try?
Level 2 (2 Days)
2/23/2016, 2/24/2016
8:30am-3:30pm
The Why Try? Level 2 training builds on the principles you have applied from Level 1 (ten visual analogies, Why Try? music, learning activities, role-plays and applications in different settings). The training gives strong focus to successful implementation of Why Try?’s learning activities which are particularly helpful in group environments for increasing participation and creating a learning atmosphere. In addition, this training shows how to effectively use multimedia as a teaching tool in the school setting. Behavior support/management and creating buy-in are integral parts of this advanced training. The training is useful for anyone using Why Try?, regardless of their experience level. This link is for Oakland County Special Educators. All others may register at: www.whytry.org. Lunch on your own.
Event Registration: https://events.oakland.k12.mi.us/coe/coe_p2_details.aspx?eventid=133271&cc=COEE&oc=10
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See you real soon...
That's about it for now.
Have a great and blessed Thanksgiving.
Sincerely,
Steve Whitmore
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School Social Work Consultation
School Social Work Consultant
Professional Learning Unit
Oakland Schools Department of Special Education
Email: steve.whitmore@oakland.k12.mi.us
Website: http://www.oakland.k12.mi.us/Departments/SpecialEducation/ProfessionalLearning/SchoolSocialWorkers/tabid/3420/Default.aspx
Location: 2111 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford Township, MI, United States
Phone: 248-209-2252
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OSSpecialEd
Twitter: @oaklandSSW