School Counselor Connection
December 2021
From your School Counselor Specialist & Director of Post-Secondary & Community Engagement
Thank you for the amazing work you do every day in your schools and communities. We appreciate you. We hope all have a restful Winter Break. See you in 2022.
Please reach out if you need anything. We are here to support you. Our contact information is located at the end of this newsletter.
ADE School Counseling Padlet - Resources Hub
You can access it at https://padlet.com/adeschoolcounseling or by clicking on the button below.
REL WEST Study
A large proportion of high schools across the country have adopted education and career planning requirements intended to help students prepare for postsecondary education and to facilitate successful transitions to the labor market. This study used student and counselor survey responses from a nationally representative longitudinal dataset to examine the relationships between students’ participation in three core elements of education and career planning during high school and their application, coursetaking, and enrollment behaviors associated with the transition to college. Students who developed an education or career plan upon first entering high school in grade 9 were no more or less likely to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, complete a college preparatory curriculum, apply to college, or enroll in college than students who did not develop a plan. However, for students who received support from a teacher or a parent to develop their plan and for students who met with an adult in school to review the plan at least once a year, developing a plan was significantly associated with several college-going behaviors.
ADE/ESS Secondary Transition Team
The ADE/ESS Secondary Transition Team is excited to announce the lineup for our Transition Tuesdays Spring 2022 sessions. Each session will feature a different variety of guest speakers related to topics on secondary transition.
All of the sessions will be held from 2:30–3:30 p.m. virtually, so stay tuned for further details. If you are interested, register by selecting the title.
1/11/2022: Tying it Together: My Future AZ and the Transition Planning Process
1/25/2022: Navigating a Disability Resource Center in the Postsecondary Setting
2/8/2022: Seeking Employment First for All Youths
2/22/2022: Office Hours
3/1/2022: Prep for Success—Strategies for the 2022 Post School Outcomes Season
3/22/2022: Transition Spotlight: AZYLF—Cultivating Successful Futures for Arizona Youths with Disabilities
4/12/2022: Collaborative Opportunities through Arizona Communities of Practice on Transition
4/26/2022: The Secret is Out: The Division of Developmental Disabilities Offers Transition to Employment
ADE/ESS Secondary Transition Team
The ADE/ESS Secondary Transition Team, in collaboration with ADE/ESS Autism and Low Incidence Specialist, is excited to announce a two-part series where you will learn key strategies on how to best support students with complex support needs in the secondary transition planning process.
Both sessions will be held from 2:30–4:00 p.m. virtually, so stay tuned for further details. If you are interested, register by selecting the title.
4/20/2022 Gathering, Selecting and Conducting Transition Assessments for Students with Complex Support Needs
Arizona's Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education Summit
Early Childhood practitioners, including pre-service teachers and families, are invited to attend this year’s Summit entitled, “We Are All in This Together: A Universal Design for All Young Learners.”
The Summit will be held as a virtual event on February 24 and 25, 2022. They’re offering discounted registration for a limited number of CTE and post-secondary students enrolled in Early Childhood Education programs
Complete information about the Summit including registration links, the request for presenters, and exhibitor applications can be found here: https://www.azed.gov/specialeducation/early-intervention-and-early-childhood-special-education-summit-2022-virtual-event
FBLA Needs Judges
FBLA Regional competitions are right around the corner. If you or someone you know would like to volunteer and be a judge for a day, please complete our judge link here https://fblaarizona.wufoo.com/forms/wvuv2551uyx679/.
The competition dates are as follows:
REGION 1
When: January 27, 2022
Where: Eastern Arizona College (615 N Stadium Ave. Thatcher, AZ 85552)
REGION 2
When: February 5, 2022
Where: ASU West Campus (4701 W Thunderbird Rd, Glendale, AZ 85306)
REGION 3
When: January 15, 2022
Where: Grand Canyon University (3300 W Camelback Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85017)
REGION 4
When: January 22, 2022
Where: ASU West Campus (4701 W Thunderbird Rd, Glendale, AZ 85306)
REGION 5
When: January 29, 2022
Where: ASU West Campus (4701 W Thunderbird Rd, Glendale, AZ 85306)
Middle Level Regional Competition
When: February 12, 2022 - Where: ASU Polytechnic Campus (7001 E Williams Field Rd. Mesa, AZ 85212)
CAP Classes - New Classes Offered in 2022
Check out the CAP schedule for 2022. CAP classes are offered for free due to the generous contributions from ADE and other organizations.
