CNMI Counselors’ Week proclaimed

The Board of Education proclaimed Feb. 6 to 12 as CNMI School Counselors’ Week, with the theme “Changing Lives. Building Future.”

BOE chair Roman C. Benavente led the signing of the proclamation Thursday morning during the regular Board of Education meeting at the Public School System office on Capitol Hill.

Counselors’ Week steering committee officers and members, led by Saipan Southern High School counselor Cecilia Labausa, attended the proclamation signing. Labausa read the proclamation.

The American School Counselor Association designated the week beginning Monday next week as “National School Counseling Week,” and is urging members across the nation to honor and recognize the school counselor’s role in helping students reach their full potential.

The proclamation says that the BOE recognizes the importance of school counseling with the inclusion of elementary, middle, and secondary school counseling programs in the “High Quality Personnel” of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.

Benavente called on private and public schools and interested community groups to observe the week with appropriate ceremonies and activities that promote awareness of the roles school counselors perform within the school and the community at large to prepare students for fulfilling lives as contributing members of society.

The board chair congratulated the counselors for their efforts in building good character in students. He said counselors should be recognized for being the second guide to children when they are away from home.

Vice chair Dino Jones also told the counselors present during the proclamation that they should “feel free to come to the board should you need help whenever it is possible.” Board secretary and treasurer Marja Lee Taitano also congratulated the counselors, while newly installed board member Lucy Blanco-Maratita extended her gratitude to at least 20 public school counselors in the CNMI.

“We appreciate your roles and we hope you further solidify the values and foundation of the children as they introduce them to the adult world,” she said.

Labausa said the observance of Counselors’ Week would depend on the activities being planned by each school. She said the week would be another year of opportunity to reiterate to the public the roles of the counselors in the school community.

Fellow steering committee officer Becky Flores, a William S. Reyes Elementary School counselor, added that the challenge they face right now is more on parental involvement.

“Parents should be more active and visible to connect with the children and to the community,” Flores said.

Marsha Arriola, a fellow counselor, said Counselors’ Week is the week to celebrate and recognize their efforts in helping children. Hopwood Junior High School counselor Patty Mendoza said she would be meeting with her school administration to plan out activities related to the celebration.

Garapan Elementary School principal Yvonne Gomez, GES counselors Paulette Tomokani and Laila Camacho, PSS Vocational Education coordinator Frank Rabauliman and PSS behavior specialist Steve Nguyen also attended the proclamation signing. (Marconi Calindas)