A special celebration was held in the Guidance Department at Newtown High School on Wednesday, May 27, marking the Award of Outstanding Comprehensive Developmental School Counseling Program from the Connecticut School Counselor Association (CSCA).

Before the celebration, at the Board of Education’s meeting on Tuesday, May 19, Superintendent of Schools Joseph V. Erardi, Jr, offered his congratulations to NHS Principal Lorrie Rodrigue and NHS Guidance Director Cathy Ostar.

“Through the Connecticut School Counselors Association, Newtown High School Guidance Department [was] recognized as an outstanding department of 2015,” the superintendent said.

Dr Erardi first received notice of the award in a letter, dated May 7, from CSCA Professional Recognition Committee Chair Jenna Pelosi. The letter read, “It is my pleasure to inform you that the CSCA Professional Recognition Committee has selected Newtown High School’s ‘Counselor Workshop’ for the Award of Outstanding Comprehensive Developmental School Counseling Program for the year 2015.”

According to the letter, the award was based on adherence to the 2008 Connecticut Comprehensive School Counseling Program guidelines, evidence of accountability for student learning outcomes and program accountability, and evidence of standards based curriculum.

The letter also said the counselors who contributed and the district will be recognized at an annual conference.

“Congratulations to you and your school counselors on all your hard work,” the letters reads. “Your students are fortunate to have such outstanding school counselors working with them.”