TEA’s Spring Professional Growth Conferences

December 7, 2001

Page 2

ACTION

REQUESTED

December 7, 2001

TO THE SUPERINTENDENT ADDRESSED:

SUBJECT:Texas Education Agency’s Spring Professional Growth Conferences

for School Counselors

The School Guidance and Counseling staff of the Texas Education Agency will provide conferences for Texas school counselors in February, March, and May 2002. Each conference is designed to address the specific needs and interests of counselors working in one of the academic levels: high school, middle school or elementary school. All presentations will pertain to comprehensive, developmental guidance programs in the public schools.

The keynote speaker at each of the conferences will be Jill Riethmayer, Director of Student Services, Blinn College, Bryan, Texas. Ms. Riethmayer’s address is titled S.O.S.: Save Our “Self” - Taking care of self so we can care for others. Ms. Riethmayer is a passionate speaker and advocate for providing developmental guidance for all students. She is in great demand as a speaker for her authoritive and courageous presentation style.

The last general session will feature these key speakers: David Anderson, Managing Director, Curriculum and Professional Development, Texas Education Agency, will provide an update on student assessment and accountability and other curriculum issues. Jane Caldwell, Director of Student Services, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, will bring updated information concerning college entrance and financial aid. Joe Randolph, Statewide Coordinator, Texas Scholars Program, will deliver updated information concerning the Texas Scholars Initative.

The format of this year’s conferences will be similar to that of past conferences.
Gay McAlister-McGee, Behavioral Consultant, Region VII Education Service Center, will present “Ethics and the School Counselor” from 4:00-7:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 24, March 24 and May 5. Mrs. McAlister-McGee is a former school counselor and the “Ethics” presentation will be geared for school counselors. All sessions are approved for full clock hour National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) credit and Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) credit.

The sites and dates for the three TEA’s Spring Professional Growth Conferences are as follows:

23rd Annual Middle School Counselors Conference

February 24-26, 2002

Red Lion Hotel, Austin, Texas

Registration will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 24, 2002, at the Red Lion Hotel.

23rd Annual High School Counselors Conference

March 24-26, 2002

Doubletree and Red Lion Hotels, Austin, Texas

Registration will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 24, 2002, at the Doubletree Hotel.

33rd Annual Elementary School Counselors Conference

May 5-7, 2002

Doubletree and Red Lion Hotels, Austin, Texas

Registration will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 5, 2002, at the Doubletree Hotel.

Enclosed is a copy of the information regarding the conferences that is being sent to counselors. Included is information about the program content, hotel reservation form and conference registration form. An invitation is extended to you and your staff to join the counselors at any or all of the conferences.

In order for the TEA School Guidance and Counseling Office to prepare adequately for these conferences, please return the Conference Registration Form as soon as possible. There will be no further communications on these conferences. If there are questions, contact John Lucas or Yvette Henley at (512) 463-9498.

Sincerely,

Alfredo Acevedo, Jr.

Managing Director for Continuing Education

Enclosures

CONFERENCE INFORMATION

Please read this conference information carefully. This will be the ONLY mail out pertaining to the conferences.

The three spring conferences for school counselors, hosted by the Texas Education Agency School Guidance and Counseling Office, will be held this year on the following dates and locations listed:

Middle School
Red Lion Hotel
February 24-26, 2002 / High School
Doubletree and Red Lion Hotels
March 24-26, 2002 / Elementary School
Doubletree and Red Lion Hotels
May 5-7, 2002

The hotels are located on the east side of Interstate Highway 35 North, one-fourth mile north of
Highway 290 East. This is a superb setting and facility for a working conference.

ROOM RESERVATIONS:

  1. Send the attached Hotel Reservation Form to the Red Lion Hotel, 6121 IH-35 @ Hwy. 290, Austin, Texas 78752 or the Doubletree Hotel, 6505 IH-35 North, Austin, Texas 78752. Conference room rates at the Red Lion Hotel are $70 Single Occupancy and $110 Double Occupancy. Conference room rates at the Doubletree Hotel are $80 Single Occupancy and $120 Double Occupancy. However, please note that these negotiated rates are good only until the “cutoff” dates listed below or until the room block is exhausted. Reservations made after the “cutoff” dates are on room availability and at greatly increased rates.

-OR-

  1. Call the Red Lion Hotel at (512) 323-5466Fax (512) 453-1945
  1. Call the Doubletree Hotel at (512) 454-3737Fax (512) 454-3480

CUTOFF DATES FOR ROOM RESERVATIONS:

January 25, 2002Middle School

February 22, 2002High School

April 4, 2002Elementary School

RETURN CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FORM TO:

TEA School Counselors’ Conferences

P. O. Box 33218

Austin, Texas 78764

It is requested that the Conference Registration Form be returned as soon as possible. This will facilitate the processing of conference materials including handout material. Pre-registration is $50.00; on-site registration is $75.00.

