Counselor's Notebook, April 2009

Volume 45

Number 8

www.masca.org

April 2009

State of the Economy: Implications for MASCA

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s we listen to the developments related to the state of the economy from a local, state, national, and global perspective, it is hard to imagine that there is anyone who has gone unaffected by these changes.

We hear about everything from international trade issues to our next-door neighbor being laid off. We look at rising grocery costs and frozen school budgets.

As we cling optimistically to what our state and federal elected officials tell us about supporting educational initiatives, it becomes all the more important to belong to a professional organization of peers. It needs to be an organization that you can turn to for professional support and guidance. MASCA is and will continue to provide that support and guidance for school counselors in Massachusetts.

This year, MASCA’s leadership has been meeting and discussing MASCA’s vision with an eye on best practices for the present and the future. We, as an organization, need to find ways to meet and preferably exceed the expectations of our members while, at the same time, not increasing the cost of membership.

It is about working smarter and thinking outside the box. It is an interesting challenge and one that I am confident each one of us can meet.

As recently as February 4 of this year, more than 100 school counselors and other educational leaders convened at the State House for a Leadership Forum on behalf of school counseling. Although many organizations participated, two of our MASCA leaders, Bob Bardwell and Brad MacGowan, were instrumental in bringing this event to fruition.

All Massachusetts school counselors were invited. The event was free and many counselors were able to meet with their state representatives. We need to make more people aware of what we do as

KAREN D’AMOUR MASCA President professional school counselors in order to have the future we want for the students of the Commonwealth.

Remember, at the present time school counselors are not mandated by the state of Massachusetts. As a result, many of our elementary school children go without the benefit of a school counselor, and many middle school and high school counselors have caseloads far exceeding the ASCA guidelines. This — coupled with non-counselor related duties being assigned to school counselors — gives us many excellent reasons to continue the efforts that have been initiated so far.

At MASCA we have discussed how best to provide more at a time when most of us feel that we are getting less.

This is why we recently sent out a survey to you and all of our members via Survey Monkey. We want your opinion. Our Fiscal Oversight Committee, chaired by

Jay Leiendecker, has been working hard to come up with ways to afford some of the improvements we would like to see for MASCA, such as a website with improved site functionality and expanded membership services.

We need to know what services we currently offer that are not meeting members’ needs and what methods should be used for the best delivery.

By the time you read this message, MASCA’s leadership will have taken the following steps in this direction: a past presidents’ summit to discuss past practices and suggested innovations and a Governing Board Focus Group devoted to how best to implement the results of the membership survey and how to provide 21st Century skill training for all professional school counselors. This leads me to what I believe.

I believe MASCA can provide professional school counselors in Massachusetts with the best professional resources for their toolkit, the best professional development opportunities for their professional growth, the best answers to their questions, and the best professional networking opportunities in the state as well as in the Northeast.

I believe. Do you? Please let me know what you think MASCA could be doing that would benefit your professional school counseling needs. E-mail me at damourk@mersd.org. ■

MASCA 2009 Spring Conference Get on Board: Advocacy, Accountability, Affiliates April 29 – May 1, 2009 • Sturbridge Host Inn Registration form on page 9 or go to: www.masca.org

Emerging Leaders Program enters third year The Emerging Leaders Program (ELP)

