February 2025

Blessings to all and Happy February!

I want to begin by sharing a quote from the American novelist ,Anne Lamott

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.".

This quote reminds me of how we handle disappointments, struggles, conflicts, and how we are exalted as we overcome. That pretty much describes our role on a daily basis. We never know what our day will entail as we leave our cars in the parking lot and walk into our buildings. But, we all have the same goals…to love and nurture children and young adults, provide guidance that will positively help students to show growth, be the listener and the encourager and so much more! I want to encourage you to “remember your why” each day as you stroll from your car into the building. No matter what conflicts and struggles we may be facing in our personal lives, let’s do our best to stay uplifted, stay connected with each other..and most of all…practice self-care and “unplug” when you need to.

National School Counselor Week

I pray everyone had a remarkable National School Counselor Week and felt the love at your schools! Governor Huckabee-Sanders signed ArSCA’s Proclamation declaring the week of February 2-8, 2025 as National School Counselor Week in Arkansas. We normally publicize the Proclamation and a photo of the ArSCA board, but we have not had the opportunity to meet with Governor Sanders to take photos yet. We will post photos as soon as we finalize the meeting and photo op at the state capitol.

Prize time: What was your most remarkable aspect of School Counselor Week? I am looking for 3 amazing responses. If your response is chosen, I will send a gift to your mailbox!

Happy Responding!

Counselor Response

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.

"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!!!!!!!

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

ArSCA & DESE Conference Presenter Form

Reminders: The deadline to apply for the Hugh Lovett Scholarship is March 15, 2025

Hugh Lovett Scholarship Application 2025

Arkansas Leadership Academy – Upcoming Events for Arkansas Educators

Who We Are:

The Arkansas Leadership Academy (ALA) is dedicated to supporting all educators across the state of Arkansas by offering free professional learning opportunities. Our goal is to strengthen leadership and the ability of educators to positively impact student outcomes. We provide pathways for educational leaders to find professional development that best meets their needs, ensuring they have the tools and resources necessary to create supportive and inclusive learning environments for every student.

Upcoming Events for Arkansas Educators:

1. ALA REACH: Cultivating Positive School Culture in ALE Settings
   Thursday, February 20, 2025 | 3:30–4:30 PM CT | Virtual Event via Zoom

Join us for a FREE virtual session focused on building a positive school culture in alternative learning environments (ALEs). Dr. Denise Hoy-Whitfield, principal from the Fayetteville School District, will share strategies to create a supportive and inclusive atmosphere for all students.

To register, click here: https://ALA-REACH-Cultivating-Positive-School.eventbrite.com

1. ALA REACH: Coaching Through Collaborative Inquiry to Foster Shared Understanding
   Wednesday, March 12, 2025 | Full-Day Session | Hilton Garden Inn, North Little Rock

This FREE in-person workshop led by Dr. Peter DeWitt focuses on coaching through collaborative inquiry. Designed for all educators, the session will help improve both the social-emotional and academic aspects of student learning.

To register, click here: https://ala-reach-coaching-through-i.eventbrite.com

For more information, please contact Sharmane Evans, Ed.S, ALA REACH Coordinator, at reach@arkansasleadershipacademy.org.

Sharmane C. Evans, Ed.S

REACH Coordinator

Email: mailto:reach@arkansasleadershipacademy.org

Website: http://www.arkansasleadershipacademy.org

De'Shae Craig

Peake Elementary; Arkadelphia Public Schools

This month De'Shae Craig is shining in the spotlight because of her dedication to ensuring all students have access to essential clothing, improving student comfort and focus, and promoting an inclusive and supportive school environment. Her efforts to address students' needs, like the one who constantly comes to school needing clean clothes, those that need food to take home, those that require encouragement that today will be a good day, those that need a warm hug with a smile, those that need a check-in and check-out, or those that just need someone who will listen. She constantly shows commitment to their well-being and success. Ms. Craig loves to travel and spend quality time with her two boys, Akeem and Karter.