Building a College-Going Culture for All Students Jan. 10 – Feb. 18
Financial Aid and College Applications Jan. 17 – Feb. 21
College and Career Advising in the Middle Grades Feb. 28 – April 15
Registration Opens: 1/1/2022
College and Career Advising for Non-school Counselors March 7 – April 1
Registration Opens: 11/1/2022
Building a College-Going Culture for All Students April 4 – May 9
Registration Opens: 1/1/2022
College and Career Advising for Special Populations April 25 – June 3
Registration Opens: 1/1/2022
College, Career & Academic Planning May 23 – June 27
Registration Opens: 2/1/2022
Financial Aid and College Applications June 6 – July 15
Registration Opens: 3/1/2022
Advancing College and Career Readiness through a Comprehensive School Counseling Program Sept. 12 – Oct. 21
Registration Opens: 6/1/2022
Advanced Skills in Postsecondary Education and Career Advising Nov. 7 – Dec. 16
Registration Opens: 9/1/2022
Arizona Spring Training: FAFSA & College Applications
Resilient Arizona Crisis Counseling Program
Thanks for continuing to support the Resilient Arizona Crisis Counseling Program! We are grateful to have supported over 2,000 Arizonans through 350+ groups so far through our program.
We're pleased to announce that our grant has been extended ONE FINAL TIME and that we will continue to provide services through February 3, 2022.
Attached is our December calendar AND Holiday Edition Resilient Bingo Card. We're proud to highlight the following groups in December that are open to any adults in Arizona:
- Mindfulness for the Holidays (6 to choose from - first one is this Thursday 12/2)
- Self-Guided Mindfulness: How to Practice Mindfulness on Your Own (6 to choose from, first one is this Friday 12/3)
- Surviving Grief Workshop (Thur, 12/16)
We are still posting weekly “Wellness Tip” videos on our Facebook page. Attached is a list of the videos with links. You can also view the videos by visiting our Facebook Page and going to the videos tab. We are listed on Facebook as La Frontera EMPACT - Suicide Prevention Center.
Feel free to pass the calendar and bingo card along, and follow our organization's Facebook page to share our tip videos and events.
Thanks again for your continued support. Our team wishes you a very Happy Holiday season.
PAXIS Institute - Good Behavior Game - SEL PD
Arizona Department of Education Announces Partnership with PAXIS Institute
Initiative will expand implementation of PAX Good Behavior Game across Arizona
PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Education has announced a two-year partnership to provide social-emotional professional development training to Arizona teachers. The PAX Good Behavior Game (PAX GBG) is a powerful, evidence-based practice consisting of proven instructional and behavioral health strategies teachers can use with their students in the classroom. Today’s announcement signals a continued investment by the state of Arizona to bring PAX GBG to schools across the state. A previous partnership between the Arizona-based PAXIS Institute, the Governor’s Office of Youth, Faith, and Family (GOYFF) and the Arizona Healthcare Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) trained over 3,800 teachers and community leaders over the last two years.
The PAX Good Behavior Game is a universal preventive intervention that not only improves classroom behavior and educational outcomes but also provides a lifetime of benefits for every child by improving self-regulation and co-regulation with peers. Children, their families, teachers, schools, and society benefit for decades as a result. The materials and training will be offered to school districts and charter organizations throughout the state. The initiative will be funded using federal relief and recovery dollars.
“I’m thrilled that the Arizona Department of Education is able to continue and build upon the important work done between PAXIS, AHCCCS, and GOYFF,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction, Kathy Hoffman. “Thousands of teachers and students across Arizona have already benefited from the tools provided by the PAX Good Behavior Game and our continued partnership will allow even more schools the opportunity to implement the groundbreaking, evidence-based strategies available from our partners at PAXIS Institute.”
“We are honored to partner with the Arizona Department of Education as the first State Department of Education to identify and provide educators with the proven tools to better our world and better the lives of our children,” said Tucson-based PAXIS Institute President and Senior Scientist, Dr. Dennis Embry, who was recently named one of 100 people in the last hundred years to improve the lives of children.
