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Welcome Back Virginia School Counselors,
The start of the school year is a special time fueled by the smell of new school supplies and the anticipation of the year to come. This collective buzz of excitement in our schools reminds us that every school year, day, hour, and minute is an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the students we serve.
School counseling is an intensively human profession; as such, we are experts at building relationships. The start of the school year is an excellent opportunity to flex our relationship-building muscles and connect with staff, families, and most importantly our students.
 (Photo taken at Tomahawk Middle School, Chesterfield County)
Consider this, if someone was to randomly poll 100 of your students, would they be able to answer the following questions?
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What’s your school counselor’s name?
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How can your school counselor support you?
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How can you get in contact with your school counselor?
Likewise, if 100 parents and staff members were polled could they identify you by name, describe the work you do, and explain how they can reach you for support?
This is the time to be promoting the important work you do with all stakeholders. We need to be present in the lives of all our students and that starts by making sure they know who we are, what we do, and how to connect with us. Prioritize getting in front of students during these first few weeks. Learn their names as they learn yours. Look for opportunities to be involved in the planning of key events such as Back to School Nights and staff meetings.
This is beautiful work; made even more meaningful by the people we do it with and the students we do it for. Thank you for your immeasurable dedication. Wishing you an incredible school year empowered by relationships and filled with inspiration, personal growth, and endless possibilities.
Warmly,
 P.S. Don’t miss our Better Together Webinar Series: Strengthening the Principal-Counselor Relationship starting on September 21. More information can be found below!
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WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
We hope you will join us in an opportunity to celebrate our collective knowledge and learn from each other. Share your response to this month’s question and view ideas from others via this month’s Counselor Connection.
Directions for Posting:
- To contribute to the discussion select the plus (+) sign beside the question and then type your response.
- For the subject write a short title for your post.
- In the space that says: "write something beautiful" type your response.
- If you want to add a picture, link, or photo you can do so in middle section by selecting the icon that best fits the resource.
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES |
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Better Together Webinar Series: Strengthening the Principal-Counselor Relationship
 Administrators, school counselors, and division leaders are invited to join us for this collaborative webinar series!
As colleagues, allies, and partners in student success and wellbeing, administrators and school counselors work together best when both understand the role of the school counselor, as well as the unique needs of the school. School counselors and administrators work best together when they align their initiatives under shared goals, communicate regularly, and collaborate when issues arise. When supported, school counselors can be partners in implementing core curriculum; data-driven interventionists; school-wide leaders, and systemic change agents.
- September 21, 2023, 3-4 p.m. Understanding of the Role of the School Counselor
- September 28, 2023, 3-4 p.m. Introducing the Virginia School Counselor Activity Rating Scale
- October 3, 2023, 3-4 p.m. Creating a Collaborative Agreement
- October 12, 2023, 3-4 p.m. Establishing an Ongoing and Clear System of Communication
Better Together Webinar Series Flyer
Better Together Webinar Series Registration Form
Elementary: Sources of Strength Training
September 25-26, 2023
Spring Creek Community Center
181 Clubhouse Way, Zion Crossroads, Virginia 22942
This free, two-day training class is being sponsored by the Conner Strong Foundation (CSF) works to bring awareness to mental health issues and suicide prevention. The foundation is interested in identifying 25 total elementary schools that might be interested in implementing the Sources of Strength (priority will be given to rural elementary schools). For more information about Sources of Strength please visit the CSF webpage. If interested in attending the two-day training class, please contact Tom Worosz via phone 434-326-3538. (Registration closes on September 13, 2023).
Webinar: Solutions for School Counselor Use of Time (The Hatching Hour)
Thursday, September 21, 2023 – 2-3 p.m.
The decisions we make about how we spend our time has the potential to either advantage or disadvantage groups of students. This webinar will explore recommendations for actions that school counselors and district leaders can take to make intentional decisions about their use of time. Walk away with tools, examples, discussion-starters, and activities. Solutions for School Counselors Use of Time Webinar Registration Form
Virginia School Counselor Association Conference
October 18-20, 2023
Hampton Roads Convention Center, Hampton, Virginia
VSCA Conference Website
Why Attend?
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Engaging Keynote Speakers: Gain insights and inspiration from renowned experts in the field of counseling, who will share their expertise and personal stories to motivate and empower you.
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Thought-Provoking Breakout Sessions: Choose from a wide range of sessions, tailored to address the current challenges and emerging trends in school counseling. Acquire practical strategies and innovative techniques that you can implement immediately.
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Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded professionals, share best practices, and build a support network that extends beyond the conference. Forge valuable relationships that can enhance your professional growth.
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Sponsors & Exhibitor Showcase: Explore a diverse array of exhibitors, featuring the latest resources, technologies, and services to support you as a school counselor. Discover innovative tools that can enhance your effectiveness and help you better serve your students.
