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After completing my my school counselor certification, I do not plan to immediately leave the classroom. However, my future goal is to work as an intermediate or middle school counselor where I can help improve or create an effective counseling program. I feel that at this level, I will have the opportunity to work with students individually and as small groups on needs they have that are not just academic. My hope is to show that school counselors actively supports the whole student, and to show that counselors are more than an office or a "paper pusher".

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Exploration Option 2: American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Legislative Affairs

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Exploration Option 2: American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Legislative Affairs

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A Framework for Safe and Successful Schools
School safety is a major issue that has had extreme media coverage due to student deaths around the nation. This is an issue that requires collaboration and policies that extend past individual school districts into state and federal laws. ASCA created a framework in order to work toward a long-term solution and to outline best practices for creating safe and successful schools. Best practices include proactive leadership and a visible presence of mental health services. Further, six policy recommendations were made, which includes improving staff to include mental health services such as school-community partnerships.

Safe, Healthy, and Ready to Learn
Along the lines of safety and security, ASCA collaborated on the Safe, Healthy, and Ready to Learn report to help students who have been exposed to violence and trauma. This 40-paged report has seven main goals that range from involving stakeholders such as student, parents, and the community to training staff on how to respond in these situations.

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Exploration Option 2: American Counseling Association (ACA) Ethical Code

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Exploration Option 2: American Counseling Association (ACA) Ethical Code

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Section A: The Counseling Relationship
Building relationships with clients is essential to effective counseling, however professional have expectations and guidelines to adhere to. Section A of this report outlines policies and limitations of professional counselors when building the relationships. One topic addressed in this section is the integrity of the counselor-client relationship and the safeguards that prevents the counselors from imposing personal views or values on the client. As another safety precaution, counselors are required to keep records and documentation of their sessions/counseling plans. Also included is the regulations of inappropriate relationships such as counseling family members or friends and the prohibition of sexual/romantic relationships with clients.

Section B: Confidentiality and Privacy
All counseling professional must work within the laws and policies regarding confidentiality and privacy. This is a topic that must be discussed with the client and guides who/how a counselor can share the client's information. The professional needs to be aware of limitations of confidentiality and the legal repercussions of violating a client's privacy. This section of the ACA's report has five subheadings that address topics such as lacking the capacity to give consent, dealing with documentation and recordings, and how to navigate families and groups.

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Immigrant Students
Hefler, J. (2018, July 27). N.J. Schools Sued Over Policies Preventing Immigrant Student Enrollment. The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved from https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2018/07/27/nj-schools-sued-over-policies-preventing-immigrant.html

Immigration is a hot topic throughout the country. Now that schools are  opening their doors, registration of immigrant students straddles the line between ethics and legality. Can students enroll without proper documentation? However, should authorities prevent children from receiving an education in situations that are outside of their control? States such as New Jersey are making headlines as these decisions are being made. In this article, school districts are being sued and accused of "discriminatory policies" that violate "state and constitutional rights" (Hefler, 2018).

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The ACLU of New Jersey is suing a dozen school districts in the state, including three in Camden County, saying they have discriminatory policies that prevent immigrant children from potentially getting an education.

The 12 school districts require parents to provide a New Jersey driver's license or other state-issued forms of identification that undocumented immigrants likely would not possess, in violation of both the state and federal constitutions, the ACLU says in its suit filed Thursday. Under current laws and policies, schools may only request proof of a child's age, residence, and immunization record when registering them for classes, the ACLU says.

"New Jersey's state Constitution calls for free public education, and that applies to every single child - no exceptions," ACLU-NJ staff attorney Elyla Huertas said in a statement. "In a state where one in five residents is foreign-born, at a time when our president has made the exclusion of immigrants a key part of his policy agenda, it's more important than ever for every school district in New Jersey to meet its obligations, both to New Jersey's families and to the Constitution."

In 1982, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a Texas law that had denied undocumented immigrant children an education in the public school system. After a class-action lawsuit was filed on behalf of Mexican school-age children who lived in Texas, the high court ruled that the law had violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. In a landmark ruling, the high court held that "education has a fundamental role in maintaining the fabric of our society" and that it "provides the basic tools by which individuals might lead economically productive lives to the benefit of us all."

The lawsuits were filed in state Superior Court in the individual counties where the districts are located, one month after thousands demonstrated in Washington to protest the Trump administration's immigration policies and separation of undocumented children from their parents at the Mexican border. The protest was organized by the American Civil Liberties Union and several other civil rights organizations.

