MASCA
Counselor’s Notebook
MASSACHUSETTS SCHOOL COUNSELORS ASSOCIATION
Vol. 57, No. 10
June 2021
Looking Back: Recapping the 2020-2021 School Year By Bob Bardwell, MASCA Executive Director
quality, frequent and easily accessible professional development, networking and sharing opportunities through the zoom platform. While hopefully we will be able to hold in person events in the near future, the reality is that zoom is here to stay. Gone may be the days when you have to take a whole day out of the office to attend a MASCA event. For a whole host of reasons, zoom (and other online platforms) will continue to connect all of us who want the opportunity to engage, recharge and stay current.
This has certainly been a year like no other. If someone were to have told me two years ago when I became the Executive Director that MASCA would not only survive, but thrive in a year of remote instruction, a fully virtual conference and professional development only delivered through zoom, I would have told them they were crazy. As the 2020-21 school year comes to a close and we hopefully exit the pandemic state of emergency and return to our daily activities, I want to give a big huge thanks to all of you for being dedicated members and faithful readers of this column. Your support is greatly appreciated. I also want to share some very important, and hopefully what you consider exciting updates regarding MASCA. Membership – At this time last year I reported that MASCA had about 900 members. We are now up to over 1350. This represents a 54% increase in membership from May 2019. Many have asked how is this possible, especially during a pandemic? We certainly did not just give away free memberships. The answer is that a combination of factors contributed to this tremendous growth. One thing for sure is that MASCA is perceived as an organization worth belonging to, especially if one is paying out of pocket. Sure, $45 is not a lot; many of us easily spend that on a nice evening out to dinner or a show (at least preCOVID) but there has to be value for someone to pay out of pocket to
Robert Bardwell Executive Director, MASCA
join. Many more districts are signing up the entire school counseling department which is certainly helpful and we even have seen growth in our graduate student and retiree ranks. While this is exciting and certainly noteworthy, we do need to continue to provide high quality professional development and engagement to ensure that new members continue to join as well as current members renew. In case you are wondering, the highest known MASCA membership occurred in 1976 when there were 1606 members. That is only about 250 more from where we are and I am confident that we can break that record in the coming year!
IDEA focus – I am pleased to report that MASCA has been a leader among state school counselor associations across the country when it comes to issues related to inclusion, diversity, equity, and access (IDEA). While we still have much work to do, the Board’s recent training and launch of an equity audit this coming fall will help to solidify our commitment and focus on this important topic. Stay tuned to exciting and valuable events (including our Pride month series this June) in the coming months.
Strategic Plan – In case you missed it, the Board approved a three year strategic plan last October. While not usually the most exciting thing that an association does, this document does provide us with road map which outlines what we do and when it should be done. The Professional Development – While four main objectives of that plan are we all might have a big of zoom fa- advocacy, equity, membership and tigue, the truth is that we have been (continued on Page 4) provided a blessing to provide high
MASCA 2020-21 DIRECTORY GOVERNING BOARD:
COMMITTEE CHAIRS:
APPOINTED POSITIONS:
Kerry Bartlett, Chair kabartlett@hudson.k12.ma.us School / Career Counselor, Hudson High School
Ruth Carrigan, Conference Committee Ruth.Carrigan@whrsd.k12.ma.us Director of School Counseling Whitman-Hansen Regional High School
Bob Bardwell, Executive Director & Membership Coordinator bardwellr@monsonschools.com Director of School Counseling, Monson Public Schools
Mindy Cripps, Ethics Committee mcripps@billericak12.com Guidance Director, Billerica High School
Julia Cahill-O'Shea, Secretary j.cahill-oshea@hwschools.net School Counselor, Hamilton- Wenham Regional High School
April Megginson, Assistant Chair amegginson@bridgew.edu Assistant Professor of Counselor Education, Bridgewater State University Ed Connor, Board Member econnor@dean.edu Executive Director of Admissions, Dean College
Ed Connor, Fiscal Oversight Committee econnor@dean.edu Executive Director of Admissions, Dean College
Laurie Dickstein-Fischer, Board Member ldicksteinfisc@salemstate.edu Assistant Professor & Program Director for School Counseling, Salem State University
Juliette Coatsworth, Government Relations & Advocacy Committee juliette.nori@gmail.com School Counselor, Foxborough Regional Charter School
Johanna Smith, Board Member smithjoh@lynnschools.org School Counselor, Lynn Vocational Technical Institute
Manjula Karamcheti, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Access (IDEA) Committee karamcheti@wwgradschool.org Director of Equity and Student Support Woodrow Wilson Graduate School of Teaching and Learning
