National School Counseling Week: 

February 6-10, 2012

Dear Colleagues:

As you may be aware, next week is National School Counseling Week. This special week, set aside in each state, gives us an opportunity to thank our School Counselors for the role they play in helping our students achieve success and plan for a career.  The national theme this year is: “School Counselors: Helping Students Be Brilliant.”

Please pause for a moment and reflect on the unique role our Counselors play in our Ann Arbor Professional Learning Community and let our School Counselors know how appreciative we all are of the work that they do every single day!!! Pat them on the back for a job well done!!

The week is set-aside across the nation to honor School Counselors for the tremendous and important role they play in helping students examine their talents, strengths, abilities and their unique interests.  Our School Counselors work in professional partnerships with teachers and support personnel to provide opportunities for our students to reach their true potential.  All of our Ann Arbor educators focus their efforts on improving academic achievement for all students and School Counselors help as an integral part of a strong team in reducing barriers to learning and providing support that is necessary for students to achieve at the highest levels.

In her world-famous book, The Measure of Our Success, Marian Wright Edelman focuses on serving others when she says, “Be confident that YOU can make a difference.”  Here in Ann Arbor, our School Counselors make a difference in the lives of our young people in so many unique ways, and that difference that they are making is significant and impacts the future of our children and of Ann Arbor itself. 

As our Counselors serve others, I want to personally thank them for the manner in which they have enriched the lives of all of our students and enhanced the goals of Ann Arbor Public Schools. Ann Arbor is about children… Each School Counselor continually impacts the world of our children and changes our students because they have chosen to serve them and be a part of their lives.  The entire notion of education is a living process of personal engagement between an adult and a student. Our School Counselors display a deep sense of responsibility, an understanding of the academic, social and emotional needs of our children and our School District, and a passion for making a difference in students’ lives.

During National School Counseling Week, I want to take the opportunity to pause for a moment and say thank you to all of our Ann Arbor School Counselors for making a difference in the lives of our children and our School District. As Superintendent, I am so very proud of all that our Counselors do and how they impact the excellence in Ann Arbor.

So, as we approach National School Counseling Week (February 6-10, 2012), the Ann Arbor Board of Education and I thank all of our School Counselors, with our deepest respect for the difference they are making as they serve others. Their public service on behalf of this great School District enhances the experiences of our children in so many  ways.  As Superintendent, I truly appreciate their significant contributions to our District’s success and the work that they do on behalf of our children. The School Board joins me in thanking our School Counselors for caring enough to make a difference on a daily basis in making this world a better place.  The emphasis and dedication to student achievement, safe schools, multiculturalism and diversity, human rights, parent and family involvement, child advocacy, social and emotional development, college and career planning, as well as community collaborations and partnerships are only some of the ways they enhance our School District and community.

As Superintendent of Schools and in conjunction with the Board of Education, we extend our personal and professional thanks to each of our School Counselors for a job well done, everyday, not just during National School Counseling Week. At the February 8, 2012 Board of Education Meeting, a Proclamation will be officially introduced in honor of all the Ann Arbor School Counselors for National School Counseling Week.

Most appreciatively yours,

Patricia P. Green, Ph.D.
Superitendent of Schools		 Deb Mexicotte, President
Christine Stead, Vice-President
Irene Patalan, Treasurer
Andy Thomas, Secretary
Susan Baskett, Trustee
Simone Lightfoot, Trustee
Glenn Nelson, Trustee