We have been very pleased with the number of you who have submitted Call for Presenter (CFP) applications to present at this Fall’s NJ School Counselor Association Conference, being held October 3-4 at the Pines Manor in Edison. Knowing how busy this time of year is for many of you, we’ve decided to keep the CFP Application portal open for a few more weeks, until May 27th, to give more of you time to complete and submit an application--we know state testing has had many of you running around crazy!

So, if you have information to share that you believe would be beneficial to your NJ school counselor peers from around the state, please take the time to submit an application. Also, forward this email to any colleagues you think would make good presenters at the annual NJSCA Conference, and encourage them to apply, as well.

We have a great conference planned, so click here to view the keynote speakers scheduled to be with us in October, and…you’ll also notice you can already register for the conference, and book your hotel room at the Crowne Plaza!

We look forward to seeing many of you in October!

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

Click here for the Registration.

Park Middle School 7th graders Anastasia Berk, Anthony Chrisostomides, Elorie Howell and Emma Zhang say "Let's put school counselors where they are needed!" 

As part of a Service Learning Project, they are petitioning for the government to take action to reduce the number of high school dropouts in the United States by passing a bill referred to as H.R. 981 (116th), or the "Put School Counselors Where They Are Needed" Act. This bill would have schools that have graduation rates 60% or less receive a four-year grant to be used to hire counselors and procure counseling services. Currently, it is sponsored by Representative Linda Sanchez, and cosponsored by Steve Cohen and Debra Haaland.  

Thank you Anastasia, Anthony, Elorie and Emma for your support and recognition of School Counselors through this amazing initiative!

Link to this article in LINK for Counselors

Link to more information and Registration Form

Congratulations to New Jersey’s 2019 RAMP School:
Jefferson Township Middle School in Oak Ridge, NJ

Read the ASCA Press Release about 2019 RAMP schools.

The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) has released recent data that shows the student-to-school-counselor ratio is narrowing – reaching its lowest margin in nearly 31 years.

ASCA has compiled student-to-school-counselor ratio data from the 2016- 2017 school year via the most recent available data collected in the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics state nonfiscal public elementary/secondary education survey.

According to the survey, the national student-to-school-counselor ratio was 455-to-1 in 2016–2017, compared with 464-to-1 the previous school year. Although the national average has decreased, it’s still nearly twice ASCA’s recommended ratio of 250 students per school counselor.

Link to report.

Student to School Counselor Ratio 2016 -2017

Are you looking for a school counseling job and not sure where to get started?
Check out our NJSCA Job Search Page!

“In 2019 we are expanding upon last year’s theme of #4Mind4Body and taking it to the next level, as we explore the topics of animal companionship (including pets and support animals), spirituality, humor, work-life balance, and recreation and social connections as ways to boost mental health and general wellness.” Download the toolkit: bit.ly/MayMH 

All of New Jersey’s community colleges will now offer free tuition to some students, Gov. Phil Murphy announced this week. The current system is limited, with stipulations, to students coming from families who earn $45,000 or less.

Murphy said this will give students access to "an education that is within financial reach and allows them to worry about their grades instead of how they will pay for school.”

Read the article here: https://www.nj.com/politics/2019/05/free-tuition-expands-to-all-of-njs-community-colleges-murphy-says.html

The “How to Talk to a Child about a Suicide Attempt in Your Family” booklet/DVD aims to support all families (civilian as well as military/Veteran) facing a suicidal crisis.
This resource has been shared with teachers, counselors and schools across the U.S., available both virtually (https://www.mirecc.va.gov/visn19/talk2kids/) and free print copies (https://www.mirecc.va.gov/visn19/orderform/orderform.asp).

"Common Sense Media editors help you choose Meditation Apps for Kids. Harness the power of technology to Zen out."

The five finalists for 2019 School Counselor of the Year share how they got on the path to being a school counselor and what keeps them there.

BY KATY O’GRADY, ASCA

This month's ASCA member highlight is Brian J. D'Ottavio, a school counselor at Delsea Regional High School in Franklinville, N.J.

Click here to read more!

Click here to read the April 2019 Issue of Counselor News: Student Substance Abuse

• President’s Letter: Substance Abuse Issues – Where to Start? by Mindy Hall

• Take the Lead on Alcohol Awareness Month By Rebecca Balaguer and Jessica Smedley

• The Opioid Epidemic By Richard Tench

• DEA’s Drug Prevention Education Programs By Cathleen Drew

• Beyond “Just Say No” By Molly Lotz, LCSW

• What Works: Substance Abuse Prevention By School Counselors Across the U.S.