First District RESA

10/01/2026

Happy First Day of October!

Please see the Second Quarter School Climate newsletter and share with your school leaders, counselors, PBIS, MTSS, Safety, and Well-being/SEL teams. There are lots of links, updates, and news included, and several upcoming events, so register your teams today!

We wish you a Happy Fall and let us know if we can assist you in any way.

Best,

Renee, Deidre, Catherine, and Kathleen
WCS Team

🔗

10/01/2026

🎉 Congratulations to our 34 new Youth Mental Health First Aiders representing our FDRESA districts: Effingham, Liberty, Bulloch, Glynn, GNETS, and our very own FDRESA staff member!

💚 Youth Mental Health First Aid, provided by the FDRESA Whole Child Supports Division, equips adults with the skills to recognize signs of mental health or substance use challenges in young people and respond with appropriate support until professional help is available.

We are proud to have 34 more trained adults ready to support the mental health and well-being of youth across our region!

09/28/2026

09/28/2026

FDRESA had a FULL HOUSE for our “Lights On, Minds On!” professional learning session! Our teachers and instructional coaches were actively learning, collaborating, and exploring strategies to increase student engagement and active learning in the classroom.
We love seeing educators come together, share ideas, and add new tools to their instructional toolboxes! When teachers are engaged in learning, they’re better equipped to keep their students’ lights on and minds on! 💡

09/24/2026

🌱 Youth Mental Health First Aid Training 💚
Educators are often among the first trusted adults to notice when a young person may be experiencing a mental health challenge. This training equips educators, coaches, counselors, and administrators with the knowledge and skills to recognize warning signs, respond appropriately, and connect youth with the support they need.
Join First District RESA’s Whole Child Division for this regional training opportunity!

📅 September 30, 2026
⏰ 8:30 AM–3:30 PM
📍 First District RESA | Metter, GA
🌎 Open to all districts!

👉 Scan the QR code on the flyer or click the link below to register!
🔗 https://events.fdresa.org/dashboard/admin/manage/5f4061dc-5059-47e2-abfb-b216c5888864

💚 Let’s work together to build a stronger network of support for the mental health and well-being of our students.

09/24/2026

First District RESA’s Counselors Coalition met in Brunswick for a great day of learning and collaboration!

Counselors strengthened their understanding of their role in the GaMTSS process and how they contribute to supporting students within a multi-tiered system of supports.

Additional presentations focused on AI and the Child and Whole Child and Whole Educator.

A special thank you to Uwill for providing a delicious breakfast and sharing information about their mental health resources and supports for students.

We wrapped up with job-alike collaboration, sharing resources, strategies, and ideas with peers.

“I appreciate the collaboration of my peers to share information and strategies to help me with students and staff.”

Save the Date! Our next Counselors Coalition meeting will be January 21, 2027!

09/21/2026

🌱 Planting the Seeds for Future Special Education Teachers! 🌱

Join us on September 23, 2026, from 9:00 AM–3:00 PM at First District RESA in Metter, GA for a regional training designed for Teaching as a Profession and Early Childhood Education teachers. Participants will explore ways to increase Special Education exposure through coursework, practicum, WBL, and teacher apprenticeship pathways.

🍽️ Lunch will be provided!
👉 Register at ctearn.org or click the link below to register
🔗https://events.fdresa.org/dashboard/admin/manage/d5b0b9e8-0fd4-4317-9914-a536a0a6e348

Help us plant the seeds for the next generation of Special Education teachers! 💙🌱

09/17/2026

The FDRESA Literacy Team is sharpening our skills through professional development designed to help us better support our School-Based Literacy Coaches! We’re learning, collaborating, and building our coaching toolbox so our coaches can continue making a powerful impact in classrooms across our districts!

09/16/2026

What a great morning of learning, connection, and collaboration at the First District RESA School Counselors Collaborative! School counselors from across our region came together to share resources, strengthen connections, and explore strategies to support student well-being and success.

A special thank you to Dr. Garry McGiboney for his timely and thought provoking presentation, AI and Children: Opportunities, Risks, and Building a Brighter Future Together. His message reminded us of the importance of keeping human connection at the center as technology continues to evolve.

"Artificial intelligence will change the world our children grow up in. Our responsibility is to ensure it does not change who they become."
- Dr. Garry McGiboney

Counselors also participated in a needs assessment, received mental health and wellness resources from UWill and GADOE, explored the role of counselors in GaMTSS, and wrapped up the morning with grade-level networking and resource sharing.

There is still time to join us! The same School Counselors Collaborative will be offered again on Wednesday, September 23, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in Brunswick.

Click the link below to register through FDRESA Events!
🔗https://events.fdresa.org/dashboard/admin/manage/06fb50e3-58db-476e-8465-d603f6f5d31e