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ESC Region 12 Counselor Connection
DECEMBER 2023 ISSUE 12
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Happy December!!
As we are on the verge of finishing the year and entering the holiday season, we would like to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to our school counselors for their exceptional contributions. Your unwavering commitment to the success and well-being of our students has been a beacon of hope during this challenging yet rewarding period.
Your unwavering efforts in providing personalized support, guidance, and motivation to each student have been instrumental in fostering their academic progress, social-emotional growth, and overall well-being. Your hard work and dedication have ensured that our students have all the necessary tools and resources to navigate through the complexities of their lives and succeed both in school and beyond.
We understand the immense workload and numerous responsibilities you have throughout the year. However, your unwavering passion and professionalism in dealing with each day's challenges are truly admirable. Your remarkable ability to connect with students from diverse backgrounds and build a supportive learning environment is praiseworthy.
As the ESC Region 12 Counseling Team, we are immensely proud of the work you do and remain committed to providing you with the necessary support and resources to continue making a positive impact on the lives of our students. Please know that we are always here for you, ready to assist and collaborate in any way possible.
As you take a well-deserved break to recharge and enjoy the holidays, we wish you a joyous season filled with peace, happiness, and cherished moments with your loved ones. Thank you for being the unsung heroes of our schools, inspiring hope and setting a shining example of dedication and compassion.
Self-Care Tips for School Counselors
Winter break is a time to relax and recharge, but you need to take care of yourselves during this time. You work so hard to support your students, and it's essential that you make time for your own self-care.
Here are a few reasons why self-care is so important for school counselors:
You're constantly giving to others. School counselors are often the first people that students and their families turn to for support. You're constantly giving your time, energy, and compassion to others, and it can be easy to neglect your own needs.
You deal with a lot of stress. School counselors are exposed to a lot of stress on a daily basis. You may have to deal with students who are struggling academically, emotionally, or behaviorally. You may also have to deal with difficult parents or colleagues. All of this stress can take a toll on your physical and mental health.
You need to be your best self for your students. In order to be the best school counselor you can be, you need to be taking care of yourself. When you're well-rested, well-nourished, and emotionally balanced, you're better able to handle the challenges of the job and provide the best possible support to your students.
FAFSA Update
UPDATE AS OF NOVEMBER 15, 2023: FSA announced that the Better FAFSA will open by December 31, 2023
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), branded as the "Better FAFSA," is all new for 2024-25 and includes the biggest changes to the form and process in decades. Set for a delayed launch by December 31, 2023, the Better FAFSA will translate to a shorter and simpler form, increased eligibility for Pell Grants, and a reduction in verification, allowing more students access the financial aid they need to attend college.
Counselor Appreciation Application Now OPEN!
It's time to celebrate National School Counseling Week and appreciate all your hard work! On February 9th, 2024 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, we will be hosting the Annual ESC Region 12 Counselor Appreciation Luncheon. You can register for session #338194 at https://txr12.escworks.net/catalog/session.aspx?session_id=338194. We encourage you to bring your administrator along.
The event is free of cost, but we need a head-count for meal planning purposes. Please let us know if you're coming. We also urge you to apply for the "Elite Counselor" status by completing the application/nomination form. The deadline for these applications is January 12, 2024.
If you plan to retire during or at the end of the 2023-2024 school year, please contact Jeni Janek.
The award winners for our 2024 ESC Region 12 Elementary, Secondary, and "Lone Ranger" Counselors of the Year will be chosen from these applicants. We appreciate your dedication to our schools and value this opportunity to thank you at one of the first ESC Region Service Center Counselor Appreciation lunches in the state. Let's keep the tradition alive and strong in 2024!
Upcoming Trainings
⏰Region 12 Counselor Time Tracking Reporting and District Analysis Checklist
In addition to this, we also have a "School Counselor Requirement & Resource Document" that shows all the instances where a school counselor is mentioned in the statute, including the Texas Administrative Code and the Texas Education Code. This resource is designed to help school counselors identify the specific instances where they are listed in statute.
Upcoming Conferences
Texas Scholar Website
The website offers a wealth of resources to help implement the 5th edition of the Texas Model for School Counseling, including templates and lessons. Be sure to bookmark and visit frequently.
December Stellar Counselor...
Our outstanding counselor for the month of December is Lindsey Threadgill, who serves as a remarkable counselor at Whitney ISD Elementary and Intermediate. Lindsey is a true rockstar in providing support to her students. Her students are exceptionally fortunate to have such a fantastic counselor like her!
Each month, we'd like to highlight one of our Region 12 Counselors for the fantastic things being done to support students and teachers. We are thankful for the hard work put in each day and look forward to the great things happening! If you know a counselor deserving of recognition as our "ESC Region 12 Stellar Counselor of the Month", please get in touch with jennifer.serrato@esc12.net or jjanek@esc12.net.
If you need to update your Apply Texas Counselor Suite accessibility, please contact me at jennifer.serrato@esc12.net.
Visit Our Counseling Webpage!
ESC Region 12 Website Updates
We've added a few updates to the ESC Region 12 website. You can access the counseling webpage by clicking on Programs and Services.
ESC Region 12 Counseling Webpage
Feel free to check out the counseling webpage and other resources that are available.
My ESC Network
Did you know that you may already have access to free workshops and training? Don't forget to check out the My ESC Network to see if your district is apart of a membership co-op or SSA which gives you access to prepaid trainings.
Please Contact Us If You Have Questions!
ESC Region 12 Counseling Team
Jeni Janek, Education Specialist | Coordinator, M.Ed., LPC
o: 254-297-1124 | f: 254-666-0823
Jennifer Serrato, Counselor Specialist, M.Ed. LPC-Associate
Becky Lane, Counselor Specialist, M.Ed
Need Additional Information?
Migrant Education Program
Coordinator of Migrant Services & McKinney Vento
o: 254-297-1167 | f: 254-666-0823
CTE
Contact Tj Arndt s for more information CTE services.
Coordinator of CTE
o: 254-297-1199 | c: 254-313-7225 |
School Safety
Coordinator of School Safety
o: 254-297-1166 | c: 979-324-1344
f: 254-666-0823 | e: hwheeler@esc12.net
Transition
Contact Monica Johnson for more information about transition.
Educational Specialist
o: 254-297-1158 | f: 254-297-2961
MTSS
Contact Crystal Robinson for more information about Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS).
Education Specialist
o: 254-297-1217