Three of the 12 school districts that the New Jersey affiliate is suing are in Camden County: Bellmawr, Sterling Regional High School, and Winslow. Dan Long, an attorney who represents the Bellmawr and Winslow Township school districts, said they are "currently reviewing the lawsuits and have no further comment at this time."

Officials with the Sterling Regional High School district in Somerdale did not respond to calls for comment.

Sterling and Bellmawr were among the districts previously cited by ACLU-NJ for violations in 2014.

The lawsuits filed Thursday ask the court to order the 12 school districts to rescind the restrictive enrollment requirements and to pay legal fees.

The ACLU said it selected the 12 districts because they had the most restrictive policies among the more than 500 school districts across the state that were surveyed.

Over the last decade, the ACLU-NJ has conducted audits of school districts to determine whether they had restrictive policies, and in the last four years it sued 13 districts that the ACLU said were in violation of the law. All of the cases settled after the districts agreed to change their policies, the ACLU said.

The policies "add up to a quiet, daily injustice that allows discrimination to metastasize and that tells families, incorrectly and unconstitutionally, that they can't access the fundamental rights they're entitled to," said ACLU-NJ executive director Amol Sinha. "Public schools exist to educate all of a community's children."

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N.J. Schools Sued Over Policies Preventing Immigrant Student Enrollment

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The ACLU of New Jersey is suing a dozen school districts in the state, including three in Camden County, saying they have discriminatory policies that prevent immigrant children from potentially getting an education.

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For many Americans, school names are now viewed as events due to major school shootings. Columbine High School. Virginia Tech. Sandy Hook. More recently Parkland High School. In the article School Violence: Reported School Shootings and Making Schools Safer, over 300 school shootings are examined and discussed. One conclusion is that school shooters are likely students of the school or have a connection to the school (Duplechain & Morris, 2014).
When addressing school safety, the National Education Association (NEA) targets specific areas. The topic of school violence and gun violence is addressed to students and professionals. The student pledge against gun violence focuses on solving personal problems rather than initiating violence with a gun (NEA, 2018). Additionally, the NEA addresses preventing school violence by addressing bullying (NEA, 2018).
School safety is vital. Educators must take steps to ensure students feel safe, that precautions are in place to prevent violence, and that the staff is equipped to deal with school violence should it arise on their campus. Reporting bullying and abuse are ethical and legal issues that are present in both resources. Educators have policies and guidelines in place for both situations, as both are viewed as catalysts for school shootings (Duplechain & Morris, 2014). As an educator and aspiring school counselor, it is part of my responsibility to stay up-to-date on procedures for reporting bullying, abuse, or other situations that may lead to extreme violence.

Duplechain, R., & Morris, R.(2014). School violence: Reported school shootings and making schools safer. Education, 135(2), 145-150.

National Education Association (NEA). (2018). School Safety Resources for Educators. Retrieved from http://www.nea.org/home/44693.htm

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Open Carry
Quealy, B. (2018, Aug. 3). Open Carry Issue in Michigan Schools May Not Be Settled. The Record-Eagle. Retrieved from https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2018/08/03/open-carry-issue-in-michigan-schools-may.html

This is one of many articles that mention the debate of open carry on school campuses. Though some federal policy makers support open carry by professionals and licensed individuals, this article states that the Michigan Supreme Court has ruled that "two school districts have the right to ban guns from their schools" (Quealy, 2018). The issue of school safety is an ongoing debate with school districts seeking governmental support when making decisions.

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Questions remain after the Michigan Supreme Court ruled that two school districts have the right to ban guns from their schools.

In what looked to be a clear win for the Michigan Association of School Boards as well as gun control advocates, the state Supreme Court on Friday ruled 4-3 in favor of Ann Arbor and Clio school district policies that barred individuals from openly carrying a firearm on school grounds even if they held an exempted concealed pistol license.

Many saw the ruling as a green light for districts to pass their own similar legislation without fear of litigation. That likely is not the case, according to attorney and firearms law professor Steve Dulan.

Dulan, who also serves on the Michigan Coalition of Responsible Gun Owners board of directors, said the ruling failed to adequately address why the school boards' policies did not fall under the umbrella of conflict preemption, which gives state policies precedence over those of smaller governing bodies. Determining whether the policies were conflict-preempted was "unnecessary," according to the court's written opinion.

