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October 23-25, 2008

Pre-Convention Workshops Thursday, October 23
Post-Convention Workshops Saturday, October 25

Incidents involving relational aggression, such as gossip, exclusion, taunting, cyber-bullying, and rejecting other girls frequently pass under the radar of educators. Relational aggression causes enormous amounts of distress and creates havoc in the schools. This interactive and solution-focused presentation revolves around the notion “raising awareness to provoke change.” You will learn how to engage faculty, staff, parents, and students in the process to recognize, understand, and reduce relational aggression. Participants will be provided with plenty of easy to implement strategies to help girls navigate the social jungle of girlhood!

Friday, October 24, 2008
9:00 AM – 10:30 PM

No Child Left Behind for Parents
Mr. Shawn Neal, Florida Parental Information and Resource Center (PIRC) at USF
Room: Bluegill     Levels: EMS
No Child Left Behind provides families with greater choices and opportunities to become meaningfully involved in their child’s education. Counselors at Title I schools can play an important role in sharing this information with families.  Participants will receive a CD with family-friendly materials about NCLB and discover effective ways to inform and involve parents.

Counseling Those Affected By Deployment: Military and Civilian
Ms. Barbara Alexander, Benito Middle School
Room: Coral A     Levels: EMSP
Deployment today challenges children, schools, families, and communities for both military and civilian personnel. Pre-deployment stressors lead to less than optimal deployments, which continue after the homecoming. This presentation utilizes first hand stories of effective pre-deployment, deployment, and post deployment strategies. Attendees will receive current biblio-therapy and related ideas to successfully counsel those affected by this ever growing phenomena called deployment.

Career Counseling: Working with Student-athletes at High School and College Level
Mr. Patrick Mullen, University of Central Florida
Mrs. Meredith Hirshhorn, University of Central Florida
Room: Coral B     Levels: SP
At both the high school and college levels counselors must work with student athletes to provide academic and career counseling. This session is going to cover the barriers to working with student-athletes and research based methods to use with this population.

Do You Know TRIO?  Federal Programs Promoting Post-Secondary Education
Mrs. Marlena Templet, Rollins College
Room: Coral C     Levels: MS
Discover the impact TRIO programs have on your students’ success.  Learn how to link your students to U.S. Department of Education pre-collegiate and collegiate programs.  Free services target students with limited family income and potential to be of the first familial generation to attain a post-secondary degree.

Enhancing Student Achievement through Family and Community Partnerships
 Karalia Baldwin, Pinellas County
Room: Fantail      Levels: EMS
Do you want to enhance the opportunities for your students to be successful?  Having meaningful and positive partnerships with families and the community will definitely help!!!  Participants will gain insights on how to create effective and meaningful partnerships.  Come willing to learn and share information on having successful partnerships that help ensure students academic and behavior success.

Is MySpace Invading Your Space?
Mr. Sean Richter, Deltona High School
Mr. Jose Rivera, Deltona High School
Room: Japanero  Levels: EMS
Learn how to present internet safety information to student/parents in a fun yet knowledgeable manner.  In depth discussion on social networking (MySpace), blogs, text, email, gaming, etc. Participants will receive a sample presentation to use with parents and students.

SCAD (Senior College Application Day)
Ms. Devyani Balladin, Ocoee High School
Mrs. Christine Stenger, Ocoee High School
Room: Koi            Levels: S
SCAD is designed to have students gain understanding and confidence to start on the college application process.  The program was developed by the concerns of a student and developed into a great and rewarding way to help students work towards a higher education.

The Next Generation High School...What is the Role of the Secondary School Counselor?
Ms. Helen Lancashire, Florida Department of Education
Ms. Zelda Rogers, Florida Department of Education
Room: Labrid       Levels: S
An overview of the Next Generation High School initiative and how it will impact secondary school counselors as well as career specialists. Data management and use of the 4-year programs of study for high school as well as postsecondary goals and options will be discussed.

Advocacy and Public Policy Briefing
Ms. LeAnn Pollard, FSCA Chair-Legislative Affairs and Public Policy
Room: Yellowtail Levels: EMSP
Presentation by the committee on current events of interest for this year's legislative sessions. Also information on developing grassroots coalitions.

Friday, October 24, 2008
1:30 PM – 3:00 PM

The High School Internet Challenge (HSIC)
Mr. Daryl Hulce, Common Knowledge Scholarship Foundation at Nova Southeastern University
Room: Bluegill     Levels: S
Learn how to implement the HSIC and provide students with an opportunity to review for class material and earn scholarship money at the same time. The program is both an academic review and tool for teachers to use as a compliment to their lessons.