Megan Krell, Board Member mkrell@fitchburgstate.edu Associate Professor, Fitchburg State University Jeremie Bateman, Board Member jbateman@lexingtonma.org School Counselor, Lexington High School Jennifer McGuire, Board Member jmcguire@uppercapetech.org School Counselor/Teacher Leader for Guidance Upper Cape Cod Technical School Barbara Meyer, Board Member b_meyer@stoughtonschools.org School Counselor, Stoughton High School
Inside this Issue: Recapping 2020-21........................1 Directory........................................2 Ethics.............................................3 Managing Fear................................5 Affiliate Cameo...............................6 MASCA History...............................7 60th Birthday.................................8 MA Model......................................9 Retiree News................................10
Tyeshia Weir, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Access (IDEA) Committee weirt@springfieldpublicschools.com School Counselor, RISE Academy Helen O'Donnell, MA Model Committee helenod@att.net Retired School Counselor Kerry Bartlett , Member Services Committee kabartlett@hudson.k12.ma.us School / Career Counselor, Hudson High School Barbara Meyer Member Services Committee b_meyer@stoughtonschools.org School Counselor, Stoughton High School Megan Krell, Nomination and Bylaws Committee mkrell@fitchburgstate.edu Associate Professor, Fitchburg State University Dina Sibilia, Professional Development Committee sibilia@wsps.org School Counselor, West Springfield High School Jeremie Bateman, Professional Recognition Committee jbateman@lexingtonma.org School Counselor, Lexington High School Gloria Rubilar, Publicity Committee gloriarubilar@bpsma.org School Counselor, Brockton High School Christine Shaw, Research and Evaluation Committee shawc@merrimack.edu Associate Professor of Practice, Education & Community Studies, Merrimack College Jennifer McGuire. Technology Committee jmcguire@uppercapetech.org School Counselor/Teacher Leader for Guidance Upper Cape Cod Technical School
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Jean Atwater Williams, Counselors Notebook Editor & Web Administrator atwaterwilliams@gmail.com Dina Sibilia, Professional Development Coordinator sibilia@wsps.org School Counselor, West Springfield High School LIAISONS: Laurie Dickstein-Fischer, Counselor Educator Liaison ldicksteinfisc@salemstate.edu Assistant Professor & Program Director for School Counseling, Salem State University Lisa Harney, DESE Liaison LHarney@doe.mass.edu MA Dept of Elem & Sec Education Megan Krell, Emerging Leader Liaison mkrell@fitchburgstate.edu Associate Professor, Fitchburg State University Zac Songer, Graduate Student Liaison Zacchary.Songer001@umb.edu Graduate Student, UMASS Boston Julia Stone, Graduate Student Liaison jstone10@springfieldcollege.edu Graduate Student, Springfield College Helen O'Donnell, Retirees Liaison helenod@att.net Retired School Counselor Jennifer Just McGuire, Social Media Liaison jmcguire@uppercapetech.org School Counselor/Teacher Leader for Guidance Upper Cape Cod Technical School EMERGING LEADERS April Brunelle abrunelle@bostonpublicschools.org School Counselor, ech Boston Academy Dan Goldsbury danielgoldsbury@gmail.com School Counselor, Edwards Middle School Maria Maloney maloneym@monsonschools.com School Counselor, Granite Valley Middle School Kayla Schutte kschutte@tewksbury.k12.ma.us School Counselor, Tewksbury Memorial High School
COUNSELOR’S NOTEBOOK
Graduation, Gender, and Ethics: A Study In Validation And Safety By Melinda Cripps, Ethics Committee Chairperson
Graduation is one of the pinnacle events of a teenager’s life. For many, this time is filled with joy and excitement, and a feeling of newfound freedom on the horizon. Anything feels possible, they are coming into their own as newly-minted adults, and the future is bright. But for some of our students, this time is filled with anxiety and dread, knowing that they may be forced to wear the “boys’ color graduation robe” when they identify as female and want to wear the “girls’ colored robe”. Or, they may not want to wear either the boys’ robe or the girls’ robe, as they may not identify with either gender. I’ve personally seen students wrestle with this. Some have worn the girls’ color cap, and the boys’ color robe. Others have requested to splice together the boys’ and girls’ robes, in an effort to be more authentic to themselves and their identity. Still others have talked confidentially about having to wear the “girls’ robe”, but they really want to wear the “boys’ robe” because they identify as male, and they aren’t ready to reveal that to the world yet. Instead, they feel invalidated by the same ceremony that is supposed to celebrate them. The easiest solution to these situations is to simply do away with the two-color graduation robe system which reinforces the gender binary, and select one color gown and cap that everyone wears. It is an easy way to reduce the anxiety for many of our students, and promotes the idea of a unified graduating class with one robe color. Along the same lines, knowing that their name will be announced to the world as they walk across the stage can be very anxiety provoking for some students. I’ve known students who are in our information JUNE 2021
