MSCA Updates
By MSCA | March 2018
Legislative
MSCA members, please be sure to send a letter to your legislative representatives/senators when you receive a Call to Action. Even if the issue does not affect the level you work at, please stand in solidarity with your colleagues across the state and send a letter. In most cases, a letter will be written for you; all you have to do is sign your name. Each letter represents a voice. When we are working for or against a bill, every single voice is critical. Thanks for your support!
Career Planning
School counselors, did you know that the Personal Plan of Study has a new name and a new look? It’s now the ICAP (Individual Career and Academic Plan). It’s a great document that you can access through the DESE website.
Did you also know that, according to law (SB 638), specific items that must be included in a student’s plan AND it must be started by eighth grade? The law also specifies that the plan will be revisited every year of high school. This law is now in effect, so your current eighth-graders should have a career and academic plan started. The ICAP is a great example of a plan that includes everything the law requires.
If you have any questions about the ICAP, please contact Dr. Rene Yoesel or Chrissy Bashore at DESE, or Dr. Shari Sevier at MSCA. Other experts who can help you are your Career and Technical Center counselors; they are a wealth of knowledge!
School Safety
A new school safety organization focuses on resources for all forms of school safety. The Missouri School Safety Association (MOSSA) wants the voices of all schools/districts at the table as safety needs and issues are discussed. MOSSA is very supportive of the Missouri Comprehensive School Counseling Program, our curriculum and our Crisis Manual. They want the voice of school counselors on issues of school safety. Dr. Shari Sevier sits on the board of MOSSA, so you have a direct link to the leaders of this organization. Please consider joining MOSSA. Dues are $25; you can enroll here.
Scholarships
The Missouri Association of Rural Educators (MARE) offers several great scholarships for both high school seniors and seniors in college. Please check these out and advertise them to your students! Visit http://www.moare.com/ and go to Communications; you will see “Scholarships” in the drop-down menu.
Save the Date!
Fall Conference 2018, “Honoring Our Past, Defining Our Future,” will be held November 4-6, 2018, at Tan-Tar-A. This is sure to be a great event with the best school counselor professional development around! If you would like to present a workshop, please go to the MSCA website and submit your workshop information no later than April 15! We’re looking forward to gathering together to learn, share and network!
Professional Recognition Recipients Recognized
On Saturday, February 24, MSCA hosted a special celebration for recipients of the 2017-2018 Professional Recognition Awards in the Missouri State Capitol Building. Honorees and their families and guests were treated to an awards assembly recognizing each recipient, and a dessert reception.
Those recognized included:
MSCA members, please be sure to send a letter to your legislative representatives/senators when you receive a Call to Action. Even if the issue does not affect the level you work at, please stand in solidarity with your colleagues across the state and send a letter. In most cases, a letter will be written for you; all you have to do is sign your name. Each letter represents a voice. When we are working for or against a bill, every single voice is critical. Thanks for your support!
Career Planning
School counselors, did you know that the Personal Plan of Study has a new name and a new look? It’s now the ICAP (Individual Career and Academic Plan). It’s a great document that you can access through the DESE website.
Did you also know that, according to law (SB 638), specific items that must be included in a student’s plan AND it must be started by eighth grade? The law also specifies that the plan will be revisited every year of high school. This law is now in effect, so your current eighth-graders should have a career and academic plan started. The ICAP is a great example of a plan that includes everything the law requires.
If you have any questions about the ICAP, please contact Dr. Rene Yoesel or Chrissy Bashore at DESE, or Dr. Shari Sevier at MSCA. Other experts who can help you are your Career and Technical Center counselors; they are a wealth of knowledge!
School Safety
A new school safety organization focuses on resources for all forms of school safety. The Missouri School Safety Association (MOSSA) wants the voices of all schools/districts at the table as safety needs and issues are discussed. MOSSA is very supportive of the Missouri Comprehensive School Counseling Program, our curriculum and our Crisis Manual. They want the voice of school counselors on issues of school safety. Dr. Shari Sevier sits on the board of MOSSA, so you have a direct link to the leaders of this organization. Please consider joining MOSSA. Dues are $25; you can enroll here.
Scholarships
The Missouri Association of Rural Educators (MARE) offers several great scholarships for both high school seniors and seniors in college. Please check these out and advertise them to your students! Visit http://www.moare.com/ and go to Communications; you will see “Scholarships” in the drop-down menu.
Save the Date!
Fall Conference 2018, “Honoring Our Past, Defining Our Future,” will be held November 4-6, 2018, at Tan-Tar-A. This is sure to be a great event with the best school counselor professional development around! If you would like to present a workshop, please go to the MSCA website and submit your workshop information no later than April 15! We’re looking forward to gathering together to learn, share and network!
Professional Recognition Recipients Recognized
On Saturday, February 24, MSCA hosted a special celebration for recipients of the 2017-2018 Professional Recognition Awards in the Missouri State Capitol Building. Honorees and their families and guests were treated to an awards assembly recognizing each recipient, and a dessert reception.
Those recognized included:
- Geoffrey Heckman – 2017-2018 ASCA School Counselor of the Year Finalist
- Lynn Knoch – Secondary School Counselor of the Year and 2017-2018 Missouri School Counselor of the Year
- Teresa Moore – Junior High School Counselor of the Year
- Susan Perkins – Coordinator of the Year
- Stephanie Young – Advocate of the Year
- Chad Sayre – Administrator of the Year
- Charlie Holt – Ed Ailor Award
- Carolyn Roof – Ed Ailor Award