Counselor's Notebook, April 2011

MASSACHUSETTS SCHOOL COUNSELORS ASSOCIATION APRIL 2011VOL. 47, NO. 8

MASCA

Race to the Top: MASCA Partners with DESEBy CHRISTINE EVANSMASCA Past President

MASCA Spring Conferenceand 50th Birthday Celebration

Crowne Plaza Boston North Shore, DanversApril 10-12, 2011Keynote Speakers

Dr. Norman Gysbers • Dr. Barbara ReinholdLt. Gov. Timothy P. Murray • Dr. Richard Lapan

Keith Westrich, DESE

Registration form can be found on page 12.

CHRISTINE EVANS

T ime for a pop quiz. Do you knowwhich state was the only one to

include school counselors and the im -plementation of a comprehensive schoolcounseling curriculum as an essential ineducation reform efforts? Do you knowwhich state’s RTTT application receivedthe highest ratings? If you answered theCommonwealth of Massachusetts forboth questions, you were correct.

This might seem like a lucky coinci-dence, but, rather, it is the result of acollaborative effort between school coun-selors and the Department of Secondaryand Elementary Education. Many con-versations, letters, e-mails, and meetingswere instrumental in aligning the objec-tives we embrace as school counselorswith the college- and career-readiness ob -jectives promoted by DESE.

The work done in advocating for ourprofession and what is best for studentshas resulted in a stronger partnership be -tween MASCA and the DESE. The part-nership provides the foundation for theRTTT MA Model Summit that will con-vene during the MASCA Annual SpringConference in April, and the leadershipteam at MASCA is delighted to be work-ing with DESE on this initiative.

The MASCA Spring Conference thisyear is going to be particularly wonder-ful be cause we are celebrating fifty years

as an organization. The conference beginson Sunday, April 10 and concludes onTuesday, April 12, and the keynote speak -ers, session presenters, and 50th Birth-day Celebration events are the best ever.

Several special events will markMASCA’s 50th Birthday. How appro-priate it is for us to be working closelywith the DESE at this time to providehigh-quality, focused professional devel-opment based on RTTT initiatives.

RTTT Summit at the ConferenceWe anticipate a record number of schoolcounselors and administrators on Tues-day for the RTTT Summit. The Summit isdesigned to assist school and district teamsin their implementation of the MASCAModel as a means of ensuring college-and career-readiness for all students.

Speakers, presentations, breakout ses-sions, and work sessions will help districtleaders plan first steps in implementinga comprehensive, developmental counsel-ing curriculum. Although the sessions areplanned specifically for school districtsthat have signed on for RTTT funds, theywill be open to any schools interested.

This is the first of many professionaldevelopment programs to be offered by theDESE/MASCA RTTT Leadership team.MASCA’s strategic plan has been carefullyplanned to align with DESE priority ob -jectives, with the goal of achieving successfor all students in the Commonwealth.

MASCA’s Governing Board extendsmany thanks to Keith Westrich and KarenDeCoster at DESE, as well as to KatieGray and the MASCA RTTT LeadershipTeam, for many hours of preparation forthe Summit. We look forward to contin-uing to work closely with DESE so thatwe can provide quality professional dev -elopment and technical assistance to coun-seling teams and school leaders through-out the Commonwealth.

This partnership is one of many waysMASCA is living out its mission to ad -vocate for school counselors throughleadership and collaboration. By joiningMASCA and becoming an active, partic-ipating member, you can help us achieveour objectives. You still have time toregister for all or part of the conference.Please join in our celebration. For moreinformation, go to www.masca.org. ■

2 COUNSELOR’S NOTEBOOK

2010 – 2011MASCA OFFICERS

PRESIDENTCAROLYN RICHARDSSomerville High School81 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA 02143Tel. 617-625-6600 x6120 • Fax 617-628-8413E-mail: [email protected]

PRESIDENT-ELECTMICHELLE BURKEBeverly High School100 Sohier RoadBeverly, MA 01915-2654E-mail: [email protected]

PAST PRESIDENTCHRISTINE A. EVANSRandolph High School70 Memorial Parkway, Randolph, MA 02368Tel. 781-961-6220 x545 • Fax 781-961-6235E-mail: [email protected]