FORMAT FOR THE CONFERENCES

Sunday

2:00 -8:30 p.m.Conference Registration - Middle School, February 24, Red Lion Hotel
Conference Registration - High School, March 24, and Elementary School,
May 5, Doubletree Hotel
Exhibits - Middle School, Red Lion Hotel
Exhibits - High School and Elementary School, Doubletree Hotel

4:00 - 7:30 p.m.Ethics and the School Counselor
Gay McAlister-McGee (former School Counselor)
Behavioral Consultant, Region VII Education Service Center

Monday

8:30 - 10:00 a.m.General Session
Welcome and Perspectives on Education
Commissioner Nelson (Invited)

Keynote: S.O.S.: Save Our “Self” – Taking care of self so we can care for others

Jill Riethmayer, Director of Student Services

Blinn College, Bryan, Texas

10:00 - 10:15 a.m.BREAK

10:15 - 11:30 a.m.Interest Sessions

11:30 - 1:00 p.m.Lunch on your own

1:00 - 2:15 p.m.Interest Sessions

2:15 - 2:30 p.m.BREAK

2:30 - 3:45 p.m.Interest Sessions

3:45 - 4:00 p.m.BREAK

4:00 - 5:15 p.m.General Session
It All Fits Together: New Counselor Legislation
John Lucas, Director
School Guidance and Counseling, Texas Education Agency

5:15 - 7:00 p.m.FREE TIME

7:00 - 9:00 p.m.DINNER

Tuesday

8:30 - 9:45 a.m.Interest Sessions

9:45 - 10:00 a.m.BREAK

10:00 - 12:00 noonClosing General Session

Updated Information on Student Assessment and Accountability and other Curriculum Issues
David Anderson, Managing Director

Curriculum and Professional Development, Texas Education Agency

Updated Information Concerning College Entrance and Financial Aid
Jane Caldwell, Director, Student Services
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
Updated Information Concerning the Texas Scholars Initative
Joe Randolph, Statewide Coordinator
Texas Scholars Program

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FORM

Middle School
February 24-26, 2002
Red Lion Hotel
Austin, Texas / High School
March 24-26, 2002
Doubletree & Red Lion Hotels
Austin, Texas / Elementary School
May 5-7, 2002
Doubletree & Red Lion Hotels
Austin, Texas

Please check the conference(s) you wish to attend.

Middle School (February)$50.00

High School (March)$50.00

Elementary School (May)$50.00

Enter Total Amount of Check

Please enclose a check for registration fee(s) with this form. PURCHASE ORDERS NOT ACCEPTED.

Make check payable to:TEA School Counselors’ Conferences

If a confirmation postcard or email is not received, call (512) 463-9498 to check status of registration. The registration fee(s) will be refunded after the conference date if the TEA School Guidance and Counseling Office is notified 48 hours prior to the conference.

* * * * *On-site registration for each conference is $75.00* * * * *

FAX REGISTRATION FORM AND BRING CHECK ON-SITE ONLY IF YOUR CHECK AND REGISTRATION WILL NOT ARRIVE AT LEAST 5 DAYS PRIOR TO THE CONFERENCE DATE.

FAX # (512) 282-4894

Please type or print

NAME:

(One name per form, please feel free to duplicate form.)

ISD:

CAMPUS:

PREFERRED ADDRESS:

() Home

() School

TELEPHONE: Home( )School ( )

EMAIL ADDRESS:

(Email confirmations may be sent to you in lieu of postcards.)

PLEASE RETURN TO:TEA SCHOOL COUNSELORS’ CONFERENCES
P. O. BOX 33218
AUSTIN, TEXAS 78764

Fax: 512-282-4894

HOTEL RESERVATION FORM

for

Texas Education Agency’s
Spring Professional Growth Conferences for School Counselors

Middle School
February 24-26, 2002
Red Lion Hotel Only
Austin, Texas / High School
March 24-26, 2002
Doubletree & Red Lion Hotels
Austin, Texas / Elementary School
May 5-7, 2002
Doubletree & Red Lion Hotels
Austin, Texas

Please Reserve:

Red Lion Hotel
Single ($70.00)
Double ($110.00)
Parking – no charge
/ Doubletree Hotel
Single ($80.00)
Double ($120.00)
Parking - $7 per day (self-parking)
$9 per day (valet parking)
NOTE: For daytime guests, the charge is $3 for first hour, $4 for up to 2 hours, $5 up to 3 hours, $6 up to
4 hours, and after 4 hours is $7.

All room rates are subject to applicable taxes. Please bring with you a HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX EXEMPT FORM, which may be obtained from the district’s business office. You will turn it in at the hotel’s registration desk at check-in. Independent School Districts are exempt from state hotel occupancy tax, but must pay city tax.

To Avoid Duplication: If sharing a room, please submit ONLY ONE room reservation request with the names of all of those who will be sharing the room and the person to whom the confirmation on the room should be sent. If you need separate bills for each person, it will greatly decrease your check-in time if you ask for this at the time you make your reservation.

