Our state's legislative session is in full swing. Please see below for a message from Ashley Seeklander, SDSCA's Government Relations Chair.

"As your SDSCA Government Relations Chair it is my honor to keep you up to date on the Legislative happenings in Pierre. I have attached the report from our Legislative monitor from last week’s session. It gives an overview of bills to watch for as the 2019 Legislative session progresses. Keep in mind things move fast and bills change quite rapidly during session so I will try to keep you as informed as possible. With that being said, I would also like to note Senate Bill 49 was introduced yesterday that would repeal the SD HS Activities Association’s transgender sports policy that was adopted in 2015. If you would like more information on SB 49 (or any of the bills) please go to the SD Legislative Research Council web-site."

The document below contains information a list of bills that you may find of interest. Please visit our Government Relations page for information on tracking legislation as well as contacting legislators on both the state and national level.

Please check out website, social media, and listserv for updates as the session progresses.

​Thank you for your advocacy on the behalf of your students, your school, your program, and the profession!

If you haven't already started to plan how you will celebrate National School Counseling Week (February 4th-8th), there's no time like the present!

ASCA has several great resources to utilize and will once again be sponsoring the NSCW Photo Challenge. For more detail on both, please visit ASCA's NSCW page by clicking here. 

Remember, this is your opportunity to celebrate the great things that you and your program are able to do in your school community. Have fun, make it meaningful, and celebrate to advocate!

The PIC, SDSCA's newsletter is here!

​This month's focus is on diversity, but there's so much more inside!

It's time to starting thinking about who you would like to nominate for the 2019 SDSCA Awards. This is our opportunity to honor the outstanding work of school counselors and school counselor allies in South Dakota. Details will be coming soon, but please by our awards page to review the awards and criteria for nominees. Thank you for helping us recognize these amazing people!

A last minute addition has been added to the Counselor Connections agenda.

Bring your lunch from 12:30-1:30 to take part in a round table discussion regarding Dual Credit for high school students. (PLEASE NOTE: we are unable to offer CEs for this session)

12:30-1:30: Lunch on Your Own OR Optional Brown Bag Lunch Roundtable:
Jessica Lewis & Tracia Hogue-SDSU Academic Advisors-College of Arts, Humanities and Social Science
Since the state of South Dakota introduced the high school dual credit program in Fall 2014, the number of students participating has grown significantly. This has greatly increased the workload for high school counselors.  Bring your lunch in and join colleagues for a conversation on HSDC. This round table discussion will allow attendees to ask questions about the qualifications for HSDC, review the application process and available resources, and connect with program staff. It will also allow counselors to dialogue with each other about dual credit and trade ideas.

You can view the full agenda below. We hope to see you at Counselor Connections!

SDSCA is pleased to once again have several ASCA publications for sale during the 2018 Counselor Connections workshop. Shop with great prices and leave with these books in your hand.

ASCA National Model (3rd ed.)   Regular Price: $44.95  ASCA Member Price: $34.95
                                                                             SDSCA Price: $30.00

ASCA National Model Implementation Guide Regular Price: $44.95  ASCA Member Price: $34.95
                                                                             SDSCA Price: $30.00

Making Data Work (3rd ed.)        Regular Price: $24.95  ASCA Member Price: $19.95
                                                                             SDSCA Price: $10.00

Buy all three and save an additional $5.00! Take home all three books for only $65!!!

Bring your checkbook or cash with you to Brookings November 2nd and 3rd to grow your professional practice library, supplies are limited.

​Learn more about each book by visiting ASCA's bookstore, by clicking here.

The annual SDCA Conference will be taking place May 2nd-4th, 2019 at the Best Western Ramkota Hotel in Sioux Falls.

Are you ready to share you wisdom and experience to help others grow in their professional practice? Visit SDCA's website by clicking here to submit your proposal today!

SDSCA is happy to announce a FULL line up of NBCC approved CE (continuing education credits) sessions at next month's Counselor Connections Workshop.

Take a look at the great line up of presentations by accessing the file below. 

It's not too later to submit your registration, click here to learn how you can submit online using a credit card or pay by check through the mail.

We hope to see you in Brookings, November 2nd & 3rd!

SDSCA is please to present the October issue of our locally produced newsletter: The PIC (Practical Ideas for Counselors).

This month includes topics on bully prevention, a snapshot of the 2018 Counselor Connections Workshop, dates to mark on your calendar, and more. We hope you enjoy!