COUNSELOR’S NOTEBOOK 2008 – 2009 PRESIDENT KAREN M. D’AMOUR Manchester Essex Regional High School 36 Lincoln Street, Manchester, MA 01944 Tel. 978-526-7641 • Fax 978-526-2044 E-mail: damourk@mersd.org PRESIDENT-ELECT CHRISTINE EVANS Director of Guidance East Bridgewater High School 11 Plymouth Street, East Bridgewater, MA 02333 E-mail: cevans@EBPS.net PAST PRESIDENT JENNIFER JUST McGUIRE Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School 220 Sandwich Road, Bourne, MA 02532 Tel. 508-759-7711 x247 • E-mail: jmcguire@uppercapetech.org VICE PRESIDENT ELEMENTARY AMANNDA BARTRAM Lynn Public Schools, Lynn, MA 01902 E-mail: bartrama@lynnschools.org VICE PRESIDENT MIDDLE / JUNIOR HIGH RICHARD WHITE Gateway Regional Middle School 12 Littleville Road, Huntington, MA 01050 E-mail: RWhite@GRSD.org VICE PRESIDENT SECONDARY JENNIFER LISK Medway High School Medway, MA 02053 E-mail: lisk@medway.k12.ma.us VICE PRESIDENT POSTSECONDARY JAY LEIENDECKER Vice President Enrollment Services, Dean College Tel. 508-541-1509 • Fax 508-541-8726 E-mail: jleiendecker@dean.edu VICE PRESIDENT ADMINISTRATORS CAROLYN RICHARDS Somerville High School Somerville, MA E-mail: crichards@k12.somerville.ma.us VICE PRESIDENT COUNSELOR EDUCATORS FELICIA L. WILCZENSKI, Ed.D. Professor and Associate Dean Graduate College of Education UMass Boston, Boston, MA 02125 E-mail: Felicia.Wilczenski@umb.edu VICE PRESIDENT RETIREES RALPH SENNOTT P.O. Box 1391, Westford, MA 01886 Tel. 978-692-8244 • E-mail: ralphsennott@hotmail.com EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR THOMAS HUGHART Wellesley High School, Wellesley, MA 02481 Tel. 781-446-6305 x5142 • Fax 781-446-6308 E-mail: thom_hughart@wellesley.mec.edu TREASURER TINA KARIDOYANES P.O. Box 1007, Monument Beach, MA 02553 Tel. 508-759-3986 • E-mail: tkaridoyanes@gmail.com SECRETARY ANN HOURIGAN North Reading High School, North Reading, MA 01864 Tel. 978-664-7800 • E-mail: annhourigan@yahoo.com Questions concerning membership in the Massachusetts School Counselors Association should be addressed to:

leadership training.

was approved by the MASCA Governing

This year, ELs supported the MASCA

Board in early 2007. The program seeks

Member Services Committee by organiz-

to identify potential leaders in the school

ing a new counselor workshop at the

counseling profession in Massachusetts

spring conference, creating a New Coun-

and to get them involved with MASCA.

selor Welcome-to-MASCA Kit, and orga-

An Emerging Leader has to be a pro-

nizing a mentor program. Watch for de-

fessional school counselor and MASCA

tails about all of these events in the coming

member who has not served as an elect-

months.

ed or appointed Governing Board mem-

MASCA is now recruiting Emerging

ber and who has a desire to give back to

Leaders for 2009-2010. If you are a pro-

our profession.

fessional school counselor and you have

Emerging Leaders must present at a

not been an elected or appointed mem-

MASCA sponsored conference, attend a

ber of the Governing Board, contact Bob

Governing Board meeting and one of the

Bardwell at bardwellr@monsonschools

affiliate meetings, write articles for the

.com or 413.267.4589 x1107.

Counselor’s Notebook, and participate in

The deadline to reply is April 15.

EL trainings. In return, ELs receive free

Don’t miss out on this unique and excit-

membership in MASCA for one year as

ing program. It will forever impact you

well as free conference registration and

as a professional school counselor. ■

MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR DEBORAH CLEMENCE P.O. Box 805, East Dennis, MA 02641 E-mail: DeborahClemence@verizon.net The Counselor’s Notebook is published by the Massachusetts School Counselors Association, Inc. 10 times a year, September through June. The yearly subscription rate is $20.00; individual issues are $2.00.

Opinions expressed in the articles published herein represent the ideas and/or beliefs of those who write them and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Massachusetts School Counselors Association, Inc. The acceptance of an advertisement for publication does not imply MASCA endorsement of the advertiser’s programs, services, or views expressed. © 2009 by the Massachusetts School Counselors Association.

All rights reserved.