VICE PRESIDENT ELEMENTARYJACQUELINE BROWNEast Somerville Community School42 Prescott Street, Somerville, MA 02143Tel. 617-625-6600 x6517 • Fax 617-591-7906E-mail: [email protected]

VICE PRESIDENT MIDDLE / JUNIOR HIGHRICHARD WHITEGateway Regional Middle School12 Littleville Road, Huntington, MA 01050E-mail: [email protected]

VICE PRESIDENT SECONDARYJENNIFER LISKMedway High School, Medway, MA 02053Tel. 508-533-3228 x5107 • Fax 508-533-3246E-mail: [email protected]

VICE PRESIDENT POSTSECONDARYJAY LEIENDECKERVice President Enrollment Services, Dean CollegeTel. 508-541-1509 • Fax 508-541-8726E-mail: [email protected]

VICE PRESIDENT ADMINISTRATORSRUTH CARRIGANWhitman-Hanson Regional High School600 Franklin Street, Whitman, MA 02382Tel. 781-618-7434 • Fax 781-618-7098E-mail: [email protected]

VICE PRESIDENT COUNSELOR EDUCATORSTHERESA A. COOGAN, Ph.D.Bridgewater State College, Bridgewater, MA 02325Tel. 508-531-2640E-mail: [email protected]

VICE PRESIDENT RETIREESRALPH SENNOTTP.O. Box 1391, Westford, MA 01886Tel. 978-692-8244E-mail: [email protected]

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORDONNA M. BROWNAdjunct Professor, UMass BostonP.O. Box 366, 779 Center StreetBryantville, MA 02327Tel. 781-293-2835E-mail: [email protected]

TREASURERTINA KARIDOYANESP.O. Box 1007, Monument Beach, MA 02553Tel. 508-759-3986E-mail: [email protected]

SECRETARYJENNIFER JUST McGUIREUpper Cape Cod Regional Technical School220 Sandwich Road, Bourne, MA 02532Tel. 508-759-7711 x247 • Fax 508-759-5455E-mail: [email protected]

MEMBERSHIP COORDINATORDEBORAH CLEMENCEP.O. Box 805, East Dennis, MA 02641E-mail: [email protected]

COUNSELOR’S NOTEBOOK EDITORSALLY ANN CONNOLLY19 Bayberry Road, Danvers, MA 01923Tel. 978-774-8158 • Fax 978-750-8154E-mail: [email protected]

APRIL 2011 3

April 2011

www.masca.org

Published by:Massachusetts School Counselors Association10 issues per year, September through June. The yearlysubscription rate is $30.00. Individual copies are $3.00.

Opinions expressed in the articles published herein representthe ideas and/or beliefs of those who write them and do notnecessarily reflect the views or policies of the MassachusettsSchool Counselors Association, Inc.

The acceptance of an advertisement for publication does notimply MASCA endorsement of the advertiser’s programs,services, or views expressed.

Questions concerning submission of articles, publi cationdeadlines, advertising rates, etc., should be addressed toSally Ann Connolly, Editor.

©2011 by the Massachusetts School Counselors Association.All rights reserved.

MASCA

inside4 The Massachusetts State University System

6 MA MODEL MATTERS: The Guidance CalendarBy Jacquelyn Tremblett

7 MA MODEL MATTERS: Forming a Web of SupportBy Elizabeth Reed

8 THE INTERN’S TALE: “Put Me In, Coach. I’m Ready.”By Pamela Burke

9 THE INTERN’S TALE: Tasks That Hinder Guidance CounselorsBy Viola Gnong

10 MASCA Tributes

12 MASCA Spring Conference Registration

13 ED’S VIEWSBy Ed Bryant, NCC


The Massachusetts State University System:A Message from the Presidents (an excerpt)

A s you are probably aware from re -cent news reports, on July 28, 2010,

Governor Patrick signed into law a billcreating a State University System in placeof the former state college system. In re -naming the system, Massachusetts recog -nized that the state colleges meet na -tional standards for being universities.

This bill recognizes the extraordinarygrowth of the Massachusetts State Uni-versity System over the past two decadesand the near boundless opportunitiesopen to our students. The nine campusesof the system include six comprehensiveand three specialized institutions offer-ing undergraduate and graduate degreesin a wide range of disciplines. Students canmajor in virtually any field of study andparticipate in a rich array of educationalopportunities outside the classroom.