Grade Level Retention and Social Promotion-. The School Counselor’s Role
Dr. Barbara Barry, Grand Avenue Primary Learning Center School
Dr. Robert Lange, University of Central Florida (retired)
Dr. Peggy Leggett, Reading Specialist
Room: Coral A     Levels: EMS
What  DO the Research and the Experts say about Grade Level Retention? A panel of experts in early childhood education, educational research, testing, reading instruction and student advocacy K-12 will discuss Florida’s student progression policies, mandated and multiple year grade retention and graduation requirements related to FCAT.  Those in attendance will  receive the latest research and best practices to assist in advocating for struggling learners as well as a plan of assistance for empowering parents to have a  voice in the educational decisions for their children.

Empowering Students through Mentoring
Mrs. Wendy Dunlap, University of North Florida
Room: Coral B     Levels: EMSP
Learn how the University of North Florida SOAR Counselor Education Program developed a mentoring program for Duval County Middle and High Schools. Examine the program’s activities and curriculum. Learn how relationships between mentors and mentees increased academic success, improved self-esteem and helped students make the connection between school and work.

“Learn and Serve” Trains Leaders for Elementary Peer Mediation Program
Mrs. Laura Kinard, Bryceville Elementary School
Room: Coral C     Levels: E
Building strength of character and serving as productive members of society are phrases often included in our school’s mission statements.  Young students are capable of serving their school by mediating student conflicts.  As leaders, school counselors learn how to select, train, and monitor peer mediators so they may serve others.

Cross Cultural Counseling and African American Males: Endangered or Ignored?
Mr. John Hay II
Room: Fantail      Levels: EMS
This interactive presentation will identify and discuss issues facing both counselors and students in the diverse school community.  Specifically it will address the African American male, the challenges they face and approaches counselors may use to become more effective.  These same "best practices" would also be beneficial to African American females and all students representing diversity.

FACTS.org: Florida’s Tool to Help Students Prepare for the Future
Mrs. Donna Haff, FACTS.org
Ms. Melissa Benson, FACTS.org
Room: Japanero  Levels: MS
Students in public schools throughout the state have access to FACTS.org as an on-line advising tool.  Students can use tools on this Web-site to assess and investigate possible career interests, create an academic plan that matches future academic and career goals using the electronic personal education planner or ePEP, find out about Florida’s many post-secondary education options , complete applications to many Florida post-secondary schools and even get information about and apply for financial aid. FACTS.org is the Web-address for planning Florida’s future – TODAY!

Storytelling: A Way to Reach and Teach about Character
 Kim Williams, Palm Beach County Schools
Dr. Ron Anderson, SELmedia
Room: Koi            Levels: E
Palm Beach County has used a storytelling approach in grades to reach and teach about character education.  This presentation will share research that supports storytelling as a powerful tool for school counselors.  Participants can expect to learn multiple ways to use storytelling in their individual counseling, group work, and classroom guidance.  The session will involve videos of storytellers as well as opportunities to share direct experiences.  It will be fun.

Confronting Death in the School Family
Mr. David Opalewski, Central Michigan University
Room: Yellowtail Levels: EMS
Unfortunately, thousands of school aged children die each year in the United States.  In addition, thousands more experience the expected or unexpected death of a parent, sibling, classmate, teacher, or other significant person. This presentation is designed to assist school staff to develop appropriate and helpful procedures and policies in dealing with tragedy within the school family.

Friday, October 24, 2008 
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM

Peer Mediation: Development and Implementation of Peer Mediation
Ms. Janell Leatherman, Emerald Cove Middle School
Mrs. Melody Hammer, Emerald Cove Middle School
Room: Bluegill     Levels: M
This presentation will give you a hands on lesson to show students how to remember the steps in peer mediation and how to effectively implement a school-wide peer mediation program. Comparative data will also show the effectiveness of peer mediation on the overall discipline events in the school.

Broward County’s Annual Guidance Plan – LIVE!! – on-line
Ms. Sharon Dolinsky, Broward County School System District Guidance Coordinator
Room: Coral A     Levels: EMS
Broward County has developed an on line Annual Guidance Plan (AGP) available for all school counselors. The plan includes all grade levels, career, personal/social and academic lessons based on the ASCA standards. All competencies are addressed for individual consultation (brief consultation), small groups and classroom guidance.  What is unique about the district program is the availability from the internet, on-line. Our AGP moves with the counselor, they bring their laptop, plug into an LCD or screen and you’re ready to begin!!

Psychological First Aid: Methods for Working with Children and Families in Crisis
Dr. Abbe Finn, Florida Gulf Coast University
Dr. Pat Santucci, Disaster Behavioral Health Medical Reserve Corps
Room: Coral B     Levels: EMSP
When tragedy strikes the school community, resources of the professionals are quickly overwhelmed. Therefore it is essential that there be a trained cadre of ready reserves to help out. Psychological First Aid is the current method supported by behavioral health specialists. The essentials of Psychological First Aid (PFA) will be introduced, and techniques and interventions will be demonstrated.

