Office of School Counseling
Friday Sendoff - February 28, 2020
Upcoming Meetings
First Year Counselor Meeting
Wednesday, Mar 11, 2020, 01:00 PM
Mays Chapel Elementary School, Roundwood Road, Timonium, MD, USA
College Counselor Meeting
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**Timber Grove Elementary School 5th Annual Parent Fair
**NEW**Homeless Student List
School counselors are now able to access and view the Homeless Student List report in SIS. Let your specialist know if you are unable to access this report.
**NEW**Maryland School Counselor Association (MSCA) Annual Conference - March 27, 2020
Register now for the 2020 MSCA Annual Spring Conference in Annapolis
Conference Topics:
- Counseling Children from Substance Abusing Homes
- Building Better Humans Through Collaboration and Consultation
- Surviving Your First Year
- Strategies for Children and Families Who Have Experienced Trauma
- AND MANY MORE…
Spanish Course for School Counselors
2020 Children’s Mental Health Matters Campaign
Schools can participate by designating an individual or team to be a School Champion Coordinator. This person or team is responsible for organizing at least one awareness-raising or educational event for their school during or around Awareness Week. They provide Champions with a Digital Toolkit and other materials to use in preparation for the week. Schools can sign up here. The deadline to sign up to receive Awareness Materials is March 13th.
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.
Elementary Counselors
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.
PowerPoint from 2/19/20 Professional Development
Elementary and Middle School Counsleors
5th Grade Interest Interviews
Career videos that can be used for elementary 5th grade interest interviews and middle school 6 year plan meetings:
https://www.bls.gov/k12/content/students/videos/video.htm
https://www.todaysmilitary.com/careers-benefits/explore-careers
Helping Your Students with Test Anxiety –
Read Counselor Keri’s blog on how to provide support to your students who worry about taking tests: Counselor Keri Test Anxiety
Middle School Counselors
**NEW** March College and Career Newsletter
Please share the link to the March newsletter with students and families.
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** Cadet Information Night 2020
Cadet Information Night 2020 on Wednesday March 4th at 6:00pm, ”. This invitation is open to all students seeking to start a career. Please disseminate this flyer to students and community members who may benefit from this job opportunity. All are welcome (Parents and guardians too).
**NEW** NCAA Grading Scale
Please be advised that the grading scale was updated for the 2019-2020 school year and beyond. Although BCPS awards additional quality points, 5 is the highest point value they offer. If you have questions about this or courses that should be added, please contact MaatenRe.
**NEW** College Fair 2020
COLLEGE FAIR 2020. This event will be held on Tuesday, March 10th at CCBC Essex, 7201 Rossville Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21237 and Wednesday, March 11th at CCBC Catonsville, 800 South Rolling Road, Baltimore, MD 21228. Both events will be held in the Wellness and Athletic Center, 6p.m. – 8p.m.
COLLEGE FAIR 2020 provides an outstanding marketplace for students and parents to talk to over 100 admission recruiters.
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.
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.
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
Secondary Counselors
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.
Secondary Department Chairs
**NEW** ASVAB CEP and Careers in the Military Both links from Colonel Michael Bennett's presentations have been added to the list of career links at the bottom of this send-off, as well as the Schoology group (in the curriculum folder).
6 Year Plan Completion - The current district average is 62%. 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**CCR Letters Update
WE HAVE RECEIVED INFORMATION THAT THE CCR LETTERS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED AFTER THE MARCH SATs. MORE INFORMATION TO COME SOON.
WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE!
College Counselors
**NEW**Text, Talk, Set to Go.
Promoting Scholarships at PHHS
Getting $$$$ for our students!
Federal Student Aid - An Office of the U.S. Department of Education
On Feb. 23, Federal Student Aid will introduce new features on StudentAid.gov:
Aid Summary
Aid Summary eliminates the need for students to log in to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS®) website to see their loan and grant information.
Loan Simulator
Loan Simulator does more than just replace Repayment Estimator. For example, it covers all federal loans in the repayment simulation—even if the user has multiple loan types. It also considers where the borrower is in the repayment journey instead of assuming the borrower is just starting to make payments.
Make a Payment Pilot
Borrowers with loans serviced by Great Lakes Educational Loan Services, Inc., and Nelnet can now make standard monthly payments on StudentAid.gov.
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.
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
Tevin Jones Scholarship - Deadline 3/6/20
Terry Newendorp Environmental Scholarship - NOTE...Deadline extended to March 23, 2020
Dr. Joe A Hairson Scholarship - Deadline 3/23/20
Relevant Bulletin Items
February 28,, 2020 BCPS News Hub
BCPS News Hub is the new format for all superintendent bulletins.
Professional Development
**NEW** Maryland Counseling Association MCSJ 2nd Annual Conference: "Injustice Anywhere is a Threat to Justice Everywhere" 4/25/20 in Baltimore. 7 CEU's available.
**NEW** MSCA Conference 3/27/20 in Annapolis. CEU's will be available.
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.
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.
Resource Roundup
Lending Library Items of the Week
#RelationshipMatters in BCPS
From our friends from Division of Division of School Climate and Safety
Kenwood High
Kenwood High
Inspiration & Good News
Dundalk Middle
Amy Horvitz used a challenging task (cutting and folding the paper exactly like the example) to discuss GRIT with her 7th grade boys group.
Logan Elementary
Honeygo Elementary
Black History Month at Dundalk High School
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/
http://www.careersinthemilitary.com/
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