Office of School Counseling
Friday Sendoff - February 21, 2020
Upcoming Meetings
High School Chairs Meeting
This is a mandatory meting for all high school department chairs.
Thursday, Feb 27, 2020, 08:00 AM
Crossroads Center, Crossroads Circle, Middle River, MD, USA
Middle School Chairs Meeting
This is a mandatory meeting for all middle school department chairs.
Thursday, Feb 27, 2020, 12:00 PM
Crossroads Center, Crossroads Circle, Middle River, MD, USA
First Year Counselor Meeting
Wednesday, Mar 11, 2020, 01:00 PM
Mays Chapel Elementary School, Roundwood Road, Timonium, MD, USA
College Counselor Meeting
**NEW** https://registration.bcps.org/Event.aspx?Event_DetailID=29540
Thursday, Mar 26, 2020, 09:00 AM
6901 North Charles Street, Towson, MD, USA
Announcements
**NEW**2020 Children’s Mental Health Matters Campaign
**NEW** Spanish Course for School Counselors
2020 SCOTY AWARD
The Baltimore County Association for Counseling and Development (BCACD) would like to recognize school counselors who have made impactful contributions to the school counseling profession with its annual SCOTY award. The SCOTY nominee must be a Baltimore County Public School (BCPS) counselor who has completed a minimum of five consecutive years of counseling service. The nominee should be able to demonstrate evidence of effective leadership, advocacy, and collaboration as part of a comprehensive, data-driven, school counseling program to address students’ academic, social/emotional, and career development.
A counselor from each school level – elementary, middle, and high school will be selected. Any BCPS employee, parent, or student can nominate a school counselor for this recognition. Winners of the SCOTY awards will be nominated for consideration for the Maryland School Counselor Association’s (MSCA) School Counselor of the Year.
To nominate a candidate for this award, please submit the School Counselor of the Year Nomination Form. The deadline for nominations is Friday, March 13, 2020.
2020 SCATY AWARD
The Baltimore County Association for Counseling and Development (BCACD) would like to recognize a Baltimore County Public School (BCPS) administrator, teacher, support staff, parent, or community member who consistently advocates for and supports the critical work school counselors do for all students. Any BCPS employee, parent, or student can nominate someone for SCATY award.
To nominate someone for this award, please submit the School Counseling Advocate of the Year Nomination Form. The deadline for nominations is Friday, March 13, 2020.
CCBC College Fairs
Stakeholder Survey
Camp MeToo
Stella Maris is currently accepting applications for their 10th annual overnight bereavement camp for children ages 8-17. Camp Me Too! will begin after school on Friday, April 24 and conclude at noon on Sunday, April 26, and will once again be held on the beautiful grounds of Camp Puh’Tok in Monkton, Maryland. Spots are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so they encourage families to register early. Completed registrations may be emailed to hbenassi@stellamaris.org, faxed to 410-560-9690, or mailed to The Counseling Center at Stella Maris, 2300 Dulaney Valley Rd. Timonium, MD 21093. For more information or any questions, please call 410-252-4500, ext. 7291.
Elementary Counselors
**NEW** 5th Grade Interest Interviews
Check out these career videos that can be used for 5th grade interest interviews:
https://www.bls.gov/k12/content/students/videos/video.htm
https://www.todaysmilitary.com/careers-benefits/explore-careers
**NEW** Pre-K Curriculum Writing
If you’ve developed lessons for pre-K students and are interested in creating district lessons, contact Sharon in the office. Please note, pre-K lessons are being developed as a supplemental resource for those elementary counselors who work with pre-K students. Facilitation of pre-K lessons is not a district expectation at this time.
**NEW** PowerPoint from 2/19/20 Professional Development
**NEW** Elementary School Counselor Meeting - February 19, 2020
Dr. Laura Brown, MSCA president, presented to the elementary counselors about using movement, games, and engaging activities in counseling sessions, classroom lessons, and staff/parent presentations.”
