Counselor's Notebook, June 2015 by Sally Ann Connolly

MASCA

MASSACHUSETTS SCHOOL COUNSELORS ASSOCIATION

Are Your Students Ready for a Global Economy?

VOL. 51, NO. 10

JUNE 2015

Spring Break 2015: Expanding horizons

By RUTH CARRIGAN MASCA President-Elect

pring Break 2015 was quite an adventure for me when I had the chance to travel on a ten-day professional development tour to China. Our group included teachers and administrators from schools across the Commonwealth, and our itinerary included the cities of Beijing, Xi’an, Suzhou, and Shanghai. During my excursion, I had amazing opportunities to climb the Great Wall of China, visit the Terracotta Warriors, walk miles through the Forbidden City, and view the beautiful gardens of Suzhou and the skyscrapers of Shanghai. Although these experiences have become memories that will last a lifetime, the most interesting part of the trip for me was visiting schools, interacting with inquisitive children, and meeting dedicated Chinese educators. Our first school visit was to Dandelion School in Beijing. This elementary school in a poor part of the city is a school for the children of migrant workers. Facing great socioeconomic challenges, these students make very good academic progress despite being impoverished. It was so much fun to visit a classroom and help with an English lesson. The children were spirited, engaging, and eager to learn. And it was a joy to see that even the youngest and most disadvantaged Chinese students were learning English. We also visited a rural elementary school in Pangliu Village, where many of the children are classified as “left behind children,” being raised by grandparents while parents relocate to the cities to work. The children sang the ABC song to us, and we taught them other English songs (continued on page 2)

Ruth Carrigan, MASCA President-Elect, is shown with students during an English lesson at the Dandelion School in Beijing, China.

MASCA Awards 2015 Counselor of the Year Wendy Rosazza Kate Salas Administrative Award Christine Evans Torch Award – Rising Star Jillian Fagan Jessica Austin George Thompson Memorial Scholarship Jennifer Jameson

CARRIGAN (continued from page 1) and games. I was captivated by these engaging youngsters, who were eager to interact with American educators, and I was again impressed that even the youngest students were learning English and had hopes for a college education. Another visit brought us to Suzhou Number 4 School, a typical Chinese school of about 500 students for grades 7-12. In 2008, Bob Davidson, Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator at WhitmanHanson Regional High School, spent a year teaching English at this school. We were welcomed warmly and even had a chance to see students in morning exercises. Yes, that is right. The entire student body meets outside at the track each morning for warm up exercises! Somehow, I just can’t imagine that happening at my school. During our visit, some members of our group had a chance to visit dance and mathematics classes. Another group visited a class that prepares students for careers as flight attendants. This unique program is the only vocational program at this college prep high school, and all

students are expected to advance to postsecondary education. All students at the school were learning English and preparing for college studies. Our visit to the elite Beijing Number 4 High School really got me thinking about the future of our students and our country. We met students who will be heading to colleges across the USA in the fall,

including University of San Diego, Cornell University, and Case Western. These talented students spoke English fluently and have been part of an AP Advanced Placement curriculum throughout high school. With the benefit of a great secondary education, family support, and hard work, it is clear that they are headed for great success. They truly represent the best and the brightest of high school students in China. As impressed as I was with the engaging students and dedicated educators, I found it startling to realize that the number of high-achieving students (like those at Beijing Number 4 High School), who make up the top twenty percent of students in China, outnumber the TOTAL number of high school students of the United States. I also learned that by 2030, China will have 200 million college graduates—more than the entire U.S. workforce. It became clear that if we want our students to achieve success and be able to compete in a global economy, we must continue to encourage them to “Reach Higher” to make a plan for education and training after high school. As school counselors, we can do much to impact the future aspirations of our students. All of us should have high expectations for our students and make college- and career- readiness a central part of our comprehensive school counseling curricula. After visiting China, I think our future depends on it. I wish you a wonderful summer, and, as always, thank you for the important work you do every day. ■ COUNSELOR’S NOTEBOOK

MASCA Conference Highlights

2014 – 2015 OFFICERS

By THERESA COOGAN, Ph.D. MASCA Past President MASCA Spring 2015 Conference Committee Chair