system as one name (often a deadname), but go by another name. While students and families can certainly change their given name in the school system, here we will address students who have not yet changed their name formally in our system, and/or aren’t ready to take that step. How do we ensure that these students feel seen, feel comfortable, and feel excited about their big walk across the stage to obtain their diploma? Here’s a few things to know: ● You can issue a diploma that has a different name than one you have in your database. ● You can have the diploma say one name, and announce a different name, if that is the student’s preference ● You can have the diploma say one name, and the graduation program or local papers print another name. Some administrators and school staff are not yet ready to think flexibly about names, gender, and how important this is. However, as school counselors we hold a position of power and responsibility to protect our students and their rights by educating our colleagues about what is ethical. A school counselor can be a student’s biggest advocate, and you may be the person who literally makes graduation day memorable for them, simply because you ensured that the core essence of who they are was validated for all the world to see the real them. CASE STUDY Your student, named Jared in your school’s information system, is graduating in a few weeks. You
know that Jared often goes by Justine in his classes and with his friends. Their family knows that they go by Justine, and that they identify as nonbinary, but they are not supportive. When you approach the student about how they would like their name to be submitted for the graduation program, the local newspapers’ graduation list, their diploma, and how it should be read at graduation, they explain that they want everything to be submitted as Justine. When you ask if they have discussed their wishes with their parents, they indicate that they have not, and that they would be upset if the name Justine was used. Question: How do you navigate this situation so that the student is validated on one of the most important days of their life, while at the same time ensuring that (1) the family is not surprised and (2) the student feels emotionally safe with his family during graduation time? Best practice: Talk with the student, and ask them what their wishes are on how to announce their name verbally and in print. Ask them if they have communicated their wishes to their family. Explain to the student that you’d like to contact their family to ensure that everything goes smoothly for them on graduation day, because you want them to feel validated and seen, and we also want them to be emotionally safe on such a special day. Even if the family is in disagreement (which has happened), at least it won’t be a shock on graduation day, which would put the student at risk for safety concerns. This way, the parents and the family as a whole have time to process. (continued on Page 4)
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Looking Back
Ethics
professional development. This is want to get important career-related something that many similar associ- information into the hands of school counselors. Stay tuned for further ations can only dream about. updates on these exciting initiatives. Special Interest Groups (SIGs) – Our launch of five SIGs this year is Fiscal stability – While the assonothing short of fantastic and ener- ciation did lose about $25,000 last gizing. Our level groups - Elemen- year due to having to cancel our antary, Middle and Secondary, as well nual conference 3 weeks before the as our urban and retiree groups have pandemic shut everything down, we gotten off to a smashing success. are well on our way to close that Despite everyone’s busy schedules gap this year. We saved money on and sometimes limited bandwidth, many of our programs and events the SIGs have managed to bring this year and our record conference people together to network, share, attendance certainly helped. With support and sometimes just com- our tremendous membership growth miserate with their work alike peers. and interest in professional developIn the coming year we will explore ment, we will likely make a profit creating SIGs for district directors, this year and next year even looks rural, vocational and charter school better. counselors as well as affinity groups What’s up next for MASCA in 2021for our LGBTQ members and coun22? We are already exploring new selors of color. initiatives such as a formal mentorPartnerships – Connecting with ing program, job bank, listserv, and stakeholders and other like-minded a regular podcast all while perfectassociations continues to be a high ing our current offerings. Keep an priority. If we want MASCA to be eye on this space to stay abreast of considered a legitimate profession- the latest news and updates regardal association, then we need to be at ing our programs and activities. If the table and play with the big boys. you ever want to chat more about This means being invited to im- MASCA, volunteer to help or simportant conversations with DESE, ply have a question, please reach out legislators and with our sister as- to me at executivedirector@masca. sociations. I am also making some org. I wish you a safe, fun-filled, critical connections with members relaxing and rejuvenating summer. in the business community as they See you back in the fall.
