,,iii #aacth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 ,,res4 #cdb ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,january #cj1 #bjad,mrs4 ,murray 7for herself1 ,ms4 ,collins1 ,mr4 ,levin1 ,mr4 ,cornyn1 ,ms4 ,klobuchar1 ,mr4 ,cardin1 ,ms4 ,landrieu1 ,mr4 ,cochran1 and ,mr4 ,durbin7 submitted the following resolution2 which was considered and agreed to ,,resolution ,designating ,february #c through #g1 #bjad1 as ,national ,school ,counseling ,week4 ,whereas the ,american ,school ,counselor ,association has designated ,february #c through #g1 #bjad1 as ,national ,school ,counseling ,week2 ,whereas the importance of school counseling has been recognized through the inclusion of elementary and secondary school counseling programs in amendments to the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #fcja et seq472 ,whereas school counselors have long advocated for equal opportunities for all students2 ,whereas school counselors help develop well-rounded students by guiding students through academic1 personal1 social1 and career development2 ,whereas personal and social growth results in increased academic achievement2 ,whereas school counselors play a vital role in ensuring that students are ready for college and careers2 ,whereas school counselors play a vital role in making students aware of opportunities for financial aid and college scholarships2 ,whereas school counselors assist with and coordinate efforts to foster a positive school climate1 resulting in a safer learning environment for all students2 ,whereas school counselors have been instrumental in helping students1 teachers1 and parents deal with personal trauma as well as tragedies in their communities and the ,united ,states2 ,whereas students face myriad challenges every day1 including peer pressure1 bullying1 depression1 the deployment of family members to serve in conflicts overseas1 and school violence2 ,whereas a school counselor is one of the few professionals in a school building who is trained in both education and mental health matters2 ,whereas the roles and responsibilities of school counselors are often misunderstood2 ,whereas the school counselor position is often among the first to be eliminated to meet budgetary constraints2 ,whereas the national average ratio of students to school counselors is #dga to #a1 almost twice the #bej to #a ratio recommended by the ,american ,school ,counselor ,association1 the ,national ,association for ,college ,admission ,counseling1 and other organizations2 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 ,states3 ,now1 therefore1 be it ,that the ,senate-- 7#a7 designates ,february #c through #g1 #bjad1 as ,national ,school ,counseling ,week2 and 7#b7 encourages the people of the ,united ,states to observe ,national ,school ,counseling ,week with appropriate ceremonies and activities that promote awareness of the role school counselors play in schools and the community at large in preparing students for fulfilling lives as contributing members of society4