NASP continues to develop resources to support us in our day-to-day practice. I hope you take advantage of all the membership resources available to you!

Whether you were able to come to the convention or not, you can download the session handouts at www.nasponline.org/conventions/2013/program/handouts.aspx. You can search by presenter, session title or number.

NASP has released a new Youth Gun Violence Fact Sheet at www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/Youth_Gun_Violence_Fact_Sheet.pdf. This fact sheet contains information on firearm deaths in the United States, homicide and suicide at school, and weapons in the home. Also included are factors connected to school shootings and policy issues related to curbing gun violence.

NASP has joined forces with the American School Counselor Association and the National Association of Secondary School Principals to help begin a national dialogue to increase understanding about mental health and its impact on youth. Schools in every state and district are invited to join the dialogue by committing to holding a school assembly on mental health before the end of 2013. NASP and ASCA are currently working to compile resources to help you plan your mental health assembly and this information will be accessible in the upcoming weeks. Express your commitment here to hold a mental health assembly at your school at www.nassp.org/Homepage-Docs/National-Dialogue-on-Mental-Health.
For statistics on 2012 legislative involvement by NASP members, read our report at www.nasponline.org/advocacy/Capwiz_2012.pdf.

NASP released two new books at the convention, ‘School Psychologist as Counselor’ and ‘Depression in Children and Adolescents.’ Pick up your copy in the NASP store at www.nasponline.org/publications/index.aspx.  Special new release pricing is available until March 14. There, you can also get a copy of Keynote Speaker Richard Gerver’s book ‘Creating Tomorrow’s Schools Today.’

Share your experiences, ask questions, and provide support to fellow school psychologists in the NASP Communities. Visit http://communities.nasponline.org to review and join in the discussions. Recent conversations include medically fragile students, scoring software on Macs, and confidentiality during testing.

Registration is now open for the summer conferences in Cincinnati and Albany. You can register at www.nasponline.org/conventions/2013/summer-conferences/index.aspx. The Cincinnati conference will be July 8-10 and Albany will be July 22-24. Summer conferences will have advanced content sessions designed for advanced practitioners as well as the opportunity to earn up to 18 hours of documented CPD.

Thank you for joining me as a member of NASP as we work to support the success of all students!

Sincerely,

Charlotte Wieck
NASP State Delegate – IA

I am glad many of you were able to join me in Seattle last week. This year, approximately 5,000 of our colleagues came together to hear latest research and news in the field, network with each other, and enjoy the Emerald City.

Whether you were at the convention or unable to attend this year, you can purchase a session recording package at http://www.nasponline.org/conventions/2013/registration/session-recording.aspx. Session Recording Packages let you get top convention content and between 5.5 and 10.25 hours of documented NASP-, APA-, and NBCC-approved CPD per package, right from your desk!

There are some valuable conversations going on in the NASP Member Exchange Community that I encourage you to read. Visit http://communities.nasponline.org to review and join in the discussions. Recent conversations include truancy and ED evaluations, dyslexia in high school, and what I wish private practitioners knew about schools.  There is also a host of Interest Group Communities—from autism to crisis management to urban school psychology—that will allow you to connect with your colleagues on topics of interest.

NASP released two new books at the convention, ‘School Psychologist as Counselor’ and ‘Depression in Children and Adolescents.’ Visit the NASP store at http://www.nasponline.org/publications/index.aspx to pick up your copy at a special new release price.  There, you can also get a copy of Keynote Speaker Richard Gerver’s book ‘Creating Tomorrow’s Schools Today.’

The January/February issue of Communiqué is available online at http://www.nasponline.org/publications/cq/index.aspx?vol=41&issue=5. This issue includes articles ‘Online Sexual Solicitation: The Role and Responsibility of Parents and School Psychologists,’ ‘Meet the New (and Improved?) DSM-5,’ and ‘Expanding the Role of the School Psychologist in the Delivery of School-Based Mental Health Services.’

Thank you for joining me as a member of NASP as we work to support the success of all students!

Sincerely,

Charlotte Wieck
NASP State Delegate – IA

These past weeks have been difficult for our community. Coming to grips with the tragedy in Newtown as well as the loss of one of our own is challenging. But the school psychology community has come together to support our schools and communities, and I personally want to thank you for counseling, comforting, and educating your community during this national tragedy.

NASP has released statements relating to Newtown. Read the statement on the tragedy at http://www.nasponline.org/communications/press-release/Sandy_Hook_Media_Statement.pdf, the statement ‘Stigmatizing Mental Health or Developmental Disorders is Harmful’ at http://www.nasponline.org/communications/press-release/Diagnosable_Disorder_Statement.pdf, and the call to action for comprehensive school safety policies at http://www.nasponline.org/communications/press-release/School_Safety_Statement.pdf.

In light of the tragedy at Sandy Hook, many districts are reexamining their safety procedures and crisis plans. As you do, take time to review the NASP school safety and crisis resources at http://www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/index.aspx. You may also want to consider going through PREPaRE training at the convention in February. To learn more about PREPaRE training, visit http://www.nasponline.org/prepare/index.aspx.

Sign up for the free-for-members live webinar ‘Test Item Modifications for English Language Learners: From Research to Practice’ on January 31 at 12:30 p.m. EST at https://nasp.inreachce.com/Details?mediaType=bae80c37-9ab1-49da-b01a-1b5db926a477&groupId=b437422a-b11c-4482-af53-80c4b293995a. This webinar will review the empirical research literature on the effects of test item modifications on the test scores of an English language learner and discuss issues to consider in practice. This webinar is free for members and includes 1 documented NASP-, APA-, and NBCC-approved CPD credit.

The winter Emotional and Behavioral Screening issue of School Psychology Forum is now available at www.nasponline.org/publications/spf/index.aspx?vol=6&issue=3. Articles include ‘Screening for Behavioral and Emotional Risk: Constructs and Practicalities’ and ‘Mental Health Screening and Academic Outcomes in Elementary School.’ If you have questions, comments, ideas for future theme issues, or manuscript submissions, e-mail them to SchoolPsychForum@naspweb.org.

Save the date for the NASP 2013 Summer Conferences. This year they will be held July 8-10 in Cincinnati, OH, and July 22-24 in Albany, NY. Get in-depth training during your summer break. For more information, keep checking back at http://www.nasponline.org/conventions/2013/summer-conferences/index.aspx.

You only have until January 16 to take advantage of early registration savings for the NASP 2013 Annual Convention! Join us in Seattle, February 12-15, for 4 days of intense training, networking, and fun. With more than 1,200 sessions on topics facing the profession, you’ll find solutions to your most difficult professional challenges. Register today at www.nasponline.org/conventions/2013/index.aspx.

Want to affect the future of school psychology? Serve as a mentor at the convention and share your experiences and provide guidance to a school psychology graduate student or early career professional. Through a 1-hour meeting, scheduled at your convenience, you’ll give your mentee a chance to ask real-life questions about professional practice. Sign up at www.nasponline.org/conventions/2013/students/mentoring.aspx.

Please take a moment to update your member profile to enable NASP to provide you with greater member value. Visit www.nasponline.org/membership/memberupdate.aspx to select your e-mail and print subscription preferences and specify your professional interests. With this, NASP can provide you with more targeted information.

I wish you a happy and healthy 2013.

Sincerely,

Charlotte Wieck
NASP State Delegate – IA