Minority Scholarship 2012
The 2012 Ena Vasquez-Nutall Minority Scholarship is open for applications. Students enrolled in a CAGS/M. ED/Ed.S., school psychology training program will be considered for this scholarship award.The recipient(s) of this scholarship will be announced and invited to attend the MSPA annual conference. In addition, each recipient will be awarded MSPA membership for the duration of the scholarship. The deadline for the scholarship is APRIL 1st 2012.
To download the application, please click Nuttal_MINORITY_SCHOLARSHIP (1).
MCAS Reform Bill
Dear School Psychologist:
*****This year is OUR year to MAKE A DIFFERENCE*****
Support Massachusetts House Bill No. 01938: An Act to Expand Access to the MCAS Appeals Process
This Act:
• Provides all students with expanded access to the appeals process
• Mandates the use of multiple sources of data in appeals
• Ensures that parents and students will be informed of their right to appeal
House Bill No. 01938 and summary of bill are attached.
Contact your Massachusetts’s state representative or senator:
1) Go to http://www.malegislature.gov/People/Search
2) Type in your address, city, & zip code
3) Click on your state representative or senator for their contact information
4) Voice your support for House Bill No. 01983
Below is a sample letter you can use to let your state representative and senator know you support House Bill No. 01938. Feel free to edit the letter, include your story, or add to it. You do not need to change it if you do not want to. Please forward this e-mail to other concerned citizens.To download the sample, click here. To download a summary of the bill, click here. To download the entire bill, click here.
Thank you.
Lou Kruger
Member of MSPA Board of Directors
Kruger@neu.edu
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MSPA is 50 Years Old
The Massachusetts School Psychologists Association has received a citation from the Governor in recognition of our 50th Anniversary and in appreciation of MSPA’a commitment to the emotional and psychological well-being pf the students in the commonwealth. You can download the citation by clicking here.
Recognition of Massachusetts School Psychologists
Earlier this month Governor Patrick recognized school psychologists in Massachusetts. Here, Andria Amador, Assistant Director of Behavioral Health Services displays the official proclamation from the Governor with Superintendent Johnson.
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.
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.
