Happy New Year! I wanted to start the year off right by sharing with you the latest NASP resources. I am pleased to invite you to attend a webinar, a $30 value offered at no cost to NASP members, on January 24 from 1:00 pm-2:00 pm EST. The webinar, Understanding Privilege in America, will explore the concept of privilege from a class, race, and gender perspective and how it can be a key aspect of transformation as one works towards being cross culturally competent. The live format will let you ask your questions directly to Dr. Antoinette Miranda. Plus, you’ll get 1 hour of documented NASP- and APA-approved CPD for attending. This webinar, a $30 value, is free to NASP members, but you must register at in order to attend. The winter issue of NASP’s member-only e-journal, School Psychology Forum, is now available online. Download the issue on expanding the role of school psychologists for children with autism spectrum disorders.

The December Communique features a special ‘Crisis in Japan’ section that covers the ongoing collaboration between school psychologists in Japan and the United States as they try to help Japanese students and their families adjust following the devastating earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disasters in their country. Please consider registering for the NASP 2012 Annual Convention in Philadelphia. Attending the convention is the best way to connect with experts, hear the latest research, and get key training that will improve your day-to-day work. Plus, there is still time to take advantage of the discounted preconference registration rate but you must register by January 25 to save. Save the dates for the NASP 2012 Summer Conferences. This year’s conferences will be held July 9-11 in Denver, CO, and July 23-25 in Minneapolis, MN. The summer conferences are the perfect opportunity for advanced practitioners to get high quality, in-depth training on topics ranging from ethical and legal issues to school engagement. Details will be added to the summer conferences webpage as they become available. I look forward to writing to you next month with more NASP highlights.

Sincerely,Bob Trant, MA Delegate

I am pleased to share the latest updates from NASP with you. Last month, NASP hosted a Congressional briefing, ‘Safe, Supportive Conditions for Learning: Making Connections for Student Success,’ as part of National School Psychology Awareness Week. The briefing focused on how schools can improve academic achievement by creating conditions for learning that emphasize safety and student support as integral to school success.. I hope you had a successful School Psychology Awareness Week! You can help shape future resources by telling us what worked, what you liked the best, and any improvements you think we could make. Are you in one of your first few years of school psychology practice? If so, I encourage you to visit the early career webpage to view some of the new resources, including handouts on ethics, leadership and advocacy, early career faculty, developing support systems, and more. Don’t miss your chance to hear the latest research, learn new skills, and revive your passion for school psychology at the NASP 2012 Annual Convention. Scheduled for February 21-24 in Philadelphia, the convention offers more than 1,000 sessions on topics including autism, bullying, RTI, and more. You can see the full list of sessions, get information on obtaining CPD credit at the convention, and find fun things to do in Philadelphia. While planning your convention activities, please consider participating in the mentoring program. The program brings together students and early career members with more experienced practitioners to discuss questions, interests, and concerns about school psychology. An hour of your time can make a difference to your career and that of your mentoring partner. The NASP holiday e-card is available and provides you an easy way to send greetings to your colleagues this holiday season. I wish you and your family a happy holiday season and look forward to being in touch with you again in the new year.

Sincerely, Bob Trant NASP State Delegate – MA

I am pleased to write to you again with more NASP highlights, especially as we celebrate National School Psychology Awareness Week this month, November 14-18. This year’s theme, ‘Every link matters. Make the connection.’ helps our students and schools focus on creating positive connections within the school community, their academics, and their lives.

The fall issue of School Psychology Forum is now available on the NASP website. Read articles on treatment integrity assessment and intervention, increasing responses to verbal greetings in children with autism spectrum disorders, and test item modifications for English language learners. NASP now has professional development online from on-demand content to live webinars, the OLC offers learning that fits into your busy schedule. You’ll get documented NASP- and APA-approved CPD while hearing the latest research from professional experts in a format that is convenient and affordable. Plus, NASP members save up to 33% on purchases! I would like to encourage you to attend the NASP 2012 Annual Convention in Philadelphia, PA, February 21-24. Your investment will help you succeed in these difficult times. You’ll hear the latest research and get practical tools that will improve your practice. Be sure to take advantage of the recently posted searchable session list. You can search by keyword to identify sessions that will give you practical tools and the newest research on a specific topic, or search by presenter to connect directly with authorities in their area of expertise. Plus, there is still time to take advantage of early registration savings but you must register by November 16! In planning your convention activities, I hope you will devote an hour to participating in the mentoring program. The program brings together students and early career members with more experienced practitioners to discuss questions, interests, and concerns about school psychology. An hour of your time can make a difference to your career and that of your mentoring partner.

