PUBLIC RELATIONS

School Counseling Week 2012

Now is the time to start planning for National School Counseling Week 2012.  According to ASCA, "School Counselors: Helping Students Be Brilliant," will be celebrated from Feb. 6-10, 2012, to focus public attention on the unique contribution of professional school counselors. National School Counseling Week, sponsored by ASCA, highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.  You can download several free promotional items on the ASCA web page or you can order a NSCW promotional kit for a small fee.

I believe that the best way to give recognition to your program is to highlight your students’ work or a program in the local or school newspaper.  If your were responsible for implementing a program make sure you write a story and submit pictures of the students engaged in the activity and share any relevant data.  Another idea would be to submit a picture of you leading an Individual Planning Conference.  Include a story that explains the purpose of the conference and share some of the comments parents have provided on the evaluations for the conference.   Ask students or parents on your advisory council to write a letter to the editor that focuses on the positive work being done by school counselors.

Other ideas that may be used to promote your program might be to:

• Schedule a meeting with your principal/administrative supervisor and provide dessert and talk about how you are connecting your work with your school's mission and vision.
• Send a personal note to school counselors in your neighboring schools, or to counselors in other buildings in your district or at other levels such as post secondary and express your appreciation for the work they do.
• Have lunch with your colleagues (either in the building or across levels/buildings) and concentrate on the good things you have all accomplished so far this year (no complaining)
• Create daily contests/games (with prizes) that engage students in learning more about the school counseling staff*
• Create a display/bulletin board in a main area that highlights the school counseling staff and the types of things you do*
• Give staff members a glue stick with an attached card stating: “School Counselors Get You Out of Sticky Situations”*
• Give staff members a pair of scissors with an attached card stating: “School Counselors Are A Cut Above the Rest”*
• Give staff members a “Free Pass to Guidance” which invites them to stop by to chat about various issues*
• Give each staff member a peppermint patty or lifesaver saying, “You are worth a mint to us” Compliments of the School Counseling Department*
• Provide desserts for the staff in the faculty lounge.  Make a sign that says STRESSED spelled backwards is DESSERTS see your school counselor.*
• Provide each staff person a zip lock bag with pieces of bubble wrap in it.  Attach the following prescription: Pop several stress relieving capsules every 6-8 hours as needed.  When you are stressed and full of troubles, just grab a sheet and smash some bubbles!  Watch your problems go with a loud “pop pop.” Soon your spirits will be back on top.  This is therapeutic and once in a while you’ll find yourself begin to smile!  Warning: This may become addictive.  In case of overdose, please seek professional counseling.  From: Your School Counselor *
  

Make posters, highlighting school counseling services.  Examples include:

• Mirror – “School counselors help us see the positive side.”
• Light Bulb – “Counselors light the way.”
• Several light bulbs – “Seeing your counselor for help is a bright idea.”
• Hand – “Counselors lend us a helping hand.”
• Telephone – “Need someone to talk to? Call on your school counselor.”*

                                                      *Courtesy of FSCA webpage

Go to WisconsinSCENE to post and share your ideas for celebrating School Counselor Week.