Outcome: The student and parents talked, and the counselor followed up with each of them. The family was not happy about the name Justine being used, but after a conversation, they understood that there could be a compromise in which the school could be flexible, and that made the conversation a bit easier. They agreed as a family to have their name announced as Justine, as well as in the graduation program and in the local newspaper. However, the student decided that their diploma would be written as Jared, as they felt it would be the right decision for them. It was important for the student to have agency over this decision as an adult, an individual, and as a graduate. Because the conversation between the student and family was brokered by the counselor, things went much more smoothly.
(continued from Page 1)
Check out MASCA's online Professional Development! GO TO: https://masca.wildapricot.org /Electronic-PD
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(continued from Page 3)
Additional Information: The school ordered two diplomas: one with Jared, and one with Justine. If this student decides closer to graduation that they want their diploma to say Justine, we can do this for them. It takes some stress off of the decision-making process for the student, allows them some extra time to consider what feels right for them, and with diplomas being rather inexpensive, the one that is not conferred can be shredded. WANT TO KNOW MORE? Do you have an ethical question or dilemma that you’d like us to address in the next Counselor’s Notebook? Drop us a line at ethics@ masca.org and let us know! As always, we would love folks to consider joining the Ethics Committee. Reach out to us at ethics@masca. org to learn more about the exciting direction our committee is headed! COUNSELOR’S NOTEBOOK
Managing Fear in Uncertain Times by Stanley Popovich
Almost everyone has experienced worry during these fearful times. And now that pandemic restrictions are easing, some will breathe a sigh of relief and be ready to get back to "normal" while others may continue to feel anxious, fearful that the relaxation of restrictions will lead to a resurgence of the virus. The prospect of not knowing whether something good - or bad - will happen in the near future can produce fear and anxiety. Here is a list of some techniques and suggestions to share with collegues, parents and students on how to deal with the fear of the unknown: 1. No one can predict the future with one hundred percent certainty: Even if the thing that you fear does happen there are circumstances and factors that you can’t predict which can be used to your advantage. For instance, you miss the deadline for a project you have been working on. Everything you feared is coming true. Suddenly, your boss tells you that the deadline is extended and that he forgot to tell you the day before. This unknown factor changes everything. 2. Take it one day at a time: Instead of worrying about how you will get through the rest of the week or coming months, try to focus on today. Each day can provide us with different opportunities to learn new things and that includes learning how to deal with JUNE 2021
your problems. 3. Use Self-Visualization: Sometimes, we can get anxious over a task that we will have to perform in the near future. When this happens, visualize yourself doing the task in your mind. For instance, you have to play in the championship volleyball game in front of a large group of people in the next few days. Before the big day comes, imagine yourself playing the game in your mind. By doing this, you will be better prepared when the time comes. 4. Take a break: Take a deep breath and try to find something to do to get your mind off of your anxieties. A person could take a walk, listen to some music, or read the newspaper in order to get a fresh perspective on things. 5. Challenge your negative thinking with positive statements and realistic thinking: When encountering thoughts that make you fearful or depressed, challenge those thoughts by asking yourself questions that will maintain objectivity and common sense. Focus on the reality of your situation and not on your thoughts. 6. Worrying can make the problem worse: All the worrying in the world will not change anything. All you can do is to do your best each day, hope for
the best, and when something does happen, take it in stride. If you still have trouble dealing with the fear of the future, then talking to a counselor or clergyman can be of great help. Stan Popovich is the author of “A Layman’s Guide To Managing Fear”. For more information visit http://www.managingfear.com.
29th Annual Conference — with —
Stephen Pimpare, PhD FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 8:45AM – 3:30PM WESTMINSTER, VT
— Lunch is included —
CHILDHOOD POVERTY in the Time of COVID EARN CE CREDITS!
CONFERENCE.KURNHATTIN.ORG Please direct all inquiries for the conference to Terry Andrews at (802) 721-6913, or email tandrews@kurnhattin.org.
