The Virginia Department of Education’s Office of Career and Technical Education Services has compiled the following list of resources and professional development and grant opportunities of particular interest to school counselors.
Virginia School Counselor Association Conference, October 1-3, 2014
Virginia School Counselor Association (VSCA) is Transforming N’ Trailblazing with their annual conference in the fall! So saddle up! Hitch your wagons! And follow the trail to the DoubleTree by Hilton in Richmond, VA! The preliminary conference program is now available! You can register online at www.vsca.org or print out a paper copy and mail or fax! Open the registration form. QUESTIONS? Call 800-694-5020 or Email: vscaconference@gmail.com.
My Career Playbook
My Career Playbook is an engaging, easy-to-use web-based resource that provides students with great information on hundreds of careers and helps them make thoughtful, well researched career decisions. My Career Playbook understands that today’s youth are visual learners. That is why they have included hundreds of career videos hosted by students for students. Also included is information on necessary skills, interests, salary, and projected growth, as well as information that matches colleges and universities offering programs. See a sample and explore more of the careers and videos.
MCP is offering a special introductory price of $1.50 per student. Please email info@mycareerplaybook.com to receive this promotional pricing or to apply for our Virginia MCP Grant. This limited time offer is valid until September 30, 2014.
Parents as Educational Partners (PEP) Workshop
Superintendent’s Memo No. 229-14 announces two workshops in October. The purpose of the workshop is to provide participants a curriculum designed to assist parents of English Language Learners (ELLs) in overcoming the language and cultural barriers that may prevent them from participating fully in their children’s educational experience. View additional information, including an online registration link and lodging details. The deadline for registration is Tuesday, October 7, 2014. Participants may register online.
2015 United States Senate Youth Program (Scholarship Opportunity for High School Juniors and Seniors)
Superintendent’s Memo No. 220-14 announces that the Virginia Department of Education will select two student delegates to represent Virginia in the United States Senate Youth Program sponsored by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation. Each delegate will receive a $5,000 scholarship and an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., for the week of March 7-14, 2015. Detailed information about the United States Senate Youth Program may be found at www.ussenateyouth.org.
The nomination form must be postmarked to the Virginia Department of Education no later than September 26, 2014. An examination will be mailed to the school counselor or designated contact person at the student’s school by October 10, 2014. The completed examination must be postmarked no later than October 31, 2014. Notification of selected delegates will occur by the end of December 2014.
For further information, please contact Ms. Christonya Brown, coordinator of history and social sciences, by email at Christonya.Brown@doe.virginia.gov or by telephone at (804) 225-2893.
Karin Riley Porter Attorney at Law Good Works Scholarship
Karin Riley Porter and her law office are offering the Karin Riley Porter Attorney at Law Good Works Scholarship, which awards $500 to a student who demonstrates leadership and dedication in giving back to his or her community through community service projects. The scholarship is available to graduating high school seniors and all undergraduate, graduate, and law school students at an accredited institution. The deadline for applying is January 1, 2015. For information on eligibility and application criteria, please visit Karin Riley Porter’s scholarship opportunities page.
Nominations for Workplace Readiness Skills for the Commonwealth Assessment Review Committee
Superintendent’s Memo No. 228-14 announces that the Office of Career and Technical Education (CTE) Services is accepting nominations for the Workplace Readiness Skills (WRS) for the Commonwealth Assessment Review Committee. Committee members will be responsible for reviewing the performance of WRS test items and developing new items for the test item bank. The meeting will be held at the CTE Resource Center, Glen Allen, Virginia, October 1-2, 2014. Approximately 20 applicants will be selected to serve on the WRS review committee.
School divisions are encouraged to nominate one representative who may either be a CTE teacher, school counselor, or administrator. All nominees must complete the web-based application using the CTE Application Processing System (CTEAPS). The web-based application process requires a professional reference and division-level approval (division superintendent or designee). Completed applications should be submitted to the VDOE using CTEAPS by September 15, 2014.
21st Century STEM Workforce Development
Science Matters is an educational initiative of The Community Idea Stations, Central Virginia’s NPR and PBS stations. The program’s goal is to inspire young people’s interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) by using the power of television, radio and the web. Science Matters has posted their latest video and article (with fantastic job related links) for the new Hot Shots & Hot Jobs – 21st STEM Workforce Development project. This month it’s all about Cyber Security Analysts Fighting Crime! You can also find the post on Science Matters’ Facebook page.