Questions concerning submission of articles, publication deadlines, advertising rates, etc., should be addressed to: SALLY ANN CONNOLLY, Editor 19 Bayberry Road, Danvers, MA 01923 Tel. 978-774-8158 • Fax 978-750-8154 E-mail: sallyconnolly@att.net

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COUNSELOR’S NOTEBOOK

Working to Pave the Way

By SALLY ANN CONNOLLY, Counselor’s Notebook Editor

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here would we be without our electricians, our plumbers, and our carpenters? Or our auto repairers, hairdressers, and trained chefs? These technicians and others in skilled occupations keep America running.

Yet, information about vocational / technical occupations and the schools that offer such training does not always get out to youngsters.

Writing in the March issue of the Notebook, Karen Decoster and Lisa Sander of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education say, “Vocational education in Massachusetts celebrated its 100th anniversary last year, but even in our state where education is highly valued, there are misconceptions about this excellent form of education.”

Students and parents / guardians, the authors say, depend upon school counselors “to provide them with up-to-date information and sufficient notice, as early as the seventh grade.”

Usually students learn about the programs in a vocational / technical school by visiting the school themselves on an individual basis or through formally arranged group tours. Quite often, vocational school counselors reach out to middle and high school students through planned visits, where they can discuss both job opportunities and the training involved.

As a former counselor at North Shore Technical High School in Middleton, I participated in many of these school tours and “dog and pony shows.” The school personnel in most communities, I found, were quite cooperative in our efforts.

But not all schools showed the same spirit of cooperation. And not all school personnel possessed the same knowledge of state regulations.

In addition to the requirement that students have equal access to vocational / technical information and programs, middle schools have an obligation to release student names and addresses to the vocational / technical high school. All students — male and female, regular ed and special ed — are entitled to information about vocational technical education.

APRIL 2009

This will be the central message of a workshop that DESE representatives will conduct in May at our annual spring conference.

To ensure that you possess the most up-to-date information on state regulations regarding vocational education as well as other issues, plan to attend the MASCA Spring Conference. ■

MASCA Spring Conference April 29 – May 1, 2009 • Exhibits • Workshops • Networking • PDP Opportunity Get further details at www.masca.org.

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Short-Term Solutions with Long-Term Consequences

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t’s that time of year when counselor education programs are preparing their students to enter the job-seeking world.

As a counselor educator, it pains me to see such few positions open. The economic reality is preventing schools from adding positions. In some cases, I have even heard of schools not replacing retiring counselors.

I was visiting one of my interns at a local high school; and the intern, site supervisor, and I were discussing the role of school counselors in the overall high school structure. Ann, the intern, made a simple, but profound, observation. She said, “The school counselor is part of the infrastructure of the school.”

Nice point, but as I mulled it over for a day or two, I became even more in-

THOM HUGHART MASCA Executive Director trigued by that concept. We truly are part of the infrastructure. We are part of the foundation of the school.

We don’t spend much time considering the heat, plumbing, and walls of the

Mission of MASCA The mission of MASCA is to advocate for school counselors in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by providing leadership, collaboration, and professional development.

school. They are just there, making it possible for education and learning to take place. And counselors have a similar foundational effect on our students and schools.

We build a relationship with all students, advise, and advocate for them for all four years. We help ease their transition anxieties both on entering school and on moving on to the next level. We also address their parents’ anxieties and concerns.

Imagine a school without these counselors. Who would handle all of these issues? Administrators, teachers, secretaries?

It always amazes me that some of the most basic educational data is not studied and investigated more frequently. Think about these comments: • You can predict MCAS scores by knowing the school zip codes.

• Students perform better on standardized tests in schools where the student to counselor ratios are at or below 250:1.

• Graduation rates are higher and drop out rates are lower in schools with lower student / counselor loads.

• Attendance and discipline problems decrease in direct relationship to the number of school counselors in the school.

• College attendance rates are higher in schools with reasonable counselor caseloads.

Granted, correlation is not causation, but the student to counselor ratio clearly seems to make a difference.

All this relates to the No Child Left Behind legislation of high achieving students, safe schools, and highly qualified teachers. When schools and school districts choose (it is a choice!) to reduce the number of school counselors, they are electing short-term solutions that will have unhealthy long term effects.

