Blessings to All! I absolutely cannot believe that it is May already!!!

This has been a whirlwind of a school year. From struggles with increased student behaviors, uncertainties about the U.S. Department of Education and how school counselors will be affected, testing, and I can go on and on. There have been so many challenges that we have faced this school year, and at the same time, there have been many celebrations! I’m opting to focus on the celebrations in life.

Each year in our district, the graduating seniors return to the elementary school they attended for a “Senior Walk.” They enjoy breakfast and stroll the halls lined with students eagerly awaiting to see the “big kids.” The walk is filled with high fives and lessons of encouragement, and it is an amazing opportunity for the seniors to reflect on their elementary days and visit with some of their former teachers. It is also an amazing opportunity for them to talk with students and encourage them to persevere and to “do their best” in all that they do.

It is always heartfelt for me to see my students when they come for “Senior Walk.” I get hugs from all of them and many ask me, “Do you remember me?” As school counselors, we serve so many students over the years and it is sometimes difficult to remember “all of their names lol.” But I always remember the students that make the most impact in my life. I always remember the students who need extra help with organization and making connections with others, extra food bags for the weekend, extra encouragement to keep pushing through when life seems tough, and the students who needed daily reminders to use self- control and to follow the behavior matrix.

This year, one of my former students visited me. He was a student that needed TONS of behavioral resources and spent a lot of time in my office. He was one of the students that we always say silently, “I hope he makes it.” When I saw him standing in his cap and gown, I began crying. He walked up to me and asked, “Ms. Dockery, do you remember me?” I said, “YES!!! I remember you!!!” He told me about all of the struggles he has had over the years with his behavior, and how he is focused now and graduating!” He told me he wants to be a therapist so he can help other people that have mental problems like him.

Words cannot express how proud I am of this young man. Talking with him reassured me as to why I chose this profession. It reminded me of “MY WHY”, and the reason I pour life lessons, time and dedication into our students. We may never understand the impact that we have on others’ lives, but we must never stop trusting in the process. Believe me, our work makes a positive difference.

Although we sometimes feel drained at the end of the school year, it’s important to remember that we are the light to others and truly leave a positive impact. I admit that it is one of the most difficult professions, but I’m proud to be a school counselor.

I thank all of you for your dedication to students and your schools you have given this school year. Although I may not know all of your names, I appreciate you. It’s a great day to be an ArSCA counselor.I pray that you enjoy your time off work, spend quality time with your families, and do what makes you happy this summer!! Hopefully I will see you at the conference in Hot Springs next month!!!

Kelli Dockery

ArSCA President 2023-2025

Hurricane Creek Elementary/Bryant School District

Contact Kelli Dockery, ArSCA president, at president@arschoolcounselor.org

The Sneaker Ball will be held at Hotel Hot Springs (adjacent to the Hot Springs Convention Center.) This event is an opportunity for you to unwind, relax, practice self-care and get your groove on! Professional development opportunities will be available for learning about essential oils and how they are useful for health. There will also be a counselor educator/exercise instructor to teach us about the benefits of exercise and lead us on an adventure of stretching and burning a couple of calories…while jamming to the beats played by the DJ.

Did I mention that there will be refreshments, karaoke, and drawings for CASH and PRIZES! Be sure to register for this free “rhythm-filled” event when you register for the conference.

If you are planning on attending the Sneaker Ball, please complete this short registration. Please only register once.

Remember this is a chance for you to relax, learn and practice wellness, dance, laugh and HAVE FUN!!!! Dress to impress and remember to wear your sneakers!

"Mallory Jacobs, an esteemed counselor and advocate, has left an indelible mark on Kansas' school counseling domain. Hailing from Holton, Kansas, her counseling odyssey commenced over a decade ago, profoundly impacting numerous students, families, and staff members. Currently a lead elementary counselor at Whitson Elementary in Topeka Public Schools, Mallory also aids other district counselors and was honored as 2023-2024 Kansas School Counselor of the Year. Beyond her school, she is helping shape statewide counseling standards. As a counselor leader- coordinator for KSDE, she influences policies. Mallory extends her reach through radio and social media, spreading motivation and inspiration, advocating for counseling's pivotal role in education."

Mallory’s hobbies are traveling, connecting with others, and having FUN!

Her family includes her mom, dad, and two brothers. They are both married with three kids and she is the proud aunt of 6!!!!!!!

Sean Buchanan is an author, international speaker, consultant, and public school superintendent. He has become a leading expert in forming connections with and motivating educators through leveraging the power of human connection. His student first philosophies have been presented to, and implemented by, thousands of educators both nationally and internationally. Mr. Buchanan was born and raised in Oklahoma, and has dedicated his life to inspiring educators and driving student achievement. Sean is married and has two kiddos still living at home, grades 6 and 9. His hobbies also include basketball and shoe collecting, as he is an absolute sneakerhead! He’s ready to sport his sneakers at the ball!

