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School Social Work Now!
Supporting Innovative Practice, Effective
Leadership & Applied Research
October 2012 - Vol 3, Issue 5 |
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| Greetings! | |
October is National Bullying Prevention Month. Be the anti-bullying leader in your school/district. Begin with October 10th, Unity Day and unite against bullying. PACER's National Bullying Center has numerous ideas, tools, and materials to help you reduce and prevent bullying in your school or district.
Speak Up at School contains videos and guides to help students--and staff--learn to speak up when someone uses biased language or stereotypes. The teacher guide is excellent and includes an appendix for students and for role playing. The pocket guide is a brief summary of strategies to use when faced with these situations. The guides and video are free online.
Many other websites offer ideas and programs from grades k-12. Check out "Quick Links" in the left column to find numerous free or low-cost activities. Help a child avoid the pain of being bullied.
SAVE THE DATES!!
ACSSW -- Louisiana Conference
February 18-19, 2013
Tulane University, Lavin-Bernick Center
New Orleans
Keynote highlights:
- Dr. Marleen Wong, director of the L.A.U.S.D. Trauma Services Adaptation Center for Schools, clinical professor with the University of Southern California, and a developer of the CBITS, addressing the subject of Children &Trauma.
- Steve Korr, trainer and consultant, Safer, Saner Schools Program with the International Institute on Restorative Practices, speaking on Restorative Practices.
Plan to come early and enjoy the prior weekend in this exciting Southern city! New Orleans is a city full of history, intrigue, and cultural diversity. The cuisine can't be beat! And who wouldn't mind a break from the challenges of cold winter weather?
Lodging reservations can be made at the Drury Hotel at 820 Poydras Street, New Orleans. Call 1-800-325-0720 and refer to group number 2150627 or go to Drury Hotels and enter the group number.
District team discounts will be available. More information will be available shortly!
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Lastly, please follow us on Facebook and tweet us on Twitter! Help to "spread the word" and get the name of ACSSW out there! Links are below.
Judith Kullas Shine
President
  
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Recommended Read for October | |
The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander
by Barbara Coloroso
Published by Collins Living
It's the deadliest combination going: bullies who terrorize, bullied kids who are afraid to tell, bystanders who watch, and adults who see the incidents as a normal part of childhood. All it takes to understand that this is a recipe for tragedy is a glance at headlines across the country. In this updated edition of The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander, which includes a new section on cyberbullying, one of the world's most trusted parenting educators gives parents, caregivers, educators-and most of all, kids-the tools to break the cycle of violence. This compassionate and practical guide has become the groundbreaking reference on the subject of bullying.
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Greetings! | |
Mindful Awareness is the moment-by-moment process of actively and openly observing one's physical, mental and emotional experiences. Mindful Awareness has scientific support as a means to reduce stress, improve attention, boost the immune system, reduce emotional reactivity, and promote a general sense of health and well-being. Mindful Awareness Practices (MAPs) are tools and exercises such as meditation, yoga and tai-chi that develop greater mind-body awareness and promote mindfulness in daily life. These meditations were created as part of the MAPs for ADHD program. All meditations by MARC's Director for Mindfulness Education, Diana Winston. Free downloads. |
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Practice Points | |
Promoting Social and Emotional Development Is an Essential Part of Students' Education
The disappointing educational outcomes achieved in many of our nation's schools have been the focus of much attention, but usually from a negative perspective. That is, some point the finger at students who do not seem motivated and do not put in enough effort, others blame teachers for not getting the most out of their students, and others criticize parents for their lack of involvement and support. Sometimes, school leaders decry ever-changing state and federal policies and standards that impede any consistency or innovation in pedagogical curricula. Still others point to taxpayers' frequent failure to back proposals for adequate and equitable school funding. Yet, the focus on problems and who's to blame for them has failed to solve the current predicament that too many students either do not graduate, or finish school unprepared for becoming successful adult citizens. Here we describe findings from a large-scale research review that concludes that promoting students' social and emotional development can have broad implications for student learning,achievement and behavior [Durlak, Weissberg, Dymnicki, Taylor, & Schellinger,2011]. Complete article.