“In May, we passed HB 2123 which prohibits suspension and expulsion of children in grades K-4. When making such significant changes to our policies, it is important that we consider how educators will support their students’ success in the classroom,” said Representative Jennifer Pawlik. “I am grateful to the Arizona Department of Education for hearing my concerns and for partnering with PAXIS Institute to ensure that educators have access to this program that promotes self-regulatory behaviors. I am hopeful that this will be a helpful tool for educators and their classes!”
Replicated studies show that when teachers use the PAX Good Behavior Game in the classroom, it improves standardized test scores, lowers suspension and expulsion rates, and reduces teacher burnout. All this stems from the increase in student self-regulation. The self-regulation from exposure to PAX is proven to increase graduation rates and lifetime income, while reducing opioid and other drug misuse, mental health diagnoses, violent crime, and suicide. Implementing PAX Good Behavior Game can save families and society nearly $10,000 per child from the impact of these outcomes.
Visit www.paxis.org/pax-arizona/ to learn more and sign up for fully-funded trainings in PAX Good Behavior Game.
ACTEAZ
ACTEAZ Upcoming Due Dates:
- CTE Month Video Contest: Jan. 7, 2022
- ACTEAZ Summer Conference Call for Presentations: Jan. 14, 2022
- ACTEAZ Awards: March 18, 2022
- ACTEAZ Scholarships: March 18, 2022
Upcoming Events:
- February, which is CTE Month® (More info)
- ACTEAZ/ACOVA Midwinter Leadership Conference: Feb. 3-4, 2022 (More info)
- ACTE National Policy Seminar: March 21-23, 2022 (More info)
- ACTE Region V Conference: April 6-9, 2022 (More info)
- ACTEAZ Summer Conference: July 15-20, 2022 (More info)
Scholarship Auction & Raffles:
The ACTEAZ Fellows will be hosting an in-person auction and online raffles at the ACTEAZ/ACOVA Midwinter Leadership Conference to raise funds for CTE student scholarships. What can you do:
DONATE – Student work, sports gear, gift cards, gift baskets, and more! Please contact fellows@acteaz.org for information on how to deliver the items.
AUCTION – The Scholarship Auction will take place during the Midwinter Dinner on Thursday, Feb 3, from 6-8 p.m.
RAFFLES – Online raffles will be held on Whova app Thursday, Feb 3, throughout the day. Purchase tickets online at the ACTEAZ website.
Join us in our efforts to support CTE students. For more information, contact fellows@acteaz.org.
AzSCA Annual Conference
FAFSA Best Practices Webinar
Join the AZ FAFSA Challenge on Wednesday, December 15, 2021, from 10 am-11 am, to learn about the FAFSA efforts that Phoenix Union's Bioscience High School has implemented to increase their FAFSA completion rates. Attendees will learn about their FAFSA efforts at the high school and district level. The webinar will include special guests from College Depot to provide details on their partnership with Phoenix Union High School District.
This will be an exciting and informative webinar that will provide FAFSA tips and ideas that can be implemented on your high school campus to increase FAFSA completion!
College Depot
Wild Out Counselor Wednesdays
Jan 19, 2021
https://na.eventscloud.com/633621
Feb 16, 2021
https://na.eventscloud.com/633622
March 23, 2021
https://na.eventscloud.com/633623
April 20, 2021
Maricopa Community Colleges
Fall 2022 Admissions is Open! https://www.maricopa.edu/become-a-student
Spring 2022 Registration is Open! www.maricopa.edu
Financial Aid Application is Open for 2022-2023: FAFSA is available to apply for the 2022-2023 school year. www.fafsa.gov
High School Counselor Corner: https://www.maricopa.edu/future-students/counselor-corner
Dual Enrollment Teacher Scholarship Opportunities: https://www.maricopa.edu/about/careers/dual-enrollment-teachers
Learn Safe: https://together.maricopa.edu/
Maricopa Parents: https://www.maricopa.edu/future-students/parents
High School Student College Programs: https://www.maricopa.edu/future-students/high-school-students
NAU Admissions Support
Counselors, students, and parents can connect with their Admission Officers for any questions, concerns, requests, or for 1:1 appointments at: https://nau.edu/admission/admissions-officers/
Admitted students, their parents, and counselors can also check out how to complete next steps of enrollment at: https://nau.edu/admission/freshmen-next-steps/
Students and families can watch a virtual campus visit presentation and take a virtual tour of campus at:
Students and families are welcome to visit the Flagstaff campus for a campus tour. Students and families can register for on-campus tours here: https://nau.edu/admission/daily-campus-tours/
Special Events for Prospective Students: Save the Dates
NAU Said Yes Day(Invite Only)
Saturday, January 22nd, 2022
Saturday, January 29th, 2022
Saturday, February 12th, 2022
Admitted seniors can come and visit campus to celebrate and discover the next steps to becoming a Lumberjack.