As a result of the law, six state collegeswill be renamed as Bridgewater StateUniversity, Fitchburg State University,Framingham State University, SalemState University, Westfield State Univer-sity and Worcester State University. The

state institutions with specialized mis-sions—Massachusetts College of Art andDesign, Massachusetts College of LiberalArts and Massachusetts Maritime Acad-emy— will retain their current names inrecognition of their unique roles andwill be recognized as part of the StateUniversity System.

While the university name recognizeswhat we have accomplished, this changecreates new opportunities for our studentsand institutions. We believe strongly thatthis change will enhance the value of ourstudents’ degrees and help them com-pete for jobs; help our colleges competefor private and federal grants; continueto attract the best faculty in highly com-petitive national searches; and, benefitour state by keeping more Massachusettsstudents in state to attend college.

It is important to understand that thestate colleges are not changing their mis-sion or their commitment to providingstudents an outstanding educational ex -perience where faculty focus on teach-ing, research, mentoring and helping stu-

dents reach their fullest potential. Thecampuses remain committed to expand-ing access to a college education; and, asa result, admission standards and studentcosts will not be impacted by this change.Further, the state universities are not apart of the UMass system. The Massachu-setts State Universities are teaching uni-versities—dedicated to student learningin and outside the classroom.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the name change result in higher ad-mission standards for students?

The state university system is com-mitted to our mission of expanding accessto a college education for residents ofthe Commonwealth. We will retain thesame rigorous admissions standards thathave been in place for over a decade.

Will the name change increase studenttuition & fees?

We are committed to maintaining ourdistinction as the most affordable pathto a four-year degree. Our average tuitionand fees are currently $7,338 per year,among the lowest for four-year programsthroughout New England. Student costswill not increase as a result of the changeto a state university system.

Is financial aid impacted by the namechange?

The same forms, procedures and stan-dards for applying for and receiving fi -nancial aid will continue to apply.

Will class size be impacted by the namechange?

Small classes taught by full-time fac-ulty and opportunities to work one-on-one with professors will continue to behallmarks of a State University education.The Massachusetts State University Sys-tem currently has an average student :faculty ratio of approximately 16:1.

How will the name change benefit stu-dents?

Graduating from a campus within theMassachusetts State University System,with academic offerings on par with teach-ing universities across the nation, will helpour students compete on a more equalfooting, especially as 45 other states havealready moved to state university systems.The term State University more accuratelydescribes the breadth and depth of edu-cational offerings and opportunities avail-able to our students. ■

APRIL 2011 5


A SampleGuidance Calendar

Month Grade Level

• October 8Progress Reports Issued ........ All

• October 9SAT Testing .................... 11, 12

• October 16PSAT Testing .................. 10, 11

• October 18-22Individual Sr. Meetings ......... 12

MA MODEL MATTERS: The Guidance CalendarBy JACQUELYN TREMBLETT

School Counselor, Dighton-Rehoboth High School

L ast year a colleague and I completedthe MA Model Summer Institute

course; and during the span of that year,we began looking at our guidance frame -work from a whole new perspective.

One of the tasks I found most diffi-cult to organize was the guidance calen-dar. There are so many things we do inthe course of a year—course selections,college night for juniors, 504 and IEPmeetings, individual meetings with stu-dents….I thought, “How can I put thisin one neat little package and share itwith the school community?” Very quick -ly I concluded that a one-size guidancecalendar does not fit all. Not every par-ent wants or needs to know every aspectof what we do on a daily basis.

To start, we made a list of school coun-seling tasks, along with our guidance cur-riculum, and created a yearly calendar.This calendar highlights ongoing tasksand the dates of one-time events. Eachpiece of the guidance curriculum is in -serted into the calendar according to

when it is implemented. We color-codedeach task for grade level and parents, sothat we could continue to measure thepercentage of time given to each gradelevel and servicing the parental commu-nity. This was then deemed our official“internal” guidance calendar that we usedto plan our year.