PRESIDENT TINA KARIDOYANES Mansfield High School 250 East Street, Mansfield, MA 02048 E-mail: president@masca.org PAST PRESIDENT THERESA A. COOGAN, Ph.D. Bridgewater State University Bridgewater, MA 02325 Tel. 508-531-2640 E-mail: theresa.coogan@bridgew.edu PRESIDENT-ELECT RUTH CARRIGAN Whitman-Hanson Regional High School 600 Franklin Street, Whitman, MA 02382 Tel. 781-618-7434 • Fax 781-618-7098 E-mail: Ruth.Carrigan@whrsd.org VICE PRESIDENT ELEMENTARY VERONICA KNIGHT Lowell Elementary School 175 Orchard Street, Watertown, MA 02472 Tel. 617-926-2666 E-mail: veronica.knight@watertown.k12.ma.us VICE PRESIDENT MIDDLE / JUNIOR HIGH KATHLEEN SCOTT E-mail: scottk@amesburyma.gov VICE PRESIDENT SECONDARY JOHN S. STEERE Wellesley High School 50 Rice Street, Wellesley, MA 02481 Tel. 781-446-6290 x4653 • Fax 781-446-6308 E-mail: john_steere@wellesley.k12.ma.us VICE PRESIDENT ADMINISTRATORS TBA VICE PRESIDENT POSTSECONDARY JOHN MARCUS Dean College 99 Main Street, Franklin, MA 02038 Tel. 508-541-1509 • Fax 508-541-8726 E-mail: jmarcus@dean.edu VICE PRESIDENT COUNSELOR EDUCATORS MEGAN KRELL, Ph.D.; AMY L. COOK, Ph.D. E-mail: vpcounselored@masca.org VICE PRESIDENT RETIREES JOSEPH D. FITZGERALD, Ed.D. 5 Progress Street, Weymouth, MA 02188 Tel. 781-264-3426 E-mail: jdfitz1831@gmail.com EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DONNA M. BROWN Adjunct Professor, UMass Boston P.O. Box 366, 779 Center Street Bryantville, MA 02327 Tel. 781-293-2835 E-mail: executivedirector@masca.org TREASURER ASHLEY CARON 25 Belmont Ave., Stoughton, MA 02072 Tel. 508-212-0676 E-mail: ashcicero@hotmail.com SECRETARY KATIE KOZAK E-mail: secretary@masca.org MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR DONNA BROWN E-mail: membership@masca.org WEBMASTER / TECHNOLOGY COORDINATOR ROSS WOLFSON E-mail: webmaster@masca.org; info@masca.org COORDINATOR OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT HELEN O’DONNELL, Ed.D. E-mail: pdchair@masca.org COUNSELOR’S NOTEBOOK EDITOR SALLY ANN CONNOLLY 19 Bayberry Road, Danvers, MA 01923 Tel. 978-774-8158 • Fax 978-750-8154 E-mail: sallyconnolly@att.net

JUNE 2015

he beginning of April had school counselors very busy. With MCAS testing, PARCC testing, College Board testing, and preparing schedules for the upcoming academic year, school counselors were illustrating how they can successfully and efficiently multi-task. In the middle of these important responsibilities, MASCA held its annual spring conference. More than 250 attendees were welcomed on Monday, April 6, and Tuesday, April 7. All conferencerelated activities took place at the Holiday Inn in Boxborough, which some may recall as the usual site for the fall conferences in past years. This year was another great year of professional development and school counselor networking! For those who were not able to join us this year, here are some of the highlights: • A three-hour pre-conference workshop, “Eating Disorders in Adolescence,” facilitated by Dr. Seda Ebrahami, Director of the Cambridge Eating Disorders Clinic in Cambridge. The workshop discussed eating disorders among children and adolescents and addressed current issues, interventions, and prevention strategies for school counselors. • A gorgeous President’s Reception and Awards Ceremony, sponsored by Bentley University and held in the courtyard area of the hotel on Monday as a part of the pre-conference events. • Fifteen learning break-out sessions held throughout conference day, Tuesday, April 7. • Thirty-five graduate student posters showcasing the work of forty graduate student presenters. • A keynote presentation, “College and Career Readiness: Preparing for Work

