February 2023
by THE K-12 COUNSELING TEAM | Wednesday, Feb 01, 2023
School Counselors Celebrate National School Counseling Week, Feb. 6 – 10, 2023
National School Counseling Week 2023, “School Counselors: Helping Students Dream Big,” sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), will be celebrated from Feb. 6–10, 2023, to focus public attention on the unique contribution of 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 can 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,” according to the proclamation designating Feb. 6–10, 2023 as National School Counseling Week.
“School counselors work with all students to remove barriers to learning by addressing students’ academic concerns, career options and social/emotional skills,” said Jill Cook, ASCA executive director. “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.”
At A.D. Henderson and FAU High School we take pride in working together as a K-12 comprehensive team. Each level (elementary, middle and high) bring expertise to the table for a holistic approach with our students.
Elementary Update
After the New Year, each student met with Ms. Deskin for a minute- meeting to do a quick check-in. From this data she has formed friendship groups, lunch bunches, and other specific groups. So far this year, students have learned about friendship, how to include others, and our brain response.
Middle School Update
In all grades, we are planning our Career Day, which will take place on February 24th. The magical part about our Career Day is that our students will explore future jobs and careers, purely based on the amazing professions that a group of parents are volunteering to present at our school.
In addition to exploring careers, we are also running a small group which focuses on managing stress. We are working with targeted students on their social emotional needs, based on the Universal Screener administered in December. We are also putting interventions in place for struggling learners and holding meetings with parents. Lastly, we are also doing classroom visits focused on child safety and human trafficking.
High School Update
From running into students at the campus Starbucks in the Breezeway to hearing the excited chatter from after school clubs in the high school building, it is an exciting time to be an FAU High school counselor! We have been helping students build solid course schedules for Spring Term 2023 while supporting academic excellence with Student Success Plans.
As seniors anxiously await college acceptances and juniors begin thinking ahead to life after high school, counselors are encouraging students to dream big while identifying the action steps to achieve these goals. Sophomores continue to learn the ropes of college life as spring semester gets underway. We love their check-in’s during counselor Library hours to ask questions, give exciting updates, or just say hello! Over the next few months, freshmen will begin the transition to “college life.” They will learn the course selection and registration processes for the university, while exploring potential majors and career opportunities.
About the American School Counselor Association
The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) promotes student success by expanding the image and influence of school counseling through leadership, advocacy, collaboration and systemic change. ASCA helps school counselors guide their students toward academic achievement, career planning and social/emotional development to help today’s students become tomorrow’s productive, contributing members of society. Founded in 1952, ASCA has a network of 51 state and territory associations and a membership of approximately 43,000 school counseling professionals. For additional information on the American School Counselor Association, visit www.schoolcounselor.org .