For all things conference, click on the following link: All Things ArSCA Conference

2025 May Conference Update

Our 2025 ArSCA/DESE conference, “In the Rhythm of the Night” is almost here. With over 60 breakout presentations planned and two dynamic keynote speakers, we believe this conference will be one to inspire and motivate all attendees to grow in knowledge and skills and to be renewed in our commitment to helping our students, their parents, and our communities.

If you have not yet made plans to attend the conference, we hope the planned presentations and the opportunity to network with counselors from across the state will encourage you to join us June 23 - 25, 2025, in beautiful Hot Springs, AR.

Here is our 2025 Conference at a Glance:

2025 ArSCA/DESE Conference at a Glance

In person attendees, plan to pick up your packet and conference t-shirt at the bottom of the stairs in the Grand Lobby beginning at 7:30 on Monday, June 23rd. If you have any questions about using the Conference Tracker App, please come to the ArSCA help desk for assistance.

Virtual attendees, be looking for an email during the week of June 23rd that will give you instructions on when to expect the conference recordings and how to access them. Plans are for the virtual conference to begin the week of June 29, 2025, and will be available through July 31, 2025.

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In addition to the regular session offerings, don’t forget to sign up for The Sneaker Ball to be held on Monday evening. Dress up and wear those sneakers as you gain an hour of professional development and have some fun! Lots of door prizes will be available also! We hope to see you in Hot Springs!

Membership and Conference Registration June 23-25, 2025

2025 ArSCA & DESE School Counselor Conference and Membership Registration

Schedule planned for 2025 ArSCA/DESE Conference

Hotel Information

Embassy Suites

Ar School Counselors Association (hilton.com)

Hotel Hot Springs

Details – The Hotel Hot Springs and Spa

The following ArSCA Board positions are open for the upcoming 2025–2027 term. Each position is a two-year commitment, beginning July 2025. If you are interested in running, please complete the application provided at this link: https://forms.gle/1cPF8Z8XpiTW32Zk8

Open Positions:

• President-Elect (transitions to President in 2027–2029)

• Elementary Vice President

• Secondary Vice President

Candidate Eligibility (Per ArSCA Bylaws)

• Must be a full-time K–12 school counselor with at least three years of experience.

• Must hold a valid Arkansas school counselor license.

• Must be an ArSCA Professional Member for at least the last three consecutive years.

• Must complete ArSCA’s annual Leadership Development Institute (LDI) or submit a summary if viewing the training virtually.

• Nominations are submitted to the ArSCA Past President.

💥President-Elect (2025–2027)

• Serves 3 terms: President-Elect (2025–2027), President (2027–2029), and Past President (2029–2031).

• Voting board member, supports President, oversees strategic planning, writes newsletter content, and maintains knowledge of ArSCA bylaws.

• Year 1: Manage ArSCA booth at the summer conference and volunteer coordination.

• Year 2: Oversee Exhibitor Hall and conference planning; appoint next Conference Chair.
  
  

🍑Elementary Vice President (2025–2027)

• Voting board member representing elementary-level school counselors.

• Submit helpful resources/articles for the website/newsletter and advocate legislatively as needed.

• Attend ArSCA events and represent the association.

• Year 1: Shadow VP team during Counselor of the Year selection.

• Year 2: Lead the Counselor of the Year selection process.
  
  

🌸Secondary Vice President (2025–2027)

• Voting board member representing secondary-level school counselors.

• Submit articles, engage in advocacy, and attend events on behalf of ArSCA.

• Hugh Lovett Scholarship: Promote, collect applications, present candidates to the board, and train next VP on the process.

• Year 1: Shadow VP team during Counselor of the Year selection.

• Year 2: Lead the Counselor of the Year selection process.

Comprehensive School Counseling Program Requirements Each public school district shall provide a developmentally appropriate comprehensive school counseling program to aid students in academics, social/emotional needs, and career exploration and planning. The district Comprehensive School Counseling Plan, which is a reflection of the program, shall be posted on the district website under “State Required Information” no later than August 1 of 2024 and each following year thereafter. The requirements for the comprehensive school counseling program plan can be found in the Arkansas School Counselor Toolkit and in the Arkansas Comprehensive School Counseling Program Guide which are posted on the Arkansas Department of Education – Division of Elementary and Secondary Education - Guidance and School Counseling webpage. http://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/divisions/learning-services/guidance-and-school-counseling For specific accreditation requirements visit Standards for Accreditation

ADE Commissioner's Memo - CTE-25-009 - Success Ready Pathways Webinar

• Student nominations are now being accepted for the 2025 Arkansas Governor’s School (AGS) to be held at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Arkansas from Sunday, July 6 - Saturday, August 2, 2025. Arkansas Governor's School is a four-week summer residential program for rising high school seniors. Learn more about AGS student applications here. Please encourage all interested and eligible students to apply.

• Step-by-step presentation to create a StudentAid.gov account: counselor training_FSA ID_final.pdf.