Effective Social and Emotional Learning Programs
The 2013 CASEL Guide identifies well-designed, evidence-based social and emotional learning programs with potential for broad dissemination to schools across the United States. Based on CASEL's work in research and practice spanning nearly two decades, we provide a systematic framework for evaluating the quality of classroom-based social and emotional learning (SEL) programs. In addition, the Guide shares best practices for district and school teams on how to select and implement social and emotional learning programs. 2 Page Summary. Download 2013 Guide.
5 Buzzwords You're Likely to Hear in Education This Year
Education, like any other profession, has a language all its own. We've compiled a short list of some of the words and phrases you are likely to come across this academic year. It's by no means all-inclusive, and some of these terms are not new, but it gives you a sense of some of education's priorities as we start a new school year. See how many you're familiar with. Learn more here.
Meta-analysis Points to Significant Association Between Ecstasy and Risky Sexual Behavior
To date, ecstasy use has been very much associated with young people and clubbing, but some research has shown that the environments in which it is taken is now beginning to broaden. Lifetime prevalence rates for the drug are around 10% in the US and 8.6% in the UK according to 2010 EMCDDA estimates. . . Researchers from the College of Charleston have recently published a random-effects meta-analysis that looks to answer this question by examining the association between ecstasy use and risky sexual behaviour. Read brief summary. |
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Leadership News | |
Five Things I've Learned
As educators, we are often our own worst enemies. Traditionally when a school reform effort is percolating, we say close to nothing to our external audiences or even our internal publics. We then create a vacuum that our critics quickly fill. They jump right in and brand our programs with their messages. We forever play catch-up when we should have been ahead of the game from Day One. Read more.
Leadership -- Demolishing the Ivory Tower
Leadership isn't what it used to be...thankfully. Currently, there are many growing trends humanizing the role and embodiment of leadership. From Servant-Leadership . . . to 'workplace as community' and the influence of all the self-determining, end-of-the-alphabet (X, Y and Z) generations, we're being challenged to revisit and reinvigorate the function of a leader. The Ivory Tower is coming down. Autocratic and status-conscious leaders are still around, but with greater organizational transparency and employee presence on social media, these more aloof figureheads will find it harder to attract talented people seeking more humane cultures. If you've decided that your leadership style is in need of an update, consider these ideas for becoming closer and more real to the people who produce your results. Click to continue. |
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Research Highlights | |
Civil Rights Project Reports Deepening Segregation and Challenges Educators and Political Leaders to Develop Positive Policies
In the latest of its widely-cited reports analyzing segregation trends in the nation's public schools, and the first since the beginning of the Obama Administration, the Civil Rights Project today released three new studies showing persistent and serious increases in segregation by race and poverty, with very dramatic results in the South and West, the nation's two largest regions where students of color now comprise the majority of public school enrollment. Nationally, the average black or Latino student now attends school with a substantial majority of children in poverty, double the level in schools of whites and Asians. Click to access three reports. |
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In the News | |
Attendance Intervention Specialists, a Role for School Social Workers
Watch and learn how two Green Bay, WI, school social workers use their skills to reduce truancy and improve attendance in their role as attendance intervention specialists.
School Segregation Persists, New Report Says
Nearly 60 years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court declared separate schools to be inherently unequal. But new research suggests that segregation in public schools continues. Guest host Celeste Headlee discusses what these findings mean with John Kucsera and Genevieve Siegel-Hawley of the Civil Rights Project at UCLA, the group that published the report. Read or listen to the NPR story.
Detroit School District Logs 90% Attendance!