Using the Four C’s for Designing Effective Parent Involvement Programs
Ms. Cathy Foss, FL PIRC at USF
Room: Coral C     Levels: EMS
School Counselors play a crucial role for ensuring highest student achievement and parent involvement is essential for attaining this goal. The four program standards: Counseling, Consultation, Coordination and Curriculum will be related  to developing effective parent involvement programs at the  school level. Specific program ideas and resources will be shared.

What’s Next with Florida CHOICES?
Ms. Margaret (Peggy) Land, Florida Department of Education
Room: Fantail      Levels: MS
It’s important for students to continue career and education planning beyond the required middle school course.  Continue to motivate students to take a proactive approach to their future by learning activities for using Florida CHOICES from middle school through high school.

Healing Hearts: How Tos of Grief Groups for Elementary Students
Mrs. Shirley Redcay, Ippolito Elementary School
Room: Koi            Levels: E
At a loss when dealing with loss? Learn how to run successful bereavement groups in the elementary school. Watch or participate in a demonstration using bibliotherapy and art therapy. Complete handouts to start your own program will be provided, including pre- and post- assessments to collect measureable data.

Simple Data Collection for Demonstrating Program Effectiveness
Dr. Marilyn Highland, Argosy University
Dr. Stephanie Carter, Argosy University
Dr. Rosine McGhee, Argosy University
Room: Yellowtail Levels: EMSP
Participants will learn quick and easy ways to access existing data and to collect new data to evaluate the effectiveness of their school counseling programs.  Specific examples across levels (elementary, middle, high, and university) will be shared and handouts with samples will be provided.

Saturday, October 25, 2008
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Passport To Peace- Character Education Program
Mrs. Ana Leon, Wilton Manors Elementary
Room: Bluegill     Levels: E
Through the school wide program “Passport to Peace” students learn to practice and demonstrate positive attitudes that form lifelong values” As they travel through the attitudes with their passports, students develop as caring, peaceful share-holders in the school and become responsible citizens in the world. Find out how to involve teachers, parents and community to improve the school climate and promote learning.

WhyTry? Innovative Interventions that Provide Hope and Motivate Youth
Mr. Christian Moore, The WhyTry Organization
Room: Coral A     Levels: EMS
The presentation provides the audience with several methods to teach emotional intelligence and life skills.  This workshop emphasizes a strength-based approach to helping youth overcome their challenges using “multiple intelligence” methods emphasizing the youths’ learning styles, to teach in ways that youth will understand and remember.

Creating a Caring School Climate- The Role of the School Counseling Program
Dr. Nancy Lucas, Emerald Cove Middle School
Mrs. Janell Leatherman, Emerald Cove Middle School
Room: Coral C     Levels: EM
Dr. Nancy Lucas principal of Emerald Cove Middle School and former principal of ASCA Model School Freedom Shores Elementary and Mrs. Janell Leatherman her School Counselor will give the top ten strategies used in their comprehensive school counseling program to create a caring school climate among staff, students and parents. A caring climate is imperative to have an optimal learning environment to ensure student success.

Managing Multi-party Conflicts in Schools
Ms. Summer Yaco, University of Florida
Room: Fantail      Levels: EMS
School counselors will be introduced to the concept of multiparty conflict, which occurs between three or more disputants.  Literature in education focuses on dyadic student conflicts, overlooking the more complex issue of multiparty conflicts.  This presentation includes implications for school counselors in managing and understanding multiparty conflicts.

Empowering Talk: Career Conversations that Raise Aspirations with Urban Students
Dr. Christopher Janson, University of North Florida
Mr. Travis Pinckney, University of North Florida
Dr. Sejal Parikh, University of North Florida
Room: Japanero  Levels: M
As school counselors, one of our primary goals is providing career guidance and counseling services to students. Too often, students in urban schools are already experiencing significant impediments and delays to their career development. Learn how to be more successful in helping urban students close this career development gap!

“Coffee Talk”
Ms. Ingrid Rivera, Deltona High School
Ms. Teresa Snyder, Deltona High School
Room: Coral B     Levels: EMS
“Coffee Talk” is a unique way to invite parents to school to share important topics with them on a monthly basis.  Deltona High School Counselors will give you everything you need to start your own “Coffee Talk.”  Topics covered, agendas, evaluations and methods of contact will be shared.

