WHEREAS, school counselors play a critical role in our public and private schools throughout the State of Maine to help all students reach their full potential; and

WHEREAS, school counselors are actively committed to helping students explore their abilities, strengths, interests, and talents as these traits relate to career awareness and development; and

WHEREAS, school counselors help parents focus on ways to further the educational, personal and social growth of their children; and

WHEREAS, school counselors seek to identify and utilize community resources that can enhance and complement school programs and help students become productive members of society; and

WHEREAS, school counselors are often the first line of support for students, families and their communities during times of need or in the aftermath of traumatic events; and

WHEREAS, in the wake of a mass shooting and devastating storms that have rocked our state, Maine school counselors have stepped up to provide this needed support, whether it be providing a listening ear, connecting a student with a mental health professional, or helping a family find food and shelter;

NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved that I, Janet T. Mills, Governor of the great State of Maine, do hereby proclaim the week of February 5-9, 2024 as

School Counseling Week

throughout the State of Maine, and I urge all citizens to recognize the important role that these professionals play in our students’ lives.

In testimony whereof, I have caused the Great Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed GIVEN under my hand at Augusta this thirty first day of January Two Thousand Twenty-Four