Office of School Counseling
Friday Sendoff - June 19, 2020
Thanks Michele!!!
A message from Melanie
Dear BCPS School Counselors,
This is the time every year that our office thanks you for all your hard work and dedication. We talk about how you've impacted the lives of students by leaving indelible imprints on their future. We talk about how you give them all the right things that they need to grow. This year we talked about how you become trailblazers, leading our students toward productive futures.
Just think for a moment about what this work has required of us this year. We've needed to pick up our entire Counseling program, pack it up and move it to a home office. We've needed to learn new ways to build rapport through a computer screen. We've needed to get proficient with a variety of online tools. All with very little notice. This year you have not only been trail blazers for our students, but for our entire profession, bringing telehealth into the public school systems.
And if that wasn't enough of a challenge add student trauma associated with COVID 19 and racial disparities in incidents of police brutality. How little any of us could have been prepared for the challenges, trials and traumas we would be called this year to lead them through. And that work is in many cases just beginning. As we watch the news and shake our heads in disgust or defeat the children of BCPS are watching us. And in many cases you will be the one called to respond to how they show up differently next year.
In the opinion of Sharon, Jenn, MaatenRe and I there is no one greater. You are the right people with the right skills at the right time to do this sacred work. And I can speak for myself wholeheartedly that there is no other group I would rather lead than BCPS School Counselors.
On a personal note, I can not say thank you enough for all the emails, cards, calls and check ins I have received. I miss you and MaatenRe and Jen and Sharon desperately. I am praying that I will be released to work part time.
My thoughts and prayers are with you always..
Love,
Melanie
Announcements
**NEW** Optional Summer Automatic Reply Message Sample
Below are sample auto reply messages for you to use over the summer months. Please check with your administration to choose which name and contact information you should insert in the blanks.
**PLEASE DO NOT REPLY...THIS IS AN AUTOMATIC REPLY (OUT OF OFFICE) MESSAGE**
I am out of the office for the summer and will return to duty on August 31, 2020. I will not have access to Schoology or email during the summer months. If you need immediate assistance, please contact ________________ at __________________. Below are community resources available for you to use during the summer months:
Crisis text line: Text the word "HOME" to 741741 for free 24 hour support
Maryland Suicide and Crisis Hotline: 1.800.422.0009
Baltimore County DSS: 410.887.TIME
Baltimore County Crisis Response: 410.931.2214
Sheppard Pratt Crisis Walk-in: 410-938-5302
The Trevor Project: 1.866.488.7386 or text START to 678678
Maryland Food Bank: 410.737.8282
United Way: 211
SECONDARY
**PLEASE DO NOT REPLY...THIS IS AN AUTOMATIC REPLY (OUT OF OFFICE) MESSAGE**
I am out of the office for the summer and will return to duty on August 31, 2020. I will not have access to Schoology or email during the summer months. If you need immediate assistance, please email our school counseling department chair ________________ at __________________. Below are community resources available for you to use during the summer months:
Crisis text line: Text the word "HOME" to 741741 for free 24 hour support
Maryland Suicide and Crisis Hotline: 1.800.422.0009
Baltimore County DSS: 410.887.TIME
Baltimore County Crisis Response: 410.931.2214
Sheppard Pratt Crisis Walk-in: 410-938-5302
The Trevor Project: 1.866.488.7386 or text START to 678678
Maryland Food Bank: 410.737.8282
United Way: 211
**NEW** Data Collection
We appreciate everyone's submissions for the Use of Time data. We realize the amount of time and effort you put into the consistent collection of data and reflection on your results over the course of the school year. This is so important to any school counseling program and we are sure your administration appreciates both the data you share with the school and the hard work you put in to contribute to student achievement and well being.
We know that we will never be able to capture every second of every school counselor’s day in a survey/spreadsheet at the district level. Each school is unique in its needs and programs and therefore the end of year results reports, which includes use of time, will look different. However, the snapshot of what all of you submit to us is incredibly helpful in our advocacy (with both school based administrators and central office leadership) for decreasing ratios and respecting the role of the school counselor. Our leadership appreciates this data and is always in awe when they see the number of students and families impacted by our school counselors’ hard work.
