Career, technical and agricultural education state newsletter, (Vol. 2, Issue 3)

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State Newsletter

Volume 2, Issue 3
Winter 2013

Career, Technical and Agricultural Education

State Newsletter

Special Points of Interest
CTSOs: Reinforcing Academics
- Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA)
- SkillsUSA
End of Pathway Assessment Resources
CTAE and CTSO Calendar of Activities
Focusing on New CTAE State Staff
State Program Manager Updates
School Nurse Update

Greetings from David Turner, CTAE State Director
Thank you for all that you have done for your students over the past five months of this school year. I have received many letters, emails, newsletters and photos from across our state sharing the activities and successes of our CTAE students and teachers. Being a CTAE educator is such a rewarding and fulfilling experience!
I am very proud to announce the selection of Brenda Barker as the Program Manager for Accountability. She is a very knowledgeable and dedicated expert on Perkins law and our budget process. I look forward to her leadership.
I am also proud to introduce Ms. Georgina Howard as the new State School Nurse Specialist. Ms. Howard will be coordinating the school nurse program in our State and developing policies and procedures that will assist our schools in providing a consistent school nurse program. Ms. Howard has many years of experience as both a school nurse and in public health.
I would also like to introduce you to Mrs. Anita Williams, my new Administrative Assistant. Mrs. Williams is a great addition to our CTAE team with over 25 years of experience in State government. I know that you will enjoy working with her as we assist you with your requests.
We have been working with all of our stakeholders to create a solid new framework to meet the needs of our changing economy. We look forward to sharing the details of our work as soon as the State Board of Education approves the posting of the individual course standards. Thanks to all my CTAE state team for their hard work on the Career Clusters and Pathways revision. The first phase of the implementation will occur in 2013-2014.
I encourage you to make plans now to attend the GACTE Summer Leadership Conference in July 2013. There will be many sessions dedicated to the implementation of the new Career Clusters and Pathways.
Very soon the 2013-2014 Consolidated Application process will begin and I urge you to check all of your data for accuracy. A high number of identified errors were submitted to us last year and most were simple oversights that slowed the approval process. Please make sure that your data is accurate and complete before you submit your application for funding.
Don't hesitate to contact us if we may be of assistance to you. The entire CTAE team is honored to serve you.
David

Career, Technical and Agricultural Education State Newsletter

Career Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs): Reinforcing Academics (continued)

Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA)
The Georgia Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) organization has always been an integral part of the Family & Consumer Sciences, Culinary Arts and Education pathways. However, teachers may wonder how to integrate the FCCLA program into their curriculum.
National FCCLA has made it easier than ever to integrate FCCLA into the curriculum. Here are just a few tips to assist in getting started:
(1) Develop a Game Plan - Look at the curriculum at the beginning of the year and plot what programs could be implemented. Don't be afraid to give up a favorite lesson to try something new. Also, talk to the CTSO officer team when planning the Program of Work to determine which lessons or activities could be developed by students in advance.
(2) Leave Freedom of Choice with the Students Let students choose specific units or specific subject areas within each project to provide more "artistic freedom" for their final outcome. Example: If a student plans to open their first bank account, a "Banking Basics" unit will interest them more than a "Making Money" unit in the Financial Fitness project.
(3) Use the National FCCLA Programs and Competition Guidelines The STAR Events Manual and National Programs are a great resource for lesson plans and classroom activities. A variety of project ideas may be easily implemented into the curriculum. There are also built-in rubrics and guidelines. So use it!
Next, demonstrate to the students the application for national recognition and use as a part of the grading method. These projects are a great way to introduce students to FCCLA and the many programs and opportunities this CTSO offers.

SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA Georgia is a student organization that includes a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure that America has a skilled workforce. The organization's mission is to empower student members to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens. By 2020 the nation's skilled worker gap will reach an all-time high of 14 million workers. SkillsUSA Georgia is working in partnership with Architecture, Construction, Communication and Transportation (ACCT), Cosmetology, and Public Safety Pathway teachers to ensure that Georgia is doing its part in providing a skilled and ready workforce. Students are taught technical skills to become successful in specific trade areas, while reinforcing key academic standards.
To provide examples of this academic reinforcement, the SkillsUSA TeamWorks contest encompasses the areas of carpentry, masonry, plumbing, electricity, and teamwork skills. In this event, students see their academic knowledge come to life by using fractions, percent, algebraic expressions, measuring angles, finding the surface area, and defining the slope in the creation of real life three-dimensional models. However, this event does not stop with mathematics! From the use of the scientific theories or principles of electricity and magnetism, to demonstrating comprehension of a variety of informational texts, students are utilizing academic skills to build a model home!
Over a hundred SkillsUSA contests incorporate academic application-based learning activities with different types of "tests." These realistic and exciting "tests" allow students to take ownership of their own learning as they initiate the steps toward becoming a skilled worker in our American economy.