Explore Honors Day(Invite Only)
Friday, January 28th, 2022
Friday, February 4th, 2022
Experience a day in the life of an NAU Honors College student. Students will hear from current Honors students, Honors faculty, and other campus partners.
Lumberjack Spirit Day(Invite Only)
Saturday, February 5th, 2022
Native students in middle and high school are invited to show their True Blue NAU spirit as our special guests for a full day packed with Lumberjack excitement! Listen to a panel of Native student-athletes, tour campus, and enjoy free lunch and admission to an NAU women’s basketball game.
In Person NAU Said Yes Day (Invite Only)
Saturday, November 20th, 2021
Arizona Friends of Foster Care Foundation
Phoenix Sister Cities Seeking Youth Ambassadors
Do you know a Phoenix high school sophomore or junior with a desire to become part of a global community, learn about different cultures, and make friends around the world? By serving as a Youth Ambassador, they can participate in a life-changing experience engaging with Phoenix’s 11 sister cities. Pandemic permitting students will have the opportunity to travel abroad in the summer of 2022!
More information and an online application is available
Applications are due by 5 p.m. on January 9, 2022
Doctoral Study - Assistance Requested
Please see request below regrading participation in a study. This study in not related to ADE.
My name is Derron Hilts, and I am a former practicing school counselor and current doctoral candidate and school counseling researcher in the Department of Counseling and Human Services at Syracuse University. I am conducting a research study, under the supervision of my dissertation committee (Drs. Yanhong Liu, Melissa Luke, and Dan Li), to examine the individual and systemic factors that influence the leadership practices of school counselors. The name of this research project is entitled ‘Examining the Individual and Systemic Factors Associated with the Leadership Practices of School Counselors’ (IRB #: 21-335).
If you agree to participate, you will be asked to complete a questionnaire composed of eight distinct sections. The sections are sequenced in random order and include items assessing your school environment (e.g., principal and teacher support); school counseling practices; confidence engaging in school counseling practices; professional developmental experiences (e.g., supervision); attitudes toward and experiences with your job activities; demographic information (e.g., race/ethnicity, gender) and school context (e.g., grade levels served, geographic location of school). The survey’s estimated time of completion is approximately 20-25 minutes. The completion of this instrument will be the only request made of you.
The results and participant deidentified data will be used in our study and any subsequent presentations or publications. The data will be stored in encrypted flashdrives and kept confidential. Again, you will be asked to complete a survey which should take approximately 20-25 minutes of your time. After your participation in this study, you will be entered to win 1 of 30 $20 Amazon electronic gift cards.
This research has been read and approved by the research reviewing office at Syracuse University in the United States. You are under no obligation to participate in this study. You are free to withdraw your consent to participate at any time. You will not be required to do anything in order to withdraw from the study, other than closing out of the survey. Participation in this study poses no risks greater than those encountered in your day-to-day life.
If you are interested and/or willing to participate in this study, please select the following link: https://syracuseuniversity.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4OOM7TeY1XNyDUa.
Should you have any questions about your participation in the study, you are welcome to email Derron Hilts at dhilts@syr.edu.
Email Distribution List
If you no longer want to receive these emails, please email me at amanda.nolasco@azed.gov
Do you have colleagues who didn’t receive this email? Please forward to them. And click here so we can add/update their information in our database.
Amanda Nolasco -School Counselor Specialist
Email: amanda.nolasco@azed.gov
Website: www.azed.gov
Location: Arizona Department of Education
Phone: 602.542.5353
Twitter: @mrs_anolasco
Andrea Glenn - Director of Post-Secondary and Community Engagement
Email: andrea.glenn@azed.gov
Website: www.azed.gov
Location: Arizona Department of Education
Phone: 602-364-4799