Montgomery County Public Schools is Celebrating National School Counseling Week from February 4–8, 2008

National School Counseling Week, sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), is being celebrated in Montgomery County from February 4–8, 2008. The purpose of school counseling week is to focus public attention on the unique contribution of professional school counselors within school systems. National School Counseling Week highlights the tremendous impact that counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.

This 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.  School counselors are actively engaged in helping students examine their abilities, strengths, interests and talents; work in partnership with parents as they encounter the challenges of raising children in today's world; focus on positive ways to enhance students' social/personal, educational and career development; and 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.

"Every day, school counselors work with school counseling programs that address the personal/social, academic and career needs of all students," said Eric Sparks, ASCA 2008–2009 president. "Their ultimate goal is to enable all students to achieve success in school and to become responsible and productive members of our society."

More than 21,000 school counselors nationwide 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.