School Counseling News You Can Use
Counseling News from the Indiana Department of Education
January 2019
My name is Michelle Clarke and I am your new School Counseling Specialist here at the Indiana Department of Education! I wanted to share with you a little bit about myself. This school year is my 17th year as an educator. My career in education started as a PE/Health teacher in Lawrence Township. I also have been a school counselor at both Craig MS and Belzer MS in Lawrence, Hamilton Heights MS in Arcadia/Cicero, and Director of School Counseling at Noblesville HS. I am excited to continue my career at the Indiana Department of Education, with hopes to reach even more students, families, and educators.
I live in Noblesville with my husband, Brian, who is an athletic performance coach for D1 Training and adjunct professor at Butler, along with my 11-year-old son Jack, 8-year-old daughter Allie, 5-year-old son Kellan, and 1-year-old baby Dottie. My family keeps me super busy, but are my absolute pride and joy and my “why” for my profession!
I am very passionate about Social Emotional Learning, Mental Wellness, and School Counselor Advocacy. When in the field, I worked hard to help educators and students to see their full potential, and find their way through this crazy thing we call “life”!
I am very excited to be a part of this rock star Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Wellness team at IDOE. I hope my vast experiences as a school counselor will be an asset to this important work we do!
I hope you all had a blessed holiday season and a Happy New Year! I look forward to working with all of you.
Michelle
Self-Care Tip
Creating a Self-Care Plan
As school counselors, we are the ones who are often taking care of others, If we don't do what is needed to keep OUR mind, body and spirit healthy, we are not able to be fully present for others. This month, I encourage you to get together with co-workers, department, or those you consider your "team". Set aside some time to create a self-care plan for the year, and choose how you will hold each other accountable. This activity will set you up for success and you will be able to reach your full potential as a school counselor. See the below Self-Care Plan as an example.
All Level Updates
2019-2020 School Counselor Survey
counseling leader from each building level could fill this out it is much appreciated!
Primary (Pre-K to Five)
Elementary School Counseling Grant Information
Information related to an Elementary School Counseling Grant opportunity is available in this memo. Additional background content is available on the SEBW website. Please contact Michelle Clarke with any questions.
Social Emotional Learning in the Kindergarten Classroom
Secondary (6-12)
Homeschool Withdrawals Guidance
Please share with whomever is responsible for withdrawing students.
Graduation Pathways
There you will find Grad Pathways Requirements, The Guidance Document and ideas for reporting and tracking.
HERE is a list of FAQs that were not on the above mentioned Guidance Link.
If you have further questions you can email me or direct questions to DOEGradpathways@doe.in.gov.
Professional Development
Counselor Spotlight
In the meantime, I will share my presentation from ISCA. Noblesville HS is doing some great things with classroom lessons and Educational Neuroscience! Check it out!
Indiana School Counselor Directory
Add your name to the Directory HERE.
What Are You Reading?
Motivational Interviewing for School Counselors
By Reagan A. North
By Russell A. Abella & Stephanie Lerner
The ASCA National Model: A Framework for School Counseling Programs, fourth edition
By ASCA
ISMHI WHOLE CHILD SUMMIT
Attend the Summit to:
- Learn from state and national experts
- Work interactively with your district team during dedicated team planning time to leave with a workbook of steps for implementation
- Hear how school districts are creating conditions for learning and reallocating resources to address needs of the whole child within school frameworks
- Connect to resources and supports
- Explore how to create better school-based mental health services and collaborative efforts with community partners
- Network with speakers, exhibitors, and other districts outside of presentations
Keynote Speakers:
Dr. Isaiah Pickens, CEO of iOpening Enterprises and
Dr. Adam Saenz, Clinical Director, Oakwood Collaborative
More information about other speakers and bios will be available soon.
Who should attend?
As was done last year, the 2nd Annual Educating the Whole Child Summit will once again focus on district implementation and integration of SEL and mental health as part of creating the conditions for learning. A substantial amount of time is dedicated to team work and planning time. To this end, we recommend districts send leadership teams in order to get the most they can out of the Summit. However, we recognize that this is not possible for all districts and so please know we also do the best we can to make this meaningful should you only be able to send 1 or 2 people. With this in mind we would like to offer the below suggestions as to who to include on your team, but also recognize that each team will look different.
