National School Counseling Week, sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), is celebrated each year in February to focus public attention on the unique contribution of professional school counselors within U.S. school systems. National School Counseling Week highlights the tremendous impact school counselors have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career and college.
"The special week provides recognition for our school and college counselors who implement our comprehensive school counseling program", said Erin O'Malley, Dean of Faculty and Counseling at Bishop O'Connell. "Our counselors play a vital role in the educational process for all students as they meet the challenges of the 21st century."
In a proclamation marking National School Counseling Week, it cites the O'Connell school counseling team for being actively engaged in helping students examine their abilities, strengths, interests and talents; for working in a partnership with parents and guardians as they encounter the challenges of raising children in today's world; for focusing on positive ways to enhance students' social/personal, educational and career/college development; and for working with teachers and other educators to provide an educational system where students can realize their potential and set healthy, realistic and optimistic aspirations for themselves.
The school's counselors are certified, experienced educators with a master's degree in school counseling. The combination of their training, experience and their ongoing professional development make them an integral part of the total educational program.
"School counselors work with all students to remove barriers to learning by addressing students’ academic concerns, personal/social skills and career awareness in post-secondary options,” said Kwok-Sze Wong, Ed.D., executive director of the ASCA. “Comprehensive school counseling programs help to increase student achievement and provide a much-needed resource for students, parents, teachers and administrators. School counselors are integral to student success."
More than 30,000 school counselors nationwide participated in the week's festivities, beginning with the announcement of the National School Counselor winner of the year, of which Erin O’Malley annually serves as a member of the selection panel. At Bishop O'Connell, this week was a special opportunity to call attention to our counseling staff. Several activities were planned each day, including Mass dedicated to the counselors and a daily trivia contest, where students earned prizes for answering trivia questions about individual counselors.
We thank our school counselors and wish them a Happy National School Counseling Week!
Visit our school counseling office page to find out more about our counselors.
Pictured above - Counseling staff (L to R): Tom Giska, Robin Saracina, Kristina Herbst, Kathy Black, Emily Usle, Leala Kurtzke, Lacey Jacobsen, Erin O'Malley and Dan Stabile.