President's Letter: School Counselors and the Community

The leaves are changing and the air is crisp, which can only mean that school is well underway! I hope that, as you read through this edition of the newsletter, you have found your groove for the year. By October, our goals are set and we are following the plans made to achieve them. As the days become shorter and darker, I try to nurture myself and add more self-care to my routine. I want to remain energetic and focused on the path to achieving the goals I have set for the school year. I remind myself to breathe as I continue to strive to do what is best for kids. Often, this means turning to the community and all it provides me in my role as a school counselor.

As such, this edition of the VTSCA newsletter discusses the school counselor and community. This includes many aspects of the community. For example, our communities offer the important resources we call on when our families need something extra, whether that’s support for mental illness, insight into the challenges facing kids in military families, or just a hot breakfast. These subjects and more will be covered in this issue of the newsletter.

Our community partnerships are some of the best allies we can call on. These are the folks who can join the team when we know that more is needed. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with outstanding community resources since starting my role here in Vermont. It is nice to know that there is backup beyond my school walls! It is important to remember that we can work together to provide opportunities for our students and their families.

Advisory councils are another powerful source of community support. Planning an advisory council can seem like a daunting task. I know I feel a level of vulnerability when outlining everything about the school counseling program at my school for a group of stakeholders. There is also the fear of failure – what if we don’t make progress on the goals we have set? However, after pushing aside the fear, I have learned how valuable being held accountable is through the process of an advisory council. Giving community stakeholders an understanding of what we do in schools is vital, especially their knowledge of what our program focuses on through each year. If you haven’t hosted an advisory council yet, it isn’t too late! ASCA has a lot of information on how to plan a successful advisory council at your school.

To increase your connection to your professional community, please know that the VTSCA board needs volunteers! We have a lot of exciting plans for the upcoming year but need more folks to help make them happen. Contact me if you are interested in joining. I would love to hear from you.

Contact Cairsten Keese, VTSCA president, at cairstenkeese@gmail.com.