School Psychologists Week
Wendy Price, CAGS, Nationally Certified School Psychologist at Whitman-Hanson Regional High School and President of the Massachusetts School Psychologists Association, wrote a Proclamation to Governor Deval Patrick. In it, she requested that November 14-18, 2011 be named “School Psychologists Week” in the Commonwealth. Here, she is being congratulated by her building and district administrators. The Proclamation is being sent around the Commonwealth (Stanley Cup style!) to School Psychologists who request it for advocacy and awareness and to celebrate the Proclamation. Next, it is being sent to Andria Amador, Assistant Director of Behavioral Health Services and her administrators at Boston Public Schools. Pictured (left to right): Dr. Jill Bernhardt (WHRSD Administrator of Curriculum, Instruction, and Staff Development), Jeff Szymaniak (WHRHS Principal), Wendy Price (WHRHS School Psychologist and MSPA President 2010-2012), Dr. Ruth Gilbert-Whitner (WHRSD Superintendent), Mildred O’Callaghan (WHRSD Administrator of Special Education) and David Floeck (WHRHS Assistant Principal). 
PROCLAMATION FOR SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY WEEK November 14-18, 2011
Whereas,
All children and youth learn best when they are health, supported and receive an education that meets their individual needs; and
Whereas,
Schools can more effectively ensure that all students are ready and able to learn when they meet the needs of the whole child; and
Whereas,
Children’s mental health is directly linked to their learning and development, and the learning environment provides an optimal context to promote good mental health; and
Whereas Sound psychological principles are integral to instruction and learning, social and emotional development, prevention and early intervention, and supporting culturally diverse student populations; and
Whereas,
School psychology has over 60 years of well established, widely recognized, and highly effective practice, and
Whereas,
School Psychologists are specially trained to deliver a continuum of mental health services and academic supports that lower barriers to learning, enabling teachers to teach and students to learn; and
Whereas,
School Psychologists are trained to assess student and school-based barriers to learning, utilize data-based decision-making, implement research-driven prevention and intervention strategies, and evaluate outcomes and improve accountability; and
Whereas,
Citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts should recognize the vital role that School Psychologists play in the personal and academic development of our children.
Therefore,
I, Governor Deval Patrick, do hereby proclaim November 14-18, 2011 as School Psychology Week in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and commend observance to all our citizens.
Northeast Regional Meeting update:
Hi Everyone! We just got back from a fantastic weekend in Providence, Rhode Island for the NASP Northeast Regional Leaders meeting. This year we had 5 attendees representing MSPA: Wendy Price (President), Bob Babigian (President-Elect), Bob Trant (our NASP Delegate), Jen Milia (Program Committee), and Melissa Pearrow (Education Committee and NASP Strategic Plan Committee). The meeting started at 6:00 Friday night, with State Sharing NASP Practice Model Activities and a presentation on Positive Psychology.
Saturday, we were up bright and early for a day of meetings from 7:30-5:00. Topics on the agenda included: NASP Update/Overview presented by Dr. Phil Lazarus, NASP President and then group activities around Implementing the NASP Practice Model Year 2, Reviewing the Model Rollout Progress and Year 2 planning (Goals and priorities), State Needs Assessment & Planning; Supports needed from NASP, State Focus: Examining the climate for change; obstacles, opportunities, and needs, Role-play activities by region, How to utilize NASP Resources and Tools in advocacy activities, Implementation Guidebook, Model Roll-Out Action Planning, School, Psychology Awareness Week and “Possibilities in Action Partner Program,” NASP Assistance to States, Maine Advocacy Victory, NASP Website Resources, and Communities. After a long day of meetings our MSPA representatives enjoyed a collegial dinner at Cassarino’s Ristorante with our friends from Delaware, New Hampshire, New York, and Maryland! We were also joined by NASP president Phil Lazarus.
On our last day, Sunday, we gathered from 8:00 to 11:30 to work on the NASP Strategic Plan and to discuss “Hot Topics” in the Northeast. We were flattered to learn that New York now offers an on-line course modeled after our successful MSPA Ethics course. We brought back some great ideas and can’t wait to start working on them for MSPA members! Photo, click here.
Member Alert
Membership needs to be renewed for the year 2011-2012 by November 1st in order to retain MSPA privileges. Please contact the membership committee or renew online as soon as possible. We value your membership and are eager to provide MSPA services to you. Please renew your membership as soon as possible. FI you have already renewed your membership- thank you!
MSPA Fall Kickoff
The MSPA Fall Kickoff has been scheduled for Thursday November 10th from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Jillian’s Boston on Landsowne Street. This will be an exciting evening of socializing and networking with school psychology students and early career school psychologists. Food will be provided and there will be a raffle for FREE memberships in MSPA. Don’t forget your student ID’s. If you can attend, please email Lauren at laurendelahanty@gmail.com to RSVP! Click here for the Flyer. This will be fun!
Member Alert
There are several important items that need attention. On October 25th the Behavioral Health Bill “An Act relative to safe and supportive schools” will be discussed at a hearing with the Joint Committee on Education at the state house. You can read this bill on the MSPA News page or by clicking here. MSPA is supporting this bill. Both the Legislative Committee and the Education Committee have shepherded the Behavioral Health efforts in the state which has resulted in a final report (click here). The MSPA Legislative Committee will have letters for individuals who who want to support this bill at the Conference. Read more on the MSPA News page.
The MSPA Conference scheduled for October 14th, this Friday, still has seats available. Do not miss this opportunity to learn more about supporting children and their families with Autism Spectrum Disorders and the opportunity to network! The Children’s Behavioral Health Initiative will have information available at the conference.
The GALA to celebrate an important anniversary and to raise money for minority scholarship will be held Thursday evening. If you plan to attend and have not signed up please let us know ASAP that you are coming.
The information contained on this website is provided to the Massachusetts School Psychologists Association (MSPA) by members. MSPA does not endorse, approve or certify such information, nor does it guarantee the accuracy, completeness, efficacy, timeliness, or correct sequencing of such information. Use of such information is voluntary and reliance on it should only be undertaken after an independent review of its accuracy, completeness, efficacy, and timeliness. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process or service by trade name, trademark, service mark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not constitute or imply endorsement, recommendation or favoring by MSPA.