Career, Technical and Agricultural Education State Newsletter

New End of Pathway Assessment Resources

New End of Pathway Assessment instructional resources are available to CTAE instructors and administrators! Study Guides and corresponding Teacher Companion Guides have been developed for GaDOE by the NOCTI organization to support two EOPA Assessments: Engineering & Teaching as a Profession.

For general information regarding study guides, go to the following link: http://www.nocti.org/StudyGuide.cfm?m=3
Please note: Ordering of guides must be handled through the NOCTI Online Client Services Center.

Engineering & Teaching as a Profession NOCTI Study Guides will include: 1. A list of competencies covered on the exam 2. Assessment content distribution 3. Sample assessment items 4. A study checklist by content area
Engineering & Teaching as a Profession NOCTI Teacher Companion Guides will include: 1. All the content contained in the Student Guides 2. Tips and suggestions for overcoming test
anxiety 3. Tips and suggestions for improving study skills 4. Tips and suggestions for preparing timelines
The guides will be available for purchase on Thursday, January 31, 2013. For $36.00, your system may receive 10 Student Guides, one Teacher Companion Guide, plus access for 10 students to online sample questions. For an additional $11.00 per set, your system may receive five (5) additional guides and online access for five (5) students to online sample questions.
Schools may order the study guides using the online order form at the NOCTI Client Services Center. This is the same order form and process used to order exams.

SkillsUSA has developed Teacher Preparation Guides for the following Skill Connect Assessments:
Carpentry Cosmetology Criminal Justice/Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Television (Video) Production Welding
Skills Connect Assessment Teacher Preparation Guides will include:
Tips on using the Skill Connect Assessment System Assessment competency areas and covered academic standards Student testing tips and reminders Knowledge check sheets by competency area
Skills Connect Guide Access: Log-on to the test system with the username assigned to the instructor Go to the right side of screen to the gray shaded box titled "Technical Support Documents" Select "Documents for Instructors" Then select "Teacher Preparation Guide"
Questions, contact Ms. Mamie Hanson at mhanson@doe.k12.ga.us or 404-657-6279.

Career, Technical and Agricultural Education State Newsletter

Event Date

Event Title

Jan 15 31

2013 FBLA Region
Leadership Conferences

Event Location
Various Locations

2013 CTAE Events

Event Description

Audience

Registration Info (if needed)

FBLA Region Leadership
Conferences (RLC)

Any FBLA member and
adviser

http://gafbla.webexone.com

January 25-26

Georgia Young Farmers Association 43rd Annual Convention

Learn new ideas, network with
agricultural leaders and innovators

Registration Info: $125 Single $200 Couple
$75 Ages 14-18 $50 Ages 6-13 No registration will be accepted at the door. Register on-line at
www.georgiayoungfarmers.org

2013 CTAE Events

Event Date Event Title Event Location

Feb. 1-2 Feb. 1

S.E. Business & Marketing
Education Conference
Due Date HOSA Reg.
& State Officer Applications

Feb. 3-9

SkillsUSA Week

Athens

Event Description
Fiftieth (50th) year Celebration

Audience Marketing and Bus. Educators
Students & Teachers

Registration Info (if needed)
http://sbmec.coe.uga.edu/ http://gahosa.org
http://skillsusageorgia.org

Feb. 7-8 Feb. 6 Feb. 7 Feb. 15

CTAE Administrator
Winter Workshop SkillsUSA Day at the
Capitol
Registration Deadline
HOSA Spring Conf.
SkillsUSA Application
Deadline State Officer

Classic Center, Athens, GA

Feb. 28March 2

DECA State Career
Development Conference

Location: Sheraton Hotel -
Atlanta, GA

Leadership workshops and trainings

CTAE Administrators

www.ctaern.org

Students &

N/A

Teachers

Students & Teachers
Students & Teachers

http://georgiahosa.org/confere nces/state-leadershipconference
http://skillsusageorgia.org

Students & Teachers (online testing before the state conference)

