LIFE-Line Counselor Newsletter

We are all navigating, learning, applying, and recalibrating how to best support students. School counselors are inherently encouraging and hopeful humans who have the special gift of helping students find their "why".

A wonderful example of this is the affirmation list compiled by Claudia Sermeno-Golly, counselor at Utt Middle School. Please check out the sample below. And please be sure to share out any ideas you are implementing to engage and encourage students by emailing jpark@tustin.k12.ca.us or shaase@tustin.k12.ca.us.

SDCOE SEL Resource Doc: Provides an expansive list of SEL resources that include webinars, lessons, apps, etc. to learn, implement, collaborate on SEL.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CU2M1wyYApQkT1Zp445XEubL0r5B8NLo6t6qG-UxNL4/edit?usp=sharing

Inner Strength Foundation: This organization is endorsed by CASEL and provides a curated list of positive videos that can easily be implemented into a daily message or counseling SEL lesson.

https://www.innerstrengthfoundation.net/teens/videos/

School Crisis Center: This resource was shared by a fellow colleague. Provides informational videos for parents and school staff on talking with kids about the pandemic. Topics include coping with loss, creating predictability, and even sample scripts. https://www.schoolcrisiscenter.org/resources/covid-19-pandemic-resources/

Greater Good in Education: Greater Good Science Center launched GGE this summer to provide resources for schools. Check out the link for SEL lessons. You can search by grade level and duration of the lesson.

https://ggie.berkeley.edu/practices/

Ruler: Developed by the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence Team, Ruler provides resources and strategies to approach SEL. This article focuses on self-care for those who are providing care to students.

https://www.rulerapproach.org/managing-anxiety-around-covid-19/

NACAC Virtual Fairs: Over 400 colleges will be participating in the series of virtual college fairs. Please share out the information to students.

https://www.nacacfairs.org/attend/attend-virtual-college-fairs/students/

NACAC College Tool: New tool developed by the organization so that counselors, students, and families can see changes in admission requirements due to the pandemic.

https://www.nacacnet.org/news--publications/newsroom/college-admission-status-coronavirus/

UC For You: Virtual events intended for students and parents. Topics include career pathway and the UC's, student experience/opportunity for African American, Native American, and Latinx students, and UC overview sessions. Events start in September. See link below for registration details.

https://ucforyou.universityofcalifornia.edu/?mc_cid=d37b434024&mc_eid=65b2f885bd

Collegeboard Fee Waivers: A "What Counselors Need to Know" document that provides updates on fee wavier changes and how to support students who need the waivers.

https://counselors.collegeboard.org/pdf/sat-weekend-fee-waiver.pdf?SFMC_cid=EM351421-&rid=47692146

Here is a "how to" on downloading the fee waivers for Fall 2020.

https://image.e.collegeboard.org/lib/fe3d15707564047b751077/m/1/dae6bd59-b23b-4cef-8f6e-186145b2a780.pdf?SFMC_cid=EM351421-&rid=47692146

Google Certificate Program: Coming Soon! Google will be providing scholarships for their in-house certificate programs. The intent is to provide a pathway to career for skills-based talent at Google.

https://grow.google/certificates/

KidspirationTV: Career videos created for kids by kids. They can easily be implemented into career exploration lessons.

https://www.teachervision.com/publishers/kidspirationtv

Hats and Ladders: A career guidance app that helps students connect strengths and interests to careers of the future.

https://www.hatsandladders.com

*For High School: ROP is offering all courses virtually! Please encourage students who are interested in enrolling to speak with your college/career specialist. Please see file for the full list of course offerings this Fall.

Paper, formerly known as Grade Slam, is a tutoring service that will continue to be provided for students in grades 6th-12th. Secondary TUSD students can access this free support 24/7. Please encourage students to use this support if they are in need of tutoring.

https://app.paper.co/login

Minds Matter is a non-profit organization that provides Saturday mentoring and test prep tutoring at no cost for high school students. Students start the program in 10th grade and mentors provide support all the way through the completion of college. The organization also funds summer college experiences for students enrolled in their program. The program is intended for underrepresented youth. Minds Matter is launching their OC chapter this year and is recruiting sophomore students to start their first cohort. Interested students must apply. Please see attached presentation or link below for more information. Student application link is also below. Students must select the "LA chapter" to apply and indicate "OC" on the application materials.

Application: https://www.tfaforms.com/4712204

General Website: https://www.mindsmatter.org/programs/

There are ready-made sample lessons for SEL, College/Career, and Academic topics in the shared counseling drive folder. Please remember to make a copy of the slide deck to avoid editing on the original file.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/172yE1xeVUufj84bkF6L4AyITsVLBoc4e?usp=sharing

OCDE 2020 Integrated Webinar Series: Please click on link below to access the flyer. OCDE is offering 10 free webinars on topics ranging from tech tools to trauma informed practices. Links to register are on the flyer.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/196TPo-Nem0SOH2mE0InuhWCkdPMW6lqb/view?usp=sharing

Healing of Healers-Trauma Sensitive Practices for 2020: 3-part series focusing on wellness and how to move forward with healing-centered practices. Workshops will run 9AM-12PM on the following dates:

Aug 21

Sep 16

Oct 14

https://lacoe-edu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEtd-qgqj0tGdOkyFoKqQsYmmNQWLXFOFjf

We are all in this together! As we navigate types of tech tools, and their implementation for our counseling programs, we will high-light specific tips. Please share out your successes or questions throughout the year so we can learn together!

For this week's tidbit, see videos linked below. The first few minutes provide a tutorial on how to create and assign a code/nickname for recurring meetings.

Please see below for upcoming parent/caregiver mental health workshops.

Please see flyers below for food distribution resources and the Tustin Family Resource Center.

WYS will provide SEL lessons and small group support for middle schools. The curriculum is based on Second Step and Zones of Regulation curriculum. We are currently exploring expanding services to elementary. Please stay tuned.

Please be on the lookout for any emails from Sarah Haase regarding important foster care updates. For schools without counselor support, Sarah will be checking in on your foster students every two weeks and providing documentation updates in Aeries. Schools with counselor support will need to document bi-weekly check-ins with foster youth in the counseling section of Aeries. All schools will also receive an updated list monthly. Please contact Sarah at ext. 51333 with any foster youth questions or concerns.

Did we miss you? Please help us correct this by adding your birthday to the birthday list!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13NnWP4w_oE_0iOofDoYGhM8xe-1PGt1TRKJ3bc-wq2w/edit?usp=sharing

Please see link below for the working list of TUSD Counselor Meetings.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-CKxlGk633mEIBf44jzheZnTtZUMWrLw/view?usp=sharing

In an effort to collaborate more effectively, a survey was sent out to determine when you would prefer to meet with your colleagues from the different sites. If you haven't already done so, please take a moment to fill out the survey. Thank you!

ES Counselor Survey: https://forms.gle/RrVAksA8nbtWPXHf9

MS Counselor Survey: https://forms.gle/mYKLqWaUT1e8m77a7

HS Counselor Survey: https://forms.gle/Gn3W83gWzQ3rmz2x6

Thank you! We are truly #bettertogether!