in the Second Machine Age,” by Dr. David Blustein, Boston College professor. • Thirty-two exhibit booths with vendors relevant to all grade levels of school counselors and an additional five exhibitors who selected packages that did not include a booth. • Four Graduate Student Scholarship winners as part of the second Annual Essay Contest, each of whom received a $100.00 stipend. • The annual spring MASCA General Session meeting, which was open to all members. The energy and excitement abuzz throughout the hotel was inspiring and motivating, despite the dreary, grey weather outside. Delicious food, inspiring conversations among colleagues, a friendly environment in which to make new connections and meet new people, and innovative and practice-based presentations all came together as the foundation for an amazingly successful conference! We hope you consider being a part of the spring 2016 conference. Details will be made available on the Events page of MASCA’s website at the end of summer or beginning of the new academic year. Included will be the Call for Programs for the breakout sessions and the graduate student poster sessions, information about exhibitor/sponsor packages and registration options, and much more. Mark the conference location and dates in your calendar now: pre-conference afternoon (Monday, April 4); full-conference day (Tuesday, April 5). Both the 2016 and 2017 conferences will take place at the Holiday Inn in Boxborough. I look forward to seeing you there! ■

MASCA Conference Scholarship Recipients Kristina Haugh Bridgewater State University Judy Ferrara Salem State University Lara Solinsky Suffolk University Erin Wetherell UMass Amherst

Professional Development News By HELEN C. O’DONNELL, Ed.D. Coordinator of Professional Development

he MA Accountability Report Card update: Designed by David Elsner, the MA Accountability Report Card is a continuous improvement document for school counseling outcomes. According to David: “Through research and analysis, counselors gain a deeper understanding of how their efforts impact student achievement and career readiness. Accountability requires measuring and communicating the results of a school counseling program. The MARC and MARC Jr. provide a template for presenting that information in simple terms so students, families, and the school community can see clearly how a comprehensive, developmental program benefits all students. Using student result data, these documents share a powerful story about how students are positively affected by school counseling programs.” At the MA Model Training Workshop this spring, we celebrated the one hundredth school to complete a MARC or MARC Jr. In the fall, we will celebrate the tenth anniversary of the MARC. Documents submitted for MARC and MARC Jr. recognition can be found on MASCA’s website. Go to the MA Model tab. MA Model Recognition Awards were presented in the spring to: Elizabeth Dolan, Page Hilltop School, Ayer; Karen McCrillis, Judy Mack, and Melissa Chisholm, Gardner High School; Kara Melillo, Dr. Paul Nettle Middle School, Haverhill; Keith Poulin and Renee Considine, Minnechaug Regional High School; Emily Krems, Great Falls Middle School, Montague; Kate Salas, Pembroke Middle School; Maria Paoletti, Beth Fortin, and Karen Hidalgo, Turners Falls High School, Montague; Ruth Robert and Trisha Sabourin, Ware High School.

MA Model Tab on MASCA Website An updated MA Model Tab has been created. Maria Paoletti, school counselor at Turners Fall Middle School and MA Model Institute participant, has been working hard to redesign the site. A table of contents organizes the materials and additional resources have been added. THANK YOU, Maria!

COUNSELOR’S NOTEBOOK

MA Model for Comprehensive School Counseling Programs The MA Model is entering its ninth year this fall. Katie Gray, past MASCA president and lead writer of the original MA Model, is working with the original writing team and a team of current practitioners to update the MA Model. The goal is to align with the ASCA model and incorporate both national and state educational and professional changes from the past decade. The updated version should be ready for its tenth anniversary. Good luck to Katie and the writing team. Reach Higher Initiative Under the leadership of Bob Bardwell and Ruth Carrigan, a state task force is meeting to define their mission and identify multiple initiatives to promote First Lady Michelle Obama’s goal of encouraging all students to Reach Higher. More information, the First Lady’s keynote speech at the ASCA 2014 National Conference, and the ASCA School Counselor of the Year recognition ceremony at the White House, can be found on ASCA’s website, www. schoolcounselor.org. For more information, contact bardwellr@monsonschools. com or Ruth.Carrigan@whrsd.org.