None required

2013 CTAE Events

Event Date Event Title

Event Location

Event Description

March 1

Ag Budget Worksheet

March 5 March 7-9

OCR Technical Assistance Workshop
HOSA State Leadership Conference

Macon, GA
Athens, Classic Center

March 12

Spring 2013 CTAE Regional
Workshop

Golden Isle Career Academy
Brunswick, GA

March 13

Spring 2013 CTAE Regional
Workshop

UGA Campus Conference Ctr.,
Tifton, GA

March 19

Spring 2013 CTAE Regional
Workshop

Oconee Fall Line Tech. College
Dublin, GA

March 20

Spring 2013 CTAE Regional
Workshop

Holiday Inn North Macon, GA

March 22

CTI Atlanta Hawks Speaker
Series/Fair

Phillips Arena, Atlanta, GA

Atlanta Hawks & CTI team up for the speaker
series

Audience CTAE
Administrators CTAE
Administrators
Students & Teachers
CTAE Administrators
CTAE Administrators
CTAE Administrators
CTAE Administrators
Students & Teachers

March 2122

SkillsUSA Career Expo

GA Int'l Convention Ctr., College Park,
GA

Students & Teachers

March 26

Spring 2013 CTAE Regional
Workshop

Classic Center Athens, GA

CTAE Administrators

March 27

Spring 2013 CTAE Regional
Workshop

Clarence Brown Conference Ctr. Cartersville, GA

CTAE Administrators

March 31

Perkins Quarterly Report Deadline

Required to develop Improvement Plans for Perkins Core Indictors

CTAE Administrators

Registration Info (if needed)
www.gaaged.org Contact the Ag Region
Coordinator www.ctaern.org
www.ctaern.org
www.ctaern.org
www.ctaern.org
www.ctaern.org
www.georgiacti.org www.ctaern.org
http://tinyurl.com/2013SkillsUSA-CareerExpo
www.ctaern.org
www.ctaern.org
Submit updated plans: LPlan@doe.k12.ga.us

FOCUSING ON NEW CTAE STATE STAFF

Carol Burke, Program Specialist Architecture, Construction, Communication & Transportation

What interesting jobs did you hold before joining the Georgia Department of Education? Middle School Technology Teacher in Fannin County, Marketing Department at Shaw Industries, NonCommissioned Officer in Charge of Air Force Audio Visual unit, Horse Wrangler in Yellowstone National Park, Electrical Construction Crew for BE&K Construction.

Why did you decide to be in Career, Technical and Agricultural Education? CTAE is the lifeblood of all careers! We address the needs of all high school students by introducing them to career possibilities where each can enjoy success regardless of the level of education they choose. Where did you go to college / what degrees, etc.?
GA Southern, BS Ed Industrial Arts, GA Southern,
Med Adult and Vocational Education, Lincoln
Memorial EdS Leadership and Administration.

Mark Crenshaw, Program Specialist Engineering and Technology Education
What interesting jobs did you hold before joining the Georgia Department of Education? Before becoming an Engineering and Technology Education teacher, I served as a Navy Aviation Warfare Systems Operator/Helicopter Combat Search and Rescue Crewman and Rescue Swimmer for 10 years. I flew on 32 Combat Missions during Desert Storm. Why did you decide to be in Career, Technical and Agricultural Education? When investigating the MS degree in HRD at Old Dominion, I walked downstairs and saw this lab full of students working on robots and stepped in where Dr. Deal began talking to me about the Technology Education program. I got hooked and haven't looked back since. Where did you go to college / what degrees, etc.? Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (BS in Workforce Development), Old Dominion University (MS in Technology Education), UGA (Ed. Leadership add-on), Liberty University (EdS in Educational Leadership), Clemson University (ABD) EdD in Career and Technology Education.

Dr. Myrel Seigler, Program Manager Counseling & Guidance

What interesting jobs have you hel d bef ore areas of the school and helped advise students in career

joining the Georgia Department of

choices. I also served as the counselor liaison on the

Education ? I taught special education early in my

Tech Prep task force for the school district I was working

career both in public schools and at a state psychiatric

in at the time.

hospital. I was in school administration for approximately Where did you go to college / what degrees, etc.?

7 years while most of my 32 years in education was spent Georgia Southern College--BS.Ed. Special

as a high school counselor.

Education/Elementary Education, Augusta State

Why did you decided to be in Career,

University, M. Ed. In Administration and Supervision,

Technical and Agricultural Education?