Hopefully as you read this, you are thinking about whom you can share these thoughts with. If you have a working relationship with a guidance director, principal, student services director or pupil personnel director, assistant superintendent, superintendent, or school committee member, please share these thoughts.

––––––––––––––––––––

Thom also serves as adjunct professor of Counselor Education at Suffolk University. Currently he is president of the Massachusetts Peer Helpers Association and president-elect of the National Association of Peer Programs. ■

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COUNSELOR’S NOTEBOOK

APRIL 2009

5

Advocacy on the Hill Free Workshop on Violence Prevention UMass Boston Campus Center Ballroom April 28, 2009 5:00 pm “Acknowledging Violence, Embracing Family, and Investing in Peace” Presenter: Clementin Chery, founder of the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute Reception will follow.

BOB BARDWELL MASCA Past President

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ore than one hundred Massachusetts school counselors and other educational leaders convened at the State House on February 4 for the state’s firstever School Counseling Leadership Forum.

Their purpose was to identify ways to promote school counseling as a critical component of college and career readiness because two bills are currently working their way through the state legislature.

Attendees met with state lawmakers to discuss school counseling and to solicit their support for the evolving legislative

proposals, sponsored by Rep. Alice Peisch (D-Wellesley), which seek to accelerate college and career readiness through a more comprehensive data-driven integration of a school counseling program.

Rep. Cory Atkins (D-Concord) and Rep. Kevin Aguiar (D-New Bedford) also spoke, expressing their support for school counselors and their goals. They offered practical advice for advancing the work of counselors at a time when many school districts are looking for ways to reduce their budgets. Massachusetts also needs legislation to provide consistency across all counseling programs in the state.

Andover High School counselor, Peggy Cain, said that the “forum was held to advocate for counselors and increase awareness among legislators of what school counselors do, because the position has changed so much over the years.”

She said that Andover’s robust counseling program is due largely to strong support from the administration and that it can serve as an example for other districts.

Speakers came from a variety of perspectives and included administrators, students, parents, and college personnel.

John Mahoney, Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Boston College, noted that “high school counselors are critical emissaries for young people navigating the college admission process today. Any investment we make in counseling is an investment in the success of these young people.”

Participants presented research that illustrated the benefits to students of having a school counselor, especially as they prepare to apply to college. MASCA also shared its Vision Document, “Investing in the Potential of All Massachusetts Students.” This document is available at the MASCA website.

The Leadership Forum was organized

by MASCA, the College Board, and the New England Association for College Admission Counseling. Numerous other statewide organizations shared information about model school counseling practices.

For more information or to join in the next stages of our advocacy efforts, contact Brad MacGowan at bmacgowan@ comcast.net.

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Bob currently serves as president of NEACAC and Secondary Level Vice President for ASCA. ■

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COUNSELOR’S NOTEBOOK

APRIL 2009

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Conference Update

By HELEN O’DONNELL MASCA Conference Committee Chair What do they have in common?

Dr. Michael Thompson, Author, Raising Cain Dr. Karla Baehr, Deputy Commissioner, DESE Dr. David Blustein, Author, Psychology of Working, Boston College Attorney Regina Tate, Esq., Update on 504 Legislation and Legal and Ethical Issues for School Counselors

They will be keynoters at MASCA’s Spring Conference, a professional development event for school counselors, administrators, and mental health practitioners.

In addition to a full agenda of programs, four keynote speakers, exciting exhibitors, and hospitality events, new highlights include a workshop strand focusing on MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education initiatives, theater performances, and retirement topics. Authors will host book signings. MA Model showcases and Graduate Student Poster Sessions will be featured.

Learn about 21st century school counseling programs that reach out to all students promoting academic success and technical / workplace readiness.

Bring your colleagues and administrators for professional development designed to meet your needs. Your certificate of attendance will help you earn PDP’s.

Reminder: The Sturbridge Host Inn has graciously offered conference room rates through Friday night, allowing Saturday recreational opportunities like an indoor pool and outdoor mini golf course.

