Counselor Connection--August 14

If our emails from the ESC are going to your spam/junk folders or management systems, please talk to your IT Department. We are not able to fix this on our side as there are way too many variables on why it is getting marked as spam or blocked for our IT to be able to directly assist.

If you would like to be added to the Google Classroom with all of the information from the Graduation 101 workshop, please join by going to https://classroom.google.com/c/NzAxNTA3NzMwNjQ2?cjc=xomasag.

(If you were at the Counselor Retreat, you should have completed this). Please help us as we begin this school year by completing a survey that will help us know which services you are using, what we can do to help you, and things that you would like/do like!

Dates/Times

Below is a list of 2024-25 quarterly meeting dates, with the fall meeting registration link.

• 9/4/24 2-4pm CST, Register here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwkduurrTooEtCn4enWBC8uQo2KQbVaPPap
• (If we reach 300 registrants, we will close this meeting registration and set up a second overflow meeting for additional registrants- TBD).
• 12/4/24 2-4pm CST Registration link TBA
• 3/5/25 2-4pm CST Registration link TBA

Agenda: Introduction/Norms, TEA Updates with Q&A, Networking/Discussion Breakout Rooms, Conclusion

Purpose: Same as in previous years- to provide a TEA/ESC-run format where SC district leaders can receive/share SC information and network

The Final 2024 CCMR Student Listing is now available within TEA Login (TEAL) Accountability application. These data downloads contain the 2024 CCMR data for 2022–23 annual graduates and 2022–23 non-graduating 12th graders, including applicable corrections submitted and approved through the 2024 CCMR Verifier. The data will be used to calculate the CCMR components for 2024 accountability ratings.

The purpose of this letter is to clarify the obligations of Texas public school systems following the expiration of language in Section 28.004 of the Texas Education Code (TEC), requiring parental consent prior to human sexuality instruction.

The requirement that school systems obtain written parental consent prior to providing human sexuality instruction to a student was in addition to other requirements. For example, TEC, Section 28.004(q-6), requires that before a student may receive any instruction related to the prevention of child abuse, family violence, dating violence, and sex trafficking a district must obtain written consent from the student’s parent.

For more information go to https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/news-and-multimedia/correspondence/taa-letters/taa-2024-08-01-updated-guidance-on-parental-opt-in-requirement

This is only open to students identified and coded in PEIMS as homeless in the 2024 or 2025 school year. Counselors need to work in conjunction with the district homeless liaison to register students for this event. Emails have already gone or are going out to the liaisons and counselors. For questions, contact anyone on the ESC 15 McKinney-Vento team.

• Make data-based decisions to improve school climate
• Coordinate with other teams that serve the campus to align MTSS processes
• Ensure that team members have completed behavioral threat assessment training
• Determine the training for staff and students on identifying and reporting concerning behaviors
• Review SSSP data from previous years to improve school safety
• Support the School Safety and Security Committee with planning and implementation of the campus multihazard emergency operation plan and safety training for school staff

Resources: Safe and Supportive Schools (PDF Excel Spreadsheet)

Questions: Email safeandsupportiveschoolprogram@tea.texas.gov

• 2024-2025 AskTED update with new district/campus personnel for district programs, such as Business Manager, Counselor, Homeless Liaison, etc.

This free resource is designed to help strengthen communication between schools and law enforcement. Watch the recording and learn more about this combined effort from Education Service Center 11, Minaret Foundation, and Crime Stoppers.

• Texas has amended its education rules to require high schools to record student completion of Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training on official transcripts. This change goes into effect on August 1, 2024. Previously, only Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training was required to be documented. Adopted Amendment to 19 TAC Chapter 74, Curriculum Requirements, Subchapter A, Required Curriculum, §74.5, Academic Achievement Record (Transcript)

• Texas has updated its education requirements to include AED (automated external defibrillator) training in addition to CPR for all students in grades 7-12. This change is effective August 1, 2024. Adopted Amendment to 19 TAC Chapter 74, Curriculum Requirements, Subchapter C, Other Provisions, §74.38, Requirements for Instruction in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

SEL Book List

This book list includes 120 book recommendations that cover 15 different topics. The list is perfect to keep on hand so that you can reference it as needs arise. Plus, it gives you a place to start if you are wanting to add a few new books to your library before school starts!

Lesson Organizer

This chart will help you keep track of the lessons and activities that you use. It will make it easier to find a lesson quickly when you need it, and to not forget about the amazing lessons you've done!

Minute Meeting Forms

Are you thinking about doing minute meetings with students at the beginning of the year? This can be a great way to get to know the students and check in on how they are doing. These forms are a great place to start and will help you gather helpful information about your students!

TOPIC OF THE MONTH PLANNING SHEETS

These 6 sheets will help you plan everything you need to have a topic of the month in your school counseling program. They include topic ideas, activity ideas, a yearly overview, a monthly checklist, and more!

VISUAL SCHEDULE

The visual schedule includes cards that will show students what they'll be learning about, and what they'll be doing during your counseling lessons. It includes 14 topic cards, 14 activity cards, and 4 blank cards.

A young student has trouble concentrating in class. Parents worry over their child’s poor grades. A teacher struggles with a disruptive student in the classroom.

Enter the school counselor — a family ally in fostering a child’s learning and career future. School counselors help students develop strategies to manage emotions and set goals. They work with parents, teachers and administrators to help the child thrive scholastically, emotionally and socially. They are trained to assess the student’s specific needs, including learning disabilities and mental health issues that the school may need to accommodate.

Please contact Traci Terrill for questions regarding CTE: traci.terrill@esc15.net or 325-481-4074

September 10, 2024, 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm CT | For more information and to register

🌟 NEW IN 2024-2025:

• District Leadership Cohort - August 2024 through June 2025 *limited spots available!
• Advancing Equity Conference for School Counselors - December 11, 2024
• Closing the Gap: An Action Research Cohort - September 2024 through April 2025 (five 1-hour webinars!)

💫 BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND:

• Use of Data in School Counseling Institute: Overview & Foundations - 3 dates to choose from!
• New School Counselor Institute - October 3, 2024
• Use of Data in School Counseling 7-Part Series - September 2024 through May 2025 (register for individual workshops or the entire series!)

Check out our virtual events webpage for the full 2024-2025 calendar and event details!

Want to learn more about Hatching Results’ virtual events?

We're gearing up for Fall 2024 and spring 2025 to support you this school year. You can simply click on any of the session links to register.

General School Mental Health Resources: https://schoolmentalhealthtx.org/

Mental Health Resources Database: https://schoolmentalhealthtxdatabase.org/

Mental Health Best Practice Repository: https://schoolmentalhealthtx.org/best-practices/

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

Email: mentalhealth@esc15.net
Website: https://www.esc15.net/
Phone: (325)658-6571
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Region15ESC/
Twitter: @Region15ESC