A message from the Superintendent

Feb. 6, 2012

Dear Seattle School Counselors,

I am delighted to join you in celebrating National School Counseling Week 2012, "School Counselors: Helping Students Be Brilliant." Each of you shares your brilliance with your students every day.

With the increasing importance of advanced education to success in career and in life, our school guidance and counseling programs are becoming even more central to the educational process. School counselors’ efforts are absolutely crucial to students’ success.

You are leaders in our schools. You have tremendous influence in helping students socially and emotionally, as well as academically. You reach out to students and their families to engage them in our school communities. You help students develop lifelong skills for success. You engage students in planning for college and career, helping them identify and take advantage of the many opportunities that are available to help them thrive. You help ensure that all students can succeed.

I am profoundly grateful for your contributions to our school communities.

These last several years have been very difficult for all of us, given the state budget cuts that have forced us to make cutbacks in every aspect of District operations. I know that these cuts have particularly affected our school counselors, and I want you to know how much I value your work and appreciate your continued dedication to meet the needs of all of our students, even in the face of declining resources.

I look forward to celebrating National School Counseling Week with you, and I look forward to working with all of you over the rest of the school year. As a former high school teacher, I am deeply aware of the value of your work and the contributions you make to our schools.

Thank you for your service and your inspiration.

Sincerely,


Susan


Susan Enfield, Ed.D.
Interim Superintendent
Seattle Public Schools