Bring your kayaks and canoes to enjoy the resort’s lake. Weather permitting, play beach volleyball and golf at area courses.

Visit historic Sturbridge Village.

Register now for an inclusive registration package or single-day registrations: Wednesday afternoon (April 29), Thursday (April 30), and/or Friday (May 1).

Credit card payments accepted (MC or Visa, no debit cards, please). For members rates, use the e-mail invitation. For non-member registration, conference details, agenda, keynoters and program information, go to www.masca.org. ■

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COUNSELOR’S NOTEBOOK

MASCA 2009 Spring Conference

Get on Board: Advocacy, Accountability, Affiliates April 29 – May 1, 2009 • Sturbridge Host Inn /Conference Center, Sturbridge Inquiries: Helen O’Donnell, Conference Chair, pdchair@masca.org

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FORM • • • • • •

For member rates: Renewals or new memberships MUST be current by April 1, 2009. Your status: www.masca.org Online registrations using e-mail notifications only. Requests for e-mail: Ron Miller, webmaster@masca.org Payment options: (1) Online with credit cards (M/C or VIsa – no debit) (2) Offline with check or purchase orders.

MASCA room rate available 4 /29 – 5/2 (Code: COUNS). Phone 508-347-7393 or go to www.sturbridgehosthotel.com PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY. One registration form per person. Mailed form must be accompanied by check or P.O. Refund Policy: Refund requests must be received in writing by April 15. A $20 processing fee will be charged.

No refunds after April 15, unless written approval by conference chair due to extreme conflicts such as bereavement.

Contact: Helen O’Donnell, pdchair@masca.org

FIRST NAME: _________________________________________ LAST NAME: ____________________________________________ E-mail address (required for automated electronic confirmation): ________________________________________________________ Preferred mailing address: ■ School/Work (include school name) ■ Home School: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Street Address: _____________________________________________________________________________________________ City/Town: ______________________________ State: ______ Zip: ______________ Phone: _____________________________ Position/Title: ■ Elementary ■ Middle School ■ High School ■ Administrator ■ Retired ■ Grad Student ■ Counselor Educator Check category and option Separate registration form for presenters and Conference Committee Requesting vegetarian meals First MASCA conference

■ Yes ■ Yes ■ No

INCLUSIVE REGISTRATION* ■ SUPER SAVER (check, credit card, no POs, ends 3/1) ■ EARLY BIRD, ends April 1 ■ REGULAR registration ■ Wednesday evening only ■ Thursday only – Early Bird, ends April 1 ■ Thursday only – after April 1 ■ Friday only – Early Bird, ends April 1 ■ Friday only – after April 1 ■ Thursday–Friday – Early Bird, ends April 1 ■ Thursday–Friday – after April 1 SUBTOTAL ■ WALK IN registration (add $20 to total) (add $25 to total) ■ MASCA PDPs ■ PO processing fee (add $10 / invoice) TOTAL

MASCA Professional Member

Non-MASCA Member

Graduate Student / Retiree Non-Member Member

(paid by April 1)

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

$225 $240 $265 $ 35 $115 $135 $115 $135 $205 $230

■ $ 20 ■ $ 25 ■ $ 10

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

$280 $299 $315 $ 60 $165 $185 $165 $185 $265 $289

■ $ 20 ■ $ 25 ■ $ 10

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

$145 $155 $165 $ 20 $ 70 $ 80 $ 70 $ 80 $125 $150

■ $ 20 ■ $ 25 ■ $ 10

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

$160 $170 $180 $ 35 $ 85 $ 95 $ 85 $ 95 $140 $165

■ $ 20 ■ $ 25 ■ $ 10

*INCLUSIVE REGISTRATION includes ALL conference days and attendee events.

Wednesday evening registration: Opening Keynoter, Atty. Regina Tate, Welcome Reception Thursday registration: Breakfast, Keynote, Workshops, Exhibits, Snack Breaks, Luncheon, Afternoon Reception, Evening Party Friday registration: Breakfast, Keynote, Workshops, Exhibits, Snack Breaks, Luncheon, Graduate Student Events

TOTAL PAYMENT ENCLOSED $ ___________ ■ CHECK No. ___________ ■ PURCHASE ORDER No.** _____________ **For POs, you will electronically be sent an invoice for YOU to submit for payment via your school / business protocol.

