September is a busy month…but be sure to include GuidanceFest 2009 on your schedule! There’s good stuff for everyone. It will be worth the trip! Tommi

Our staff member of the month isJo Kahn, Coordinator of Career Information Systems. Jo coordinates and develops web-based career information and guidance products, coordinates development, dissemination, and training of the Oklahoma Career Information System (OKCIS), and provides support to workforce development professionals. Contact Jo for information regarding OKCIS, Career and Academic Connections web site, use of labor market and occupational information in workforce development and career guidance, WorkKeys, job placement issues, and professional development for the use of electronic career guidance products in the classroom. Contact Jo at 405-743-5404 or

Don’t Forget- GuidanceFest 2009 – Transitions

Please plan on attending GuidanceFest 2009 at one of the following locations. This half-day workshop will focus on Transitions – 8th to 9th grade transitions, high school to CareerTech transitions, and high school/CareerTech to post-secondary transitions. We always have a great time and we even have door prizes as well as free career materials. We hope to see you there!!!

Register here(It’s free):

  • September 1, 2009 – Moore-Norman Tech Center – South Penn Campus - 9:00-3:00
  • September 3, 2009 – Tulsa Technology Center – Lemley Campus - 9:00-3:00
  • September 10, 2009 – Kiamichi Tech Center – Atoka, OK – 1:00-3:30
  • September 15, 2009 – Western Okla. State College – Altus, OK – 1:00-3:30
  • September 22, 2009 – High Plains Tech Center – Woodward, OK – 1:00-3:30

(The last 3 dates will “hook on” with the EPAS meeting held in the morning. Moore-Norman and Tulsa Tech will meet with their partner counselors in the afternoon.)

OKCIS offers training for beginner to advanced OKCIS users. Training is offered through hands-on training sessions, webinars, and on-demand training.

  • Go to information on dates, places and registration information.
  • Each 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month OKCIS will offer a new user webinar. Contact Natalie Gay at or more information and to register.

You’re Ready, But Are You Prepared?– by Kim Eason, ODCTE College Readiness Specialist

This power point is intended for students to help them prepare for college. Topics addressed include study and time management skills, the importance of finding the right fit for both a major and a college, and the necessity of proper academic planning. Counselors, college and career advisors, or classroom teachers could use this presentation to give high school students a brief look at the elements necessary for post-secondary academic success.

Find the presentation click here:

Don’t forget to register for theVIPfor School Counselors workshops–A stipend of $200 for each two-day session will be provided to offset lodging and per diem expenses. Here are the specifics:

  • Session 1 – October 8-9, 2009 – Location – Stillwater, OK

Topics: Presentations on career and technology education career majors, implementing a Teachers as Advisors system, career guidance, OKCIS, a business/industry tour, free career products tool box, and more.

  • Session 2 – November 19-20, 2009 – Location – TBA

Topics: Practitioners speaking on specific topics, military tour and information, Career Clusters, Career Assessments, and networking/sharing career development practices with other counselors. Go to and click on the bulletin board to register.

I found a great websitethat you may already know about. Schoolcounselor.com has tons of information for counselors including videos, websites, and time-saving tips. I found the following shortcuts on that site. You may want to check it out.

Common and Helpful Keyboard Shortcuts
Source:
• Print preview: Ctrl-F2 (also Ctrl-Alt-I in Word)
• Add hyperlink: Ctrl-K
• Increase font size one point in Word: Ctrl-[
• Decrease font size one point in Word: Ctrl-]
• Open the Format dialog box with Font tab selected: Ctrl-Shift-F (also Ctrl-D in Word)
• Open the dictionary (Word 2003) or the reference pane (Word 2007): Alt-Shift-F7
• Select a row in Excel: Shift-Spacebar
• Select a column in Excel: Ctrl-Spacebar
• Add a line to the current cell in Excel: Alt-Enter

I also viewed a good video you might want to use with teachers, parents, or students. Be sure to view the video first to make sure it fits your school’s policies. (Remember: If your school blocks YouTube, talk to your web tech.)

Weight Bias at Home and School – (long but very good)