Counselor Connection--November 1
Education Service Center Region 15
School Counselor Spotlight
Emily likes to do bibliotherapy with her students, and she works on social-emotional learning and positive character building. As she states, "Social-emotional skills are essential for success in school, work, and life."
Email: eallen@irion-isd.org
Website: https://www.irion-isd.org/
Location: 302 North 3rd Street, Mertzon, TX, USA
Phone: 325-835-6111
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IrionCountyHighSchool
2023 Accountability Manual
The purpose of this communication is to inform school systems about the publication of the final rule adopting the 2023 Accountability Manual. A few key points:
- The final Manual, which was filed on Wednesday, October 25th, is now posted online. The manual is the result of two years of stakeholder feedback, a posted framework in January 2023, and feedback collected from the proposed rule posted in May.
- The issuance of A-F ratings under this final rule is pending and subject to change based on judicial rulings or decisions from the 88th Legislature during a special called session.
- The Manual also covers topics related to designations under the federal accountability system and Results Driven Accountability (RDA), which take effect per the final rule.
Reaching for Excellence (RFE) in Texas School Health FY2025 Grant
The Texas Department of State Health Services invites school districts or a school campus to apply for the Reaching for Excellence (RFE) in Texas School Health Grant. The goal of the RFE grants is to fund projects that inspire students to live healthier lives. The RFE grant funds new projects or projects operating for less than a year. The project must focus on at least one key component of the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child model.
Eligible projects should engage students, their families, and the community. They also should include plans to continue the project past the initial year. A school district can receive up to $10,000 (in reimbursement funds) to implement a project at the district level or on a school campus. If selected, the school district will receive funds for one project. View the Grants and Awards Program webpage for more information and how to apply.
Application Is Open from 10/16/2023 to 1/22/2024
Project Begins 9/1/2024
Project Ends 8/31/2025
The 2023-24 TSCA Human Rights Art Contest theme is "Embrace Your Light."
Questions: megguidry@gmail.com
All entries must be mailed by December 31, 2023
Two winning students will be selected in the following categories!
K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
We look forward to your submissions!
What You Need to Know: 2024-2025 FAFSA Changes and How to Prepare
The Sanders Hand
THE 3 C'S OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Step 1: Calm Down
- Conflict with others can bring up some intense emotions. When this happens, it's hard to think clearly or make good choices. That's why the first step is to calm down. Taking a break, doing some deep breathing, or talking to someone can help kids (and adults) feel more calm so they are ready to handle the issue at hand.
Step 2: Communicate
- This is the part of conflict resolution where the two parties calmly talk about the problem. Each person can share their perspective and listen to what the other person has to say. This is also a great time to apologize if needed.
Step 3: Choose A Solution
- Once everyone has had a chance to share their perspective, and to listen to others, it's time to figure out how to solve the problem. The solution will depend on the problem, but some examples include taking turns, finding a compromise, or sharing.
2024-2025 Programs of Study
PEIMS Calculation Tech Tips
CTE TEKS Updates
Proposed New Career Preparation and Entrepreneurship TEKS
The SBOE gave preliminary approval for proposed revisions to the TEKS for the following CTE courses at the August/September 2023 SBOE meeting:
- Career Preparation I
- Career Preparation II
- Extended Career Preparation
- Career and Technical Education Project-Based Capstone
- Entrepreneurship I
- Entrepreneurship II
- Practicum of Entrepreneurship
- Extended Practicum of Entrepreneurship
The official public comment period for proposed revisions to the TEKS for these courses opened on October 13, 2023, and will close at 5:00 p.m. on November 13, 2023.
To view the proposed revisions and submit public comments, visit http://tea.texas.gov/About_TEA/Laws_and_Rules/SBOE_Rules_(TAC)/Proposed_State_Board_of_Education_Rules/.
The SBOE will consider the proposal for second reading and final adoption at its November 2023 meeting.
SBOE Discussion and Public Hearing for Proposed New CTE TEKS
At the November 14-17, 2023 State Board of Education (SBOE) meeting, the SBOE will discuss recommendations for revisions to a selection of CTE TEKS in agriculture and aviation. The review also includes two CTE courses from the STEM career cluster that satisfy a science graduation requirement. The draft recommendations are currently posted on the 2023 CTE TEKS Review webpage.
