Every year, PALCS helps celebrate National School Counseling Week (NSCW) during the first week in February. The theme of this year’s NSCW is “School Counselors: All In for All Students.”

Sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), National School Counseling Week “highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career”. PALCS counselors, along with those across the country, are highly educated, professionally certified individuals who help students succeed – not just in school – but in all aspects of life. They help students form healthy goals, mindsets and behaviors, and prepare them for their futures – no matter what path they choose.

PALCS eleventh-grader, Aviana P. shares how thankful she is for her school counselor, Mrs. Dawson. “She is always helping me with my college process/selection and is very kind and helpful as well! She always is there to help me with any questions I have. I truly appreciate her!”

Second-grade parent, Mrs. Humenik would like to thank Mrs. Kirk. “You’re the best listener,” she explains. “You matched Angelina to Ms. Harris as 2nd Grade Teacher, and she is the perfect fit. She loves PALCS and is thriving! I believe you are part of her success.”

We recently asked some PALCS School Counselors what their favorite part about their job is and why they wanted to become a school counselor. 

Mrs. Mary Beth Stefanski explains, “I love when I get to see my students happy!  The most important thing to me is to keep my students safe and help them find some joy.  Kids have enough stress and have enough people telling them what to do or who to be, I want to be a person that they can always talk with and always have in their corner!” 

Mrs. Lauren DiFerdinando explains why she became a school counselor, “I love working with students and helping them become their best selves, especially during the middle school years when parts of life can feel difficult to manage!” Her favorite part of her job is connecting with her students and getting to know them.

Mrs. Andrea Malvestuto shares that she also became a counselor because of her love for working with students. “I wanted to be a school counselor because I always enjoyed working with children/adolescents and I wanted to have a career where I could help them reach their full potential.”

Ms. Cheyanne Natale explains that her favorite part of her job is “forming and making meaningful connections with students,” In addition to, “teaching social emotional, academic, and career skills during school counseling chats, that will enhance their development and [also] being a partner with parents and teachers in the education of all students.”

As a yearly tradition, and in celebration of National School Counselor Week, PALCS School Counseling Department is hosting College Wear Day on Friday, February 5th, 2021. We encourage all faculty and students to represent their college pride in an effort to get students thinking about their options for the future. Be sure to tag PALCS and use hashtags #NSCW21 and #PALCSProud when you post any photos of you in your spirit wear on social media!

With this year looking a little different than previous school years, our PALCS faculty and staff grew tremendously in 2020. PALCS would like to take this time to thank our dedicated School Counseling Department for all that they do, including those who joined our amazing team of counselors this school year: Ms. Patricia Calvitto, Ms. April Brauch, Ms. Megan McCain, Ms. Cheyanne Natale, and Ms. Thea Scarpill (who switched from an Admissions Representative to our Elementary School Counseling Assistant). Thank you for understanding our students, building relationships with them, and ensuring that they are getting the best support and education that they deserve! Keep up the hard work! 

The support that our team of counselors give to our students and families is what continues to make PALCS a true community!