JUNE 2015

SMART Goals and DDM Libraries Tech Librarians are still making an active effort to get both of these sites on the MASCA website activated. Thank you for your patience. Save the Dates • Dr. Trisha Hatch, author of Hatching Results, full-day data workshop, October 9 (tentative), Norwood Campus of Universal Technical Institute. Details

on MASCA’s website. • WMCA Fall Professional Development, mental health theme, November 13. Contact: Lyn Duame, Ludlow High School, l_duame@ludlowps.org. • National Association of Social Workers, MA Chapter, Annual School Social Work Conference, Thursday, October 29, Holy Cross University, Worcester. Inquiries: Mikaela E. Flynn, LCSW, flynn@ naswma.org. ■

Graduate Courses for School Counselors (Earn PDPs or Graduate Credit) Counseling the College-Bound Student July 6-10, 2015 Instructor: Bob Bardwell, Monson Innovative High School MA Model Introductory Institute and Institute 2.0: Next Steps June 30, July 1, additional dates TBA Each Institute includes five workshop training dates. Dean College Instructor: Helen O’Donnell, Ed.D.

Reflecting on the Past and Planning for the Future By TINA KARIDOYANES MASCA President

hroughout my childhood, I would take time in June to reflect on the school year. I would write thank-you notes to my teachers, and I made sure that I mentioned something I had enjoyed from different parts of the year in their classes. As I sit to write my final article as president of MASCA, I want to reflect on where the organization has grown during the past year and take a sneak peek into the future. In August, we had a vibrant two-day Leadership Development Institute for the Governing Board, which included more than twenty-five leaders from across the Commonwealth. We discussed a variety of issues including organizational structure, affiliates, professional development, and membership. We hypothesized about pending changes to the ASCA Compre-

hensive School Counseling Curriculum and its alignment with the Common Core. We also discussed the title of “school counselor” vs. “guidance counselor,” and we were excited to move forward with the Commonwealth to change the name of our licensure. With the efforts of former MASCA presidents Dr. Theresa Coogan and Bob Bardwell, this initiative is well underway. Along with the title change are some proposed changes to the actual licensure requirements. As we continue to move forward with this initiative, more information will become available. During the fall and early winter, we continued our partnership with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, providing professional development to school counselors in four regions of the state. We expanded our partnership with DESE and several other entities to include working on First Lady Michelle Obama’s Reach Higher Initiative. We are still in the formative stages of this initiative, and we are looking for schools across the Commonwealth to pledge to find innovative and creative ways to engage students K-12 in planning for the future and continuing some form of education and/or training after high school. In May 2014, the Governing Board created a liaison position for the sixteen affiliate organizations. After applications were received and reviewed, we welcomed Glenn Forgue to the Board. Due to his incredible— some might say herculean — efforts, our affiliates have created new bonds with the Board, and affiliate participation in the Board has increased. To

accomplish this, Glenn traveled around the state, attending meetings, making connections, and educating both affiliates and the Board on ways to engage with one another. We look forward to seeing these relationships blossom in the coming year. Although we endured “Snowmageddon” in late January and February and experienced a very chilly March and April, the great success of our annual conference showed that spring had sprung. Throughout the day, counselors could be seen engaging, sharing ideas, and discussing what they had learned. A positive outlook for the future prevailed. Our graduate poster session, moreover, proved to be one of the most stimulating sessions in its history. Practitioners and graduate students shared ideas about a variety of topics researched and presented by the students. This spring, President-Elect Ruth Carrigan and I began working with an outside consultant to steer us through the creation of a five-year Strategic Plan. The goal is to make MASCA a more meaningful resource for school counselors across the Commonwealth. This work will take several months to complete, and your input will be critical. I hope you take this opportunity to become more actively involved, and let us know how you would like MASCA to help. In addition to joining a committee or taking on a leadership role, we need feedback from all members. Watch for surveys in your e-mail. We urge you to complete them and help us make positive changes to our organization. It has been an honor to serve as your president and meet so many wonderful counselors, graduate students, higher education staff, and the many supporters of school counselors throughout our Commonwealth. As I pass the gavel on to Ruth, I am excited about where our organization is headed. I know we will continue to grow and serve our members, students, and colleagues in a positive and purposeful way. ■ COUNSELOR’S NOTEBOOK

JUNE 2015

Massachusetts School Counselors Association, Inc. COUNSELOR’S NOTEBOOK Sally Ann Connolly, Editor

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MASCA thanks former Governing Board members for their service Theresa Coogan, Ph.D. Immediate Past President Joe Fitzgerald, Ed.D. Vice President Retirees Veronica Knight Vice President Elementary Katie Kozak Secretary John Marcus Vice President Postsecondary Ron Miller Webmaster Helen O'Donnell, Ed.D. Professional Development Chair