The first year of college can be stressful, scary, and overwhelming, but this video guide is here to set you up for success. From creating smart study habits to building a support system, it’s got all the college tips a freshman needs to calm those nerves. A Student’s Guide to Your First Year of College is a crash course for first-year students, offering tools to help you succeed in college. This playlist will help you: Learn how to pay for college Build a budget while at school Live on your own for the first time Build a community Find mentors to support you Teach you mental health and wellness tools to stay balanced at school Achieve academic success

In the trailer, Obama described the 10-episode learning playlist, called "A Student’s Guide to Your First Year of College," as a "crash course on how to succeed in the month ahead."

She added that the series will teach students about topics including time and money management, personal wellness, the importance of mentors and peers and concepts helpful for class.

The guide is a collaboration between Obama's Reach Higher education initiative, YouTube Originals and NowThis. 

Click here for playlist.

Save the Date! The NJSCA Fall Conference is October 3 - 4 2019 at the Pines Manor in Edison, NJ.

Click here for the Registration.

National Suicide Prevention Week is September 8-14. School Counselors are instrumental in creating a culture where all students feel valued and know that they are never alone.

Click here for A Model School Policy on Suicide Prevention

Click here for some resources from Teaching Tolerance.

Click here for Resources from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Click here to read the September 2019 Issue of Counselor News: Creative School Counseling

• President’s Letter: Make Your Year with NJSCA by Jillian Shadis

• Creativity in School Counseling By Selena Rokeach-Brown

• Nature Access for Students Through EcoWellness By Ryan Reese

• Ten Steps to Integrate Yoga into Your Comprehensive School Counseling Program By Julia V. Taylor, Ph.D.

• Bibliocounseling: Mental Health Literacy One Story at a Time By Jayna Mumbauer

• Take Advantage of Tech By Amirah Bohler

• Integrating Arts in School Counseling By Sheila Garth

Action for Happiness has monthly free educator self-care calendars. Download September’s calendar today!

New Jersey takes the top spot in the newly released "Quality Counts 2019," the 23rd annual report card of state education systems issued by the Education Week Research Center.

Click here to read more.

The start of a new school year is always a busy time. To help you hit the ground running, the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) pulled together a number of resources for you to use at back-to-school nights and in other meetings. You're welcome to reprint/use any of these documents without requesting special permission from ASCA.

Link to resources

Question:
It’s back to school time—what do we know about our nation’s students and schools?

Response:
Across the country, hallways and classrooms are full of activity as students head back to school for the 2019–20 academic year. Each year, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) compiles some back-to-school facts and figures that give a snapshot of our schools and colleges for the coming year. Scroll through below to learn more.

Back to School by the Numbers: 2019–20 School Year

Ready to be an expert in the 4th edition of the ASCA National Model?

View the ASCA on Air Webinars:
*This series is open/free to all ASCA members and nonmembers

ASCA National Model, Fourth Edition: Define

https://videos.schoolcounselor.org/asca-national-model-manage

ASCA National Model, Fourth Edition: Deliver

ASCA National Model, Fourth Edition: Assess

The ASCA National Model, Fourth Edition

Looking for some FREE Digital Citizenship & Cybersecurity curriculum? Check out CYBER A.C.E.S. from Palo Alto Networks. Differentiated by age & by topic!

The Cyber A.C.E.S. – Activities in Cybersecurity Education for Students – program aims to demystify cybersecurity through interactive learning, equipping kids ages 5 to 15 with an understanding of how to protect their digital future.

Cyber A.C.E.S. provides the cybersecurity basics students need to have safer online experiences and become good digital citizens. Lessons are designed so they can be facilitated by anyone, regardless of their knowledge level, with each module tailored to a specific age group.

Click here for more information and to download the free lessons.

From ASCA: “The tragic and terrifying massacres that occurred in Ohio and Texas are affecting all of us, especially our children. Here are resources educators/families can use to help them during these troubling times: http://ow.ly/LsQu50vovMd”

On July 11th our NJSCA coach bus filled with counselors from throughout the state of NJ returned from a three day trip to Connecticut where we toured both private and public colleges including  Western Connecticut State University, Fairfield University, Sacred Heart University, Quinnipiac University, U Conn, and Trinity College.                         

We gathered helpful information, enjoyed good weather (until our arrival back in NJ in a deluge of rain),  formed relationships with other counselors, and had fun. The Admissions Representatives couldn’t have been more hospitable.  A Welcome cocktail party was hosted by Sacred Heart University at our Marriott Hotel, and stand-up comedy was provided by Larry, our comedian.  The colleges provided meaningful presentations, campus tours, and opportunities to interact with students and staff.

Check out this Prezi from Colleen Bodek, Director of Guidance/Testing at Roselle Park School District. She compiled her notes and pictures from the tours!

At the end of the tour the question asked of Carmine Venes, our tour Coordinator was: Where are we going next year?
The answer: Check NJSCA.com in April to find out!

Click here to see photos.

Counselors are at the forefront of opening doors to opportunities for all students. They collaborate “with stakeholders such as parents and guardians, teachers, administrators and community leaders to create learning environments that promote educational equity and success for every student” (ASCA School Counselor Competencies). It is crucial for educational leaders to recognize the impact and service school counselors have in every school community as stakeholders embrace engaging educational environments that support pathways to sustainable and rewarding post-secondary opportunities. Read more

Need a crash course (webinar) about the new ASCA National Model? Do you want to see what changes were made? All this and more is now available on the ASCA website:

www.schoolcounselor.org/ascanationalmodel

The SchoolCounselor.com eNewsletter which is designed to advance counselors’ level of technological literacy, application, and integration. You will find practical solutions, tools, and answers to technology related problems, especially as they apply to your job as a counselor. If you would like to share a tip or trick, or if you would like to ask a question, email Russ Sabella at news@schoolcounselor.com.