Friday, January 5, 2018

Part-time Freshman Connection Program Coordinator

Part-time Freshman Connection Program Coordinator
Job Title: Part-time Freshman Connection Program Coordinator
Unit: Office of School Counseling and Postsecondary Advising
Reports to: Director of School Counseling and Postsecondary Advising

Position Overview

To support students in making a successful transition from eighth grade to high school, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) will offer a five-hour, four-day Freshman Connection (FC) program during the summer of 2018. During this four-day program, students will work directly with school staff to learn academic and study skills, participate in culture and climate building activities and receive orientation supports. Each participating school will submit a Freshman Connection program proposal aligned to freshman on-track performance standards. Principals will be allowed to differentiate their program to the unique needs of their students and communities.

The goals of the program are to:

1) Familiarize students with high school expectations (e.g., academic rigor, graduation requirements)
2) Familiarize students with their new school environment (e.g., school culture norms, routines, procedures)
3) Increase their high school and college readiness (academic skill building, creating academic mindsets, learning conflict resolution, developing self-management skills)
4) Provide students the opportunity to connect with adults and peers through collaborative activities
Responsibilities of the Freshman Connection Coordinator
● Lead the formal rollout of the FC proposal at networks and participating schools
● Provide ongoing technical assistance to networks and schools to support the proposal completion
● Ensure that FC is implemented with fidelity and is aligned to district freshman on-track goals and objectives
● Provide direct program guidance to school administrators, counselors and other assigned FC staff ● Work with district departments (e.g., Teaching & Learning, Student Support and Engagement, Networks and Schools, etc.) to identify target student populations for active participation
● Work with various district departments to identify appropriate resources for target student groups
● Support citywide training of assigned FC staff: Counselors, Coordinators, Youth Leaders, etc.
● Update and post program print materials on the OCCS website, including the FC program manuals, transportation list, department contacts, etc.
● Develop process for conducting school-level program audits
● Manage program data gathering for analyzing and reporting
● Perform other FC duties as needed
Additional Requirements
● Maintains the ability to establish effective working relationships with students and parents; school, network and central office staff
● Strong communicator: speaking, listening and writing
● Able to lead large-scale programs and/or projects
● Demonstrates a sense of urgency in accomplishing goals and objectives to ensure success
● Proficient in Windows Operating System and MS Office; strong internet skills
● Planning and budgeting capabilities

Timing of the Program

Freshman Connection program planning begins in January 2018 with implementation scheduled to begin during the summer months.

Salary

Hourly rate of pay pending.

Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Faculty Candidates

Dear Counseling Students, We need your help!

In the next few weeks, we will be holding on-campus interviews for our school counseling position and we would like your help. We are looking for student participation in the form of meeting with the candidates to learn more about them and to offer your input and to tour the candidates around campus.

There are three dates,  one for each candidate: January 10, 16 & 17th.The times are the same for each interview date with the tour taking place from 11- 1130am on each of the days listed and the student meeting with candidates taking place from 2- 3pm on the interview dates.

If you are interested and available to participate in either of these elements of our search process for our next faculty member, please contact Dr. Parries at mparries@depaul.edu by January 8th


We look forward to hearing your input!

Free CEU & Networking Event for Counseling Professionals!




Urban Balance will be hosting a networking event for professional counselors sponsored by the Illinois Mental Health Counseling Association. Joyce Marter, LCPC will be speaking about self-care for clinicians.  

Wednesday, January 31, 5pm - 7pm
Urban Balance Hinsdale
15 Spinning Wheel Rd.
1st Floor Conference Room
Hinsdale, IL 60521

We welcome psychology graduate students and professional counselors to network and learn more about the IMHCA. Attendees will receive a free CEU and light refreshments will be served. Feel free to pass the invitation along to friends or colleagues who might be interested. 

Questions? Contact myIMHCA@gmail.com