The courses include the following:
Agribusiness
- Agribusiness Management and Marketing
- Agriculture Leadership, Research, and Communications
- Extended Practicum in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
- Practicum in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
- Principles of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
- Professional Standards in Agribusiness
Animal Science
- Advanced Animal Science
- Equine Science
- Livestock Production
- Small Animal Management
- Veterinary Medical Applications
Plant Science
- Advanced Floral Design
- Advanced Plant and Soil Science
- Floral Design
- Greenhouse Operation and Production
- Horticulture Science
- Viticulture
Aviation Maintenance
- Aircraft Airframe Technology
- Aircraft Powerplant Technology
- Aviation Maintenance
- Introduction to Aircraft Technology
CTE STEM Courses
- Principles of Technology
- Scientific Research and Design
The draft recommendations are available for review and feedback on the 2023 CTE TEKS Review webpage. When providing specific comments and recommendations, please identify the program of study or course(s) in the subject line of the email. For example, in the subject line please indicate "Animal Science CTE TEKS Review." Please submit comments to TEA at teks@tea.texas.gov.
A public hearing on the proposed new TEKS is scheduled for Wednesday, November 15, 2023. The public hearing and discussion item will be posted in the SBOE’s agenda in early November. Individuals may register online to provide public testimony beginning on Thursday, November 9 at 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. (Central Time), on Friday, November 10.
Additional information regarding registration is provided on the public testimony registration web page. The SBOE meeting can be viewed via the live webcast. The webcast will also be archived and available via the same link after the meeting.
Feedback from educators across the state is critical to the TEKS review and revision process. Please share this information with anyone you know who may be interested.
Updated Innovative Course Application Timeline
To benefit both innovative course applicants and LEAs who wish to implement innovative courses, the timeline for future innovative course application cycles has been updated. The updated timeline is designed to provide additional time for the following:
- Applicants to complete applications
- Applicants to receive local board approval
- Applicants to complete course pilots and analyze data
- Districts and open-enrollment charters to plan for innovative course implementation
Courses that are approved will be available for implementation beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.
The updated innovative course application timeline has been posted on the TEA innovative courses webpage.
Webinars About Proposed Rule Changes and Updated Timeline
To highlight some of the changes for innovative courses that are under consideration by the State Board of Education (SBOE) at their meeting on November 14-17, 2023, the innovative courses team will be hosting two webinars to explain the proposed rule updates and timeline. These sessions are primarily intended for stakeholders who are interested in submitting an innovative course application in the future.
Individuals who are interested in attending one of these webinars may select one of the two links below in order to register. Seats are limited.
Governor Abbott Encourages Texas Students to Participate in Cybersecurity Training
On October 19, 2023, Governor Greg Abbott issued a press release encouraging “Texas high school and college students to participate in CyberStart America (CSA) and Cyber FastTrack (CFT), online cybersecurity talent search and competition programs sponsored by the National Cyber Scholarship Foundation that award over $20 million in scholarships to high-performing students.”
Registration for both CSA and CFT is now open, with student play ending on March 15, 2024. Review the full press release here.
The Computer Science & Engineering Department of Texas A&M University is hosting a Computer Science (CS) Day on April 6, 2024, on the College Station campus to introduce high school students to opportunities in Computer Science. Attendance is free of charge. Students will engage in hands-on activities and listen to experts in fields such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. Lunch and snacks will be provided.
You are invited to attend with your students. We ask that each group have a chaperone to monitor their students throughout the day—this can be a parent or school chaperone. This one-day event will begin around 9:00am and end around 5:00pm.
Registration for the event will open soon at http://csday org.
Please contact csday@cse.tamu.edu with any questions.
Foster Care and Education: Education Reach for Texans Regional Breakouts for Higher Education Support
We are excited that, Education Reach for Texans, a 501c3 non-profit that champions postsecondary education success for students with experience in foster care, is giving us the opportunity to host the best of the best when it comes to helping our current and former foster youth.
I’m reaching out, because Reach currently has a grant partnership with The Greater Texas Foundation to support regional breakouts across the state. This regional breakout event is for higher education and child welfare stakeholders to hold space and discuss a plan of action for supporting students with lived experience in care to access, persist, and graduate from higher education or a certificate program. Anyone who has an interest in supporting students with lived experience in foster care in your DFPS Region should attend (education specialists, foster care liaisons, foster parents, child placement agencies, transition centers, workforce professionals, case workers, PAL professionals, higher education administrators, etc.).
Please fill out the linked form to register for the Region 9 Breakout. Lunch will be served at Angelo State. We hope you register and share this link widely with your colleagues. Feel free to share this link on your social media platforms! Once we have a confirmed number, I will send out a calendar invite with location details.
I hope you all are familiar with Reach’s work. If not, please visit the website for more information: www.educationreachfortexans.com.
