School Counselors celebrate during National School Counseling Week, Feb. 4–8, 2013

National School Counseling Week, sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), will be celebrated from Feb. 4–8, 2013, to focus public attention on the unique contribution of professional school counselors within U.S. school systems and how students are different as a result of what school counselors do.

National School Counseling Week highlights the tremendous impact school counselors have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.

The special week honoring school counselors provides recognition for school counselors who implement comprehensive school counseling programs, a vital part of the educational process for all students as they meet the challenges of the 21st century.

In a proclamation, Superintendent Dorn cited school counselors for:

• being actively committed to helping students explore their strengths, interests and talents as these traits relate to career awareness and development;
• helping parents or guardians focus on ways to further the educational, personal, and social growth of their children; 
• serving as primary leadership partners in State and local efforts at improving academic achievement of all students and reducing dropout rates;
• being critical to the mission of our schools and actively aligning their programs with school and district improvement efforts; 

Professional school counselors are certified, experienced educators with a master's degree in guidance and counseling.

They collaborate with professional organizations, public and private stakeholders, and school officials to implement an OSPI-endorsed Washington Framework for Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling based on the American School Counselor Association National Model in local districts and schools. The combination of their training and experience makes 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., ASCA executive director. “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 2077 school counselors in Washington State will be participating in the week's festivities. Many school counselors will be hosting special events and activities to call attention to the myriad benefits of a comprehensive school counseling program.

Parents or community members with specific questions or concerns about school counseling programs should contact the school counselors at their local schools. More general information can also be found on the Washington School Counselor Association’s website or at ASCA's web site.