• Applying for AR State Scholarships (video) length [13:07]

Per A.C.A. § 6-15-2911- Commissioner's Memo LS-24-042, the four major components of the Student Success Plan are:

• Guide the student along pathways to graduation

• Address accelerated learning opportunities

• Address academic deficits and interventions

• Include college and career planning components

Additionally, each student's Student Success Plan shall be reviewed annually and revised as necessary to identify the courses to be taken each year until all required core courses are completed. Upon completion of the review, the student's Student Success Plan shall be signed by the:

(a) Student;

(b) Student's parent, legal guardian, or person standing in loco parentis to the student; and

(c) School counselor.

2023 legistated changes(see pp 14-16)

Presentation on SSP from DESE Summit

Review the Success Ready Pathway Guide. This guide outlines what a success ready pathway looks like for all students in grades 9-12, however it is a useful tool for students in middle school who are initiating their Students Success Plans. The Success Ready Pathway Guide:

• Outlines each pathway course sequence.

• Identifies the merit and distinction demonstration for each pathway.

• **"Completion of a success-ready pathway leads to eligibility to earn State Distinction, by demonstrating readiness at the culmination of that pathway. Schools will have an opportunity to earn points in accountability for students graduating with merit or distinction.

• Provides additional information regarding merit and distinction opportunities for students.

This tool should be used to assist connecting Students Success Plans to student goals post graduation. Becoming a success ready graduate is a multi-year process that begins well before high school. As we continue to build career ready pathways and ensure all Arkansas graduates are success ready.

Lindsay Ledgerwood, Ed.S, Director of School Counseling

Office of Learning Services | Student Support Services

ADE | Division of Elementary and Secondary Education

Two Capitol Mall, Ste 543, Little Rock, AR 72201

Office: 501-647-0443

lindsay.ledgerwood@ade.arkansas.gov

Open office hours | Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m

Arkansas School Counselor Association (ArSCA) supports school counselors’ efforts to help students focus on academic, personal/social and career development so they achieve success in school and are prepared to lead fulfilling lives as responsible members of society. Membership in the state and national associations is highly recommended. ArSCA adheres to the Code of Ethics and policy statements of the American School Counseling Association (ASCA). Who We Are

We have six regions across our state. Here is a list of our ArSCA Board of Directors.

2024-25 ArSCA Membership You will now register through the conference app, even if you are not going to the conference. There is a selection for membership only.

ArSCA Member Counselors,

Our new counselor listserve address: https://groups.google.com/a/arschoolcounselor.org/g/arsca-listserv For right now you won't see this group listed in your list of Google Groups (if you are a Google school). We are still looking at settings on this, but for now the messages will only be in email form.

In order to be part of the ArSCA Listserv your ArSCA Membership needs to be current. If you have questions about your membership you can contact office@arschoolcounselor.org

If you have questions about the listserv please email technology@arschoolcounselor.org. Check your SPAM folder, if you have not received a message that you have been added to the listserv. If you find that email in SPAM then mark it as NOT SPAM, so that your email client can learn it is a legitimate email address/group.

ArSCA Listserv Guidelines

ArSCA is inviting you to register for this month's ArSCA Connects.

This is an excellent opportunity to network with other school counselors across the state. A zoom meeting link will be provided to those registered. Registration cost is free to members and non-members.

When: Tuesday, May 20, 2025
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Virtual Meeting: Link to be sent to registered attendees.

Topic: Future-Ready Pathways

Guest Speaker: Kelli Dockery and Nathan Watkins

This workshop highlights how counselors can become pivotal guides in the digital era, helping students navigate the rapidly-evolving landscape of technology and computing. This session helps counselors effectively integrate computer science education into counseling practices. These tools not only aid in building an understanding of the field but also enable counselors to identify and nurture a wider range of talents, ensuring access to all future careers. By focusing on strategies that align with college and career readiness, counselors can foster a generation of tech-savvy, innovative thinkers who are prepared to take on the challenges and opportunities of the future workplace. Amplify your impact as a school counselor, equipping your students with the skills and confidence to thrive in a world where computing is at the heart of every industry and aspect of modern life.

TasselTIME is a comprehensive website designed by a former school counselor for school counselors. TasselTIME has been provided to Arkansas School Counselors for free for 21 years. TasselTIME is available to purchase for school use for the entire district. Many districts in Arkansas are using TasselTIME. Find out more by going to www.tasseltime.com

Sign-up for your free counselor membership here.

*Lots of schools have asked about my Keeping Kids Safe presentation for parents. I do come to schools to present that session. **

Here is my information on Professional Development Offerings for 2025

Testimonials About Training

Face-to-Face presentations at the ArSCA/DESE 2025 Conference: Keeping Kids Safe, TasselTIME, AI for Counselors.

IF you are wanting a full day of AI training be sure to look in the Professional Development listing. The pre-conference training at HSTI includes a computer!

If your district is wanting AI training or Keeping Kids Safe for August, please contact me as soon as possible. My calendar is filling fast. 2025 Summer Professional Development

TeachingTIME/TasselTIME Calendar