Fayette County will celebrate school counselors during National School Counseling Week of Feb. 2 through Feb. 6.
The week is sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) and is designed to focus public attention on the unique contributions of professional school counselors and how students are positively impacted by their work.
Fayette has 61 school counselors throughout the district. They have a tremendous impact in helping students achieve school success, and plan for a career. However, their job is more than helping students with their college applications, or assisting them with good study habits and test-taking skills.
School counselors partner with parents to offer assistance with the challenges of raising children in today’s world; they look for positive ways to enhance students’ social and personal, educational and career development; and they work 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.
“School counselors are integral to our students’ success,” said Barbara Serapion, director of pupil personnel services for the school system. “Comprehensive school counseling programs help to increase student achievement and provide a much-needed resource for students, parents, teachers, and administrators.”
Professional school counselors are certified, experienced educators with a master’s degree in guidance and counseling.
Feb. 5 has been designated as “Appreciation Day,” during which time school counselors will show their appreciation to faculty members, parents, and others who help them promote their counseling program throughout the year. It is also a day for students, school personnel and parents to recognize and thank school counselors for their contributions to education.
More than 32,000 school counselors nationwide are expected to participate in National School Counseling Week.