Realizing that much of this informa-tion was not pertinent to parents and theschool community, we created a separatecalendar for this population. I researchedother school calendars and took intoaccount what parents would find mostinteresting and easiest to understand.Here is part of the model we adopted.What I like most is the ease with whichyou can scan information.

The calendar is printed on coloredpaper with our school logo and distrib-uted to the parents of eighth graders fororientation and it is available in guid-ance as a handout. We also display it atour guidance services for parents.

Currently, we are also creating a coun-

seling newsletter, which will include thecalendar. We also made it available onour website for viewing and printing. Weare in the process of creating an e-maildatabase for our school community sothat the calendar can be e-mailed to par-ents at the beginning of each year as wellas a monthly reminder, as changes occur.

With technology so readily at our fin-gertips and so widely used by the schooland community, website options for cal-endars exist. We use Google’s Calendaras our district calendar; and when ournew school website launches next month,I will embed it on the guidance page forthose who find calendars helpful.

Google has a simple tutorial on howto embed the calendar into a website,and maintenance of this calendar is user-friendly. Once embedded, the calendarshows a visual, which can be changed todifferent views: monthly, daily, by agenda,or by date. The calendar has fresh colors,and events can be color-coded, and it canbe printed or imported into one’s ownpersonal Google calendar or shared withothers. If all schools in a district use thecalendar, parents can view multiple cal-endars on one page and change the viewsettings to compare schedules for theirchildren in different grades.

What started out as a daunting taskhas evolved into a set of guidance calen-dars that fit the needs of our schoolcommunity. Although each school hasunique needs, with a little organization,creativity, and marketing, any calendarcan be a wonderful organizational toolfor showcasing what we do and for link-ing community to school. ■

APRIL 2011 7

MA MODEL MATTERS: Forming a Web of SupportBy ELIZABETH REED

School Counselor, Monson High School

A ccording to the MassachusettsModel, an advisory council is an in -

tegrative piece of a comprehensive schoolcounseling program. With all of the othermeetings that are on a school counselor’sschedule, the idea of an additional one canseem exhausting. (I would be lying if Isaid the thought did not cross my mind.)However, once you organize and beginpartnering with your advisory council, itis much more manageable than it seems.

This year Monson Public Schools de -cided to initiate its own advisory coun-cil. At our first department meeting ofthe year, we had a brainstorming sessionon the purpose of the council and whowe would like to invite. We wanted touse the council to ensure that we wereproviding all possible services to ourstudents and doing it effectively.

Because we are a small district, wedecided to involve all three of our schools(elementary, middle and high school).Larger districts may elect to form a sep-arate council for each building. Betweenfour counselors, a career facilitator, andthe social worker, we came up with a listof thirty people. These included students,faculty, administration, parents, andcommunity representatives from thelocal pediatrician to law enforcement.We sent out invitations and were sur-prised by the amount of interest. Stepone was complete! We planned to meetfive times through out the year, with anintroductory meeting and a wrap-up(focusing each one in between on a dif-ferent school level).

The first meeting took place in Octo-ber. It was empowering to have all theplayers sitting around the table brain-storming about how to help our stu-dents. We learned that the local pedia-trician was concerned about tobacco use,which turned into a discussion with thepolice about drug trends in our area.The teach ers mentioned that it would behelpful to have a homework club, sincewe do not have any study periods. Thisled into a discussion about how localorganizations could help.

There were so many ideas floatingaround that we reconsidered our direc-tion for future meetings. We decided tofocus each meeting on a theme and dis-cuss how that would impact each of theschools, and what we could do to streng -

then support.We had our second meeting about a

month ago and focused on substance use/abuse awareness. The police departmentgave a very compelling presentation andthen led a brainstorming session on whatwe could do to improve our services. Asubcommittee was formed to organize apresentation for the parents and to find

an effective way for conveying the mes-sage to the students at each school. Wehave a diverse group of people workingon this initiative, and it would not havehappened if we did not get everyonetogether to discuss all sides of the issue.

Although the task of getting togetheranother council may seem daunting, it iswell worth the outcome. ■


THE INTERN’S TALE: “Put Me In, Coach. I’m Ready.”By PAMELA BURKE

Master’s Student in School Counseling, Bridgewater State University

I can’t tell you how excited I was drivingto my practicum site the first day. I

felt like a kid who spent years learningthe fundamentals of basketball, and thiswas my first chance to play in a game.School counseling is certainly not a game,but the years spent learning about theoryand fundamentals were finally going tobe put into practice.

