Counselor Connection--July 1

You will find two documents attached.

1. A "red letter" version of the "Guide to Statutory Professional Development/Training for Texas Public School Employees."
2. A print version of the "Guide to Statutory Professional Development/Training for Texas Public School Employees."

Thanks to Region 6 for creating and sharing the documents.

TxCAN is looking to share resources and support efforts to increase FAFSA awareness and completions across Texas. They are providing advertising for FAFSA completion events and supplying gifts for students participating in these events. Gifts include vacuum-insulated tumblers, wireless earbuds, and duffel bags.

If you know of districts who are hosting FAFSA awareness and completion events this summer and are interested in gifts for students and volunteers who attend these FAFSA events, please have them this fill out this form. Applications are now open and will be reviewed as they roll in. Supplies are limited.

TxCAN is also looking for partners who can help distribute gifts to their local districts who are hosting FAFSA events targeting 2024 grads. If you would be willing to help and know you have districts who are interested please reach out to Shareea Woods.

To indicate interest, or for more information, please contact Shareea Woods, Director of Texas College Access Network at swoods@cftexas.org.

Beginning no later than the 2024-2025 school year, each school district and open-enrollment charter school must develop an advanced mathematics program for middle school students that is designed to enable those students to enroll in Algebra I in eighth grade [Texas Education Code §28.029].

Administrative rules for the Middle School Advanced Mathematics Program will become effective July 8, 2024. Once effective, the rules will be available in 19 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 74, Curriculum Requirements, Subchapter DD, Commissioner’s Rules on Mathematics Education, §74.2101, Middle School Advanced Mathematics Program.

Under the program, a school district or open-enrollment charter school must automatically enroll in an advanced mathematics course each Grade 6 student whose performance was either in the 60th percentile or higher on the Grade 5 Mathematics State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR®) assessment or in the top 40% on a local measure that includes either the student’s Grade 5 class ranking or demonstrated proficiency in the student’s Grade 5 mathematics coursework.

The statewide 60th percentile rank for all Grade 5 Mathematics STAAR testers has been calculated. Based on this information, each LEA must automatically enroll in the Middle School Advanced Mathematics Program any student who earned at least a raw score of 25 and a scale score of 1651 on the Grade 5 Mathematics STAAR regardless of whether the student took the English language or the Spanish language assessment. This information is valid only for Spring 2024 and will be recalculated and published each year after STAAR assessments are complete.

To assist districts and charters in offering the advanced middle school coursework, the Texas Virtual School Network (TXVSN) Course Catalog now offers middle school advanced mathematics courses for the 2024-2025 school year. The new TXVSN middle school advanced math courses are aligned to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and taught by Texas-certified teachers trained in the best practices in online instruction. For more information about the courses offered through the TXVSN, please visit the TXVSN course catalog or contact the TXVSN Help Desk.

Inside the planner, you'll find:

• Dates of Interest
• Semester Overview Planner
• Weekly Planner
• Monthly Calendar
• Event Planning Sheets
• Semester Review
• Domains in Review
• Data-Driven Review Sheets
• Notes
  and more...

...all packaged inside a BEAUTIFUL and sophisticated planner that will elevate your professionalism and expertise.

This planner is available at no cost to you, so jump over here to grab your copy!

Coping Skills (August), Self-Control (September), Bullying (October), Mindfulness (November), Kindness (December), Growth Mindset (January), Inclusion & Diversity (February), Self-Esteem (March), Friendship (April) and Conflict Resolution (May)

>> Click here to read more about why I love these topics, as well as some ideas & activities for each one!

We have posted the proposed version of the 2024-2025 Student Attendance Accounting Handbook (SAAH) on the Texas Education Agency (TEA) website: https://tea.texas.gov/finance-and-grants/financial-compliance/student-attendance-accounting-handbook.

The public comment period for the proposed SAAH is June 21, 2024-July 22, 2024. Public comments can be submitted here: https://www.jotform.com/210613401561138. The SAAH webpage will be updated with the final adopted version of SAAH after the completion of the public comment period. We will send another announcement when the final adopted version of SAAH is posted on TEA's SAAH webpage.

Thank you and please let us know if you have any questions. You can reach us at: attendance@tea.texas.gov.

The McLean Hospital Education Outreach Department is offering a free online course on the importance of mental health for student-athletes. This course equips participants with essential knowledge, strategies, and resources to effectively support the mental health needs of student-athletes. Share this opportunity with youth coaches and other school staff.

The long-awaited Pixar movie Inside Out 2 premiered last weekend and had one of the most successful opening weekends in recent memory. The film brought in more than $155 million domestically, according to studio estimates. Box office records show the film had the most successful opening weekend of 2024, and the second-best of all time for an animated feature film. Read More.

