Declare School Counseling Week

Senate Resolution No. 560 BY: Senator PARKER MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim February 6-10, 2017, as School Counseling Week in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National School Counseling Week WHEREAS, School counselors and school counseling programs are a vital and integral part of the educational process; and WHEREAS, School counselors provide a broad array of services in public and private schools throughout the State and Nation which benefit students, parents, faculty, administrators and the community alike; and WHEREAS, School counselors provide counseling, information, developmental guidance, and educational and career planning; and WHEREAS, School counselors are actively involved in helping students explore their abilities, strengths, interests and talents; and WHEREAS, School counselors help parents focus on ways to further the educational, personal, and social growth of their children; and WHEREAS, School counselors work with teachers and other educators to help students explore their potential and set realistic goals for themselves, on dropout prevention, and on conflict resolution programs; and WHEREAS, School counselors help students develop or improve their study habits and decision-making and leadership skills; and WHEREAS, School counselors identify and work with community resources which can enhance and complement comprehensive school counseling programs and help students become productive members of society; and WHEREAS, School counselors help students solve problems, deal with conflict and, sometimes, make themselves available just to listen; the value of their ongoing contributions following local and national tragic events exemplifies the important role they play in today's schools; and WHEREAS, New York's School Counseling Week, held in conjunction with the observance of National School Counseling Week, sponsored by the American School Counselor Association, provides an opportunity to increase awareness of school counseling programs and services, to note the significant role school counselors play in our schools and in the lives of our children, and to recognize and commend the dedication and unique contribution of professional school counselors; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim February 6-10, 2017, as School Counseling Week in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York, and to the New York State School Counselor Association.