National School Counseling Week - FebruarY 5 - 9th
National School Counseling Week highlights the tremendous impact that school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. National School Counseling Week is always celebrated the first full week in February. (#NSCW24)
Scroll down for full agenda for specific Massachusetts activities and events.
This year's theme:
"School Counseling: Standards-Based, Student-Focused."
To focus public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within the U.S. school systems, ASCA has set the 2024 theme to be "School Counseling: Standards-Based, Student-Focused."
To help us all celebrate this week, ASCA has developed a toolkit containing, informative, engaging, and fun daily activities that are meant to help us celebrate the 2024 week. Click on the link and check out all of the resources! Download Toolkit to access:
- NSCW Proclamation - use this to notify your superintendent, principal and school committee
- Certificate of Appreciation - use to say "thank you" to a staff member or colleague, parents and other supportive stakeholders
- Sample Press Release - to use in your school newspaper, newsletter or local press. This template is meant to be customized for your specific school or district.
- Sample announcements: Get your school excited about each day of National School Counseling Week by promoting the week each day via your school's daily announcements.
- Photo challenge signs: Show your school counseling spirit off! Be sure to tag your selfies and group pictures @ASCATweets on Twitter or @WeAreASCA on Instagram.
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MASCA SOCIAL MEDIA - Be sure to tag your selfies and group pictures of the ASCA photo challenge sign to be entered into a MASCA daily photo competition. Be sure to use hash tag #StudentFocused
Tag @MASCASchool #StudentFocused
Tag @MASCA (MA School Counselors Association) #StudentFocused
Tag @mascaleaders #StudentFocused
GET YOUR MASCA SWAG
The MASCA Swag Store will be open from January 29 - February 13 with several new items and colors.
Click here: MASCA SWAG
MASCA SPECIFIC NCSW EVENTS
Monday through Thursday events are virtual!
Fun Friday is in person! Join your area colleagues for a fun time!
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MONDAY |
TUESDAY |
WEDNESDAY |
THURSDAY |
FRIDAY |
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Monday, February 5 - In-school virtual scavenger hunts (with Prizes!) Log into zoom at 8:30 AM, 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM on this day and play a quick 10-minute Scavenger Hunt from your office. This is intended to be light, fun and high energy. Winners will be chosen during each time frame. No pre-registration is necessary. Bonus points if you bring a colleague! |
Tuesday, February 6 - Thoughtful Tuesday Mindfulness Practice 11:30 am – 12:00 p.m. It’s so easy to go through our day on our computer, checking email, returning phone calls, and diving into the school day’s work. However, making time intentionally, to pause and be in the moment, is incredibly important. Today’s mindfulness practice will help us develop a deeper sense of connection with ourselves and others. Take 30 minutes today to feel this deeper connection. Offered by Christine Soverow, School Counselor and Mindfulness Practitioner Berkshire County Regional Meet Up – 3:00-5:00 @ Tavern at the A, 303 Crane Avenue, Pittsfield – Contact Josh Mendel |
Wednesday, February 7 - Coffee Connections with Counselors From 9:30 – 10:30 AM drop in and bring your coffee or favorite beverage and be prepared to share joys, concerns or frustrations. This will be a chance to network, connect and discuss what is on your mind. Join this informal discussion on zoom here. Door prizes will be awarded to random participants. No pre-registration is necessary. |
Thursday, February 8 - Virtual Awards Gala @ 7:00 PM – Join us for our annual virtual Awards Gala to honor our 2024 honorees including the School Counselor of the Year, our Graduate Student of the Year and Rising Star, among others. Join the Gala here. No pre-registration is necessary |
Friday, February 9 SCROLL DOWN FOR
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There will be door prizes awarded to random participants during all of the above events.
IN PERSON REGIONAL MEET UPS:
On Friday, February 9, join us for in-person gatherings to celebrate, school counseling, socialize and have fun.
- Berkshire County - NOTE: This meet up is on Tuesday, February 6 - 3:00-5:00 @ Tavern at the A, 303 Crane Avenue, Pittsfield – Contact Josh Mendel
- Boston - 3:30–5:00 @ Lower Mills Tavern - 2269 Dorchester Avenue, Boston - Contact Andrea Encarnacao. Please complete this form if you plan on attending.
- North Shore – 4:00-6:00 @ Tavern in the Square, 100 District Avenue, Burlington - Contact Mindy Cripps
- "The Valley" (Springfield) – 4:00-6:00 @ Pizzeria Uno, 820 Hall of Fame Avenue - Contacts Lori Ford or Giselle Rojas
- South Coast – 3:30-5:00 @ Cask & Pig 780 State Road Dartmouth, MA 02747- Contact Ali Robidoux
- South Shore – 4:00–8:00 @ Untold Brewing, 96 Derby Street, Suite 330A, Hingham - Contact Dawna Donaghey
- Worcester – 4:00–6:00 @ Bay State Brewery, 112 Harding Street, - Worcester – YOU MUST RSVP to Charsley Gentile sponsored by Anna Maria College
MASCA SOCIAL MEDIA - Be sure to tag your selfies and group pictures of the ASCA photo challenge sign to be entered into a MASCA daily photo competition. Be sure to use hash tag #StudentFocused
 | Massachusetts School Counselors Association, Inc. |
MASCA deeply values its diverse membership and is fully committed to creating an organization where each individual is welcomed, included, respected and empowered. No person will be excluded from MASCA on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, political affiliation or military status, or for any other discriminatory reason. These activities include, but are not limited to, appointment of its Governing Board, hiring or firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and the providing of services. This policy is fundamental to the effective functioning of MASCA as an organization that supports counselors and promotes equity in our schools, districts and the Commonwealth.