Washington School Counselor Association WSCA

WSCA is now accepting applications for our Leadership Conference Scholarships! If you would like to attend our inaugural event in Spokane but need financial support, submit your application to be considered for one of our scholarships. Learn more and apply here --> https://bit.ly/3TohGqF

Welcome back to school everyone! WSCA just emailed our first edition of The WSCA Watch. This monthly update will provide members with important information regarding school counselor advocacy. As WSCA members, we must always ‘keep watch’ and advocate for our profession and for our students - just like our historic lighthouse keepers, who would diligently watch and keep the light shining to aid in navigation. The WSCA Watch aims to provide more updates from the WSCA advocacy team and equip members with useful tools to advocate for themselves as they navigate school systems and their careers.

This week (Sept. 8-14) is National Su***de Prevention Week. ASCA has a variety of resources available in our Su***de Prevention and Response Toolkit including the Information Gathering Tool: https://bit.ly/4ecsEHE

We are now accepting applications for our 2024 Leadership Conference Volunteer Program! Volunteers receive a discounted registration rate in exchange for helping with conference tasks like room moderation, registration, and more. Learn more and apply here--> https://bit.ly/4cOCX3q

These very popular workshops provide professional development for school counselors, career center specialist, HSBP coordinators and those in college-access work. Held in-person and virtually, The Washington Council is excited to provide current information from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), The State Board of Education (SBE), State Board of Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC), Council of Presidents (COP), Independent Colleges of Washington (ICW) and the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC), as well as from our public and private four-year institutions and community and technical colleges.

The virtual option will not include college updates. It will be shorter, and therefor offer fewer clock hours.

Clock hours will be provided for the workshops this year through Washington School Counselor Association (WSCA). Clock Hours are complimentary for WSCA members.

2024 Schedule (To register, click on the workshop date you would like to attend this event.)

https://www.wa-council.org/2024/01/17/2022-fall-counselor-workshops/

Join Dr. Cher Edwards as she presents Culturally Responsive Su***de Prevention at our Leadership Conference. This three-hour pre-con session meets legislation (RCW 43.70.442) su***de prevention course requirements for certified counselors, focusing on su***de assessment and referral.

Learn more--> https://bit.ly/3ZbdAWv
Register now--> https://bit.ly/4bm1oEK

We are so excited to announce our lineup of breakout sessions for the inaugural WSCA Leadership Conference in Spokane! This conference offers opportunities to set your school counseling team up for success right at the start of the school year. We hope to see you this October in Spokane!

Browse our lineup of sessions--> https://bit.ly/3T7gaJl
Register to attend--> https://bit.ly/4bm1oEK

OSPI is hiring a Comprehensive School Counseling Program Supervisor.

Are you someone with K-8 school counseling experience who wants to do BIG, impactful, systems change work. This work includes partnership and connection with WSCA!

State of Washington Job Opportunities | Sorted by Relevance ascending | Work that Matters (governmentjobs.com)

Join our team! OSPI is for positions in Communications, Career and Technical Education, Assessment, and more.

Learn more and apply at careers.wa.gov!

School counselors’ efforts on the front lines of managing mental health crises are often overlooked and misunderstood. https://bit.ly/3YLRc5R

🗻 Forge a path to student success at the 2025 WSCA Conference! We're hitting the trail toward the perfect view of best practices, advocacy strategies, and evidence-based programming to help you and your peers reach new heights in school counseling.

➡️ Register now--> https://bit.ly/wscareg
➡️ Submit a proposal to present--> https://bit.ly/wscaproposals

As students return to school, school counselors work with partners in the school building to help students reintegrate into school routines, develop academic strategies, manage emotions and much more. Check out these Back-to-School Resources to ensure you are prepared for the new school year. https://bit.ly/4daAEsO

Across Washington state, a push for 2024 HS grads to complete their FAFSA continues College Success Foundation is offering free, virtual help completing the FAFSA to 2024 high school graduates in Washington state.

Don't forget! Session proposals for are due by Aug. 25 here: https://bit.ly/4dgNCoO

Good afternoon,

Applications are now being accepted for the 2024-25 statewide Nakia Academy. This year there is a cohort specifically for School Counselors facilitated by WSCA CEO Lauren Mendez and WSCA Associate Chair Christine Robinson. Nakia Academy is for and by BIPOC educators to create a "safe space" for community building and professional learning. Nakia Academy nurtures authentic engagement with 600-plus POC members as they lead, organize, and create equitable spaces for all stakeholders in education and throughout our state. In partnership with OSPI and the Washington School Counselor Association, Nakia Academy is more than a "program" for certificated members and counselors. It is a community in continuous growth and support. Please reach out to your networks and members you know who would benefit from participating. Pass along this information and encourage them to apply. The deadline for applications is Sept. 3.

