[CongressionalMICHIGAN BillsSENATE 119thSenate Congress]Resolution [FromNo. the U.S.

Government8 PublishingOffered Office]by [S.Senators Polehanki, Bayer, Geiss, Klinefelt, Chang, Shink, McCann, Cavanagh, Wojno, McMorrow and Santana RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE FEBRUARY 3-7, 2025 , AS SCHOOL COUNSELING WEEK WHEREAS, The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) has designated the week of February 3-7, 2025, as “National School Counseling Week”;

Res.and WHEREAS,School counseling programs are considered an integral part of the educational process that enables all students to achieve success in school;

50and AgreedWHEREAS, School counselors can encourage students to Senatepursue (ATS)]challenging <DOC>academic 119thcourses CONGRESSto 1stprepare Sessionthem S.for college majors and careers in the science,technology,engineering, and mathematics fields;

RES.and WHEREAS, In order to ensure that students are college or career ready and aware of financial aid and college opportunities, school counselors play a vital role.

50Counselors Designatingassist thestudents weekin ofidentifying Februarypostsecondary 3educational throughoptions 7,and 2025,prepare asthem ``Nationalto Schoolenroll Counselingin Week''.college, in addition to providing social and emotional guidance;

_______________________________________________________________________and INWHEREAS, THEStudents SENATEare OFable THEto UNITEDexplore STATEStheir Januaryabilities, 30,strengths, 2025interests, Mrs.and talents because of school counselors who are committed to them.

MurraySchool (forcounselors herself,also Ms.help students cope with the serious and common challenges of growing up, including peer pressure, bullying, mental health issues, school violence, disciplinary problems, and problems in the home;

Collins,and Mr.WHEREAS, School counselors work with parents, guardians, teachers, and other educators to help students explore their potential and set realistic goals for themselves, while also seeking to identify and utilize community resources that can enhance compre- hensive school counseling programs and ultimately help students become productive members of society;

Blumenthal,and Mr.WHEREAS, The importance of personal and social development in contributing to academic achievement have long been emphasized by school counselors.

Booker,They Ms.help develop well-rounded students by navigating the way in academic, social-emotional, and career development;

Cantwell,and Ms.WHEREAS, The average student-to-counselor ratio in Michigan’s public schools is 598- to-1, compared to the 250-to-1 ratio recommended by the ASCA and the National Association for College Admission;

Duckworth,and Mr.WHEREAS, The celebration of National School Counseling Week increases awareness about the important and necessary role school counselors play in the lives of students in Michigan and the United States;

Durbin,now, Ms.therefore, be it RESOLVED BY THE SENATE, That the members of this legislative body recognize February 3-7, 2025, as School Counseling Week.

Hassan,Adopted Ms.by the Senate, February 5, 2025.

Hirono,Secretary Mr.of the Senate

King, Ms.

Klobuchar, Mr.

Merkley, Mr.

Padilla, Mr.

Sanders, Mrs.

Shaheen, Ms.

Smith, and Mr.

Wyden) submitted the following resolution;

which was considered and agreed to _______________________________________________________________________ RESOLUTION Designating the week of February 3 through 7, 2025, as ``National School Counseling Week''.

Whereas the American School Counselor Association has designated February 3 through 7, 2025, as ``National School Counseling Week'';

Whereas school counselors have long advocated for all students;

Whereas school counselors help develop well-rounded students by guiding students through academic learning, social and emotional development, and career exploration;

Whereas personal and social growth can help lead to increased academic achievement;

Whereas school counselors play a vital role in ensuring that students are ready for both college and careers;

Whereas school counselors play a vital role in making students aware of opportunities for financial aid and college scholarships;

Whereas school counselors assist with and coordinate efforts to foster a positive school climate, resulting in a safer learning environment for all students;

Whereas school counselors have been instrumental in helping students, teachers, and parents deal with personal trauma as well as tragedies in their communities and in the United States;

Whereas students face a myriad of challenges every day, including peer pressure, bullying, mental health issues, the deployment of family members to serve in conflicts overseas, and school violence;

Whereas a school counselor is one of the few professionals in a school building who is trained in both education and social and emotional development;

Whereas the roles and responsibilities of school counselors are often misunderstood;

Whereas the school counselor position is often among the first to be eliminated to meet budgetary constraints;

Whereas the national average ratio of students to school counselors is 376 to 1, far exceeding the 250 to 1 ratio recommended by the American School Counselor Association, the National Association for College Admission Counseling, and other organizations;

and Whereas the celebration of National School Counseling Week will increase awareness of the important and necessary role school counselors play in the lives of students in the United States:

Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate-- (1) designates the week of February 3 through 7, 2025, as ``National School Counseling Week'';