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Thank Your Counselor During National School Counseling Week!

National School Counseling Week, sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), will be celebrated from February 6-10, 2017, 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.

ConVal Superintendent Kimberly Saunders supports our district counselors. “Please join me in thanking all of our school counselors this week. School counselors are an integral part of our ConVal community,” Saunders said. “So often counselors offer advice to students during crucial milestones and turning points. During moments of crisis they work with students, parents, and staff to advocate for what is in the best interest of students.”

ConVal school counselors are actively engaged in helping students examine their abilities, strengths, interests and talents; work in a partnership with parents as they encounter the challenges of raising children in today’s world; focus on positive ways to enhance students’ social/personal, educational and career development; and work 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 master’s degree in counseling. The combination of their training and experience makes them an integral part of the total educational program.

The school counselor’s mission is to provide all students with a comprehensive school counseling program that promotes student achievement through maximum growth in academic, career, and personal/social domains.

School counselors believe that:

  • School counselors believe all students can achieve and reach post-secondary success.
  • The school counseling program is planned, managed, delivered and evaluated by a team of certified professional school counselors using evidence-based practices.
  • School counselors believe the Implementation of a comprehensive school counseling program is the best way to meet the developmental needs of all students.
  • School counselors serve as advocates for all students.
  • School counselors cultivate opportunities for self-directed growth in academic, personal/social and career areas.
  • School counselors collect and analyze data in relationship to student achievement to implement change and guide program management.
  • School counselors believe and implement with fidelity ASCA Ethical Standards.

The ConVal School Counseling Team consists of:

  • Jenny Ahlquist, School Counselor, Peterborough Elementary School
  • Holly Bly, Student Assistance Counselor, ConVal Regional High School
  • Jennifer Swasey School Counselor, Francestown, Greenfield, and Hancock Elementary Schools
  • Kim Chandler, Director, ConVal Regional High School
  • Keira Christian, School Counselor, South Meadow School
  • Emily Daniels, Student Assistance Counselor, ConVal Regional High School
  • JoAnn Fletcher, School Counselor, ConVal Regional High School
  • Jennifer Geaumont, Transition Coordinator, ConVal Regional High School
  • Laura Gourlay, School Counselor, Great Brook School
  • Robin Gregg, School Counselor, Antrim and Pierce Elementary Schools
  • Kristin Ingram, School Counselor, ConVal Regional High School
  • Shawn King, School Counselor, ConVal Regional High School
  • Eric Kostecki, School Counselor, ConVal Regional High School
  • Melissa Mucha, School Counselor, Temple and Dublin Elementary Schools
  • Stephanie Smart, School Counselor, South Meadow School

The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) is a worldwide nonprofit organization based in Alexandria, Va. Founded in 1952, ASCA supports school counselors’ efforts to help students focus on academic, personal/social and career development so they not only achieve success in school but are prepared to lead fulfilling lives as responsible members of society. The association, which is the school counseling division of the American Counseling Association, provides professional development, publications and other resources, research and advocacy to more professional school counselors around the globe.  More general information can also be found on ASCA’s website, www.schoolcounselor.org.