**NEW** Sample Middle School Results Report
**NEW** Virtual Group Therapy Programs
**Don't forget!** Second Semester Use of Time Survey
Please be sure to read the directions carefully, as this is different than in previous years. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and remote learning environment, we will only be collecting use of time data for March 30 – June 19. This means that responses in this survey should ONLY include your time from March 30th to June 19th (during Remote Learning). Surveys must be completed no later than June 19, 2020. Feel free to reach out to your specialist with any questions.
Use of Time Survey Spring 2020 - Virtual School Counseling Services
Questions about connecting with students over the summer
It's a good idea to have conversations with students and families about boundaries before the summer starts. Boundaries are important to the counseling relationship. It might be helpful if you explain why they can meet with you now (because we’re technically open but in remote learning) but in the summer we’re closed. Encourage them to use coping skills and everything you’ve taught them over the summer. Some families might benefit from a referral to community mental health.
Depending on the student's personality, they might need to know that you’ll be working at another job or “away” and can’t give them the same amount of attention that they’ve been getting and don't want to break any promises.
Please reach out to your specialist with any questions.
Elementary Counselors
**NEW** Feedback on the 2019-2020 Elementary Curriculum
If you would like to provide feedback on any lessons and/or resources from the 2019-2020 curriculum, please use this link. Our curriculum writers will use this information to make updates and changes this summer.
Secondary Counselors
**NEW** Feedback on the 2019-2020 Secondary Curriculum
If you would like to provide feedback on any lessons and/or resources from the 2019-2020 curriculum, please use this link. Our curriculum writers will use this information to make updates and changes this summer.
Secondary Department Chairs
**NEW** Summer Tasks
This will be your opportunity to provide input on the program plan and the scope and sequence.
High School Department Chairs
**NEW** McDaniel College Webinars
McDaniel is hosting a week of Webinars for rising seniors to get prepared for the college search process. Whether they are already in the midst of their search or do not know where to begin, we have a full week of workshops set up to help students figure out best practices for the admissions process.
Many schools had to cancel their spring college fairs, panels, and speakers and we wanted to make sure your students still had access to some of the information they would have gotten at those events.
Here is what it on the docket for that week:
Monday June 22nd
Welcome and Opening Remarks – 11:00 am (EST) - Host: Keith Euker, Athletics Coach
Finding Your Fit – 2:00 pm (EST) - Host: Heidi Reigel, Dean of Admissions
Tuesday June 23rd
The College Search – 11:00 am (EST) - Host: Joanna Caples, Admissions Counselor
Financial Aid – 2:00 pm (EST) - Host: Stephanie Stahler, Senior Associate Director of Admissions
Wednesday June 24th
Writing the College Essay – 11:00 am (EST) - Host: Brooke Hain, Associate Director of Admissions
The Liberal Arts and the McDaniel Plan – 2:00 pm (EST) - Host: Katie Ridgway, Admissions Counselor
Thursday June 25th
College Athletics – 11:00 am (EST) - Host: Kelsey Kirkman, Admissions Counselor
First Generation College Students – 2:00 pm (EST) - Host: Zachery Brown, Admissions
Friday June 26th
Get the Student Perspective: Chat with Current McDaniel Students – 2:00 pm (EST)
On the attached PDF, you will see more detailed descriptions of each of these sessions. We would love to have some of your rising seniors and juniors attend these events!
**NEW** MVA Update on School Attedance
The MVA has stated that they will now allow parents/guardians to certify school attendance on the DL 300A form.
Senior College Application Boot Camp
Professional Development
**NEW** ACT Professional Learning Series
Here’s a friendly reminder to sign up for ACT’s upcoming professional learning series, starting June 23! Feel free to share this invitation with staff and colleagues.
As an education leader, you are facing the dual challenges of planning a successful school year and supporting your staff in a time of uncertainty. ACT wants to help.
This summer, we are offering a series of five informative, 30-minute professional learning webinars on how to fully understand and use student data to optimize your planning and to set your students on a path to success. You’ll interact with Dr. Bryan Williams, ACT’s own “Data Doctor,” and a series of ACT experts for lively discussions to inform you and your staff about the best ways to acquire and use the data you’ll need to get your school year off to a strong start.
