A Proclamation recognizing, honoring, and observing, February 6-10, 2017, as "National School Counselors Week" in the City of Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, School counselors allow students to reach their fullest potential by helping young people explore their abilities, interests, strengths and talents both in school and as related to career awareness and development; and

WHEREAS, School counselors play a unique role in working with parents, teachers and other educators to develop and support the educational, personal and social growth of young people; and

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

WHEREAS, School counselors are valued as essential members of safe and successful school environments; and

WHEREAS, School counselors work with families, staff and young people dealing with violence, illness, death and other traumas that might otherwise go unaddressed and unsupported and are critically important caregivers and hubs for community services in schools; and

WHEREAS, Philadelphia school counselors in particular have performed heroically each and every day, many of them in spite of inadequate resources and growing caseloads; and

WHEREAS, Last year, following two years of persistent advocacy following devastating budget cuts, counselors won the restoration of at least one counselor to be present in every Philadelphia school; and

WHEREAS, School counselors serve our City’s most vulnerable students, including system-involved youth and students experiencing homelessness; and

WHEREAS, Philadelphia school counselors employ developmentally appropriate interventions and for our students including trauma-informed care and school-wide positive behavior support; and

WHEREAS, School counselors have worked diligently to support the college admissions process and post-secondary goal setting for students; and

WHEREAS, The first week of February is “National School Counselors Week”; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby recognizes, honors and observes February 6-10, 2017 as “National School Counselors Week”.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be sent to the Pennsylvania School Counselors Association, South East Region, as evidence of the sincere respect and admiration of this legislative body.

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