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MASCA Affiliate Cameo: South Coast School Counselors Association (SCSCA) The South Coast School Counselors Association was founded in 2016. The initial meeting to establish the vision for the organization was held at the Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School in New Bedford, MA. The first official SCSCA meeting occurred at the Airport Grill in New Bedford, and was hosted by the Universal Technical Institute. As the newest MASCA affiliate member, much of the organization’s guidelines were shared by the Cape and Islands Guidance Association (CIGA) and the South Shore Guidance Association (SSGA) which border the area’s represented by SCSCA. The majority of members were from New Bedford, Fall River and the surrounding areas with additional support from Bristol Community College. As we emerge from the COVID pandemic, the SCSCA association is looking to establish new leadership and a vision toward creating a vibrant, informative plan to re-establish professional development and networking opportunities for School Counselors in the South Coast area. If anyone is interested in this effort, please contact Glenn Forgue, founder and treasurer for the SCSCA gforgue@ newbedfordschools.org 6
June 2021 Awareness Dates Fireworks Safety Month (1–July 4) LGBTQ Pride Month National Hunger Awareness Month National Safety Month
1 International Children’s Day 5 World Environment Day 12 Family Health and Fitness Day 14 Flag Day 19 Juneteenth COUNSELOR’S NOTEBOOK
A Stroll through MASCA History by Louise Forsyth and posted in the MASCA History “About Us” section of the website. Compiled and edited by Joe Fitzgerald and Helen O’Donnell
MSCA/MASCA’s Footsteps Through the Decades: A Proud History
• First MSCA Conference at Babson Institute, Wellesley 1962 (see report for annual lsites)
Part 2: The Decade of the 60’s Establishing MSCA’s Foundation Once the statewide MA School Counseling Association (MSCA) was established in 1961, the Decade of the 1960’s became a robust, active decade guided by dedicated, visionary leaders from across the state who had a strong partnership with the Warren E. Benson, Senior Supervisor of Guidance, Office of Guidance and Placement, MA Department of Education. Louise Forsyth’s Capsule History carefully recorded a series of FIRSTS as she highlights the establishment of many foundation fiscal policies, milestones, and achievements. Dues: initial dues were $2.00, raised to $3.00 (1966-67), and then to $5.00 (’66-’67). Memberships expired in 12 months from payment date, not at end of fiscal or academic year. (’66-’67) 1962-63: 273 members 1964-65: 600 members 1965-66: 800 members 1966-67: 961 members 1967-68: October - 1,000th member January - 1,200th member 1969-70: 1500+ members Membership soared. By 196768, MSCA was recognized as a “spokesman” for MA School Counselors by many boards, committees, and organizations. MSCA and the JUNE 2021
• MSCA presented a charter by the American School Counselors Association (1963-64) An early MASCA Logo PD committee were charged with compiling “a comprehensive study of counselor certification and recommendations for raising the (certification) standards… This was the FiRST time MSCA proposed standards for certification!” At the MSCA annual Meeting in May 22, 1969, MSCA was presented with official Articles of Incorporation. 1960’s Awards: • First Honorary Life Membership to Warren E. Benson, MA Dept. of Education (1967-68) • First MSCA Award to a school Counselor, Al Williamson, Director of Guidance, Stoughton (1967-68) • MSCA School Counselor Award, Thomas J. Cullen, Director of Guidance, Waltham. (’68-’69) Decade highlights: • MSCA founding Constitution and By-Laws reviewed by affiliates and approved by GB.
• Counselors Notebook published (subscription fee $10); Exec. Secretary appointed (’64-’65) • MSCA Trustee role changed from representing MA counties to represent statewide school counseling affiliates (’65’66) • PD committee formed to study and draft school counselor certification proposal. (’66-’67) • Policy Manual written. MSCA seal adopted. Career conference hosted. Speakers Bureau established. MSCA billboard in Park Square. CN expanded to 7 issues/6-8 pages. MSCA on a TV program. MPGA chartered. MASCA Ethics committee established. (’67-’68) • Role Statements for Counselors drafted and being reviewed. Handbook published for JH School Counselors. (1969-70)
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60th Birthday Diamond Jubilee Celebration (April 2021-April 2022) by Helen O’Donnell, Ed.D CALLING ALL AFFILIATE LEADERS We are reaching out to MSCA/ MASCA Affiliates past and present to engage in our the 60th birthday celebration.