Elementary and Middle School Counsleors
**NEW**Helping Your Students with Test Anxiety –
Read Counselor Keri’s blog on how to provide support to your students who worry about taking tests:
Middle School Counselors
**NEW** What are middle skills?
Technology and globalization have changed the skills employers want - and changed the skills workers need. There's now an increased demand for workers with middle skills and a decreased demand for workers with no credentials beyond high school. "Middle skills" jobs require some training and education after high school, but not a 4-year degree. The middle skills labor sector is transforming as traditional blue-collar jobs morph into those requiring increased technical skills. These transformed jobs are now sometimes called "new-collar" jobs.
Where can students access middle skills training?
Community colleges are the nation's largest providers of middle skills training and education. In some cases, students can use dual enrollment programs to test drive middle skills careers. In general, middle skills jobs pay middle class wages and students can obtain necessary credentials or complete training in months rather than years.
Middle Skills – Sample Middle Class Salaries
High School Counselors
**NEW**The Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP)
The Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP) is a free residential journalism and college preparatory program for high-achieving current juniors from low-income backgrounds who are interested in journalism. Over 10 days, students live on campus at Princeton University and learn reporting skills from professional journalists. They also attend lectures on liberal arts topics led by Princeton U professors. Participants hold a press conference, produce a short documentary, report on a professional sporting event from the press box, attend a play or theatrical production, visit 3-4 major news outlets, and interview subjects for their feature stories in the Princeton Summer Journal. After the program, students are paired with a volunteer college adviser, a professional journalist, to help them through their application process.
Program dates: Friday, July 31 – Monday, August 10, 2020
Cost: None. All program expenses, including meals, housing, airfare or train tickets to and from campus, are covered by the program.
Eligibility: To apply, students must be:
- Current high school juniors (Class of 2021)
- living in the United States
- with an unweighted GPA of 3.5/4.0
- who have an interest in journalism (no experience required)
- and meet one of the financial eligibility requirements below:
- The custodial parent(s)/guardian(s)’ combined income (including child support received) must not exceed $60,000 annually
- The student must be eligible for Free/Reduced-Priced Lunch.
- The student is eligible for a SAT or ACT fee waiver.
Applying: The online application is available on our website and due no later than Sunday, March 1, 2020. Please note that students must submit an unofficial transcript to be considered. You may read about the full application process here.
Feel free to share this information with students and educators in your network who may benefit from it.
Thank you,
Tieisha
**NEW** Modeling Agencies Prohibited
**NEW** Senior Enrollment 2nd Semester
Just a reminder, in accordance with BCPS Policy 5250, IV Enrollment Requirements & in accordance with COMAR, any senior enrolling now must complete one full semester immediately preceding graduation in addition to meeting the other diploma requirements to receive a diploma. These students will have an opportunity to walk across the stage at the Summer Graduation. Any questions pertaining to this can be addressed with your counseling specialist.
13A.03.02.12
General Provisions
A. Length of School Year. Maryland public high schools shall be open for at least 180 school days and a minimum of 1,170 school hours during a 10-month period in each school year.
B. Transfer Students.
(1) Attendance Requirements.
(a) To receive a diploma, a student shall be in attendance at a Maryland public high school one full semester immediately preceding graduation in addition to meeting the other diploma requirements.
**NEW** Summer Youth Employment Opportunity - July 6th – August 14th, 2020
Students (age 14 -21) can gain valuable job experience & obtain an understanding of their strengths and learn marketable skills and provides wages of $11/hr. for at least 5 hours/day for 6 weeks. Youth receive support from program monitors, caseworkers and facilitators & are matched with employers based on interest, employer need and location. See attachments below for more details
**NEW**2020 TU Teacher Scholars Summer Institute
The 2020 TU Teacher Scholars Summer Institute is for students thinking about a career in education. It will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday, July 6 to Thursday, July 9. The final day of the program includes an evening showcase of student work. Students and families will also discuss planning and budgeting for college and career opportunities. In addition, a member(s) from your school district are invited to discuss teaching in your schools (to grow your own teachers). All activities take place on Towson University's campus.
Qualified applicants who are selected for the program will enjoy the benefits below at no cost.