https://ospi.k12.wa.us/educator-support/beginning-educator-support-team/best-events-trainings/mentor-foundational-opportunities

NAKIA Academy is now accepting applications for the 2024-2025 cohort. If you are a BIPOC certificated educator, counselor, education support associate or work in higher education, apply today to join the 600+ POC member leaders/organizers in leading, organizing, and creating equitable spaces for all stakeholders in education around WA using coaching and mentoring practices learned through NAKIA Academy. This academy is for and by BIPOC educators to create a "safe space" for community building and professional learning. Applications close on September 3. Apply now at https://wea.mobi/4ca294l

JUST RELEASED: The CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) Data Summary & Trends Report: 2013–2023 is now available. Get a first look at key YRBS data and trends in health behaviors and experiences of U.S. high school students. Read the report: https://bit.ly/4d8XFMD

WSCA Board Members met this past weekend for the WSCA Leadership Development Institute and Board Meeting at the Washington State History Museum. In the next few weeks WSCA will be highlighting WSCA Board Members, Committees, and Opportunities to get involved.

2024 HS grads in Spokane and Yakima! It's not too late to fill out your FAFSA! Several in-person FAFSA completion events are happening the week of July 28. For more information or to schedule a free, virtual 1:1 appointment with our financial aid experts, click here: https://bit.ly/3tDp18B

SPOKANE:
July 30, 4:30–7 p.m., Spokane Library – Hillyard
Aug. 1, 4:30–7 p.m., North Spokane Library

YAKIMA:
July 28, 9 a.m.–12 p.m., Yakima Farmers Market
July 30, 5–7 p.m., Nuestra Casa in Sunnyside
July 31, 5–7 p.m., Nuestra Casa in Sunnyside
Aug. 1, 5–7 p.m., Educational Service District 105

⏳ There is still time to submit your proposal to present at the 2024 WSCA Leadership Conference! Submit your session idea by 11:59pm tonight--> https://bit.ly/wlc_cfp

Job Posting Spotlight:
Ptarmigan Ridge Elementary in the Orting School District is looking for a dynamic, ASCA model oriented Elementary School Counselor to grow a Counseling program to support an amazing school community.

Washington School Counselor Association - Job Opportunities

🕰 Tick tock! Just one week left to submit your proposal to present at the inaugural WSCA Leadership Conference! Submit here before time is up--> https://bit.ly/wlc_cfp

Washington School Counselors came together at Roll Call today at ASCA. Dm if you are here and have not received your WSCA swag!

The WSCA Board Chairs are attending ASCA LDI and learning all about how to support and advocate for our members!

Time is running out to submit your proposal to present at the 2024 WSCA Leadership Conference in Spokane! The Call for Proposals closes July 22 at 11:59pm. Submit your proposal before time's up--> https://bit.ly/wlc_cfp

Are you attending ASCA this year? Christine has a message for you!

Hi my name is Christine Robinson, and I am your Associate Chair for WSCA (formerly known as President-Elect).

I am so excited that you will be attending the ASCA conference! It means so much to me to be able to attend our National Conference to network, and for professional development! If you see me, please say hi and introduce yourself if I do not know you already. We will have stickers, and squishy apples to give away, so come find us! Consider wearing red shirts on July 13th to represent WSCA and take a photo with us!

I hope to see you there!

🕰 LAST CALL! Early bird registration rates for the 2024 WSCA Leadership Conference expire TONIGHT at 11:59pm. Register before the deadline to save $$ --> https://bit.ly/4bm1oEK

⏳ It's the final countdown– early bird registration rates for the 2024 WSCA Leadership Conference expire TOMORROW at 11:59pm. Register today and save!! Learn more --> https://bit.ly/4bm1oEK

⏰ Don't let the clock run out on our early bird discount! Register for the inaugural WSCA Leadership Conference before 11:59pm on Friday, June 28 and save $50! Learn more--> https://bit.ly/4bm1oEK

WSCA’s latest podcast episode is out and features Denise Reddinger, the WSCA President sharing about WSCA and the Fall Leadership Conference.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7pVMTb3U5y2gLOinFaAqTm?si=6e5VejuvTvKgN4MF6Cl8dw

Attention High School Counselors! Do you know a student with great stories to tell! 🌟 Ready Washington is recruiting for their next cohort of Student Storytellers for the 2024-2025 academic year. Selected students will get to tell their stories in various formats, to include blog posts, videos, podcasts, and more! They will be compensated for their time. Share the application link with them! Deadline is July 15!