On Thursday, June 20, 2024, the agency released a TAA announcing the PEIMS Summer deadline for CCMR in 2025 Accountability. LEAs have until July 18, 2024, to verify and submit corrected data for errors found in the initial June 20, 2024, submission. Please note that any corrections not submitted by the resubmission deadline are excluded from important accountability products. It is extremely important that all LEAs verify their data directly in TSDS PEIMS even if the data appears to be accurate in their SIS.

As a reminder, the Summer Submission includes data that are used for several of the CCMR indicators, such as Dual Credit, IBCs, and College Prep Courses. Because CCMR uses lagging data, the data submitted this summer (2024) will impact the calculations for the 2025 accountability reports. The Academic Accountability Data Sources (texas.gov) provides a list of the PEIMS elements and values for each indicator along with the PEIMS reports LEAs can use to verify the information prior to submission and during the correction window.

For example, the TSDS PEIMS PDM report “Student: Student Advanced Academic Roster by Grade” (PDM3-120-010) provides information about student IBC status. It is extremely important that all LEAs verify their data directly in TSDS PEIMS even if the data appears to be accurate in their SIS. LEAs have until July 18, 2024, to submit corrected data for errors found in the initial June 20, 2024, submission through the PEIMS Summer Resubmission process.

Please note: After the correction window closes, the accepted PEIMS submission are the data used for the CCMR indicators for 2025 accountability. The CCMR data collected during the PEIMS Summer Submission and Resubmission cannot be corrected through the CCMR Verifier process in the following spring or summer. For more information, please contact a PEIMS specialist at your ESC or the TEA Performance Reporting Division at performance.reporting@tea.texas.gov or 512-463-9704.

If a data error is found during the submission process, including after the initial submission, the LEA must make corrections within their SIS and resubmit the information to TEA by the resubmission deadline which is July 18, 2024, for this year. The LEA should work with their SIS if the LEA determines the error is based on an issue with the system and not with the data the LEA has entered.

If the LEA cannot determine the cause of the error, the LEA should work with their ESC PEIMS Coordinator, and if needed submit a TIMS Ticket for customer support assistance. The LEA should begin promoting their PEIMS data as early as they can to determine and correct any errors. The LEA, not the SIS, is ultimately responsible for the accuracy of data submitted by the resubmission deadline

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognizes July as National Ultraviolet (UV) Safety Month. Even though spending time outside is a great way to be physically active, reduce stress, and get Vitamin D, it is important for families to protect their skin from exposure to UV light. Sun Safety Tips for home and at school can be found on the Sun Safety webpage.

Please note that Early-Bird Registration Opens July 1st! Read below for details on how to take advantage of discounted pricing. Proposal submissions remain open until August 6th. Read more about the topics below and plan your preparations today!

The 20th Annual Professional School Counselor Conference will be held at the Galveston Island Convention Center at the San Luis Resort and the San Luis Resort Spa & Convention Center in Galveston, TX, February 2-4, 2025. This annual conference is designed specifically for professional counselors providing services in educational settings from elementary to secondary environments.

Call for Program Reviewers

TCA is beginning the process to select programs for the 20th Annual Professional School Counselor Conference in Galveston, February 2nd-4th. We are looking for program reviewers with school counseling and/or counselor education/supervision experience. If we can recruit 100 reviewers, the process will go quickly and easily. If you have a colleague that would be interested in volunteering, please forward this email to them to sign up by August 6th. TCA membership is required for reviewers. Programs will be reviewed 8/15-9/9.

REVIEWER SIGN UP

Call for Program Submissions

Our Call for Programs for the Professional School Counselor Conference is open June 6th-August 6th.

Here are some important considerations as you create your proposal:

The Primary Presenter/1st Presenter must be fully licensed or credentialed (certified school counselor) in a mental health field. A student without licensure or an LPC-associate may be a co-presenter but cannot be the first presenter. Exceptions - An attorney presenting on legal requirements or licensing board presentations.

Learning objectives should be measurable and explain what participants will gain from attending the session.

There should be a minimum of 5 scholarly references in APA 7 style, at least 2 from peer-reviewed counseling/mental health journals, and at least 3 from within the past 5 years. Our topic areas are:

• Comprehensive School Counseling Program Design and Management

• Responsive Services (Prevention/Remedial/Crisis)

• Guidance and Personal Skills Instruction

• College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR)

• Counseling Theory and Practice

• Behavioral Interventions

• Ethics and Legal Issues

• Counselor Education and Supervision

• Diversity and Multicultural Issues

• Leadership, Advocacy, and Professional Issues

Submit Your Program Proposal by 8/6/2024

1.5 & 3 HOUR PROGRAMS

(Monday, Feb. 3 & Tuesday, Feb. 4)

These conference programs are open to all registered attendees and will take place on Monday and Tuesday.

6.5 HOUR LEARNING INSTITUTES

(Sunday, Feb.2)

These programs are offered on Sunday for an additional fee to attendees.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• Submission Deadline: Tuesday, August 6, 2024

• Draft submissions may be accessed at any time until the deadline.