On its 11th school day of the year, Detroit Public Schools logged 90 percent attendance district-wide and exceeded its projected enrollment by 2,000 students -- a significant feat for a district that has struggled with declining enrollment and chronic truancy for years, especially in the first month and last weeks of school, when attendance has often dropped to under 50 percent. |
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Webinars |
Dr. Rick Hanson presents a free seven-part video series, The Compassionate Brain,that explores effective ways to change your brain and heart and life.Each week Dr. Hanson will be joined by a world-class scholar/teacher, including Richie Davidson, Dan Siegel, Tara Brach, Dachar Keltner, Kelly McGonigal, Kristin Neff, and Jean Houston. They'll discuss different ways to use the power of neuroplasticity--how the mind can change the brain to transform the mind--to open the heart, build courage, find compassion, forgive oneself and others, and heal the world.
Can't make a live session? On-demand streaming videos will be available a few days after each session's conclusion. CE credits are available for this free Online Event Series. Weekly beginning October 8, 2012, 8 p.m. ET. For weekly topics and to register, click here. Schools have been striving to bullyproof their buildings for a number of years now--long enough to know what works and what doesn't. How do we get a bully to stop? What should we be telling victims? Where should schools focus their limited prevention resources? We will answer these questions and more in this fast-paced hour of best practices. Sixty minutes packed with the latest research and promising practices. All [our] TeleClasses are conducted over the telephone and on the internet. Simply dial in at the beginning of class, listen on your phone, and watch the powerpoints on your computer. October 10th, 9 a.m. PT. Register here. ARCHIVED & AVAILABLE
Rural and LGBTQ Youth Suicide The Children's Safety Network released an archived webinar on: Youth Suicide Prevention Community of Practice, Special Populations in Youth Suicide Prevention, and Rural and LGBTQ Youth. Presenters addressed two populations at increased risk for youth suicide and shared strategies to reduce these risks. Speakers also discussed obstacles and barriers unique to rural populations. To download the archived webinar click here. This Teen Screen Webinar has been archived and is now available for your viewing. Listen to a discussion on the signs and symptoms of eating disorders, the latest treatment strategies, and co-managing these disorders with the clinical team to avoid relapse and achieve a successful outcome. Access archive. |
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SSW Job Links | |
New this week: Newark, NJ
Continued this week: Aurora, IL Bronx, NY Burlington, VT
Hopkins, MN (.5 FTE) Lewiston, ME Newark, NJ Peoria, IL
Timonium, MD Vernon Hills, IL
Connecticut (Various Locations)
Dean, LSU, College of Human Sciences & Education |
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Calls for Proposals |
Special Issue on School Social Work and Military-connected Schools: New Directions in Practice, Research, Policy and National Leadership
Deadline: February 28, 2012
Guest Editors: Ron Avi Astor, University of Southern California Schools of Social Work and Education & Rami Benbenishty, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
Children & Schools will publish a special issue on the needs of public schools serving military-connected students. These students experience multiple deployments, family separations, and other stressful life events that their non-military-connected peers do not undergo. Recent studies have shown that supportive schools can shield students from intense depression, conduct problems, feelings of alienation, anxiety, and school failure; however, for schools to serve as protective settings for military-connected students, school personnel need to be aware of both this population's presence and its particular needs. . .
School social workers can take a national leadership role developing and implementing practices and policies that address the needs of military-connected students. . .
The overarching goal of this special issue will be to present articles that describe the current state of school social work knowledge and best practices in military-connected schools and provide insights and implications that will help teachers, principals, school social workers, and other staff better serve military-connected students in the future. Manuscripts examining the perspectives of school staff, students, and parents in military-connected schools and outlining best practices for such schools are encouraged. More information and to submit. |
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Grants & Funding | |
Search Tool Helps Users Find Grants to Fund Youth Programs
The Interagency Working Group on Youth Programs has created an online Web Tool that allows users to search for federal grant opportunities by youth topic or federal agency. The tool uses a filter to search for grants that are likely to fund youth programs. To learn more and determine if you are eligible, click here.
Nestle Very Best in Youth Program Grants
The biennial Nestlé Very Best in Youth program was created to spotlight the best in youth leadership by identifying and honoring teenagers in the United States whose community service efforts are making a profound difference in the lives of others. Nestlé seeks to help young people who want to make a difference realize their dreams by donating $1,000 in the name of each winner to the charity of his or her choice. Nestlé also awards the winner a trip to Los Angeles, California, for the Very Best in Youth awards ceremony. More.