Make check payable to MASCA. List registrant names on purchase order.

Mail to: Joe Fitzgerald, Registrar, 5 Progress Street, Weymouth, MA 02188 • registrar@masca.org

New England Institute of Technology

APRIL 2009

9

MASCA Spring Conference 2009 Wednesday, April 29 • 4:30 –7:00 pm Atty. Regina Tate, Esquire

Update on 504 Legislation & Legal and Ethical Issues for School Counselors MASCA Spring Conference Welcome Reception follows program.

Workshop registration available at www.masca.org.

Send presentation questions for Atty. Tate to pdchair@masca.org.

Bring your administrators and colleagues!

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Conference Treasures

By ELIZABETH REED MASCA Graduate Student Liaison

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hen I look back on my first year as a graduate student, one of the biggest highlights for me was the MASCA Spring Conference. Who wouldn’t love being told how great they are many times in a day and getting showered with free goodies from colleges?

Seriously, though, spending three days with other people who are just as passionate as you are about children and adolescents is incredibly stimulating. In addition, you hear different perspectives on current topics and get tips from current guidance counselors on how to prepare for the big job hunt.

This year the conference is again shaping up to be an incredible event. Keynote speakers will be Dr. Michael Thompson, author of Raising Cain, and Dr. David Blustein, author of The Psychology of Working. There will also be workshops throughout the three days including sessions on autism training and another on cyberbullying. These are all topics that will help us to prepare for our jobs as school counselors and will give us the opportunity to learn about current issues from the people who know them best.

In addition to outstanding program sessions and exhibitors, parts of the conference will be geared specifically toward graduate students. Poster sessions will take place on both days. If you attend, be sure to stop by and support fellow grad students. It is not easy presenting to experienced school counselors and any extra encouragement can go a long way.

Also, on Friday afternoon, a panel of current school counselors and guidance directors will speak about “What You Didn’t Learn in Grad School.” They will discuss what to expect during the application and interview process as well as your first year as a school counselor.

Finally, at the end of the conference there will be a small networking session for graduate students.

I know the conference may seem somewhat expensive to someone currently paying for school, but I promise that it is worth it! It will build your passion for the field. And just think of the possible connections you might make with future interviewers. Some universities will offer funding for students to attend conferences.

See if this is an option at your school.

I hope to see you in Sturbridge! ■ COUNSELOR’S NOTEBOOK

APRIL 2009

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The Counseling Internship: An Inside Look

By AUSTIN BUSHEY (Suffolk University) and KARA SZCZESNY (UMass Boston) Guidance Interns, Canton High School

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s we look back over the first half of our internship at Canton High School, the first thing that stands out is how quickly the time has passed. The speed with which the last five months have gone by demonstrates the nature of the work of a school counselor: fast paced and all consuming.

With seniors stressed over the college

co

application process and many ninth graders dealing with the challenging transition from middle school to high school, there is always plenty to do. These challenges and many others make us eager to start our careers as school counselors.

Both of us enjoy the variable aspects of this job, and we want to share our many positive experiences with fellow

s r o l e s n u

career advancement night Thursday, April 16, 2009 6:00 p.m.

Cambridge College 1000 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge Massachusetts The Cambridge College School of Psychology and Counseling invites you to a special information session. The focus will be on your career advancement and educational training in the counseling field. Attend a sample class and find out what it’s like to become a Cambridge College student.

The Cambridge College advantage • convenient weekend and evening classes • effective adult teaching and learning model • responsive credit transfer policy • affordable tuition • financial assistance for qualified individuals • diverse faculty and student body Contact us today to learn more!

Dahiana Alcon dahiana.alcon@cambridgecollege.edu 617.873.0622

for working adults

617.873.0622 • www.cambridgecollege.edu/info31 c a m b r id ge • l aw r en c e • spr ingfiel d Cambridge College is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc. (neasc). Applicants are responsible for reading the academic catalog and getting all the information needed to make informed decisions.