While planning MASCA’s 60th birthday diamond jubilee celebration during the past pandemic year, the planning team has focused on identifying remote opportunities to celebrate. As announced in the April CN, there will be a year of events. The committee is hopeful we can have a concluding in-person event next spring. What are the current and on-going activities? More activities and events will be announced in the fall. Rebuilding MASCA Archives As explained previously, the MASCA archives and CN’s from 1961-into the mid 1990’s were lost. The MASCA O.S.C.A.R’s, Outstanding Service Counselor Award Recipients, are spearheading initiatives to contact past MASCA leaders, retirees and MASCA affiliates to locate archival materials to build a virtual MASCA archive on the MASCA website.
CN series to focus on MSCA/MASCA’s establishment and role representing and advocating for school counselors in MA for over 6 decades. The series will continue in the CN through June 2022. Current articles include: Part 1 - MSCA’s Founding in the spring of 1961! (May 2021 CN) Part 2 - Decade of the 1960’s: Establishing MSCA’s Foundation (June 2021 CN)
Current discoveries already posted include:
The Sept. and Oct. CN issues of the CN will highlight the 1970’s achievements.
Louise Forsyth’s hand-typed 1982 Policy Manual which includes a thumbnail history of MASCA 1961-82,
We need the assistance of past MASCA leaders to assist us with the series after Louise Forsyth’s thumbnail history concludes in 1981. Our series plans include highlighting 1980’s (Dec. and Jan.); 1990’s Feb. and March; 2000’s (April); 2010-21 (May), and Future Visions (June 2022).
Reflections on the Founding of MSCA by Oscar Krichmar, a founding father and CN editor. An electronic CN library is available back to 2005 plus there is an on-going project to scan hard copies to include CN’s 1995-2005. We have found a few pre 1995 CN’s and continue to search for more. Help us to fill in the gap and locate pre 1995 CN’s. Please alert helenod@att.net if you discover any old issues. Lists of MSCA/MASCA past presidents and past executive secretary/executive directors CN Series: MSCA/MASCA’s Footsteps Through the Decades: A Proud History. Guided by archival materials and MASCA leader reflections, we are writing the
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CALLING MSCA/MASCA PAST LEADERS FOR ASSISTANCE We are inviting past MSCA/MASCA leaders to help us build thumbnail summaries of MASCA achievements during their tenure, write CN leadership time capsule stories about their MSCA/MASCA leadership, and to search personal files for primary source MSCA archival materials like CN’s, identify MASCA awardees during their tenure, locate pre 2004 conference materials, etc. It has been most enjoyable is re-establishing friendships with former colleagues and affiliate leaders. We invite you all to the RETIREE SIG
Showcase your affiliate by writing a cameo story about the history of your affiliate. MASCA has affiliates that were established and then merged, long-time affiliates, inactive affiliates, and newly formed affiliates. PLEASE send your affiliate stories for publication to the Counselors Notebook as part of MASCA’s year- long birthday celebration. Send a copy to helenod@att.net to include in the MASCA affiliate archives. THANK You, Berkshire County School Counselors Association and Franklin Hampshire Counselors Association for your affiliate stories in the May CN. A request: Since MSCA founding archives are lost, we are reaching out to affiliates for founding paperwork requesting MSCA affiliation, paperwork officially welcoming your affiliate as MSCA affiliates, original by-laws and articles of organization, and any Counselor Notebooks prior to 1995. Please send the names and emails of any counselors retiring this year to MASCA’s Executive Director, Bob Bardwell. As part of our celebration, MASCA is again promoting the opportunity to THANK and TRIBUTE current and past MASCA members, school colleagues, and administrators to celebrate their dedication to our MA students and advocating for the school counseling profession. Upload a jpg picture, 50 word tribute and follow payment directions. Tributed colleagues will be showcased in the CN, receive a certificate, and have their tribute posted on the MASCA website. Note: Tribute funds will support MASCA birthday events and provide support for MASCA’s recorded PD library.
COUNSELOR’S NOTEBOOK
IMPLEMENTING MA MODEL FOR COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAMS: by Helen C. O’Donnell, Ed. D, MA Model Trainer, This ongoing Counselor’s Notebook (CN) series continues to inform school counselors about steps and strategies for implementing the MA Mode 3.0 and ASCA Model 4.0© for Comprehensive School Counseling Programs. A library of updated MA Model resources and CN implementation articles can be found in the MA Model section of the MASCA website.