NEA Foundation-Nickelodean Big Help Grant
Sponsored by Nickelodeon and the NEA Foundation, NEA Foundation-Nickelodeon Big Help Grants provide up to $5,000 to K-8 public school educators in the United States. The Big Help Grants program is dedicated to the development and implementation of ideas, techniques, and approaches to addressing four key concerns - environmental awareness, health and wellness, students' right to a quality public education, and active community involvement. The grants target these four concerns as areas of great promise in helping students in the twenty-first century develop a global awareness that encourages and enables them to make a difference in their world. Applicants must be practicing U.S public school teachers or public school education support professional. The application process is the same as for the NEA Foundation's Student Achievement grants. Applicants should specify that their request is for the Big Help Grants program in their application. Application deadlines are October 15, 2012, February 1, 2013, and June 1, 2013. Link to RFP.
Milk Carton Art Contest
Made By Milk Carton Construction Contest, a unique nationwide design competition, promotes nutrition and provides educators with a platform to teach a valuable, hands-on lesson in recycling.Schools across the U.S. can win up to $5,000 by having classroom teams design and construct creations made from empty school milk cartons. Entry deadline is Nov. 16, 2012. Learn more.
Learning and Leadership Grants
The National Education Association Foundation will fund the Learning & Leadership grant to support public school teachers, public education support professionals, and/or faculty and staff in public institutions of higher education to improve practice, curriculum, and studentachievement. Grants will be provided to individuals (to fund participation in high-quality professional development experiences, such as summer institutes or action research) or groups (to fund collegial study, including study groups, action research, lesson study, or mentoring experiences for faculty or staff new to an assignment) in the amounts of $2,000 or $5,000 respectively. The deadline to submit applications is October 15, 2012. Click here for more.
Stop Bullying Video Challenge
Bullying can affect everyone- those who are bullied, those who bully, and those who witness bullying. The Federal Partners for Bullying Prevention is a workgroup comprised of 9 departments, with 34 offices within those 9 departments. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the Federal Partners are launching this video challenge to help prevent and end bullying in schools and communities across the nation.
This challenge invites youth ages 13-18 to create a 30 to 60 second video that will inform and motivate youth to prevent bullying, and that promotes an environment where kindness and respect for others matters. Make your video creative, informative, smart, and entertaining! The focus should be on how youth can be more than a bystander, rather than a video that solely explains why bullying is wrong. Review the judging criteria for this challenge to learn how the winning videos will be selected. Grand Prize is $2000. Deadline to submit is October 14, 2012. Learn more.
Lowe's Toolbox for Education
Lowe's Toolbox for Education funds school improvement projects initiated by parents in recognition of the importance of parent involvement in education. Maximum award: $5,000. Eligibility: K-12 schools (including charter, parochial, private, etc.) or parent groups (associated with a nonprofit K-12 school). Deadline: October 12, 2012. Learn more.
CVS/Caremark Community Grants
CVS/Caremark Community Grants are currently accepting proposals for programs, targeting children under age 21 with disabilities, which address health and rehabilitation services or enabling physical movement and play. Maximum award: $5,000. Eligibility: non-profits located in states that also have CVS stores. Deadline: October 31, 2012. More info. |
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ACSSW Activities | |
ACSSW's present activities include:
- increasing research projects and their application within the school environment;
- developing a national school social work role framework paper;
- establishing a National Center for School Social Work Practice, Leadership and Research, a long-term goal,
- hosting the 2nd Louisiana State-wide School Social Work Conference, February 18-19, 2013, in New Orleans, LA, at the Tulane University Lavin-Bernick Center.
- presenting the 4th National School Social Work Research Summit. Watch for details to come.
If you have interest in participating in any of these activities, contact Judie Shine. ACSSW strives to be inclusive and transparent in all of its activities and welcomes, whether lengthy or short, the participation of its members. |
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