- Person(s) most responsible within district for overseeing SEL/Mental Health
- One or two administrators (this could include your superintendent)
- Teacher leaders
- Key school-based community mental health provider
- Student Services Coordinators
- Data Specialist
Cost:
Registration $200. Registration includes breakfast and lunch; free parking.
Wednesday, Feb 19, 2020, 08:00 AM
Indianapolis Marriott East, East 21st Street, Indianapolis, IN, USA
Update from the Commission for Higher Education (CHE)
Padres Estrellas Program Launch
In December 2019, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education announced the newly created Padres Estrellas – translated as “Star Parents” – initiative designed to increase student access and attainment to higher education for the state’s Hispanic and Latino learners and families. Funded by Indiana’s Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, five Padres Estrellas will work with community organizations focused on empowering Hispanic and Latino communities to provide college and career support to students and families across the state. For more information about the initiative, please click here.
21st Century Scholars Day & State of Higher Education Address
As Indiana works toward its goal of having at least 60 percent of Hoosiers with education and training beyond high school, the state’s 21st Century Scholars program is a critical resource to help reach that objective. 21st Century Scholars is an early college promise program designed to help ensure that every Hoosier student can afford the opportunity provided by a high-quality postsecondary degree or credential. The program was created in 1990 and celebrates 30 years of success in 2020. Please join the Commission in celebrating 21st Century Scholars Day on February 11, 2020, followed by Indiana's State of Higher Education Address. Register here, and follow #ScholarsTurns30 on social media.
ScholarTrack Status Definitions
Below you’ll find definitions for the various terms used to describe students’ accounts and 21st Century Scholar status used in ScholarTrack.
None – student has no application on file but is on roster via upload or account creation
Approved – student has applied and been enrolled in 21st Century Scholars
Approved Pending Student Pledge – student has an approved foster care or legal guardianship application that needs pledge verification
Denied – student has applied but was denied for being over income based on the information that was provided on the application or was denied through foster care or legal guardianship applications
Pending – student has applied via foster care or legal guardianship application and is awaiting verification from DCS
Removed – student applied and was initially approved but was removed after income was verified by the Indiana Department of Revenue
Additionally, verified or unverified will be listed under each student’s status for whom a 21st Century Scholar application has been submitted. This indicates whether the income submitted on the application has been verified by the Indiana Department of Revenue (IDOR). All income applications are required to be verified by IDOR.
Student Teaching Stipend Opportunities
If you are hosting student teachers in your school next semester, let them know about two opportunities to receive a stipend from the State of Indiana. The stipend opportunities for future teachers, known as the Earline S. Rogers Teaching Stipend for Minorities and the Student Teaching Stipend for High-Need Fields, are open through January 31, 2020.
The Earline S. Rogers Student Teaching Stipend for Minorities is available to minority students (defined as Black and Hispanic individuals) who will participate in student teaching or a school administration internship as part of their degree requirements. The Student Teaching Stipend for High-Need Fields is available to students planning to teach in special education, math, or science at the middle or high school level. Eligible students can receive up to $4,000 per stipend, or $8,000 if awarded both.
For instructions on how to apply, visit learnmoreindiana.org/futureteacher.
21st Century Scholars Enrollment Materials
Updated enrollment materials in both English and Spanish for 21st Century Scholars are available on the website.
2020-2021 FAFSA
The 2020-2021 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now live and opened Tuesday, October 1. In order to secure state aid eligibility for the 2020-2021 academic year, students must submit the FAFSA by the state deadline of April 15, 2020. The form can be accessed by visiting fafsa.ed.gov. Seniors are encouraged to create a Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID) prior to beginning the FAFSA. The FSA ID serves as a legal digital signature, and both the student and at least one parent must have one. The FSA ID can be created on the Federal Student Aid website.
School and Community Partnership Grant
The goal of the School & Community Partnership Grant is to bring together K-12 schools, post-secondary institutions, employers, and community organizations to plan and implement supportive efforts for students of all ages in completing education and training beyond high school.
