Senators Hood, Hansen, Gregory, Booher, Marleau, Jones, Young, Hopgood and Anderson offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 26.

            A resolution recognizing March 18-22, 2013, as Michigan School Counselors Week.

            Whereas, The Michigan Senate recognizes the importance of school counseling through the inclusion of elementary and secondary school counseling programs in Michigan schools; and

            Whereas, Michigan school counselors have long emphasized the importance of personal and social development and academic achievement. School counselors help develop well-rounded students by guiding them through their academic, personal, social, and career development; and

            Whereas, Counselors play a vital role in ensuring that students are aware of financial aid and college opportunities. They may encourage students to pursue challenging academic courses to prepare them for college majors and careers in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields; and

            Whereas, School counselors help students cope with the serious and common challenges of growing up, including peer pressure, mental health issues, school violence, disciplinary problems, the deployment of family members to conflicts overseas, and problems in the home; and

            Whereas, Counselors are also instrumental in helping students, teachers, and parents deal with personal trauma and community and national tragedies. They are among the few professionals in a school building who are trained both in education and mental health; and

            Whereas, Despite the important contributions of school counselors to student success, counseling positions are not always protected when budgets are cut; and

            Whereas, The average student-to-counselor ratio in Michigan public schools is 634-to-1, almost triple the 250-to-1 ratio recommended by the American School Counselor Association, the American Counseling Association, the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association, and other organizations; and

            Whereas, The celebration of Michigan School Counselors Week would increase awareness of the important and necessary role school counselors play in the lives of students in Michigan. It is important to acknowledge the role they play in cultivating our most important resource--Michigan’s children; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That the members of this legislative body recognize March 18-22, 2013, as Michigan School Counselors Week.