- High school/university credit for completing the course, Exploring Careers in Education
- Campus tours
- Guided observations of undergraduate classes
- Mentorship from a Towson University student during the regular school year
Applications are now open: https://www.towson.edu/coe/centers/summer-institute.html
6 week Summer Volunteer Opportunity at the Maryland Zoo Through this unique training program teens and young adults with disabilities are given the opportunity to build prevocational skills through volunteer experiences. These experiences designed through a series of workshops, as well as a potential six week volunteer opportunity help individuals explore personal abilities, challenges and skills related to personal independence and development needed for future successful employment and life opportunities.
All registered participants will engage in a two part workshop series at The IMAGE Center embarking on job exploration and prevocational skill building. This workshop series will conclude with a shadow day at The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore where participants will live in the day of a zoo volunteer, have their skills put to the test and will even interview for a six week volunteer opportunity. All interested participants must complete the online registration and commit to the workshops and shadow days. Questions should be directed to jleone@imagemd.org
2020 MD-Youth Leadership Forum
SELECTION CRITERIA
· Must be in their final two years of high school.
· Applicant accomplishments and leadership potential
· Academic achievement
· Community service
· Participation in school and community activities
· Disability diversity
· Ethnic and racial diversity
· Geographic representation
APPLY
2019 YLF dates: June 24-27, 2020
2019 YLF location: Towson University
Deadline for application: Friday, March 8, 2020
Application and fact sheet listed below
Johns Hopkins Future Scholars Scholarship Program - Free Course for Qualifying Students
The recruitment for the Johns Hopkins University Mathematics Department’s Future Scholars Program (FSP) has started. The FSP is a competitive scholarship program which rewards talented high school students the opportunity to extend their mathematics training beyond their secondary school tracks by attending Hopkins University mathematics courses while a senior in high school.
You should fill one out for each student nominated. The official deadline for nominations is March 1, 2019. We are also attaching the official course syllabi for our first year calculus courses. The content of these syllabi should be considered appropriate content for the Future Scholars Program Exam.
Any questions or concerns that you may have can be directed to sraymond@jhu.edu or at 410-516-4178.
Secondary Counselors
**NEW** Save the Date: Apprenticeship MD Conference
The Division of Career and College Readiness will host the 2nd Annual Apprenticeship Maryland Conference. The purpose of the conference is to bring together key stakeholders to learn about the progress Maryland has made with youth apprentices, share effective practices, and discuss strategies to expand youth apprenticeship opportunities. See the attachments below for more information.
**NEW**Summer Enrichment Academy at UMBC
The Summer Enrichment Academy at UMBC offers unique, fun, challenging and mind expanding academic summer workshops and camp programs for middle school and high school students. Courses include Game Design, Animation, STEM, Leadership, Art, and Recording. Sessions are 1 – 2 weeks. Students are encouraged to sign up early for discounts on registration.
If the hyperlink doesn’t copy over, it’s https://sea.umbc.edu/
The BCPS Opps blog is back and better than ever. It is designed to share with students a wide range of opportunities for scholarships, jobs, fellowships, internships, contests, summer programs, and more. My goal is to post a new opportunity every day. Would love to get more students eyes on it. Recent posts include:
- Auditions for The Voice
- The national student composers competition
- Grief day and summer camps
- Job opps with the Census
- Hamilton Scholar applications
- Stop hunger grants
- Baltimore Science Fair
- Lifebridge essay contest
- Baltimore Arts Guild, call for entries
- Fellowship for young women leaders
Six Skills Every Teen Needs to Survive High School
The skills outlined in this fun and friendly guide Six Skills Every Teen Needs to Survive High School is more than simple tips or tricks to manage high school. Each exercise is based in psychology, proven effective, and taken directly from the New Harbinger Instant Help books. Engaging and easy to use, these guides are written by renowned mental health professionals who specialize in working with teens, and offer practical and evidence-based tools teens can use to manage all of life’s challenges.
With this download, teens will develop skills to help them:
· Let go of anxiety and self-doubt
· Feel calm in the face of everyday problems
· Develop a positive self-image
· Calm intense emotions like anger
· Resolve conflicts and get along with others
· Build resilience and “grit”
Secondary Department Chairs
6 Year Plan Completion - The current district average is 60%. Thank you to our schools who are at or above this number for making these face to face conversations with students a priority.
If you are having challenges in meeting the goal of 100% completion by June, please reach out to your specialist sooner rather than later. We are here to support you!
