Middle School Students from Scotch Plains, NJ Petition for More School Counselors

Park Middle School 7th graders Anastasia Berk, Anthony Chrisostomides, Elorie Howell and Emma Zhang say “Let’s put school counselors where they are needed!”

As part of a Service Learning Project, they are petitioning for the government to take action to reduce the number of high school dropouts in the United States by passing a bill referred to as H.R. 981 (116th), or the “Put School Counselors Where They Are Needed” Act. This bill would have schools that have graduation rates 60% or less receive a four-year grant to be used to hire counselors and procure counseling services. Currently, it is sponsored by Representative Linda Sanchez, and cosponsored by Steve Cohen and Debra Haaland.