National School Counseling Week - February 2 - 6, 2026
National School Counseling Week 2026 (#NSCW26) is Feb. 2-6, 2026, to focus public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems. The theme is: School Counselors Amplify Students Voices.
Scroll down for full agenda for specific Massachusetts activities and events.
This year's theme:
School Counselors Amplify Student Success
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 2026 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.
- PowerPoint template – Doing a presentation to your school board, advisory council or other education partners during National School Counseling Week?
- 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.
MASCA SPECIFIC NSCW EVENTS
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Monday, February 2 |
Tuesday, February 3 |
Wednesday, February 4 |
Thursday, February 5 |
Friday, February 6 |
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Understanding the various roles of the School Mental Health Team 9:00 - 10:00 am via zoom This one-hour virtual panel presentation is designed to help participants better understand the similarities and differences of the three major school-based mental health professional roles - school counselor, school adjustment counselor/social worker, and school psychologist. During this session, speakers will explain the distinct yet collaborative roles for each position. Attendees will learn how each role contributes to students’ academic, social, emotional, and behavioral achievement and success, and how families and staff can best access and partner with these providers. Speakers: Sugeily Santos, School Counselor, Curley K-8 School Boston Nyki Clark, School Adjustment Counselor, Gardner High School Andrew Nickerson, Narragansett Regional High School, School Psychologist You must pre-register here. A virtual Tour of CSCORE The UM Ronald H. Fredrickson Center for School Counseling Outcome Research and Evaluation - CSCORE is “dedicated to improving educational opportunities and outcomes for all children by identifying and developing research-based and effective school counseling practices”. Presented by Claudia Smith, Ed.S. and CSCORE Fellow, UMASS Amherst |
Got Attendance Issues? Leveraging School Counselors to Improve Attendance Rates Time: 8:30am-11:30am Location: MSAA Cost: $30 for School Counselors School districts across the country are struggling with the increased number of students who are labeled as chronically absent, meaning they miss more than 10% (typically 18+ days) of the school year. The growing number of students is primarily caused by the pandemic but also is because of more and more mental health challenges faced by our students today. This session will focus on how school counselors, along with school administrators, can move the needle to improve attendance rates. Participants will learn about the root causes of chronic absenteeism and hear about specific strategies that schools can implement to assist chronically absent students get to school, such as warning systems, family engagement tactics, and community partnerships. We will also share best practices and resources, and everyone will leave the session with an action plan to implement upon return to their schools/communities. |
BE THE CHANGE Time: 9:00am-2:30pm Location: Massachusetts State House Join us in celebrating National School Counseling Week and learn how you can be an agent of change for your students and the school counseling profession. This day-long professional learning and advocacy workshop is designed to strengthen school counselors’ leadership skills and deepen understanding of current legislative issues impacting students and schools. FREE Lunch included! Lead by MASCA's Government Relations & Advocacy Committee The Career Development Hub: UMass Career Development and Professional Connections 2:30 - 3:00 via zoom Presented by Ryan Beck, UMASS School Counseling Graduate Student. The continuing spring PD series will include informative presentations, networking, and the opportunity to compile certificates of attendance (with submitted post-session exit feedback). Currently presentations include: - Anti-Racism Curriculum Materials - Opportunities for HS students and graduates at Greenfield Community College -International Baccalaureate School (IBS) Education - Sharing Attendance Initiatives You must pre-register here. |
Virtual Office Bingo 8:30 AM or 11:00 AM
Celebrate NSCW with a fun round of Virtual Office Bingo! Connect with colleagues, enjoy school counseling–themed prompts, and show appreciation for the amazing work our counselors do. Play along from anywhere, have some fun and win prizes and bragging rights! Each session will be the same and last no more than 15 minutes.
Join herefor either session. MASCA’s Annual Virtual Awards Gala Time: 7:00 - 8:00 PM - Zoom Join in for this special celebration as we recognize our 2026 honorees.
No pre-registration is necessary. |
Friday Reset: Building Empathy Through Mindfulness 10:00-10:30 Presented by Chris Soverow, Certified Life Coach, Mindfulness Practitioner and retired School Counselor As the week winds down and your to-do list is still doing the most, you are invited to gift yourself 30 minutes to pause, breathe, and reset before the weekend begins. You will experience mindfulness practices created especially for school counselors—no experience needed, no fixing required, and no expectations beyond showing up as you are. Today’s practice supports a deeper sense of connection with yourself and others, while strengthening empathy, emotional regulation, and presence. This session aligns with the ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors, which emphasize the importance of self-care to maintain wellness, effectiveness, and ethical practice. What to expect: • Gentle, guided mindfulness • Space to release the week • A chance to reconnect and feel grounded • A calm, intentional transition into Friday afternoon (and the weekend!) Think of this as a small but meaningful way to honor the incredible work you do—because taking care of yourself is not an extra, it’s essential. Bring your coffee, your tea, or just yourself! Put away your phone and turn off reminders. |
Regional Meet Ups
| Monday, Feb. 2 | Tuesday, February. 3 | Wednesday, Feb. 4 |
Thursday, Feb. 5 |
Friday, Feb. 6 |
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Metro Boston 474 Moody St, Waltham, MA 02453 Contact: Jacki Lundstrum North Shore Time: - 4:00-6:30 PM Dave & Busters, 271 Mishawum Road Woburn, MA 01801 |
Central Mass Registration Required Limited seating Cape & Islands Time: 5:00 PM Sam Diego's, Hyannis sponsored by UTI Contact Sean Kingman to register |
Berkshire County Contact Josh Mendel South Coast/South Shore Time: 4:00-6:00 PM 90 Paramount Drive Raynham, MA 02767 sponsored by UTI Contact Jen McGuire or Ali Robidoux to register Pioneer Valley Time: - 4:00-6:00 PM Location: 110 Grille, 50 Holyoke Street Holyoke MA 01040 Contact: Kelly Larcheveque or Tama Lang |
Boston Time: 4:00-6:00 PM Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Avenue, Boston RSVP is required. Contact Rashaun Martin to register by January 30. |
There will be door prizes awarded to random participants during all of the above events.
MASCA STORE IS OPEN AGAIN with new items & LOGOS
GET YOUR MASCA MERCH! - ORDER HERE
The Store is open from January 6-16 & again from February 2-11.
Check out our new items!
Items ordered before January 16 will be shipped to your identified address by February 2 in time for NSCW.
Items ordered after February 2 will be shipped after the store closes on the 11th.
SOCIAL MEDIA!
Be sure to tag your selfies and group pictures of the ASCA photo challenge on the MASCA Social Media sites!
Be sure to use hash tag #AmplifyStudentSuccess
Tag @MASCASchool #AmplifyStudentSuccess
Tag @MASCA (MA School Counselors Association) #AmplifyStudentSuccess
Tag @mascaleaders #AmplifyStudentSuccess
 | 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.