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interns. Our insights might also benefit other guidance departments in their work with interns.

One of the things that we enjoy most about being a school counselor is the unpredictable nature of the job. Each day is filled with new situations and challenges.

In the short time we have been interns, we have already experienced so much.

We owe a great deal to the welcoming staff, who allowed us to take ownership of our internship experience. During our first week we were given our own caseload of students, spanning all four grades. The counselors provided ongoing supervision and mentoring whenever it was needed, and they took time out of their busy schedules to discuss cases, invite us to meetings, and brief us on ongoing situations. The counselors involved us in every aspect of their roles, enabling us to build strong relationships with our students and to grow as school counselors.

One of the most beneficial aspects of our internship has been working with all counselors in the department and experiencing their varying styles. We feel fortunate to work with professionals who are just as passionate about school counseling as we are. Their support has been essential to our success, and their willingness to share their past experiences and shed light on the challenges we face as interns moving forward into the job market, has given us the confidence we need to do our job.

Although many facets of our internship have contributed to our growth as professional school counselors, nothing has been more important than the feeling of belonging to a staff that values the knowledge, thoughts, and recommendations you present.

Guidance interns have a wealth of knowledge accumulated over the course of their academic careers. Some may have experience in fields related to counseling.

Others may be fluent in a foreign language or have expertise in new technology. Regardless of their additional skills, interns are familiar with the changing climate of the school counseling profession, specifically the Massachusetts Model and developmental guidance curricula.

COUNSELOR’S NOTEBOOK

We have found, as well, that having more than one intern can be beneficial to both the interns and the department.

Sharing the experience with another person who is going through the same stresses, deadlines, and assignments, has been both comforting and therapeutic.

It has allowed us to take on many more tasks, working collaboratively to experience all that is the role of a 21st century school counselor.

Multiple interns, also, provide different perspectives on changes in the field such as implementing a developmental guidance curriculum, using data to analyze the effectiveness of guidance programming, and helping students use new technology such as Naviance to increase their capacity for success.

The guidance department at our school has done a fantastic job of allowing us freedom and flexibility to take ownership of our experience. They have acknowledged that we bring “something new to the table” as it relates to sharing and implementing new ideas. As a result, they have given us the confidence and experience to grow into our careers, while still absorbing all the knowledge we can from the staff. Now, we do not even feel like interns. We truly feel that we are part of the department and school community.

When we decided to write this piece, we wanted to speak not only to other departments about the positive impact guidance interns can have on their school communities but also to other interns about making the most out of their internship experiences. Our advice to current and future interns is to fully invest in the time you have at your school. Take the initiative and ask your supervisor for certain experiences you need to develop your skills as a counselor. The more experiences you have during your internship, the better prepared you will be to enter your first year and the more familiar you will be with the complete role of a guidance counselor. You only get to do this once, so make the most of it!

We also recommend that you attend your school’s professional development days, trainings, workshops, and college tours. Join a guidance association near you and find time to talk with others about the field of school counseling. And try your best to attend the MASCA conference. We are excited to attend and see what our fellow interns have done in APRIL 2009

their schools.

Interns contribute to the overall culture of the guidance department and provide students and staff with extra support.

We advocate for our students, ourselves, and the field of school counseling. We could not do this without the support of the staff around us here at Canton High.

As the saying goes, “There is no substitute for experience.” Our internship has given us the confidence and experience necessary to enter the field as capable 21st century counselors. ■

MA Model Summer Institute 2009 July 15 & 16, 2009 at Dean College Register at www.masca.org Send inquiries to: pdchair@masca.org

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Vote on proposed Bylaw changes at the MASCA Spring Conference on Friday, May 1, 2009 Current language ARTICLE X Section 2 Committee chairs will serve a term of three years with a limit of three consecutive terms with the exception of the Strategic Planning and Nominating and Bylaws Committees which are chaired by the immediate Past President and thus are one year term only and the Conferences Committee chair who is appointed by the President-Elect annually. Vacant committee chair positions will be filled by the PresidentElect with approval by the Governing Board no later than the final meeting of the school year. Ad Hoc committee chairs will be appointed annually by the President as long as the need for the Committee exists.