"It was a missed opportunity to clarify the issue," Dulan said. "It looks like schools are allowed to make policies, however, there's an open question if those policies are in direct conflict state law-and that issue has yet to be re-litigated."

The court did rule on field preemption, stating school districts are not defined as a "local unit of government" and as such are not subject to their policies being overruled by the state. Michigan law prohibits a local unit of government from banning the possession of firearms.

"The Legislature has the authority to preempt school districts from adopting policies like the ones at issue that regulate firearms on school property. However, not only has the Legislature not done so, it has expressed its intent not to preempt such regulation," the court's opinion read.

Brad Banasik, legal counsel for the Michigan Association of School Boards, said the court's ruling hasn't really changed anything other than supporting and upholding the authority of school districts to adopt such policies.

"We respect the court's decision and following their rules and precedent, but on the same token we certainly don't want additional lawsuits filed against school districts," Banasik said. "We believe there is no place for firearms on school property, outside of the very limited exceptions that are included in the law."

Although it won't be a violation of state law for an individual openly carry a firearm on school property, districts can enforce their policies through trespass violations or other ordinances regulating unauthorized persons on school grounds.

Nick Ceglarek, Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District superintendent, said there has been some confusion around the law and that there is still some trepidation despite the court's decision.

"Districts are always cautious in establishing policy that may run counter to established laws. When there's question or indecision, we rely on court rulings," Ceglarek said. "Each local district is going to have to decide how they're going to approach this. Even if there is a chance a district is opening itself up to litigation, I think there's substantial cover based on the Supreme Court's ruling."

Justice Kurtis Wilder said in his dissent that it is only a question of when-if-this matter is brought before the court again.

"In order to fully resolve the ultimate issue before us ... it is necessary to determine whether those policies are in conflict with one or more statutes enacted by the Legislature," Wilder wrote. "The majority has provided only partial guidance and left lingering doubts."

Traverse City Area Public Schools dealt with the issue in 2014 when someone attended a board meeting legally carrying a firearm.

"When you see someone carrying a gun into a meeting, it raises your awareness level and then you come to grips with the fact that it's legal," TCAPS Superintendent Paul Soma said. "What can you do? There's not a lot of discussion to have at that point."

Soma has been outspoken against allowing guns on school grounds, but he said the current policies have worked out well for both sides.

"We've kind of settled into a pretty reasonable spot in having established a policy and practice that was respectful of the laws on the books and did the best job of creating a safe and secure environment," he said. "Who wants to keep getting into those kind of battles when we've found a reasonable and respectful place that advocates on both sides have accepted?"

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Open Carry Issue in Michigan Schools May Not Be Settled

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Questions remain after the Michigan Supreme Court ruled that two school districts have the right to ban guns from their schools.

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The topic I picked to explore further is school safety. I feel that outside of legal decisions, schools counselors have a major role in creating and maintaining school climate.Counselors also step in to address situations that can impact a student's life, view of the school, and their academic success.

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School Safety
Duplechain, R., & Morris, R.(2014). School violence: Reported school shootings and making schools safer. Education, 135(2), 145-150.

This academic journal discusses a number of school shooting across the nation, risk factors of school shooters, and strategies for creating safe schools.

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School Safety
National Education Association (NEA). (2018). School Safety Resources for Educators. Retrieved from http://www.nea.org/home/44693.htm

The NEA provides several links for creating safe schools. Among these links is information about violence prevention, including student pledges against gun violence.

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Violence Prevention, GLBT, Internet Safety, Bullying

Students learn best and achieve their full potential in safe and orderly classrooms. These resources will help you create and maintain a safe, secure and peaceful learning environment.
School Safety

School Safety: A Guide to Developing a Severe Weather Emergency Plan for Schools
This document provides advice on planning for flooding, hail, and tornadoes. It also includes a good glossary of weather terms for lesson planning. Written by a Warning Coordination Meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

Playground Safety Tips - National Program for Playground Safety
It is estimated that every two-and-a-half minutes a child is treated in an emergency room for a playground-related injury. The National Program for Playground Safety Web site provides the latest educational and research information on playground safety. Free downloadable materials as well as materials for sale.

Safe Kids USA
This Web site, which is dedicated to preventing accidental injury to children, offers programs, research information, tips, product recalls, and activities for kids (under Activities for Kids, see Teacher's Desk for lesson plans).