Like any team, the relationships andcollaborative nature of the players willmake a difference in what that group isable to accomplish. “Collaboration andTeaming” is one of the four themes inboth the American School CounselingAssociation (ASCA) and MassachusettsSchool Counseling Association (MASCA)models. Many people working toward

one common goal can accomplish farmore than an individual striving aloneto ac complish that goal.

In basketball a child first learns aboutthe positions and what is required whenplaying those positions. ProfessionalSchool Counselors (PSCs) work to un -derstand the role that all parties play incontributing to a student’s education.That is an important part of the trainingprocess and an important piece in thefield. I was able to spend my first daymeeting staff, teachers, administrators,and students. I sat in on classes andtalked with staff to begin to understandtheir role in the school.

Understanding the positions of a bas-ketball team does not mean that you’llbe able to play together. A PSC needs toknow how to build relationships andpartnerships within the school and com-munity. One of the first “assignments” Iwas given at my school was to partici-pate in a study skills series for freshmen.The structure of the series was alreadyin place with nine different topics andpresenters from different departments.This study skills series lets everyone shinein their area of expertise while workingcollaboratively toward one common goal.

Anyone who follows basketball knowsabout “stats.” Those statistics help theplayers and coaches understand whatthey are doing right and what they cando differently to improve. Understandingthe importance of an evidence-basedschool counseling program, I asked mysupervisor if she would like me to collect,analyze, and present data from the studyskills series. This would allow the coun-seling department to demonstrate the pro-gram and the contributions of all partiesto stakeholders in the school system.

At the end of the day, I reflected onmy first day; and although I spent a lotof time “on the bench” observing andlearning, I left with a deeper understand-ing of the roles all parties play in con-tributing to a student’s education. I beganbuilding relationships and partnershipswithin the school, and I plan on usingmy leadership and advocacy skills to cre-ate collaborative relationships that willenhance learning for all students. ■

APRIL 2011 9

THE INTERN’S TALE: Tasks That Hinder Guidance CounselorsBy VIOLA GNONG

Master’s Student in Counseling, Salem State University

G uidance counselors are trained topromote student success and wel-

fare by offering support services to stu-dents, but there can be a large gap be -tween what they are trained to do versuswhat they actually do. Many guidancecounselors spend half or most of theirdays carrying out administrative tasks.If guidance counselors are spending theirtime performing these tasks, they cer-tainly are not spending eighty percent oftheir time with students, as ASCA rec-ommends.

Activities such as making perfunctorychanges to documents, creating absenteelists, calling the homes of students onabsentee lists, and spending an hour ormore a day on lunch duty hinder coun-selors’ ability to support students. In thearticle “Why Guidance Counseling Needsto Change” (2010), Johnson wrote that“public schools often seem to assumethat counselors can juggle a whole ros-ter of duties and still effectively assisthundreds of students in planning theirfutures.”

Counselors are supposed to providebeneficial and much-needed opportuni-ties for student success through personaland group counseling, developmental gui -dance seminars, and classroom/groupguidance activities. The counselors at mypracticum site, however, do not have thetime to provide these necessary services.They carry out far too many administra-tive tasks.

My classmates have found this to betrue as well. This may offer some insightinto the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundationresearch finding that many adults are notimpressed with their high school guid-ance counselors. (Griffin, “High SchoolCounselors Take It on the Chin,” 2010)

While completing my practicum, I havebeen able to see how much students inurban settings need their guidance coun-selors. Students require academic, college/vocational guidance, personal counseling,someone to advocate for them, and muchmore. For example, a student living in amotel with his family needed informationon resources such as bus transportationto attend school. A guidance counselorat my practicum site provided the stu-dent and his family with the needed re -sources as well as counseling services.

Similar situations come up quite fre-quently, and it is important that guid-ance counselors have the time to use theirspecialized skill-set. Guidance counselors’services are necessary, and their skillsshould be fully used. Performing time-consuming administrative tasks shouldnot account for the majority of a guid-ance counselor’s work. When they do,students lose out.