High School Department Chairs
**NEW** Old Diplomas and Mid-Year Graduates
Any diplomas in your possession from the class of 2019 or older should be shredded immediately. Please do not give students copies of old diplomas if they completed course requirements after the August graduation. If you have a student who completes their graduation requirements before May, you can withdraw them as a graduate. That triggers your principals signature on their transcript as proof of completion. Diplomas will be available in your May order and can be either picked up or mailed to the graduate.
**NEW** CCR Letters
MORE INFORMATION TO COME
College Counselors
**NEW** CCBC STEM scholarship opportunity
CCBC has a great opportunity for students interest in the STEM fields to receive scholarship money. Please review the letter below that was shared with secondary math and science department chairs as well.
**NEW** 2nd Annual Apprenticeship Maryland Conference - April 30, 2020
The following documents are attached:
- Apprenticeship Maryland Conference memorandum
- Draft Agenda
- Hold the Date Flier
Prom Closet Giveaway
For free prom dresses and volunteer ops for seniors who still need hours
https://www.eventbrite.com/o/priceless-gown-project-1513750596
MHEC Financial Assistance Programs
State Financial Assistance Programs and Applications
Tuition Waiver for Unaccompanied Homeless Youth
Tuition Waiver for Foster Care Recipients
NACAC Request for Admission Application Fee Waiver
Students who have limited financial resources may use the NACAC Request for Application Fee Waiver Form when applying for college. The form — aimed at students planning to enroll in post-secondary education immediately following high school graduation — helps ensure that access to college is possible for all.
College Fly-Ins
Recently Added/Updated Scholarships in Naviance
Featherstone Foundation Scholarships - Deadline 3/4/20
NIADA Foundation Scholarship - Deadline 3/9/20
MELLFIN Scholarship Application - Deadline 3/12/20
Fort Meade OSC Merit, Family Member and Etta Baker Scholarship - Deadline 3/15/20
BMW / SAE Engineering Scholarship - Deadline 3/15/20
UNCF STEM Scholars Program - Deadline 3/19/20
Janice M. Scott Memorial Scholarship - Deadline 3/31/20
GRHS Scholarship - Deadline 3/31/20
CU College Scholarship - Deadline 3/31/20
CBCF Spouses Visual Arts Scholarship - Deadline 4/3/20
Abbott and Fenner Scholarship Program - Deadline 6/20/20
Relevant Bulletin Items
February 21, 2020 BCPS News Hub
BCPS News Hub is the new format for all superintendent bulletins.
Some highlights from the past week:
- MIND OVER MATTERS – MARCH 2020
- PEER ADVISOR PROGRAM TRAINING
- ESOL – BOOK STUDY: IDENTIFYING AND SERVING CULTURALLY AND LINGUISTICALLY DIVERSE GIFTED STUDENTS
- BCPS Framework for Teaching: Enhancing Professional Practice- A Closer look at the Teacher Evaluation System
- ISTE CERTIFICATION FOR EDUCATORS
- BCP2020 SUMMER PROGRAM EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION PROCESSS TEACHER JOB FAIR
- RULE 5470 - WELLNESS
- POLICY 5570 - SEARCHES
- POLICY 5500 - CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT AND POLICY 5560 - STUDENTS RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- POLICY 5110 - ADMISSION
Professional Development
**NEW** Learn how to engage students' interest and participation in computer science and careers in this field. Breakfast and lunch included! Earn 0.5 CPD credits from MSDE. 4/17/20 at Morgan State. View the flyer for more information. Register here! Attendees will receive resources, a toolkit, and meet professionals currently in the field.
**NEW** Superflex: A Small Group/Individual Intervention that Focuses on Self-Regulation, Social Thinking, and Related Social Skills on 3/10 at Loyola Grad Center in Timonium from either 9-12 pm or 1-4 pm. Sign up on the Professional Learning Tile in BCPSone.