Safe Kids Worldwide
Safe Kids Worldwide is a global network of organizations whose mission is to prevent accidental childhood injury, a leading killer of children 14 and under. The site includes news, statistics, tips, and regulations and standards.

Science and Safety, Making the Connection ( PDF, 234 KB, 16 pgs.)
This school safety reference is for science teachers, primarily grades 9-12, and emphasizes procedures of ensuring laboratory safety and responsibilities educators have for creating and maintaining safe lab environments.

Teaching Tolerance, an initiative of the Southern Poverty Law Center
Teaching Tolerance offers free copies of Bullied, a 40-minute documentary film about one student's ordeal with anti-gay bullies, as well as corresponding lesson plans and activities for middle and high-school students. Also available at its website, are resources around Mix It Up Day, an annual event when students are asked to sit with someone new in the cafeteria - a small step that can go a far way to breaking down social and racial barriers.

Violence Prevention

The NEA HIN School Crisis Guide
A step-by-step resource created by educators for educators can make it easier for NEA leaders and school district administrators and principals to keep schools safe - so teachers can teach and children can learn.

Maintaining a Safe Environment: In Middle Schools
The author, a former middle school teacher and administrator, looks at safe schools in general while discussing the work of one middle school in particular.

Preventing School Violence
The author provides links to resources that support the idea that if you reduce bullying, you reduce violence.

Student Pledge Against Gun Violence
In October, one day is set aside to observe the Day of National Concern about Young People and Gun Violence. The Pledge, in Spanish and in English, encourages young people to take a proactive stance in reducing gun violence. The Web site includes curriculum suggestions and event planning materials.

GLBT

GLSEN: The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network
With nine out of 10 gay and lesbian students reporting harassment at school, it's important to recognize the specific needs of GLBT students. Go to the GLSEN site for anti-bullying resources, including lesson plans, the tools to build a "Safe Space" program at your school, and specific plans for participation in No-Name Calling Week this January 24-28.

Safe at School: Addressing the School Environment and LGBT Safety through Policy and Legislation
Citing an extensive body of research, Safe at School documents the persistence of hostile and unsafe school environments that can result in lower educational outcomes and higher rates of depression and suicide for LGBT students. The report contains a series of policy recommendations to ensure schools are welcoming and safe for LGBT students. These recommendations cover areas such as school climate, curriculum, and the particular role of school sports in defining a school's culture.

Internet Safety

bNetS@vvy.org
Check out "The Smart Girl's Guide to the Internet," and other resources on cyberbullying and inappropriate use of social networking from this site, which is a partnership of the NEA Health Information Network.

The Anti-Defamation League's CyberALLY program
This program aims to empower the bystanders online. ADL also provides anti-bias study guides for teachers and "Making Diversity Count," a 15-hour online professional development course that costs $140.

Bullying

Bullying Prevention & Intervention: Realistic Strategies for Schools
This book is grounded in the research and extensive experience in schools of its three authors, Susan M. Swearer, Dorothy L. Espelage, and Scott A. Napolitano. The book describes practical ways to combat bullying at the school, classroom and individual level. It includes helpful reproducibles, concrete examples, and questions for reflection and discussion.

Stop Bullying Now!
This website provides bullying information, resources and prevention tips from the U. S. Department of Health & Human Services. It includes 12 cartoon "webisodes" for younger students and multiple resource materials for students of all ages, parents and educators.

The Target Bullying Survey & Intervention System
This website provides an ecologically based assessment and intervention system for schools. Based on work with parents, school personnel, psychologists and policy makers, the site offers resources to create safe, non-threatening learning environments for students of all ages.

Netcetera: Chatting with Kids about Being Online ( PDF, 507 KB, 54 pgs.)
This 55-page booklet is available free from the federal government. It provides guidance on how to keep kids safe when on the Internet. It discusses cyberbullying and sexting.

Shout It Out
This musical film focuses predominantly on themes of bullying and suicide - and can provide a "jumping off point" for discussions between teens and adults. It is available to NEA members, along with an accompanying study guide, at the discounted price of $120.
Conflict Resolution

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Students learn best and achieve their full potential in safe and orderly classrooms. These resources will help you create and maintain a safe, secure and peaceful learning environment.School Safety School Safety: A Guide to Developing a Severe Weather Emergency Plan for Schools This document provides advice on planning for flooding, hail, and tornadoes.