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Proposed language ARTICLE X Section 2 Committee chairs will serve a term of three years with a limit of three consecutive terms with the exception of the Nominating and Bylaws Committees which are chaired by the immediate Past President and thus are one year term only and the Conferences Committee chair who is appointed by the President-Elect annually. Vacant committee chair positions will be filled by the President-Elect with approval by the Governing Board no later than the final meeting of the school year. Ad Hoc committee chairs will be appointed annually by the President as long as the need for the Committee exists.

Rationale for change

Strategic planning is ongoing and deserves the leadership of a single individual over a period of time. The chair of this committee should be someone with experience and interest in strategic planning. The Past President will serve as a member of this committee, but not necessarily as the chair. The chair of the Strategic Planning Committee will serve a three-year term as do all other committee chairs except as described in the bylaws.

COUNSELOR’S NOTEBOOK

MASCA Candidates for Office (2009-2010) VP Postsecondary

VP Elementary

Jay Leiendecker

Samantha Horsfield

School counselor, Lafayette School, Everett B.A. and M.Ed., Boston University Experience: school counselor in the Everett Public Schools since 2007 Professional affiliations: MASCA, ASCA, ACA, Greater Boston Guidance Association, Urban School Counselor Association Vote at the Spring Conference or by the ballot on back page of CN.

Vice President for Enrollment Services, Dean College B.A., Marietta College; M.Ed., U. of Pittsburgh Experience: VP for Enrollment Services, Dean College, 1997-present; more than thirty years at director of admission level or higher on six private college campuses; admission positions in Ohio, Illinois, New Jersey, and Massachusetts since 1973.

Professional affiliations: MASCA since 1997, NACAC, ACT, CEEG, active member and/or presenter at conferences involving Ohio, Illinois, New Jersey and New England college admission counselors; various regional collegiate registrar and admission associations; former chair of the Conference of Jesuit Admission Directors

VP Secondary

Jennifer Lisk Guidance counselor, Medway High School B.A., Colby College, psychology and biology; M.A., Boston College, Counseling Psychology Experience: school counselor, Medway High School, 2004-present; MASCA VP Secondary 2008-2009; MASCA Emerging Leader 2007-2008 Professional affiliations: MASCA APRIL 2009

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

PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

CHANGE OF ADDRESS: ..........................................

NEWBURYPORT, MA PERMIT NO. 96

NAME

..........................................

ADDRESS

..........................................

CITY

STATE

ZIP CODE

Send this form to: Deborah Clemence P.O. Box 805 East Dennis, MA 02641

FORWARDING SERVICE REQUESTED YOUR MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL DATE IS INDICATED BY YEAR AND MONTH ON YOUR ADDRESS LABEL ABOVE. To renew your membership, go to MASCA’s website, www.masca.org.

MASCA Official Ballot for 2009-2010 (must be received by Tuesday, April 28, 2009, if mailed) PRESIDENT-ELECT __________________________________________________________________________________________________ (write-in)

VICE PRESIDENTS (all are two-year terms, unless noted): VP SECONDARY ____ Jennifer Lisk, guidance counselor, Medway High School ____ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ (write-in)

VP ELEMENTARY ____ Samantha Horsfield, school counselor, Lafayette School, Everett ____ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ (write-in)

VP POSTSECONDARY ____ Jay Leiendecker, Vice President for Enrollment Services, Dean College ____ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ (write-in)

Only Professional Members or Retired Members who previously held Professional Membership are eligible to vote.

Vote in one of two ways: 1. Mail this ballot (no photocopies accepted) to: Jennifer McGuire, MASCA Past President Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School, 220 Sandwich Road, Bourne, MA 02532 2. Vote at the MASCA Spring Conference, April 29 – May 1, 2009.

For more information, contact Jen McGuire at jmcguire@uppercapetech.org