Please keep the light shining, De’Shae!!!

Dear Arkansas School Counselors,

I hope this message finds you well as you continue the vital work of supporting our students across the state. My name is Lindsay Ledgerwood, and I am honored to introduce myself as your new Program Coordinator for School Counseling at the Arkansas Department of Education.

With over 17 years' experience in education, and the past 7 years in school counseling, I understand the challenges and rewards of our profession. Like you, I am deeply committed to fostering the academic, social/emotional, and career development of every student in Arkansas. I am eager to work alongside you to strengthen our collective impact on the lives of the students and families we serve.

In this role, my goal is to provide you with the tools, resources, and support you need to succeed. Whether it’s navigating policy updates, enhancing professional development opportunities, or addressing emerging challenges, I am here to listen and collaborate with you. Together, we can ensure that Arkansas continues to lead the way in providing comprehensive school counseling services that empower students to thrive.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me with your ideas, questions, or concerns. Your expertise and insights are invaluable, and I look forward to building strong connections with each of you.

Thank you for your dedication and the extraordinary work you do every day. Here’s to a fantastic year of growth, collaboration, and success!

Warm regards,
Lindsay Ledgerwood, Program Coordinator for School Counseling
Arkansas Department of Education

Lindsay.Ledgerwood@ade.arkansas.gov

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

Calling All Arkansas Teachers:

You are invited to participate in a research study examining teacher burnout. This study is limited to Arkansas teachers.

Study Overview: This study aims to gather your valuable insights on teacher burnout and its causes.

Why Your Participation Matters: Your feedback will help inform future planning for educator preparation programs, and your participation will voice the experiences and challenges teachers like yourself face daily. This study allows your perspective to be heard and helps drive meaningful change.

Please take approximately 10 minutes to complete the survey and share it with your friends and colleagues. Thank you!

https://ucaeducation.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eLNz4A5iBMHqDYy

• 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.

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

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 Connects: Learn and Share Webinar Registration

Topic: Meet & Greet Lindsey Ledgerwood, Arkansas Department of Education Public School Program Coordinator for School Counseling

When: Tuesday, February 18, 2025

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Virtual Meeting: Link to be sent to registered attendees.

Guest Speaker: Lindsay Ledgerwood

"I would love to share my vision as a support for counselors across the state, and I look forward to hearing from the counselors as well. I would like to know what is happening in schools and the best ways to show up for this wonderful group of educators."

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. **

95 th General Assembly in Session

From the State Capital

95 th General Assembly is heading into the 6 th week. We have seen 841 bills filed and 47 have

been enacted into law. Legislative deadlines are January 27 th for retirement bills, February 12

for constitutional amendments, February 17 th lottery scholarship legislation, March 3 rd for

appropriation bills.

Governor Sander’s legislative package is moving through the session. SB 142, bell to bell cell

phone ban, which requires public and charter schools to prohibit students from using cell

phones or personal electronic devices during the school day, with certain emergency

exceptions. SB 59, which ensures that every student can receive on free breakfast, and funded

by medical marijuana tax revenue, regardless of eligibility for federally funded meals. Both of

these are expected to be approved next week and move to Governor Sander’s desk awaiting

her signature.

A couple non education bills that may be of interest, SB 3 was passed last week, that seeks to

eliminate affirmative action programs in state government. The proposed legislation states that

the state shall not discriminate against or grant preferential treatment based on race, sex, color,

ethnicity, or national origin in matters related to state employment, public education, or state

procurement. HB 1427, the healthy moms, healthy babies act, a $45.3 million investment in

maternal health. This bill establishes presumptive Medicaid eligibility for pregnant women,

creates reimbursement pathways for doulas and community health workers, and expands

Medicaid coverage to include remote ultrasounds, remote blood pressure monitoring, and

continuous glucose monitoring.

The House and Senate will reconvene Monday, February 17, 2025 at 1:30 p.m.

jefferythall@gmail.com.