Pre-Convention Workshops ($40 each):
Thursday, October 23, 2008

9:00-12:00

Data Selection for Accountability Measures
Dr. Madelyn Isaacs
Counselors are asked to use data in an number of ways in their jobs: planning and developing one's program and annual activities, identifying and serving targeted populations or to solve targeted problems, advocating for individual students or systemic change, producing accountability measures and results for program evaluation or continuous improvement, and for communicating school counseling effectiveness to families, teachers, administrators or other local and state stakeholders. In this workshop counselors will be introduced to thoughtful and simple principles and practices to select, analyze and present data using action research and other practical approaches.

Strategies that Work for Immigrant and LEP Students
Dr. Mercedes ter Maat
Culturally diverse schools demand creative solutions. School counselors are paramount in assessing the needs and providing opportunities for the emotional growth and academic success of immigrant and LEP students. This presentation is geared toward professional school counselors working with immigrant, Limited English Proficiency (LEP) children and adolescents in school settings. By using PowerPoint slides and handouts, samples of student art and written work, a pre- and post-evaluation, and detailed group sessions descriptions, participants will (1) understand the emotional, physical, and environmental stressors faced by immigrant students and their families; (2) learn concrete, step-by-step art tasks to be used in a group that assists immigrant students in the process of acculturating to the school environment; and (3) utilize a simple evaluation tool to assess the effectiveness of group work when working with immigrant and LEP students.

1:00-4:00

Current Legal and Ethical Issues in School Counseling
Dr. Carolyn Stone
The school environment poses competing interests between a student's need for confidentiality and the legal rights of parents as established by the U.S. Supreme Court to be the guiding voice in their children lives in value-laden issues. Participants will develop an ethical decision making framework for analyzing and resolving ethical issues through the application of ASCA ethical codes, case and statutory law, school board rules, and community standards. Through small group and large group discussion of 40 case studies, participants will be given the opportunity to increase their understanding of the complexities of respecting a minor's right to confidentiality, to develop a sensitivity to the need to consider their actions in context of each situation for each individual student, and to understand the rights of parents. Topics of discussion will include areas such as confidentiality and duty to warn, minors' rights to privacy, counselors' responsibilities toward suicidal children, civil and criminal liability, sexually active minor clients, birth control, abortion counseling, defamation, child abuse, HIV positive students, case notes and educational records, malpractice in academic advising, sexual harassment, the Hatch Amendment and guidance curriculum, and personal conduct.

Games and Play to Enhance Counseling Sessions
Ms. Grace Wilhelm
Counselors will receive an overview of self-assessments, stress reduction, anger control and management, communication skills, passive, aggressive, assertive behaviors, and behavior modification techniques to use with students in the areas of academics and personal social skills. In this workshop counselors will receive hands-on practice using games to encourage students to talk about their goals, ideas, and frustrations and to facilitate discussion, goal setting, and create strategies. Games are used to enhance the counseling sessions so counselors receive more insight and students are better able to express their feelings, make sense of what is happening, and then create workable plans and goals to move ahead.

Post-Convention Workshops
Saturday, October 25, 2008

1:00-4:00

Student Mental Health Issues School Counselors Face
Dr. Miles Cooley
The number of students in regular classes who exhibit mental health and behavioral disorders is increasing. Teachers have received little or no training about how to respond to these students and frequently request consultations from school counselors.  The workshop will describe behaviors of students with mood and anxiety disorders, AD(H)D, and Asperger's Syndrome. Effective accommodations and strategies for dealing with these students will be presented in order to enable counselors to be more helpful to teachers.

Cyberbullying: Beyond the Internet and Name-Calling
Dr. Carlos Zalaquett
The purpose of this workshop is to provide school counselors with valuable information about cyberbullying and to increase awareness of this growing problem among today’s youth. The Internet has become another channel for kids and teens to socialize and interact. However, youth and adults should be aware of the potential risks that come with accessing the Internet - one of them being cyberbullying. Assistance in developing plans for individual schools will be provided.

Growing up Girl in Today’s Crazy World
Julia V. Taylor

Relational aggression, body image issues, and general self-loathing among today’s generation of girls is widespread, contagious, and toxic. Typical girlhood issues are multifaceted and must involve parents, students, and educators to help navigate girls through these turbulent times.

This solution focused workshop will provide participants with the opportunity to learn:

 The dynamics of body image
 The dynamics of relational aggression
 How to initiate and conduct “Girl Groups”
 How to use icebreaker activities to initiate comfortable communication
 How to involve administration, teachers, and parents
 How to work with aggressive or disinterested parents, (“not my daughter”)
 Solution focused and innovative strategies to deal with common girl issues
 Prevention/intervention techniques, and
 How to run detailed and insightful parent workshops

Come prepared to participate, self-disclose, interact with one another, and have fun while learning how to successfully embrace and empower our girls!