Make your plans now to attend the ASCA 2009 Annual Conference in Dallas, June 28-July 1. We've got a stellar line up of keynote and featured speakers and breakout sessions. Keynote speakers include Louis Gossett Jr., Academy-Award-winning actor; Harry Wong, author of "The First Days of School"; and Frank Warren, author of "PostSecret: Extraordinary Confessions from Ordinary Lives."

Online registration opens Jan. 2. Or download a registration form and register by mail. Detailed conference brochures will arrive in the mail in mid-January.

Wanna attend the conference without paying the dang registration fee? Visit www.schoolcounselor.org/dallas between Dec. 1 and Jan. 15 for details.

Check out the new discussion forum sections: research survey requests, NBCT, NCSC certification and scholarship opportunities. Have questions or advice related to any of these topics? Visit the new forums today.

If you're not already a member of the ASCA SCENE, you'll want to join in the more than 200 ongoing discussions or download some of the nearly 100 sample documents and files other school counselors have shared.

For a future article in ASCA School Counselor magazine, we'd like to gather some information about small-group counseling in the schools. Please take a few moments to fill out the group counseling survey.

High School Guidance Counselors: Are some of your students not quite ready for college or lacking the resources to enroll in a technical school? Job Corps can help. Job Corps is a federal program that allows students to finish high school, prepare for college or technical school or receive certification in a technical trade. And best of all, it's free for those who are eligible. Job Corps is the nation's largest career technical training and education program for students ages 16-24. A voluntary program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor, Job Corps provides income-eligible young men and women with an opportunity to gain the experience they need to begin a career or advance to higher education. Job Corps provides hands-on training in more than 75 career areas, helps students earn a high school diploma or GED credential and assists with transitional support after graduation. Learn more.

Parenting Resources: Want to help parents of teens in your school system? Offer them ParentingTeensOnline, a free resource. ParentingTeensOnline is a monthly publication that offers cutting-edge information on all topics you discuss with parents, from risk-taking behaviors to family relationships and more. This month, "Stress Management to Help Teens Cope". Click here to sign up for a free subscription.

Inclusive Schools Week: The 8th Annual Inclusive Schools Week is Dec. 1-5, 2008. This year's theme, "Together We Learn Better: Inclusive Schools Benefit All Children," provides an opportunity to focus on the advantages of inclusive schools in promoting quality education and better educational outcomes for all students. The 2008 Celebration Kit, including celebration ideas, planning materials and a variety of resources is available at www.inclusiveschools.org. Highlights include a report, resources and events focusing on the benefits of inclusive education for all children.

Grad Requirements Comparison: The National High School Center at the American Institutes for Research recently launched a new Web-based map that compares high school graduation requirements and minimum state university entrance requirements for all states and the District of Columbia. The online database includes 51 profiles with state-specific high school graduation requisites in English, mathematics, social studies, science, foreign language, art and electives. The site compares the data points with state university entrance requirements and profiles national high school improvement initiatives. Check out the map.

Males and Eating Disorders: The National Association for Males with Eating Disorders Inc. (N.A.M.E.D.) is dedicated to offering support to and public awareness about males with eating disorders. For support, information or to request brochures contact Chris at Chris@NAMEDinc.org.

Student Athlete Scholars: USA TODAY and the National Milk Mustache "got milk?" Campaign are now accepting nominations for the 12th annual Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year (SAMMY) 2009 award program. The SAMMY 2009 award program recognizes outstanding scholar athletes in grade 12 from high schools throughout the contiguous United States. Twenty-five winners will receive: a $7,500 college scholarship from the Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP); an invitation for winners, parents and/or guardians to attend a SAMMY 2009 weekend at the Disney Word Complex in Orlando, Fla., in June 2009; and an opportunity to be pictured in a special congratulatory got milk? Milk Mustache ad in a June 2009 edition of USA TODAY and other national publications. Education partners for the SAMMY 2009 award program include: the American Association of School Administrators, the National Association of Sport and Physical Education, the American School Counselor Association and the National School Public Relations Assocation. All nominations must be received by March 6, 2009. More info.