SWAP: For Counselors by Counselors: Full Schedule

10:00am CST

Branching Minds for School Counselors LIMITED

Friday December 20, 2024 10:00am - 10:50am CST

Koehneke Community Center: River Forest Room

Join us for a hands-on session designed to equip school counselors with the tools and strategies for effectively documenting and tracking Tier 2 interventions using Branching Minds. Learn how to manage interventions such as Check-In Check-Out (CICO) and Small Group Attendance and Goal Data as well as adjust Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Tiers for students and send key surveys (DESSA, Insight, WISC-SECA) to teachers and students. We’ll also cover how to train teachers to complete the SRSS-IE and incorporate SDQ and other screener scores into the platform. By the end of this session, you’ll feel confident using Branching Minds to track and monitor data for SEL interventions and surveys, helping you collaborate with educators to support the social-emotional development of students.

Speakers

Alyssa Heath

School Counselor, De Diego Elementary School

Olivia Lewis

School Counselor Interns, De Diego Elementary School

Friday December 20, 2024 10:00am - 10:50am CST
Koehneke Community Center: River Forest Room

GRADES K-8, ACADEMIC, SEL

11:00am CST

How to Create an SEL Family Night FILLING

Friday December 20, 2024 11:00am - 11:50am CST

Kretzmann Hall: Band Room

We will be discussing the nuts and bolts of putting together a KDG-8th SEL Family night from planning to implementation to follow up! Join us as we share fun and creative ways to engage families in order to build a strong home-school connection while teaching strategies for mental health!

Speakers

Nilufar Rezai

School Counselor, Daniel Webster Elementary

Nancy Fernandez

School Counselor, Kinzie Elementary

As a School Counselor in CPS since 2009, I have a strong background in trauma informed practices, crisis counseling, postsecondary planning, career exploration, counseling core curriculum, restorative practices, and tiered interventions. I hold a Masters Degree in Education with School... Read More →

Gwendolyn McElmurry

School Counselor, James Farmer Jr Elementary

Friday December 20, 2024 11:00am - 11:50am CST
Kretzmann Hall: Band Room

GRADES K-8, SEL

1:00pm CST

Evidence-Based Strategies for Supporting Social-Emotional Learning in Early Childhood Classrooms LIMITED

Friday December 20, 2024 1:00pm - 1:50pm CST

Kretzmann Hall: Band Room

As the need for social-emotional support in pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students increases, it is essential to provide educators and school counselors with effective, evidence-based interventions that can be implemented directly within their school building. This session will introduce practical strategies designed to foster emotional regulation, social skills, empathy, and adaptability in young learners. Participants will gain actionable tools and techniques tailored for early childhood education settings, bridging gaps in social-emotional learning support and equipping attendees to create developmentally appropriate, emotionally supportive environments for their youngest students.

Speakers

Grace Morfin

School Counselor, N6 Drummond Montessori

Friday December 20, 2024 1:00pm - 1:50pm CST
Kretzmann Hall: Band Room

GRADES K-8, SEL

1:00pm CST

Hot Chocolate Run Against Bullying LIMITED

Friday December 20, 2024 1:00pm - 1:50pm CST

Kretzmann Hall: Class 350

"Run Against Bullying" is a program completed in October to equip students with the tools and strategies needed to address and prevent bullying in schools. This program focuses on creating safe and supportive learning environments where all students feel valued and respected.

Speakers

Janice Lewis

School Counselor, Johnson Elementary School

Friday December 20, 2024 1:00pm - 1:50pm CST
Kretzmann Hall: Class 350

GRADES K-8, SEL

1:00pm CST

The School Counselor's Role in Creating a Culture of Kindness LIMITED

Friday December 20, 2024 1:00pm - 1:50pm CST

Koehneke Community Center: Alumni Room

We will discuss how to make improvements in your school climate and culture by utilizing data from 5 Essential Surveys and Needs Assessments to see how students are feeling about their interactions teachers and peers. We will then discuss Tier 1, 2 and 3 interventions to increase kindness in your school building and with individual students.

Speakers

Jacynta Harris

School counselor, CPS

Johanna Jacobson

School Counselor, Skinner North

Friday December 20, 2024 1:00pm - 1:50pm CST
Koehneke Community Center: Alumni Room

GRADES K-8, SEL

2:00pm CST

Solution Focused Activities FILLING

Friday December 20, 2024 2:00pm - 2:50pm CST

Kretzmann Hall: Recital Hall

Participants will be able to adapt to the Solution Focused approach more efficiently by learning a few SFBC activities, helpful resources, and a few inspirational quotes.

Speakers

Nancy Fernandez

School Counselor, Kinzie Elementary

Monica Contreras

School Counselor Intern, Kinzie Elementary

Friday December 20, 2024 2:00pm - 2:50pm CST
Kretzmann Hall: Recital Hall

GRADES K-8, ACADEMIC, SEL, POSTSECONDARY

SWAP: For Counselors by Counselors