Drive your Action Planning with Student Needs Assessment Data What a year! All signs indicated school counseling program results for the 202021 academic year are very different, but how different? What traditional outcomes have changed? What do students NEED in their education to move forward past COVID isolation to reestablish social connectedness, become motivated for rigorous education and achievement, and plan post-secondary opportunities to achieve their career goals? Gathering and assessing hard data about student outcomes is the only way to establish student needs priorities for next year’s goal setting and action plan steps.
With the end of the school year fast approaching, it is time to prepare your needs assessment documents and gather feedback from your school community stakeholders: students, staff, administrators, parents, and advisory councils. Your compiled end-year results will document how your school counseling program measures up!
MA Model professional development opportunities were provided over the past 2 months that encourage school counselors to be action researchers and use data to drive program development. (Access recorded webinars and materials on MA Model Resources section of the MASCA website.) Remember that administrators seek evidence (hard data) that the school counseling program is positively impacting student achievement, attendance, and behavior. Reflect on your measurable student grade level targets (seminar or curriculum goals) and identified student competencies. What progress have the students made towards goal achievement? What multi-tiered delivery strategies can enhance student progress? How can you assist and promote academic, workplace readiness and personal/social competencies? Ex: -Do all your middle and high school students have MyCAP electronic portfolios?
Action Planning (June’18);
-Do all students demonstrate regular, ontime school attendance in hybrid school learning formats? -Are your Gr. 3, 6, and 9th students achieving the EWIS grade level benchmarks for graduation? -Are your students meeting grade level expectations for promotion or graduation?
JUNE 2021
For a chart with links to updated past CN MA Model Implementation articles or search the original CN articles Gathering Data for Action Planning (May ’18) Are All Students READY for Success After High School? (June ’19) Additional resources to help with MA Model Implementation: Inquiries helenlod@att.net Recorded MA Model 3.0 PD is available on MA Model page of website. Interested in earning MASCA PDP’s with documentation of viewing recorded sessions? •
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March 24th 3 hr. workshop, Action Research and the Accountable School Counselor including recording, ppt., and supplemental resource materials. The MASCA spring conference workshop and ppt, Planning, Delivering and Assessing Multi-Tiered School Counseling Curriculum recording and ppt. MA Model “Hot Off the Press” and 4 “Words into Action: Define, Assess, Manage, Deliver”
Earn 10 PDP opportunities for guided support and mentoring to develop your MA Accountability Report Card (MARC/MARC Jr.).
Registration is open for 45 PDP or 3 graduate credit summer/fall MA Model Institutes (MA Model Introductory Institute, Counselors in K-12 Classrooms, MA Model 2: Next Steps). Past MA Model Institute Registrants invited to inquire about additional PDP or graduate credit opportunities. The Revised MA Model Webpage and Updated Library of Resources is READY!!! Go to https://masca.wildapricot.org/MA-Model_3.0/ Thank you to all the past MA Model Institute participants who have contributed materials to the fair share library of MA Model resources. You are all encouraged to explore their work and apply their ideas to your MA Model Implementation work. Please give credit to the resource authors and cite the source if you download and modify their work. Check out what is available in the library. More will be added over the summer MA MODEL COMMITTEE AND WEBMASTER: THANKS FOR YOUR DEDICATION AND ACHIEVEMENTS: Pam Paynter, MA Model Webpage editor and MA Model Resources Librarian. GREAT JOB! David Elsner, MARC Chair, for his continued dedication to evidence based practice using the MARC documents to present your data findings. Jean Atwater Williams, MASCA webmaster and CN Editor, for her continued website and CN support Cynthia Esielionis, Richardson
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Retiree News The MASCA RETIREE Special Interest Group invites all retirees and “wanna be” retirees to join the Retiree SIG to virtually reconnect, reengage and network together. Our meetings are free. You are invited to BYO favorite beverages and snacks to our meetings. Check out the Retirees SIG website page Contact Co-Chairs: Anne Thidemann French and Helen O’Donnell, MASCA Retiree Liaison with questions.
Save the date: September 21, 2021 3:30-5:00. Speaker: Marie Ardito “Leaving Your Handprint Behind” Register on the retiree webpage for a Zoom link
The mission of MASCA is to promote excellence in the school counseling profession by advocating for, connecting, supporting, and empowering school counselors in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts through leadership, collaboration, and professional development. Visit us on the web at www.MASCA.org