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School
Counselors in Spotlight During National Celebration
February 3, 2006
 Who
can help children adapt to and grow with our ever-changing world
while preparing them for a successful future? “Plano ISD
counselors, while working in partnership with parents and teachers,
are ‘Changing Lives and Building Futures,’” reported
Paul Weaver, director of guidance and counseling, to school trustees
at their February 7 meeting.
He shared a new counseling video with
the school board in honor of National School Counseling Week,
February 6-10, and recognized counselors for the critical roles
that they
fulfill in the lives of students, families and colleagues every
day.
Top 10 Ways Counselors Support Success
- Counselors are all former teachers with at least a master’s
degree. These experienced professionals serve more than
53,000 students from grades prek-12.
- An average of 300 guidance lessons
per year are facilitated by elementary school counselors.
- Middle
school counselors have contact with more than 200 parents
within a six-week period. They work with parents and students
to develop
four-year plans.
- More than 1,900 parent contacts are made by
senior high counselors during the first six-weeks of school.
- Counselors provide support for the 97% of high school graduates
who follow high school with higher learning.
- College and career
planning is a focus of secondary school counselors. Educational
planning takes place through individual and group conferences.
- Counselors train teachers on state testing, interpreting data
and helping students achieve goals, in support of the federal
No Child Left Behind Act.
- In 2005, Director of Guidance and
Counseling
Paul Weaver attended The College Board Forum in New York
City as a member of the advisory panel.
- This school year, middle
school
counselors teamed with career education to administer an online
tool - “Kuder Career Assessment” - measuring student
skills and interests and providing career clips, starting job
salaries and college facts and comparisons.
- Hurricane Katrina
brought
500 families to Plano ISD. In support, counselors have led
small groups, counseled students individually, provided parental
support,
food and clothing, phone calls and taken the time to listen.
Paul
Weaver, director of guidance and counseling for Plano schools,
noted that, "Comprehensive developmental
school counseling programs are considered an integral part of
the educational process that enables all students to achieve
success in school."
He said that
many celebratory
activities took place at each campus in
honor of school counselors,
including the school board recognition on February 7.
School counselors . . .
- help students reach their full
potential.
- are actively committed to helping students explore their abilities,
strengths, interests, and talents as these traits relate to career
awareness and development.
- help parents focus
on ways to further the educational, personal and social growth
of their children.
- work with teachers and other educators to help students explore
their potential and set realistic goals for themselves.
- seek to
identify and utilize community resources that can enhance and
complement comprehensive school counseling programs and help
students become productive members of
society.
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