Virginia Career VIEW Free Asynchronous PD Courses for School Counselors
Virginia Career VIEW: Vital Information for Education and Work, has partnered with Virtual Virginia to offer three new free asynchronous professional learning courses. These courses are of particular interest to school counselors and will introduce educators to career resources and activities that they can use with their students. Upon successful completion of any of the New to View courses a certificate will be awarded worth five hours of professional learning. For more information/to enroll, click on one or more of the following links:
New to View: Virginia Career View Grades K-5 (2023-2024)
New to View: Virginia Career View Grades 6-8 (2023-2024)
New to View: Virginia Career View Grades 9-12 (2023-2024)
Questions? Please contact Steven Sproles, Virtual Virginia Professional Learning Coordinator.
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RESOURCES FOR COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAMS |
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Free Library of Courses for Parents on Youth Mental Health Topics:
Parent Guidance has a growing library of free courses, developed by leading mental health experts that offer hope, answers, and compassionate help. Consider utilizing these courses with both school staff, parents, and caregivers as we all partner to support the mental health of our students. To access any course, a free login must be created.
*Friendly reminder, always preview any webinar or online video before recommending to staff or parents.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
The Simplified FAFSA is expected to launch in December 2023. Trainings, tools and resources for school counselors can be found on the National College Attainment Network: Better FAFSA and the Federal Student Aid’s Financial Aid Toolkit for School Counselors.
Virtual Check-In Tool for Elementary, Middle, and High School Students
Closegap was developed alongside students, teachers, school counselors, social workers, and administrators to ensure the right mental health solution was created for school settings. This free platform allows students to virtually check-in with a caring staff member daily. The check-in was designed alongside students to ensure it is a safe space where they enjoy reflecting and exploring their emotions. Developmentally appropriate, separate check-ins have been created for three specific age groups: PK-2, 3-5, and 6-12 age groups.
Suicide Prevention Toolkit and Resources
These Suicide Prevention and Response Resources from the American School Counselor Association includes a Model School District Policy on Suicide Prevention that outlines model policies and best practices for school districts to follow to protect the health and safety of all students. Additionally, this suicide informational questionnaire is a guide for having a conversation with a student when there is a concern of suicide. Also available in Spanish.
Fact Sheets on Navigating Virtual Spaces (Mental Health America)
Going back to school can be an exciting time filled with new friends, new social events, and new extracurriculars. But returning to school also means re-entering the virtual spaces that exist in tandem with the classroom – which can be both helpful and harmful. For young people, online spaces can bring with them feelings of exclusion, body image concerns, misinformation, cyberbullying, harassment, and violent content – all of which have an impact on mental health. Adults can and should prepare children and teens to protect themselves online, and then be there to help them understand what they’re seeing and hearing to minimize negative effects on mental health. These fact sheets are ready to share with teachers, caregivers, and students as you assist students in developing skills to navigate virtual spaces in healthy ways.
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Change to Virginia's Code: School counselors; staff time
The 2023 General Assembly approved Senate Bill 1043, which incorporates consistent statewide definitions and expectations for licensed professional school counselors for the provision of “direct counseling services” and “program planning and school support.” This legislation further defines the role of the school counselor that was established through legislation from House Bill 1729 in the 2019 General Assembly, which amended requirements for the allocation of school counselor staff time. OSSS School Counseling Update
2024 Virginia School Survey of Climate and Working Conditions
The 2024 Virginia School Survey of Climate and Working Conditions (VSS) will be administered to schools beginning January 15, 2024, and ending March 1, 2024. The survey administration reflects the continued partnership between the VDOE and the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) to ensure the VSS meets both VDOE’s legislative requirement Item 135.G of the 2022 Acts of Appropriation and DCJS’s mandate as described in the Code of Virginia §22.1-279.8.B.
Any schools with regular education programs serving students in grades nine through twelve are required to administer the 2024 VSS. All schools meeting that criteria must invite all students in grades nine, ten, eleven, and twelve, and all licensed staff (instructional and support personnel) to complete the survey. The survey may also be administered to non-licensed staff or to adults in other educational settings at the discretion of the school division. Schools are required to advise students’ parents and guardians of the survey at least 30 days before administration and provide them with the ability to opt their student out of the survey, as described in the Code of Virginia §22.1-79.3. Please see this supporting document for further information.
VIRGINIA EDUCATION UPDATE
The new Virginia Education Update from Dr. Coons, Superintendent of Public Instruction, will replace the use of Superintendent’s Memos and Emails with a comprehensive newsletter format. Visit the Virginia Education Update Newsletter Archives.
Check out the most recent editions of the Virginia Education Update Newsletter:
STAY CONNECTED
To directly subscribe to this newsletter please complete the OSSS Newsletter subscription form.
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