School counselors, thus, must advocatefor themselves. They must demonstrate theimportance of their role in schools. Theycan do so by informing school personnel,students, and parents of the services theyoffer, by documenting services, and byproviding a data-driven program. (Witt -mer & Clark, “Managing your SchoolCounseling Program: K-12 Developmen -tal Strategies,” 2007) ■


MASCA TRIBUTES 2010-2011Charles BrovelliNominator: NECAGuidance Vocational and Educational Spe-cialist for the Massachusetts Departmentof Education. Community college andjunior college instructor. President ofMCDA. Long-term, loyal treasurer ofNECA. MASCA Membership Coordina-tor and Directory Editor for 15 years.Strong interest and tireless supporter ofveterans’ affairs. Serves on many profes-sional organization committees.

Ed Bryant, NCCNominator: MASCAMASCA Life Trustee, Executive Director,President, Armed Services Liaison. Co-founder: NECA. President: NECA (2),NSGDA (10), MCDA (multiple), IpswichRotary Club, Massachusetts Reserve Of -ficers Association. Commander: BoxfordAmerican Legion (3), Local U.S. CoastGuard Auxiliary Unit (2). U.S. NavalAcademy admissions (25). Ipswich VFW

Judge Advocate. Originator: Academies/ROTC Night.

Michelle BurkeNominator: NECABeverly High School counselor (1994-pre-sent); Department Co-facilitator (2009 topresent); Gay Straight Alliance advisor(1998 to present). Beverly Teachers Asso-ciation: secretary, negotiating team (4).High school softball coach: Beverly (1996-2002, 2009-present), Danvers (2003-2005).Counselor, Project RAP, Peabody (1988-1994). NECA: Governing Board (1997-present), Corresponding Secretary, Presi-dent (3). Current MASCA President-Elect.

Sally Ann ConnollyNominator: NECACounselor retired from North Shore Tech -nical High School. High school teacherand community college assistant profes-sor. Published writer and author of 3books. President of Northeast Counselors

Association. Long-term, contributingmember of MASCA’s Public RelationsCommittee, Conference Committee, andGoverning Board. MASCA Counselor’sNotebook Editor, 1995-present.

Robert ConsolmagnoNominator: WCPGAIt is a pleasure for the Worcester CountyPersonnel and Guidance Association tohonor our longtime WCPGA member andformer president, Robert Consolmagno.Bob was Director of Guidance, benefitingthe children of Worcester, and activelyserved on the MASCA Conference Com-mittee. Bob, thanks for everything!

Barbara CoutinhoNominator: NECACounselor since 1971. Director at Tritonand Sparhawk. Recipient, MASCA Out-standing Leadership Award 1991 and2004. Long-time PR Committee member.Editor, nationally recognized Public Rela-tions Handbook. Two-term president ofNECA and NSGD. MASCA Conferenceand Registration committees. Active inmany local and regional professionalorganizations. Enthusiastic, tireless.

Mary Dunn, Ph.D.Nominator: NECADr. Dunn, Director of Transfer Admis-sions at Salem State University, has 25years of experience in college admissions.Included are positions at Fisher College;Regis College (Director of UndergraduateAdmissions), and UMass Boston (Direc-tor of Transfer Admissions). To her manyprofessional activities, Mary brings a spe-cial warmth, dedication, and enthusiasm.

Ronald Fredrickson, Ph.D.Nominator: FHGACounselor Educator (UMass Amherst),Visionary, Mentor, Colleague, Gentleman,Friend. Organizational co-founder ofFranklin Hampshire Guidance Associa-tion. Partner in establishment of MASCA.Modeled and expected highest qualitystandards as educator and in life. Pro-fessionally dedicated to students, schoolcounseling profession, school practition-ers, and colleagues. Believer in career edu-cation for ALL students.

APRIL 2011 11

Richard GaudetteNominator: WCPGAThe WCPGA, currently starting our 76thyear as an organization, thanks RichardGaudette, former Director of Guidancefor the Spencer Schools for his service tothe WCPGA and MASCA. Dick washonored last spring with a stirring trib-ute by a former student, recognizing hisprofound impact on her life choices.

