Whereas the American School Counselor Association has designated the week of February 5, 2018, through February 9, 2018, as National School Counseling Week ; Whereas school counselors have long advocated that the education system of the United States must provide equitable opportunities for all students; Whereas school counselors have long emphasized the importance of personal and social development in contributing to academic achievement; Whereas school counselors help develop well-rounded students by guiding them through their academic, social, emotional, and career development; Whereas school counselors play a vital role in ensuring that students are college and career ready and aware of financial aid, college opportunities, and employment trends; Whereas school counselors may encourage students to pursue challenging academic courses to prepare them for college majors and careers in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields; Whereas school counselors provide support for students whose family members have been deployed to conflicts overseas; Whereas school counselors help students cope with serious and common challenges of growing up, including peer pressure, bullying, mental health issues, school violence, disciplinary problems, and problems in the home; Whereas school counselors are also instrumental in helping students, teachers, and parents cope with trauma and community and national tragedies; Whereas school counselors are among the few professionals in a school building that are trained in both education and social and emotional development; Whereas despite the important contributions of school counselors to student success, counseling positions are not always protected when local budgets are cut, especially in tough economic times