National Recognition for Smithsburg Middle School Counseling Department
HAGERSTOWN, MD (May 25, 2012) – The counseling department at Smithsburg Middle School has been named a Recognized ASCA Model Program by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA). As part of the recognition, the school’s counselors Barbara Gift and Helen Huffer were honored for their role in planning and implementing the counseling program and successfully completing the extensive submission process that led to the naming.
The ASCA establishes national standards for school counselors that focus on academics, personal and social growth, and career development. Washington County Public Schools (WCPS) strives to align the counseling program with the academic mission of schools, ensuring that every student has equitable access to counselors and that the school counseling program is comprehensive and delivered systematically to all students. ASCA recognition has been limited to approximately 400 schools nationwide since 2004.
Dr. Steve Burnett, WCPS supervisor of school counseling, says the counselors in Washington County Public Schools are among the best in Maryland. “Mrs. Gift and Mrs. Huffer have a substantial influence on student growth and achievement and this recognition is the highest honor school counselors can receive.”
“We implemented a data driven program that aligns with the school’s needs and we feel it benefits our students and community by focusing on their needs,” said Gift and Huffer. “We are very excited about the honor!”
Both counselors have been invited to be recognized by their peers and the ASCA at the ASCA National Conference in Minneapolis on June 25, 2012Information for...
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