FSCA eNews Update April 2, 2013

Advocacy for FSCA

The Florida School Counselor Association Day on the Hill was quite successful. The FSCA delegation was able to hold meetings with Senators Detert and Richter as well as Representatives Eagle, Hudson, Caldwell, Fitzenhagen, Roberson, and Rodrigues. The main focus of our meetings was to advance understanding and solicit support of the Student Failure Prevention Act. Here is the latest: The FSCA Bill was heard in the Senate Education Committee on 04/01/13, 3:15 pm, 412 Knott Building. You can watch the replay online by clicking here (an edited version of the bill was heard in the first 5 minutes).  Right now, FSCA is working with our legislative consultant and various legislators to (a) negotiate the most comprehensive and effective bill possible and (b) keep the bill moving forward.  We need your help now more than ever to get the word out via email, phone, and fax. Go here to get a template that you can use. Help parents and guardians do the same by visiting this page. Track the bills: SB 154: Certified School Counselors HB 801: Certified School Counselors In other news, the President has signed the Appropriations Package Including ESSCP for Fiscal Year 2013. Read more here.

2013 Annual FSCA Convention

Program Proposals: FSCA is now accepting proposals for 90 minute breakout sessions through a link on the FSCA website (click here). Also, at a later date, FSCA will solicit poster presentation proposals from graduate students via communication with each university school counselor education program liaison. Professional Development Recognition Nomination: FSCA is committed to recognizing the outstanding work done by School Counselors, Administrators, and Advocates of the School Counseling profession. FSCA recognizes School Counselors and other individuals who excel in promoting and facilitating the role of School Counselors in Florida. Awards will be presented during an Awards Banquet on Friday, November 1, 2013, at the Hilton Bayfront in St. Petersburg, FL during the FSCA Annual Convention.  Click here to review the descriptions and download PDF version or Word document. Hotel Registration: Don't wait until it's too late. Secure your convention hotel room now by going online. Exhibitor and Sponsors: If you or someone you know would like to become an exhibitor or sponsor of the 2013 FSCA Convention, download a PDF packet today. With numerous receptions, general sessions and breaks scheduled in the exhibit area, exhibitors and sponsors will experience some of the best exhibit hall traffic and exposure they have ever seen. 2013 Convention Important Links: Hotel Reservations for the 2013 Convention. Professional Recognition Description and Nomination Application Exhibitor and Sponsorship Packet Submit a Program Proposal

Congratulations ...

Election Results Congratulations to the following who were elected (or in the absence of a nomination, appointed) to the 2013 FSCA Governing Board: President Elect Carolyn Berger Elementary School Level Vice President Beth Jenkins Middle Level Vice President No candidate Araseli Martinez-Pena District Supervisor Level Vice President Lori Brooks Region 2 Vice President Khristi Keefe Region 4 Vice President Cindy Topdemir RAMP Winners The RAMP page has been updated, check it out here. Also, take 3 minutes to watch a new video from the RAMP Winners at Jacksonville Heights Elementary #229. Kristen Sands and Millie Sierra discuss their experiences and the benefits of earning and becoming a Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP).

Brand New Website!

FSCA continues to make its website a valuable tool for resources and communication. Check out a few highlights: Social networking links on the top left of every page. Make sure to take a moment to "Like" us on Facebook and visit our very active Twitter Feed.  Our publications page has been re-organized to make it easier to access past magazines and other periodicals. The bottom of the FSCA homepage has quick access to recent headlines on the Florida School Counselor Association NEWS you can USE blog and Twitter Feed.