Highly Mobile and At-Risk 2023-24 Quarterly Webinars
Greetings from the Highly Mobile and At-Risk (HMAR) Student Programs Division. We hope you are having an excellent start to the new school year. It is our pleasure to invite you to join us for our annual series of informative quarterly webinars for the 2023-24 school year. The first webinar is just a few weeks away and we're kicking off the year with some exciting information including:
- Reminders, tips, suggestions, best practices, program updates and announcements intended to help prepare students for a strong start to the year;
- Legislative updates from the 88th Legislature regarding Highly Mobile and At-Risk student populations with implications for professional practice;
- Highly Mobile students and the implications for campus accountability; and
- much more!
HMAR Quarterly Webinar #2 | November 30, 2023 | 1:00pm – 2:30pm | Register Here
HMAR Quarterly Webinar #3 | February 15, 2024 | 1:00pm – 2:30pm | Register Here
HMAR Quarterly Webinar #4 | May 2, 2024 | 1:00pm – 2:30pm | Register Here
TACAC Webinars
Helping Students Plan a Meaningful Summer
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
9:00-10:00 am CST
Hear from high school counselors about ways to work with students to plan engaging, meaningful summers.
Unpacking and Helping Students and Families Understand Financial Aid Offers
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
9:00-10:00 am CST
Hear from college admissions and financial aid officers to learn how high school counselors can help students and families understand the details of and compare offers from different schools.
San Antonio, here we come! The 19th Annual Professional School Counselor Conference will be held at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio on Feb. 4-6, 2024. Next year's theme is Let's Sparkle and Shine! We hope to see you there! #CelebratingBrilliance2024
Virtual Bullying and Cyberbullying Training
Preventing bullying and mitigating its impact begins with a strong understanding of the legal landscape of Texas bullying laws. This virtual Bullying and Cyberbullying Training, offered in collaboration with Safer Schools Together, will walk participants through all Texas bullying and cyberbullying laws, including behaviors that may apply to suspected bullying situations, such as assault, harassment, hazing, stalking, sextortion, dating violence, and related federal laws. Participants will explore Texas mandated expectations for campus staff, rights of victims and parents, related penal code, and determining when behaviors go beyond student discipline and into criminal behavior. Participants will also learn about how bullying manifests on and off campus and how to plan and respond with actionable strategies.
View Dates and RegisterUpcoming Sessions at ESC
Emergency and After Hours Resources
This list is of known providers of particular services. The providers on the list are from a variety of sources. The list is being provided as a courtesy, for information only, and the user should understand that no assurances or guarantees regarding the providers on the list are being made by providing this list. We do not endorse, approve, or recommend any specific provider listed below. This list is not inclusive of all community agencies, services, or organizations that provide the particular service, and the omission of an agency, service, or organization from this list does not imply disapproval. It is the responsibility of the user of this list to determine whether any of the content is of value to them and whether or not the agency, service, or organization meets their specific needs.
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National
- Emergency: (24/7): 911
- Referral Services: (crisis counseling, housing, food, health care, family services): 211 | https://www.211texas.org/
- Suicide Prevention: 988 | 988lifeline.org
- Self-Injury/Cutting: 1-800-366-8288 | selfinjury.com
- Eating Disorders: 1-800-931-2237 | nationaleatingdisorders.org
- Runaway Hotline: 1-800-231-6946 | 1800runaway.org
- Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-422-4453 | childhelp.org/hotline/
- Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 | rainn.org
- Domestic/Relationship Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 | thehotline.org
- Trevor Hotline for LGBTQ Youth: 1-866-488-7386 | thetrevorproject.org
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline | samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
- Other resources for developing healthy lifestyles, including mental and emotional help: helpguide.org
ESC 15 Counseling and Mental Health
Email: mentalhealth@esc15.net
Website: https://www.esc15.net/
Phone: (325)658-6571
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Region15ESC/
Twitter: @Region15ESC
Lesley Casarez, PhD, CCTS-I, CTP, CSC
Greg Hickey, LPC
(325) 658-6571 x2113
Anne Hardegree, LPC-S
(325) 481-4019
Alex Robles, LPC
(325) 481-4009
Alex Nieto
(325) 481-2151
Ella Nichols, LBSW
(325) 481-4062
Noemi Ucuk
Jessica Flores, LPC, BCBA
(325) 481-4057
Carol Stevens, M.Ed. CSC
McKinney-Vento, HELP Grant, and Counseling
Stephanie Soto
(325) 658-6571
Dava Rabb
(325) 658-6571 ext. 2120