Cultural Competency & Diversity: Powerful Strategies to Improve Client Rapport & Multicultural Awareness 3/19/20 in Ellicott City and 3/20/20 in Baltimore
Trauma Informed Compassionate Classrooms: Strategies to Reduce Challenging Behavior, Improve Learning Outcomes and Increase Student Engagement 3/16/20 in Annapolis and 3/17/20 in Columbia
Rewire the Anxious Brain: Neuroscience-Informed Treatment of Anxiety, Panic and Worry 3/2/20 in Timonium and 3/3/20 in Columbia
Oppositional, Explosive and Disruptive Behaviors in the Classroom: Effective Strategies for Intervening Before, During and After a Meltdown 2/24/20 in Towson
Helping Clients Through Separation, Divorce, Co-parenting And Blending (Webinar) on 4/2/20
Creative Interventions For Play Therapy (Webinar) on 6/8/20
Take the 'Enemy' Out of Frenemy (webinar) on 3/20/20
Mixed Emotions: Motivational Interviewing and Resolving Ambivalence (Live Webinar) 2 CEU's on 4/2/20
Best Approaches in Trauma Treatment 6 CEU's on 5/18/20 in Crofton
Postvention as Prevention: Supporting Children, Adults, & Families 5.5 CEU's on 3/6/20 in Catonsville
Workshop Create your own Therapeutic Board Games Up to 3 CEU's on 5/24/20 in Largo, MD
Transgender Ally/Advocate Training Camp - For Mental Health Professionals begins on 4/24/20 with 7 hours face to face plus 3 online sessions. Must complete all in order to earn up to 11 CEU's.
Introduction to Special Education course for certification ancillary credit requirement
Introduction to Special Education credits can be taken at any accredited college or university or as Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Below are a few options counselors can consider, however, feel free to research other institutions. If there is question whether a course satisfies the requirement, the course description may be sent to your Certification Analyst for verification.
BCPS: Goucher College Online MSDE CPD Courses
CPDV.9013.BC01 – Educating Students with Disabilities: Identification, LRE, and Effective Instruction (Session 2: March 23, 2020 to May 15, 2020)
CCBC: EDTR 107 – Introduction to Special Education
University of Phoenix: Continuing Education for Teachers
SPED/530 - INTRODUCTION TO LEARNERS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
The Certification office communication states that documents must be submitted to the Office of Certification by 90 days prior to the expiration date. However, MSDE allows certificate holders to complete coursework up to June 30th. This time may be used to complete coursework. A second reminder will be sent out in April which will request for counselors to provide registration information to their assigned Certification Analyst.
Reimbursement requests may be submitted if credits are completed at a college or university. Information on the reimbursement process can be found of the Office of Certification webpage.
Resource Roundup
Lending Library Items of the Week
More National School Counseling Week photos
Logan Elementary
Cromwell Valley Elementary
Honeygo Elementary
MSCA Gala - Great Night & Great Fun
Inspirational & Good News
Lyons Mills Elementary
Sharing his expertise to recruit Peer Mediators, school counselor Brandon Menikeim wowed the GEMSS & GENTS after school mentoring program students. They can’t wait to get started!
Websites
Traitify: https://bcps.traitify.com/
Other career-related websites:
https://www.bls.gov/k12/content/students/careers/career-exploration.htm
https://www.careeronestop.org/Videos/CareerVideos/career-videos.aspx?frd=true
https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs.html
https://www.cacareerzone.org/budget/
MD CAPS (MHEC): https://mdcaps.mhec.state.md.us/MDCAPS/login.aspx?c=-8586295899786270826&ReturnUrl=/MDCAPS/int/FinAid
College Covered resources for school counselors https://www.collegecovered.com/resources-for-counselors/
Schoology Access Codes
Elementary Counseling Curriculum: M4HSN-FCFN4
Secondary Counseling Curriculum: CFBV7-B6PCM
Threat Management: Q6RHK-WHHVC
College and Career Counseling: PFZD6-65N4V
Curriculum Updates: T7BM2-R8JSC
GSA Sponsors (LGBTQ+ resources): ZMBZ-4QXP-DKC89
Contact Information
Naviance Support: 1-866-337-0080 option 2 & support@naviance.com
Signup Genius Support: support@signupgenius.com
CPS email address: dhr.baltimorecountycps@maryland.gov
MHEC FAFSA Completion (MD CAPS): fafsa.mhec@maryland.gov