Georgia Southern University, EdS in School Counseling,

I first was introduced to CTAE in 1988 while serving as a Georgia Southern University, EdD in Leadership.

high school counselor when it was still known as

vocational education. As a counselor, we worked with all

Career, Technical and Agricultural Education State Newsletter
CTAE STATE PROGRAM MANAGER UPDATES

DEVELOPMENT & TRANSITION UPDATE
Emily Spann, Program Manager
Happy New Year to all of our CTAE Colleagues from your State CTAE Staff in the Development and Transition Unit!
JROTC Update Contact Gary Mealer (gmealer@doe.k12.ga.us)
The process to determine teacher certification for JROTC instructors has begun. More information will be coming soon.
A foundation course is in the process of being developed for a new pathway in the Government and Public Administration Career Cluster. More information will be coming later as the process progresses.
Dual Enrollment Update New information:
Change in guidelines---Dual students may earn more than 4 units of high school credit per semester, if the local system agrees to approve it. Dual program funding will only pay up to 15 hours of credit per semester.
Dual verification--Counselors need to contact all their dual students to verify they are still enrolled in the correct dual program and classes. This is crucial before the March FTE count date. 1. Dual enrollment students must meet GaDOE guidelines, the participating college requirements, and meet with their local high school counselor before qualifying for dual high school credit and funding. 2. Students taking college courses must get credit at the high school before they can qualify as dual students and receive funding for the courses. 3. Continue to check the Transition Career Partnership web page for updated information and documents.
For more information, click the link:
http://www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruction-andAssessment/CTAE/Pages/Transition-Career-Partnerships.aspx
Contact: Gary Mealer (gmealer@doe.k12.ga.us)

Save the Dates!
66th ANNUAL GACTE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
Education Revolution July 10-13, 2013
Renaissance Waverly Hotel, Atlanta
School Counselor Flash Drive Update All local systems should have received a packet of College Access Challenge Grant flash drives. These flash drives are targeted for middle and high school counselors to use and reference when working with students, educators and parents. As a helpful tip, please do not click on the Update button since the link has been disabled. If additional copies are needed, please update the number of middle and high school counselors in your local system in the CTAERN web site, and contact Elizabeth Lewis-Draffen at email address: elewis-draffen@doe.k12.ga.us and provide your contact information and mailing address.
Sharing Individual Graduation Plan Data As a reminder to middle school counselors, please develop a time and plan to transfer your 8th grade Individual Graduation Plan student data to your feeder high school counseling department. Details on transferring this data and more information can be retrieved by contacting your career information data system provider's help pages, professional center, or help desk. Making sure this data is transferred and shared will be extremely helpful to students and their continual advisement for career development and high

school graduation. For more information, contact Dr. John Pritchett, jpritchett@doe.k12.ga.us.
STEM Information The Georgia Department of Education is hosting an Exploring STEM School Designs Conference at Kennesaw State University on Jan. 31, 2013, from 9:00-3:00. Our Georgia schools who have met STEM certification will be presenting throughout the day on their process toward becoming a STEM school. The dates for the Georgia STEM Institutes have been set for June 17-21 in Savannah and July 15th-19th in Atlanta. Stay tuned to the STEM website at http://stemgeorgia.org for the STEM industry schedule and registration. For more information, contact Dr. Gilda Lyon, glyon@doe.k12.ga.us.
Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching Applications are available at www.paemst.org. CTAE Teachers of 4th Science courses are eligible for these cash awards!
SCHOOL COUNSELING UPDATE Dr. Myrel Seigler, Program Manager
Attention! National School Counseling Week 2013, "School Counseling: Liberty and Learning for All" will be celebrated from February 4-8, 2013, to focus attention on the unique contribution of professional school counselors within U.S. school systems (ASCA). The Georgia Department of Education recognizes the services and impact that school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and planning for a career. Thank you school counselors for what you do!
Elementary and Middle School Counselors The elementary career activities referred to in the College and Career Ready Performance Index are now posted on the GaDOE website. Please click on the link below to view the guidance documents for the elementary activities, the 5th grade career portfolio, and middle school information, and the 17 career awareness activities.
http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/Curriculum-Instruction-andAssessment/CTAE/Pages/Elementary-ClusterActivities.aspx

Save the Dates: Middle and High School Counselor Summer Workshops

May 30, 2013 June 3, 2013 June 4, 2013 June 5, 2013 June 6, 2013 June 12, 2013 July 10-13, 2013

Kennesaw State Univ., Marietta Barrow Co. BOE, Winder Ft. Valley State University UGA Conference Center, Tifton Middle Ga. State College, Macon Liberty Co. BOE, Hinesville Renaissance Waverly, Atlanta