This free professional learning series will cover the ins and outs of student data:
- The best ways to determine students’ college readiness levels
- The benefits of moving from static to dynamic data
- How to find critical learning gaps using assessments
- Why and how to use early intervention strategies
- How to use your data to create an action plan
Our weekly series will be available live and on demand, and attendees will receive certificates of participation. We hope to see you this summer!
**NEW** Virtual SOAR to Health & Wellness Training
In response to the growing need to offer virtual training to support professional development, the Office on Trafficking in Persons and the National Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Center are pleased to offer a free 1.5-hour virtual SOAR to Health and Wellness training. The training teaches providers how to identify and respond to human trafficking.
Register today for one of the trainings listed below.
When: Wednesday, July 29, 2020, 1–2:30 p.m. (eastern). Register here.
When: Wednesday, August 19, 2020, 1–2:30 p.m. (eastern). Register here.
When: Wednesday, September 2, 2020 1–2:30 p.m. (eastern). This training will be delivered in Spanish. Register here.
**NEW** 2020 Counselor Summer Institute - August 4–7, 2020. Register Now!
The 2020 Counselor Summer Institute is still open for registration. With so much uncertainty around fall college applications due to the coronavirus, please consider joining our K–12 and higher education partners for four days of free, online professional development on the college admissions process:
August 4
- All Means All: Advising and Counseling Students from Low-Income Backgrounds, 10 a.m. E
- Across the Desk: College Admissions Issues, Perspectives, and Opportunities, 1 p.m. ET
- Beyond the Basics: A Focus on Financial Aid, 3 p.m. ET
August 5
- Keeping It in Perspective: Managing Student Stress in the College Admissions Process, 10 a.m. ET
- All Means All: Advising and Counseling Rural Students in the College Admissions Process, 1 p.m. ET
- The Power of the School Profile in College Admissions, 3 p.m. ET
August 6
- Living in a Covid-19 World—The Evolution of College Planning and College Admissions, 10 a.m. ET
- Agency and Equity: A Matter of Professional Practice for Counselors, 1 p.m. ET
- All Means All: Advising and Counseling African American Students in the College Admissions Process, 3 p.m. ET
August 7
- Topics in International College Counseling and Admissions
- The Language of Access: Important Considerations for College Counseling
- Using National Student Clearinghouse Data to Plan Postsecondary Initiatives
- All events on August 7 are available on-demand at 8 a.m. ET.
With many in-person professional development events being canceled this summer due to the coronavirus, our summer institute provides the opportunity to gain a wealth of knowledge from your home. All attendees are also eligible for CEU credits after completing a short quiz at the conclusion of each event. We encourage you to register for all events to gain access to the recordings should you need to watch at a more convenient time.
We look forward to hosting you in August!
ASCA U Specialist Trainings
Current courses available through ASCA U include:
· Anxiety and Stress Management Specialist
· Bullying Prevention Specialist
· Career Development Specialist
· Closing the Achievement Gap Specialist
· College Admissions Specialist*
· Cultural Competency Specialist
· Legal and Ethical Specialist
· School Counseling Data Specialist*
· School Counseling Leadership Specialist*
· Students With Special Needs Specialist
· Trauma and Crisis Specialist
*Not available for graduate credit
If you plan to take (or have recently taken) an ASCA U course and are planning to pay Lindenwood University the additional $225 to get 3 graduate credits, please be aware that you cannot be reimbursed for both. The Office of Certification shared with us that they can only reimburse for one or the other. If you choose to submit the ASCA course for CEUs, they will reimburse for your payment to ASCA. But if you choose to pay the additional money to get graduate credits, you can only be reimbursed for the payment to Lindenwood.
BCPS Counselors Good News & Inspiration
2020 Retirees
Thank you, John Roth for serving BCPS for 52 years! We hope you enjoyed your parade!
Thank you, Angela Lancione, for serving BCPS for 36 years!
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 phone number: 410.887.TIME
CPS email address: dhr.baltimorecountycps@maryland.gov
MHEC FAFSA Completion (MD CAPS): fafsa.mhec@maryland.gov