This week is National School Counseling Week, sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA).
“The special week provides recognition for our school and college counselors who implement our comprehensive school counseling and college readiness programs,” said Erin O'Malley, Dean Student Services and Director of Counseling at Bishop O'Connell. “Our counselors have a tremendous impact in helping students achieve school success and plan for college and beyond.”
The Bishop O’Connell counseling team is actively engaged in helping students examine their abilities, strengths, interests and talents. They work in a partnership with parents and guardians, focusing on positive ways to enhance students' social/emotional, educational and career/college development. They also work with the faculty and staff at O’Connell to assist students in realizing their potential and set healthy, realistic and optimistic aspirations for themselves.
“Our school counselors are all certified, experienced educators with master's degrees in school counseling,” said Assistant Head of School Carl Patton. “The combination of their training, experience, and their ongoing professional development has made them an integral part of the total educational program.”
More than 30,000 school counselors nationwide participate in the week's festivities, beginning with the January 30 celebration of the National School Counselor winner of the year at the White House, of which Erin O’Malley attended as a member of the selection panel. In addition, four counselors and two teachers from our school visited Capitol Hill for a briefing by professional counselors regarding college readiness.
We thank our school counselors and wish them a Happy National School Counseling Week!
Pictured below: Front row: Kathy Black, Sarah Stuhlman, Emily Usle, Lacey Jacobsen. Second row: Erin O'Malley, Dan Stabile, Kristina Herbst. Back row: Sara Coon, Robin Saracina, Tom Giska.