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION UPDATE Chip Bridges, Program Manager
Happy 2013 to all Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education Colleagues!
The Agricultural Education Unit of the Georgia Department of Education is excited about the great future we have before us and the opportunities we will have in the coming year. An example of student opportunities to succeed is through the FFA Career Development Events (CDEs).
I had the great fortune recently to be involved with the State FFA/EMC electrical wiring career development event. This is a great partnership between Georgia
Agricultural Education and the Georgia Electric Membership Cooperatives. Kevin Jones from the Madison County FFA chapter was named the state winner. This is an incredibly difficult event to post the highest score and earn the distinction of becoming the state champion. It was great to see the accomplishment and success of Kevin Jones. I know he put many hours of study and practice into obtaining this goal. It is also important to note that Kevin was not the only winner in this event. More than 170 students from across the state were provided the opportunity for success. Each of them walks away with knowledge and skill that will be valuable the rest of their lives.
The Agricultural Education and FFA Career Development Events (CDEs) are the greatest measure of technical skill attainment that is provided to students as a component of the program. It is great to know that the FFA mission is alive and well. We will strive to continue making a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for Premier Leadership, Personal Growth, and Career Success through agricultural education.

PROGRAM DELIVERY UPDATE Dwayne Hobbs, Program Manager
We have officially passed the halfway point of the 2012-2013 school year and much has been accomplished and much is left to be done. The Program Specialists have been busy with the process of revisions to courses and pathways to align with the Career Clusters. As you may recall, the year started off with a major survey conducted through the partnership of the Georgia Department of Education, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, and the Carl Vinson Institute of Government.

The Program Specialists have assembled advisory committees and subject matter experts to write the standards and elements of the foundational (first) course in each of the identified pathways. Georgia Power Company has been a tremendous partner in assisting with the advisory committee meetings. A very special thank you goes to David Stewart, Vice President for Community & Economic Development at Georgia Power for assisting in this process. David hosted all the advisory meetings at the Georgia Power facility and provided certified facilitators for the meetings. During October Business and Industry representatives met with program specialists and provided input on the content of the courses for each pathway. David Stewart also spoke to the State Board of Education on December 4, 2011, and gave a report on the meetings held in October.

From that point, each Program Specialist worked with subject matter experts to finalize the course standards. On January 8, 9, 10, 2013, Georgia Power once again hosted a meeting of the advisory committees for each cluster for final review and consensus of the course standards. All courses are now in the hands of Georgia Department of Education staff for proofing and preparing for submission to the State Board of Education for approval to post for public review.

Below is the timeline for the remainder of the process:

February 21, 2013

Foundational courses for each CTAE pathway presented to the State Board for approval to post for public review.

March 26, 2013

Finalize the public review

results and prepare final

copies of the foundational

course standards for State

Board of Education approval

April 5, 2013

Present foundational courses

for State Board final approval.

The Program Specialists are coordinating professional

learning events about implementation of the new

course standards. Details and additional information

will be presented at the Winter CTAE Administrators

Conference in Athens on February 7 and 8, 2013.

During the conference the Program Specialists will

have a display of the pathways and courses in their

clusters and information about industry certification,

end of pathway assessments and professional learning

opportunities for teachers. All participants will have

an opportunity to network with them and get your

questions answered.

CTAE Resource Network Profile CTAE teachers should update their profile on the CTAE Resource Network at www.ctaern.org and double check their email address to ensure that it is correct. The instructional area designated in the profile determines email groups and pre-determines the Program of Work for Extended Day. During the next year, all profiles on the Resource Network will be reorganized into the new Career Cluster/Pathway organizational structure.

Work-Based Learning/Youth Apprenticeship Professional Learning By State Board Rule, all Work-Based Learning (WBL) Coordinators must complete a state-approved training every five years. There are two options for this training: 1. WBL Bootcamp - for new coordinators certified in
a CTAE field or completion of the WBL endorsement for those not certified in a CTAE field. 2. WBL Update/Refresher - for experienced WBL coordinators who have already attended the Bootcamp, but have not been to a workshop in the last four years. These workshop opportunities will be conducted in June 2013. The exact dates, locations and other details will be posted on the CTAERN website on March 1, 2013.

