CCS Celebrates National School Counseling Week in February
National School Counseling
Week, sponsored by the
American School Counselor
Association (ASCA), was
celebrated from Feb. 4–8,
2019, 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 can
have in helping students achieve
school success and plan for a
career.
“School counselors work
with all students to remove
barriers to learning by
addressing students’ academic
concerns, career awareness
in post-secondary options
and social/emotional skills,”
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.”
The special week honoring
school counselors provided
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. More than 100,000 school
counselors nationwide
participated in the week’s
festivities. Many school
counselors hosted special
events and activities to call attention to the countless benefits of a
comprehensive school counseling program.
School counselors are actively engaged in helping students examine
their abilities, strengths, interests and talents; they work in a
partnership with parents as they encounter the challenges of raising
children in today’s world; they focus on positive ways to enhance
students’ social/personal, educational and career development;
and they work closely 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.
Professional school counselors are certified, experienced educators
with a graduate education. The combination of their training and
experience makes them an integral part of the total educational
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 ASCA’s website, www.schoolcounselor.org.
The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) is a worldwide
nonprofit organization based in Alexandria, Va. Founded in 1952,
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. ASCA has a network of 50 state associations,
plus the District of Columbia and Guam and a membership of more
than 34,000 school counseling professionals.
RBMSES Receives Jimmie Johnson Foundation Champions Grant
Congratulations to R. Brown McAllister STEM Elementary for receiving a $39,726.38
Jimmie Johnson Foundation Champions Grant!
The Champions Grants are awarded annually to K-12 public and charter schools in and
around Chandra and Jimmie’s hometowns in California and Oklahoma, as well as their
current residence in North Carolina.
“Schools have so many, wide-ranging needs,” Jimmie Johnson said. “We were very
impressed by this year’s applications, and we’re thrilled to be able to support these
important projects through the Champions Grant program.”
This year, the Jimmie Johnson Foundation Champions Grant awards included $183,555
toward science and technology programs, $63,206.37 toward language and literacy
initiatives, $39,726.38 for health and wellness activities, and $22,096.71 toward school
improvement projects.
Parent Teacher Magazine • March/April 2019 • 5