Name of Occupants:

MAIL CONFIRMATION TO:

Name:

Home or School:

Address:

Phone:

Arrival Date:

Credit Card #: Expiration date:

The reservation must be guaranteed by deposit or a credit card. All reservations must be received by the cutoff date or until the room block is exhausted. Requests received after that time are subject to availability. Room cancellation must be made at least 48 hours in advance of reservation or the first night room charge will apply.

PLEASE RETURN BY: / January 25, 2002
February 22, 2002
April 4, 2002 / Middle School
High School
Elementary School

MAIL OR FAX THIS FORM DIRECTLY TO THE HOTEL TO AVOID DELAYS

Red Lion Hotel
6121 IH-35 North @ Hwy. 290
Austin, Texas 78752
(512) 323-5466
Fax (512) 453-1945 / Doubletree Hotel
6505 IH-35 North
Austin, Texas 78752
(512) 454-3737
Fax (512) 454-3480

STRUCTURE AND CONTENT OF INTEREST SESSIONS

The interest session topics have been selected so that counselors from elementary, middle and high school settings will be able to review and critique the strategies and resources being used successfully in providing a K-12 developmental school guidance program. Upon returning to the district, the information obtained can be shared to facilitate implementation. Some planning and coordination prior to attending the conference will be necessary to determine which topics will address the district’s needs.

Interest Sessions of Guidance Program Segments

All Three School Counselor Conferences

  1. Establishing a Comprehensive, Developmental Guidance Program - Making It Happen
  2. Motivating the Unmotivated: Educating in the 21st Century
  3. Camp 2010
  4. Adlerian – Goals of Misbehavior
  5. Building Good Citizens for Texas – Character Education
  6. Positive Power Kids – A Group for Students with ADD/ADHD
  7. Counselor Advocacy
  1. Building Students Self-Confidence
  1. Classroom Guidance Programs and Activities
  1. Stress Management for Counselors
  1. What do we Tell the Children About Terrorism?
  1. The Comprehensive, Developmental Guidance Program Produces Very Positive Changes for Students,
    Teachers and Parents
  1. Parental Anger and Children’s Misbehavior in School: Is There a Relationship?
  1. Stress Management for You and Yours
  2. Developing a District wide Anti-Bullying and Anti-Violence Programs
  3. Meeting the Needs of Homeless

Middle School Counselor Conference

  1. America’s Crisis, Role of Comprehensive, Developmental Guidance
  1. On Your Mark, Get Set, Go!!! Ten Minute Guidance Sessions for Middle School Students
  1. Developmental Guidance - Activities to Implement in the Middle School
  1. Teaching Tolerance
  1. Teaching Goal-Setting to ALL Students
  1. Science Meets Guidance – Sticky, Gooey, Slick and Slimy Activities to Reinforce Guidance Concepts
  1. Stress Relief for Counselors
  2. Student Motivation - Learned Optimism
  3. Pregnancy-Related Services
  4. Adventures in Education – Informing Middle School Students Using Pre-College Tools
  5. Parent Involvement That Works
  6. Careers in Action
  7. Problems College Freshmen Present to College Counselors: What Every Middle School Counselor
    Should Know Because the Road to Success Starts Early
  8. Gearing Up for Parental Involvement
  9. The Real Game

  1. Career Development Resources
  2. Introducing the New Texas CARES 2002
  3. Exploring OSCAR by Career Development Resources
  4. Which Career is Best of All?
  5. Character Building Classroom Guidance Units

High School Counselor Conference

  1. Successfully Implementing the Texas Scholars Program
  1. Implementing Developmental Guidance in the High School
  1. NovaNET - On-line Curriculum
  1. Adventures in Education – Pre-College Awareness Tools
  1. Problems Freshmen Present to College Counselors and Students Services Staff: Tips for Parents & Counselors
  1. Criminal Laws – Young Adults
  1. Counseling Athletes and NCAA Rules
  2. Pregnancy Related Services
  3. Career Development Resources
  4. Introducing the New Texas CARES 2002
  5. Exploring OSCAR by Career Development Resources
  6. Counselor Directed Multi-Cultural Education
Elementary School Counselor Conference
  1. Guidance Lessons and More!
  1. Activities and Innovative Approaches for Teaching Social Skills
  1. Teaching Tolerance
  2. America’s Crisis, Role of Comprehensive, Developmental Guidance
  1. Classroom Guidance Games and Activities
  1. Hats off to Texas – Texas Produced Guidance Materials
  1. Paving the Way – Concrete Approaches to Classroom Guidance
  1. Guidance Through Literature
  1. Shades of Hurt – Art Intervention
  1. Sail into Success! Chart Your Course
  1. Classroom Guidance
  1. When a Ladybug Hug is Not Enough, Depression Recovery
  2. Dealing with Depression
  3. Parent Involvement That Works
  4. Careers in Action
  5. Teaching Students to Use Kindness - Anger Management
  6. Lively Lessons for Classroom Sessions
  7. GEAR-UP – the New Tool Kit
  8. Child Abuse – A National Epidemic
  9. Teaching Anger Control
  10. Taking the Mystery Out of Child Abuse Reporting
  11. Leadership: The Character Trait That Pays Dividends