Focus Areas-
The School & Community Partnership Grant is designed to support collaborative efforts focused on three, main college and career readiness priorities:
· 21st Century Scholars – Scholar Success Program (SSP) Completion & Maintaining Academic Eligibility (2.5 GPA)
· Family Engagement Programming focused on College and Career Readiness (21st Century Scholars Enrollment/Next Level Jobs Promotion);
· Pre-College/Post-secondary Professional Development (Focused on Indiana’s College Achievement Gap)
Who Is Eligible?
Capacity building and collaboration are expected for this grant opportunity. Applications must demonstrate a collaboration with at least one or more school, postsecondary institution, employer, or community-based organization in the area being served. Preference will be given to partnerships involving Indiana GEAR UP high schools.
How Much Funding Can an Applicant Receive?
Approximately $80,000 is available for spring/summer 2020 grants, awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. Further questions regarding the grant application process can be submitted via email to Grants@che.in.gov.
How Do Applicants Apply?
Applicants should follow instructions on this form and submit their proposal to Grants@che.in.gov by 5 pm ET on January 31, 2020.
More information about the grants can be found here
2019 Learn More Indiana Student Contest & School Grant
Each year, the Commission for Higher Education sponsors contest and grant opportunities for students and educators. One student in each grade across the state will be chosen from the entries to win $529 in an Indiana CollegeChoice 529 Direct Savings Plan and schools can win $1,000 college-readiness grants. Contest entries are due by December 31, 2019. Learn more here https://learnmoreindiana.org/educators/contests/.
Indiana Youth Institute’s (IYI) School Capacity Grants
Overview:
-Grants are intended to help schools achieve more equitable college and career readiness outcomes for all students
-A total of eight grants will be awarded to schools, and they will be served through cohort 1 (4 schools) or cohort 2 (4 schools)
-Each grant recipient will receive: technical assistance consulting (approximately 100 hours), cohort support (as a member of a community of practice), and two IYI conference scholarships.
Process to Apply:
-Applications are submitted online, here
-All Indiana schools are eligible to apply
-Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, yet those received by January 15, 2020 will receive priority consideration
Additional details, including the online application can be found here.
IN-MaC Micro-Grant Program Opportunity
The Indiana Manufacturing Competiveness Center (IN-MaC) has launched a new round of its Industry Micro-Grant Program, allocating $200,000 to foster the growth of youth and adult manufacturing initiatives around the state.
The program aims to provide grant funding to education (K-16), industry and community-based organizations who implement creative ways to enhance youth industry experiences. Grants must be applied for in advance of the opportunity and the current cycle runs from September 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020.
IN-MaC is accepting requests for proposal available through the following link: https://purdue.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cUTOLpS1Wnk2v8p
Questions?
Call us at 888-528-4719, email us at Scholars@che.IN.gov or contact your Regional Outreach Coordinator if you have any questions.
Follow us on social media!
Twitter: @LearnMoreIN and @HigherEdIN Facebook: @LearnMoreIN and @IndianaCHE Instagram: @LearnMoreIndiana
Next Generation Hoosier Educator Scholarship-Volunteers Needed
The Indiana Commission for Higher Education is searching for volunteers to interview prospective recipients of the Next Generation Hoosier Educator Scholarship. This scholarship provides 200 applicants a $7,500 scholarship (renewable up to 4 times for up to $30,000) toward their education to become a Hoosier teacher. The interview day details are as follows:
Saturday, March 14, 2020
Ivy Tech Community College – Illinois Fall Creek Center
2535 North Capitol Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46204
From: 8:30 AM-3:30 PM ET
**Breakfast and lunch will be provided**
**7 PGP points will be awarded to all volunteers**
If you would like to participate please sign-up HERE and feel free to contact me with any questions. We hope you will consider joining us for a fun day of interacting with Indiana’s future educators!
Courtney Hott
Director of Legislation and Program Implementation
Indiana Commission for Higher Education
W: 317-232-1069
chott@che.in.gov
SEBW Newsletter
Michelle Clarke
Email: mclarke@doe.in.gov
Website: doe.in.gov/sebw/school-counseling-guidance
Location: 115 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN, USA
Phone: 3172325164
Twitter: @CounselorClarke