This coming week, we have a profound opportunity to celebrate the heartbeat of our schools: our incredible school counselors.

The American School Counselor Association's theme this year, "School Counselors Amplify Student Success," isn't just a slogan, it's a reality we witness every day. Behind every thriving student, there is often a school counselor working quietly behind the scenes to provide a safe haven, a path to academic achievement, and a bridge to a bright future.

A school counselor's work is more than a job; it is essential. They are partners for educators, a bridge for families, and the champions for every single student.

Let’s join Governor Tina Kotek in celebrating and recognizing these dedicated professionals across our state. Celebrate this week by accessing the American School Counselor Association's promotional toolkit and downloads. Be sure to use #NSCW26 for social media communication. Check out ASCA's Events Calendar for a week of activities and resources. Hatching Results is also offering a week of free learning opportunities and inspirational stories on the impact of comprehensive school counseling programs across the country.

National School Counseling Week is a great time to share about the school counselor's role and the comprehensive school counseling program. Below are some ideas for various ways to celebrate.

District-Level Activities:

• Make an official proclamation recognizing school counselors.
• Send an email to administrators reminding them of the dates of National School Counseling Week.
• Write an article to spotlight the contributions of a particular school counselor or the work of school counselors in general.
• Create a spotlight page on your district or school website, as well as your social media, to highlight your school counselors during the week.
• Submit information about National School Counseling Week on a district, school, or community calendar.
• Provide an in-person or virtual school counselor lunch/celebration from the supervisor of all district school counselors or at the building level.
• Submit a nomination for Oregon School Counselor of the Year 2026.

School-Level Activities: 

• Participate in ASCA's Photo Challenges and Events. 
• Share resources with others about the work of school counselors at each level: Role of the School Counselor.
• Update your virtual background to proudly celebrate comprehensive school counseling programs.
• Promote the counseling program through your social media accounts and include the National School Counseling Week hashtag: #NSCW26.
• Share about the counseling program with students and staff during daily announcements, advisories and assemblies. 
• Send a newsletter home to update families on the counseling program and the role of school counselors.
• Send a personal thank you note/card – consider mentioning specific examples that exemplify what makes you grateful for school counselors.
• Promote thank you/appreciation notes or emails from teachers and parents to school counselors.
• Encourage cards/drawings or virtual messages from students (individually or as a classroom group)
• “This year you taught/helped me…”
• “Thank you for…”
• "I heart my school counselor because..."
• Give a small gift, favorite drink, or favorite candy (one day or each day of the week).
• Provide treats in the staff lounge in honor of National School Counseling Week.

To our school counselors: You are seen. You are heard. You are deeply appreciated.