Judith Josephs, Ed.D., J.D.Nominator: NECATireless counselor educator at Salem StateUniversity. Attorney and recipient ofGreater Lynn Technical School Award.Outstanding member of Lynn Tech for38 years. Encourages graduate studentsto join professional organizations, result-ing in new members for MASCA. Loyalmember of MASCA and NECA.

Oscar KrichmarNominator: MASCACounselor retired from Lexington Pub-lic Schools. Esteemed founding memberof MASCA. Co-Chair, original MSCABy-Laws Committee. First, elected Pres-ident-Elect. As President, devoted his an -nual conference entirely to elementarycounseling. School-College RelationsCom mittee Chair. Counselor’s NotebookEditor (26 years). Contributing memberof MASCA’s Governing Board since itsinception. MASCA Life Trustee.

Helen O’DonnellNominators: Maria, Joan, Lyndsie,Kara and TaraFitchburg State University’s ProfessorO’Donnell is a caring, action-oriented,and knowledgeable professional. She en -thusiastically shares her school counsel-ing expertise and MA Model knowledgewith her students. Through interactive lec-tures, modeling, and a genuine positiveregard for all, Helen effectively and effort-lessly improves student educational ex -periences at Fitchburg State University.

Mary Lou RetelleNominator: NECAEsteemed former VP for Enrollment Man-agement at Merrimack College. For morethan 25 years she provided a home basefor NECA and served on its ExecutiveBoard; hosted other MASCA affiliatesand committees; and served as exhibitor/sponsor at MASCA conference events.Student-centered, counselor-supportive,and much-admired administrator.

James StaffordNominator: NECARetired as a counselor from both Chel seaHigh School and Austin Prep. FormerMASCA Treasurer. Long-serving Execu-tive Board member of NECA and NorthShore Guidance Directors Association(Treasurer, 20 years). Ski coach, still goingstrong. A child advocate, he combinescounseling and athletic expertise to es -tablish rapport with troubled youth.

MASCA TRIBUTES 2010-2011

Building 21st Century Academic and Employability Skills

50YEARS

1961

2011


APRIL 2011 13

ED’S VIEWSBy ED BRYANT, NCCMASCA Life Trustee

ED BRYANTMASCA Life Trustee

M y thanks to “producers” RonMiller and Joe Fitzgerald for their

video interview experience and lunch atthe Danversport Yacht Club. The videois being made for MASCA’s 50th BirthdayCelebration at the conference this month.

A little bit of history: As the newguidance director at Masconomet Re -gional High School in the early ’60s, myidea for bonding was to visit the JobCorps on Cape Cod near Wellfleet. MyCoast Guard friend lent me his 37-footsloop, and the only navigational equip-ment we took along was my father’s boxcompass. We motored out of MarbleheadHarbor, and then set the sails for ourvoyage that Columbus Day Weekend.My two female counselor-sailors wantedto visit the Job Corps, and the males—Peter, Herb, Gerry and Bill—seemed ex -

cited. Pete had brought his fishing pole,and we had a large pan of beef stew andother foods. We towed a small skiff, andjust as we entered the bay, an enormoussquall hit. Down went the sails. We triedto anchor in order to ride out the storm,and we started taking on water. As cap-

tain, I decided that we should haul anchorand sail in on the jib. Bill, a Navy veteran,could not pull the anchor, so we had tocut it. Beef stew floated on the deck alongwith more salty excitements. The goodLord and my father’s compass guided usto Wellfleet in the storm. Our engine hadstalled, we were wet, and as soon as wedocked, Peter, Herb, and Gerry took offlike birds. Bill stayed with the skipper.Al though we never did see the Job Corps,we did “bond.”

I hope that the rise in gas prices won’tkeep you from attending the MASCAconference. I look forward to celebrat-ing MASCA’s 50th Birthday with you.

Thought for the day: “Challenge is adragon with a gift in its mouth. Tamethe dragon and the gift is yours.” (NoelaEvans) ■

Happy 50th Birthday, MASCA!


College Fair scheduled

T he Boston National College Fair willbe held on Tuesday, April 12 from

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. –9:00 p.m. and on Wednesday, April 13from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at the BostonConvention and Exhibition Center inBoston, Massachusetts (new location).