FSCA Professional Development

Drive-Ins FSCA has planned several one day professional development drive-ins as part of our core mission. Date Location Link to learn more May 4, 2013 Ft. Myers Click here. June 15, 2013 Ft. Lauderdale Click here. June 15, 2013 Orlando Click here. June 15, 2013 Jacksonville Save the Date! Webinars The recording for the Webinar, Giving a Fish a Bath: The Untold Story of the Adolescent Mind is now available online at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nu7S9YRL6Ig Autism Spectrum Disorder Webinar is now online at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgOiRzZHb7U Next Webinar is entitled Compassion Fatigue in School Counselors: Caring for the Caregivers and is on April 9th @ 11:30AM. Click here to learn more and register now. SAVE the DATE for Other Upcoming Webinars: May 8th @ 6:00PM • Kendra Shealy: Packaging Your School Counseling Program

Nominate a School Counselor or Stakeholder for a Professional Recognition Award

FSCA is committed to recognizing the outstanding work done by School Counselors, Administrators, and Advocates of the School Counseling profession. FSCA recognizes School Counselors and other individuals who excel in promoting and facilitating the role of School Counselors in Florida. Awards will be presented during an Awards Banquet on Friday, November 1, 2013, at the Hilton Bayfront in St. Petersburg, FL during the FSCA Annual Convention, October 31-November 2, 2013. The nomination and application packet deadline is August 16, 2013. Award applicants will be notified on or before September 20, 2013. To submit a nomination, e-mail the completed application (available for download (Word or PDF) and accompanying documents to Terry Kalten at terrakalt@gmail.com Award Categories (a description of each of these is available here): School Counselor School Administrator Advocate Award Administrator/Supervisor Community Service School Board Advocacy Award Legislator Award Important Reminder: Professional Recognition at the State Level (SCA) is required for Professional Recognition at the National Level (ASCA). In addition, all ASCA Nominations for Counselor of the Year must come from the State School Counselor Associations. Only the SCA can submit nominations for the ASCA School Counselor of the Year!

Student Scholarship

Essay Topic: How Has Your School Counselor Impacted You? Eligibility & General Guidelines: Participants should be high school seniors. Essays should not exceed one page providing detailed information on the impact your school counselor has had on you. ALL Essays must be submitted with a FSCA Essay Competition Entry Form Deadlines: April 5, 2013 - Deadline for submissions (post mark Date) May 1, 2013- Finalists announced Download the application here.

FSCA eNewsletter

Florida School Counselor Online Submission GuidelinesArticles should provide practical information or advice for school counselors, school counseling graduate students, counselor educators, district-level school counseling professionals, and school and district leaders who work directly with school counselors.  While research can certainly be integrated into articles, our publication is not an academic journal.   Articles must contain original content and any outside sources must be credited appropriately.  There is no minimum or maximum word requirement, though most articles are between 750 and 1000 words.  All submissions must include the following information: author’s name, professional title and location (graduate student at XYZ University, Miami; counselor educator at ABC University, Orlando; school counselor at ABC Middle School, Jacksonville; etc.), FSCA title (member or board/committee position), and e-mail address.  All submissions must be sent via e-mail to fscaeditors@gmail.com by 5 p.m. on the deadline date. Themes & Deadlines Issue Theme Deadline Summer 2013 Taking Your Program to the Next Level May 1, 2013 Help school counselors take their programs to new heights— whether they are looking to rebuild a struggling program, transition their guidance program to a transformed school counseling program, begin the RAMP process, or determine the next directions for an already successful program. Fall 2013 Graduate Student Issue August 1, 2013 Share your insight on navigating field experiences/internships, balancing multiple demands (school, work, family, etc.), making the most of assistantships/research opportunities, the job-search process, and other topics pertinent to students and recent graduates from Master’s, Specialist, and Doctoral programs. Winter  2013 Counseling Diverse Populations November 1, 2013 Florida’s students and educators are privileged to study and work in increasingly diverse settings.  However, working with diverse populations can often present challenges to school counselors.  Share your insight and advice for working with students from various backgrounds and their families.  This may include LGBTQ students, ESE/special education students, ELLs, immigrant students and families, students from various racial/ethnic/cultural backgrounds, and more. Contact Shannon Romagnolo, Editor fscaeditors@gmail.com (for submissions) shannon.romagnolo@gmail.com (inquiries)

News You Can Use

FSCA 2013 Convention breakout sessions will be accepted starting April 1. FSCA will publish the link for submitting proposals very soon. School counseling jobs from FGCU Blog Check out our highly active News You Can Use Blog

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