Region Meetings All Work-Based Learning Coordinators should attend their region meetings. All Youth Apprenticeship (YAP) grant recipients must attend these meetings to fulfill their grant requirements. There are three or four meetings per year depending on the region. Anyone uncertain about which region they are in or uncertain that they are on the email group to receive the notices about these meetings should e-mail dhobbs@doe.k12.ga.us.
Annual Assessments and Data Reports By State Board Rule, WBL Coordinators are required to submit data annually regarding their program. There are two reports: 1. WBL Data Report for WBL coordinators
enrolling students in Cooperative Education, Internships, or Employability Skill Development (ESD). This report is submitted by individual per school. 2. YAP Assessment for all YAP Coordinators employed by systems receiving the YAP Grant. There is only one YAP Assessment per system (grantee) regardless of how many schools are in the system.
The documents mentioned above will be posted for download on the GaDOE website by February 1, 2013, and should be completed and submitted by April 1, 2013. Details concerning completion and submission of these reports will be a focal point of the region meetings for WBL Coordinators.
ACCOUNTABILITY UPDATE Brenda Barker, Program Manager
Happy New Year to all of the CTAE family! I appreciate the support you have shown as I take on the role of Program Manager for Accountability. I assure you our division is committed to supporting you in funding and compliance of your local programs.
Please make sure you are registered for the CTAE Winter Professional Learning Conference in Athens on February 7-8, 2013. The agenda is full of important information for you and we will be disseminating the FY2014 Perkinsplus Grant application at this meeting.
The CTAE Timeline for March 2013 is included in this newsletter. The timeline includes important deadline dates for CTAE activities. Especially note the six (6) Spring Regional Update Meetings scheduled in March. There are two meetings per region and it is very

important that you sign up for a session as FY2014 consolidated application and grant information will be covered. As soon as these meetings are posted to the Resource Network, sign-up early to get the session you prefer. Your Region Coordinators will notify you when these meetings have been posted for registration to the CTAERN website.
Our new CTAE Leaders State Advisory Council will meet on February 6 in Athens, prior to the Winter Conference. I want to thank those members who have served and will be leaving the council: Barbara Wall (Houston County), Delmas Watkins (DeKalb County), George Ward (Valdosta City), Mandy Johnson (Douglas County), Medea Shuman (Ware County), Lynne Wilson (Lowndes County), Pat Jackson (Dougherty County) and Sandy Colwell (Monroe County). We appreciate your time and dedication to CTAE.
I would also like to recognize the new CTAE Leaders State Advisory Council members coming on board: Mark Morgan (Berrien County), Bonnie Gordon (Wayne County), Vivian Laster (Terrell County), Dorothy Crimes (Webster County), Tim Cockrell (Harris County), Toni Terwilliger (Emanuel County), Cindy Clanton (Carroll County), Celeste Cannon (Walton County), Michael Maze (Atlanta City) and Todd Shultz (Jackson County). Thank you for volunteering your service.
Lastly, I want to thank you for your patience as we are trying to replace Georgia's position. Please continue to work through your Ag or CTE Region Coordinator for assistance on the consolidated application grants. I will open a grant back up for you, if requested and needed. Remember we are here to serve you so please don't hesitate to call if you need assistance. See you in Athens on February 7-8, 2013!
SCHOOL NURSE PROGRAM UPDATE Georgina Howard, Program Specialist
Starting a new job at the beginning of a new calendar year is very exciting. Fortunately, I can combine my celebrations and continue my passion working to improve the health status of our students. While my position is new, the work of school nurses is not new!
You can observe the added value of a school nurse by observing busy clinics throughout our state. The school nurse serves as a frontline resource to identify students

who may need further health screenings or need referral to a medical home. It is an honor to accept the challenge of promoting the work of school nurses and improving school nurse practice throughout the state. A more formal connection of health and education makes good sense. School Nurses work to eliminate potential barriers to learning such a vision and hearing problems and provide care to students with chronic conditions such as asthma or diabetes.
Across our state are many examples of how school nurses contribute to the well-being of students. Visiting a school clinic, one will observe the rapid pace of school nurses treating ill students, giving insulin to a student with diabetes, preparing for a mass vision screening or documenting immunization status. The contributions of school nurses are endless when it comes to identifying health problems and improving health status.

Promoting the work of school nurses, providing information, and resources is the foundation of my work. To start this exciting journey, I am inviting all school nurses to share ideas, suggestions, accomplishments, and challenges on how we can grow the school nurse program.
Thank you for working together to ensure healthy students who strive for excellence in learning! Please send me an email so that I can add you to my contact list. You may email your comments to ghoward@doe.k12.ga.us.
Note: Please make sure to forward this newsletter to your school nurses.