• Final submissions may not be accessed or edited after submission.

• Submission confirmation emails are sent upon receipt of proposals.

• If you don't receive a confirmation email from our system after you submit your proposal, we DID NOT receive your submission (Check your junk folder). Submissions must be completed and submitted in order to move forward through our peer review process.

• Program proposals are blind-reviewed. Presenter names should not be included in the program summary or program rationale sections.

• Main presenters must coordinate acceptance and logistics with all co-presenters. TCA does not contact co-presenters directly.

• All presenters must be included in the original submission. No additions or changes can be made once the program is peer-reviewed.

• TCA does NOT provide computers, LCD projectors, internet access, or travel stipends.

• Selling or promoting resources or products during programs is strictly prohibited. Presenters seeking to sell or promote resources must purchase an exhibit space.

• Program acceptance notifications will be sent at the end of September.

SUBMIT PROPOSAL NOW

Early-Bird Registration Opens 7/1/2024

Save the date for early-bird registration opening on July 1st, 2024. Check back here to register and take advantage of the savings.

Hotel Accommodations

PSCC 2025 will have multiple hotel options in Galveston, with rooms ranging from $107-$209 per night.

Please note: Hotel registration link to book a room will be provided after event registration is confirmed.

All conference programs are eligible for LPC, NBCC, SBEC, LMFT, LCDC, SW, LSSP, and Psychologist continuing education hours.

Texas Counseling Association (TCA) is a division of American Counseling Association (ACA)

www.txca.org | info@txca.org

Nemours Kids Health published guidelines for screen time for older kids, including recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics and screen time tips. Review these guidelines before planning summer activities and encourage kids to find activities with less required screen time. This resource is also available in Spanish.

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation provides ways to build a network of support for children at school. They emphasize the importance of family engagement within the school community. This helps to improve academic achievement and boost self-esteem. Family engagement also helps parents and caregivers feel more confident in making decisions at home and when interacting with their children's teachers. With summer approaching, here are six steps to help you connect with school staff and other families in the community before the new school year begins.

Texas Suicide Prevention Collaborative

Workshop teaches individuals how to help someone manage their thoughts and feelings of suicide in order to stay safe. 4-hour workshop on interventions that provides individuals with a specific set of coping strategies and resources to use at any time to decrease the risk of suicide.

• 8:30 - 12:30 p.m. | July 25th, and Oct. 24th.
• CEUs for multiple disciplines provided
• To register email suicide.prevention@hhs.texas.gov

A free, one-hour workshop designed to help caregivers support a child who has experienced loss. Participants should register for one session, as the same workshop is being offered in

English and Spanish on several dates listed below.

Thursday, July 18th: 12-1pm CT English

Monday, August 5th: 6-7pm CT Spanish

The workshop will be held virtually via Zoom. Register

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?

The Trauma-Informed Care Workshop for Educators focuses on providing an overview of trauma, and its impact on student behaviors in the classroom. Attendees will learn about the role of mental health in daily functioning, how trauma impacts the brain, the importance of unrecognized executive function deficits, and the role neuro diverse complexities play in student behavior. Throughout the workshop, participants will be provided with concrete strategies that can be implemented in a school and/or classroom setting to support all learners through a trauma informed lens.

Specific strategies that will be discussed:

• How to identify changes in thoughts, feelings and behaviors
• Maintaining structure, routine, and consistency
• Using visual strategies to support routine and memory
• Adopting one Social Emotional Learning strategy or program
• Using calming and regulation strategies as a part of daily routines
• Practicing co-regulation
• Increasing movement during learning
• Breaking down tasks to support executive function deficits
• Using the concept of thinking errors and exposure ladders to address avoidant behaviors in students
• Utilizing Psychological first aid, 2x10, and If/Then plans with student

Please Note: This training is open to public ISDs, open-enrollment charter schools, junior colleges, school-based law enforcement, and state agencies that support Texas schools. Due to limited space, vendors and contractors are not permitted to register for this training.

The Trauma-Informed Care Workshop for Educators-Elementary focuses on providing an overview of trauma, and its impact on student behaviors in the elementary (K-5) classroom.

You must attend entire training to be eligible to receive 5 hours Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Credit.

For more information about the Trauma-Informed Care Workshop for Educators-Elementary, please email txssc_ticelem@txstate.edu.

The Trauma-Informed Care Workshop for Educators-Secondary focuses on providing an overview of trauma, and its impact on student behaviors in the secondary (6-12) classroom.

You must attend entire training to be eligible to receive 5 hours Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Credit.

For more information about the Trauma-Informed Care Workshop for Educators-Secondary, please email txssc_ticsec@txstate.edu.

We've got some really great sessions this spring designed to support you this school year. You can simply click on any of the session links to register.

FACT: According to the Harvard Division of Continuing Education, employees engaged in professional development are also more likely to stay engaged in their work and to be enthusiastic about pursuing their goals.

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