Counseling Weekly
January 12, 2024
Upcoming Dates
1/15/24 - MLK Day, no school
1/17/24, 8-9:30am - Middle School PLC - Lone Tree Library
1/22/24, 1-2:30pm - Alt. Ed. PLC - Legacy Campus
1/23/24, 8-10am - Naviance Help Session - HR STEM
1/23/24, 2:30-4:30pm - CLT - Lone Tree Library
1/24/24, 2-3:00pm - Internship Supervisor Meeting - Virtual
1/26/24, 1-3:00pm - RAMP Cohort - Virtual
1/29/24, 9-11:00am - Elementary PLC - Lone Tree Library
National Model
Coaching Model Support
All schools have now started receiving feedback on their components within their folder. The goal of the feedback is to support you in knowing what might be adjusted in order to reach your professional goals, prior to April 1st.
Keeping your program on track
Here are the recommended items to be completed before Spring Break (March 8th):
Classroom results report (Thriving/Excelling Only)
Counseling department mission statement (Thriving/Excelling Only)
Classroom Mindsets and Behaviors Action Plan (Thriving/Excelling Only)
Spring use of time calculator - One for each counselor
Classroom lesson plan- (Essential 1 plan/ Thriving 2 plans /Excelling 3 plans)
Lesson plans from 1 small group (Thriving/Excelling Only)
Need a refresher on Essential 1?
Information
Website Update
The DCSD Counseling Website has been under construction. All of the same resources are there, but we tried to organize things to make it more user-friendly. There is still some work to be done and items to be added, but please send Kambi and Renee any feedback as you use the site.
Thanks!!
High Schools
Volunteer Hours
The Aspen Effect offers volunteer hours, through community service projects, each month to high school students and I was wondering if you could pass along the attached flyers to our high school counselors. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Here is a link to the program https://theaspeneffect.org/teen-service-crew
Attendance Support
The district is experiencing a significant challenge, with over 25% of students in 10th, 11th, and 12th grades being chronically absent. To better understand and address this issue, we seek to collaborate with secondary schools to develop effective strategies and interventions.
Expected Outcomes:
Comprehensive understanding of the factors contributing to absenteeism in high school.
Development and implementation of targeted strategies to reduce chronic absenteeism.
Improved student attendance and engagement.
How to Participate: Interested schools can contact Lisa de la Pena for further details and to express their interest in participating.
ACT WorkKeys
Do you have a senior student you fear may not meet the graduation competency this year? Who took the SAT but failed to achieve competency-meeting scores? Is chronically absent or for whatever reason may not pass your school's capstone?
We're here to help!
The Student Assistance Department is hosting a FREE district-wide administration of ACT WorkKeys for seniors on Friday, 11/10 at 9:00a. Our in-district pass rate for WorkKeys is 97%. Please help your student fill out this form: Updated Link
Testimonial - "I had a student who is on an IEP and really struggles with standardized testing. I was worried about his ability to meet the graduation competency. After researching WorkKeys, I got him signed up and he met those requirements licky-split! After that I saw the value in WorkKeys to help ALL students who struggle with the ASVAB, Capstone project, ACT, and SAT." - Jim Davis, DCHS School Counselor
FAFSA/CASFA Grant
Grant Applications Opening Soon
A fourth round of applications will be opened soon and will close February 5. Check the FAFSA/CASFA Grant webpage for materials and information.
Questions? Contact Michelle Romero
Educator Financial Aid Trainings
The Colorado Department of Higher Education’s regional trainings will next take place in Trinidad on January 17. The second Denver Metro Region training will be held on February 9 and the Western Slope Region in April. Use the registration form to join upcoming trainings.
These trainings are designed for K-12 school counselors, advisors, educators, and any who are involved with the FAFSA/CASFA processes at their school, organization, or agency. They will be 1-day, in-person trainings that include updates and changes on the FAFSA, overview of CASFA, ICAP, the FAFSA Completion Portal, My Colorado Journey, and more. Eligible participants who complete this training will receive a $500 stipend as part of HB22-1366 Improving Students’ Postsecondary Options.
Find more FAFSA-related resources here.