Engage in the NASP Member Exchange discussions in the new Communities. Conversations include reading programs, discipline when a disability is suspected, and annual performance evaluations. You can also download the Communities Mobile app to view posts in an easy-to-read format. I am pleased that you have chosen to be a NASP member. Please share your feedback on your NASP member experience with me or directly with NASP.

Sincerely, Bob Trant NASP State Delegate – MA

I hope your school year is off to a good start. I am pleased to write to you this month with a number of exciting developments.Registration is now open for the NASP 2012 Annual Convention. With an exciting lineup of sessions planned, including a keynote address from author and education expert Diane Ravitch, this year’s convention is one you won’t want to miss. Join us in Philadelphia, February 21-24, to reinvigorate your passion for school psychology. Remember, the earlier you register the more you save!

I am happy to announce the launch of the NASP Communities, a new member benefit that lets you network with other school psychologists and experts in the field. Some of you will have noticed the daily digest messages in your e-mail box. For those who haven’t, join the community discussions and get advice on specific issues. You can also search the libraries to find resources, and post your own. Take advantage of this central place for all things school psychology! After visiting the new Communities, download the NASP Communities Mobile app to view the discussions in an easy-to-read mobile format. N

ASP has more than twenty Interest Groups offering focused discussion and activities in key practice areas. The Pediatric School Psychology Interest Group was recently created to provide members opportunities to exchange ideas for research collaboration and practice related to working with children and families of children with chronic health and neurodevelopmental conditions in schools, promoting health of all students, and linking systems of care. Go to the Communities today and subscribe to the Interest Group Community discussions of interest!

Do you have an outstanding student or member of your school community who has made a special impact? School Psychology Awareness Week is November 14-18, 2011. Now is the time to start thinking of nominees for the Student Power Award and Possibilities in Action Partner Award. I look forward to continuing to communicate with you throughout the school year and to seeing you in Philadelphia in February.

Sincerely, Bob Trant

With the school year getting underway, now is a great time to gear up for School Psychology Awareness Week! NASP has designated November 14-18, 2011 as National School Psychology Awareness Week. This year’s theme, ‘Every link matters. Make a connection,’ helps our students and schools focus on creating positive connections within the school community, their academics, and their lives. Visit the NASP website for valuable resources. NASP has created resources and information to help school psychologists support parents, educators, and other caregivers helping children understand the many facets of the 10th anniversary of September 11, 2001 including guidance on fostering resilience and optimism in students, tips for parents and caregivers, and tips for youth. You also have the opportunity to share reflections online about 9/11 and observations about the years since.

The NASP Communities are launching this month! Watch your e-mail for information on the communities and your subscription to your member community. I encourage you to visit the new site today to connect with your colleagues, share resources, and blog!

Save big on some of NASP’s newest resources during the back-to-school sale. Through October 6, members save up to 35% off the list price of practitioner-friendly tools like ‘Helping Children at Home and School III’ and ‘Homework, Organization, and Planning Skills (HOPS) Interventions.’ Plus, save on the newly released, portable ‘Best Practices V’ CD-ROM! Add a pack of ‘From Your School Psychologist’ Post-It notes and you’ll be ready to start the school year!

The NASP Children’s Fund offers Tiny Grants, Service Grants, Youth Empowerment Mini-Grants, and Disaster Relief to help support projects that benefit children and families. Applications and information about these grants can be found in the NASP website As a result of the many disasters that have occurred in the United States this year, the Children’s Fund has increased the amount of money allocated for disaster relief. Learn more today! I hope that your school year is off to a good start. I look forward to bringing you more NASP updates in October.

Bob Trant NASP State Delegate – MA