Sponsored by the National Associa-tion for College Admission Counseling(NACAC) and hosted by the New Eng-land Association for College AdmissionCounseling (NEACAC), this event is freeand open to the public. At this time, over325 colleges from all over the countryand overseas have registered to attend.

New this year for Boston: Requestinginformation from multiple colleges/universities at the Boston National Col-lege Fair is much easier. Students whoregister and bring their bar-coded print-out with them to the Fair will not haveto fill out information cards onsite. Al -though registration will be available on -site, students can avoid long lines byregistering online before arriving. Toregister in advance, students should goto www.gotomyncf.com.

If you have any questions, e-mailJeanne Aversa at [email protected]. ■

Institute seeks presenters

T hrough its Diversity Challenge con-ference, the Institute for the Study

and Promotion of Race and Culture ad -dresses a racial or cultural issue thatcould benefit from a pragmatic, scholarly,or grassroots focus. This year’s confer-ence—Diversity Challenge: Intersectionsof Race or Culture and Gender or Sex-ual Orientation—examines intersectingidentities from multiple frameworks.

The two-day conference is scheduledfor October at Boston College. Includedare panel discussions/symposia, work-shops, structured discussions, a postersession, and individual presentations byinvited experts and selected guests thatinclude educators, administrators, re -search ers, mental health professionals,and community organizations.

If you would like to present, check theCall for Proposals at http://www.bc.edu/schools/lsoe/isprc/dc.html. More infor-mation and pre-registration will also beavailable on the website. Direct in quiriesto [email protected]. ■

Fairleigh Dickinson hosts BCGA

Shown with AndrewIppolito, Director ofUndergraduate Admissionsand Marketing (center)are Berkshire CountyGuidance Associationco-presidents, StephanieShafiroff and PeterAnderson.

Honor Your School Counselor “Tributes”A MASCA 50th Birthday Promotion

Did a school counselor encourage youto accomplish your goals and follow your dreams?

Did a school counselor you knowmake a positive difference in the lives of students?

Do you want to express your appreciation to that counselor?

Here is your chance to pay tribute.Sign up and post your tribute at www.masca.org.

Tributes are accepted through June,and they will be posted on MASCA’s website.

Submissions are welcome from all residents, school systems,MASCA affiliates, students, past graduates, families,

administrators, and others.

To get started, click on the 50th Birthday School CounselingTributes link on the homepage.

Price per tribute: $50

For more information, e-mail [email protected].

50YEARS

1961

2011

APRIL 2011 15

PRESORTEDSTANDARD

U.S. POSTAGEPAID

NEWBURYPORT, MAPERMIT NO. 96

Massachusetts School Counselors Association, Inc.COUNSELOR’S NOTEBOOK

Sally Ann Connolly, Editor

CHANGE OF ADDRESS:

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NAME

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ADDRESS

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CITY ZIP CODESTATE

Send this form to:Deborah ClemenceP.O. Box 805East Dennis, MA 02641

YOUR MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL DATE IS INDICATED BY YEAR AND MONTH ON YOUR ADDRESS LABEL ABOVE.To renew your membership, go to MASCA’s website, www.masca.org.

MASCA 2011 Spring Conferenceand 50th Birthday Celebration

April 10 -12, 2011Crowne Plaza Boston North Shore, Danvers

GREAT PROGRAMS • GREAT PRICES • GREAT SPEAKERS

Graduate Student Events • Exciting Exhibits • MA Model ShowcaseMASCA Awards and Tributes • Birthday Reception

Sunday afternoon keynoter: Dr. Norm Gysbers

Monday morning keynoter: Dr. Barbara Reinhold, career coach and counselor

Monday 50th Birthday Luncheon Speaker: Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray

Tuesday morning keynoter: Dr. Richard T. Lapan, Ph.D., Professor, UMass Amherst,MASCA Research and Evaluation Committee Chair

Tuesday luncheon keynoter: Keith Westrich, Director of Career & College Readiness,Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education

For more details and to register, go to www.masca.org.

Inquiries: Helen O’Donnell, Conference Chair, [email protected]

50YEARS

1961

2011 50YEARS

1961

2011

Counselor's Notebook, April 2011

Documents

Transcript of Counselor's Notebook, April 2011