SCOPE
WASHINGTON STATE ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS
VOL. 44, ISSUE 3, October 2023
- CONTENTS:
- President's Message
- Preview of WSASP Fall Conference
- WSASP Social Media
- Best Practices 7 from NASP
- WSASP 5-Year Strategic Plan
- Get Involved- Committee Descriptions
- WSASP Retention and Recruitment
- WSASP Leadership
- WSASP Area Representatives
- WSASP Committee Chairs
- Scope Advertising Guidelines
- Contact WSASP
Presidents Message
President’s Message for Fall SCOPE, 2023
By Mikael Olson, Ed.S., NCSP
Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year! My name is Mikael Olson, and I am your WSASP President for this year. I am a Nationally Certified School Psychologist in the Issaquah School District where I currently serve as the Equity Coach for our district's special education department, supporting and coaching school psychologists in social justice advocacy and culturally responsive professional practices. In my 18 years as a school psychologist, I have served as a team lead for our school psychologist group, supervised interns, mentored early career professionals, and represented school psychologists in the Issaquah Education Association. I have also been an Executive Board member of WSASP beginning in 2018 as an Area 1C Co-Representative and member of the Communications, Social Justice Advocacy, and Government Public Relations Committees, as well as the Communications Committee Co-Chair since 2019.
I sincerely hope that everyone found time this summer to relax, refresh, enjoy themselves, and connect with others. For me, this time of transition between summer mode, and school-year mode is always filled with a variety of emotions: excitement and hope that this will be a great year, a touch of sadness that the summer has ended, and a touch of fear and anxiety for the unknown of what this school year will bring. Starting a new year with these mixed emotions has never changed for me throughout my time in this profession. I still love what I do after all this time, and I also still worry that the year will bring more challenges than I would like. What has changed over the years is my determination to start the year with a positive outlook, to look for ways to find joy in this work, and to seek opportunities that allow me to fuel my passions in the world of school psychology.
In her Spring President’s Message, our Past President, Carrie Suchy, asked us all to think back to what put us on the path to becoming a school psychologist and to think about how that beginning continues to define our passion for this work. Like many of you, I had no idea what a school psychologist was when I was completing my undergraduate education. I had been volunteering in schools as a mentor and classroom assistant, and I knew that I loved being involved in education. I also knew that I loved psychology. It wasn’t until one of my professors asked me if I’d ever considered becoming a school psychologist that I realized there was actually a career that would combine the two things I loved!. I have never regretted my decision to pursue this career. It is truly what I was meant to do. However, there have been times I’ve wondered how much longer I can stick with this. There have been some very hard years. But despite those hard times, I come back each year with a renewed sense of purpose and a desire to do the best I can to support my colleagues, students, families, schools, district, and state association.
What brings me joy and passion for this work? At this stage in my career, it has been giving back to my profession. Supervision, mentorship, and leadership in WSASP brings me back to the roots of why I do what I do. This is an incredibly important job! There is no other job in education like ours, and we have such specialized training and expertise. Unfortunately, the shortage of school psychologists hits us hard not only here in Washington, but also around the country. It impacts our ability to practice the expanded model NASP has outlined for us. It impacts our ability to meet the mental and behavioral health needs of our students. It causes unfilled positions in our districts, which leads to being overworked and unable to fill all of the roles we could fill.
How do we protect ourselves and fuel our passions in the midst of the shortages? I don’t have any perfect answers or fast fixes. However, know that NASP and WSASP are focused on remedies. There is legislation at the national level that has been introduced to help with this. Our WSASP GPR Committee is working on legislation here in Washington regarding internships and is seeking a representative to sponsor. GPR and Communications Committees will be working together to promote National School Psychology Week and to help you all with communicating with others about the importance of your work. Our Recruitment and Retention Committee is very busy with multiple projects, including planning a virtual internship fair, a virtual job fair, and a virtual meet up during the Fall conference, as well as hosting virtual conversations around supervising interns and applying for school psychologist positions. Our Professional Development committee is hard at work planning for the Virtual Fall Conference, in which we are partnering with the associations in Hawaii and Alaska. Other committees are also focused on supporting our state school psychologists. Our association is going to be taking on the NASP Exposure Project this year to increase awareness of the field at the high school and undergraduate level.
Here are some ways you can become more involved at the state level and connect with other school psychologists:
Join our virtual conversations - information and registration can be found in the Prior Written Notice
Celebrate yourselves and your colleagues - information about awards nominations is also coming soon in the PWN
Join a committee - look to the PWN for committee highlights and see if there is anything you are passionate about
Mentor someone - join the NASP mentoring program
Register for the Fall Conference
Check out our Facebook page and website
Attend your Area Event (be on the lookout for emails from your Area Representative)
I do also understand the importance of taking care of yourself throughout the year, which includes drawing healthy boundaries, setting goals for the year, and focusing on what really matters to you. I know this can be hard. We all joined this profession because we enjoy giving of ourselves to help others. Compassion fatigue is real! There are so many areas in public education that need attention. Know that you are valued and important. Know that you have a unique voice and opportunity to advocate for your students.
I encourage you all to find the time to do more of what brings you joy in this work and fuels your passion. Remember why you became a school psychologist, what continues to draw you to this work, and embrace what you do each year that helps you stay in this incredible field.
I hope you all have a great school year, and please let us know if there is anything we can do to support you.
PREVIEW OF WSASP ALL Virtual Fall Conference 2023
Have you registered for the WSASP Virtual Fall Conference yet? You’ve come to expect quality professional development that spans a diverse range of topics from WSASP and this year will be no exception! We have nationally recognized speakers from Maine, Illinois, Florida, Connecticut, Colorado and Oregon. We also have international speakers from Japan and Greece! We have speakers from universities, school districts, private consultation firms, publisher sponsored, various agencies, as well as from our own state department, OSPI.
75 clock hours are being offered and are included in the cost of registration. After the conference, registrants will be sent an email with links to an evaluation and obtain proof of clock hours earned.
Check out our speakers and agenda here:
https://whova.com/embedded/event/TbQtpbK-hcIj2lAvhn8jz6sYs%40xsOX3DQV8r-K3igFk%3D/?utc_source=ems
We look forward to seeing you!
WSASP Social Media Presence
Best Practices in School Psychology 7: Available Now
Introducing the seventh edition of this prestigious, foundational publication in school psychology graduate training and practice. Best Practices in School Psychology 7 brings with it a focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion; multitered systems of support; and problem-solving as a framework across all chapters. About half the chapters in this edition cover topics new to the Best Practices series and bring readers up to speed on contemporary practice.
Volume 1 establishes the series framework, and covers topics related to data-based decision making and consultation and collaboration. Volume 2 focuses on student, systems, and family services. Topics cover academics, mental and behavioral health, school-wide practices, safety and climate, and family collaboration. Volume 3 focuses on equity and diverse student populations, research and evidence-based practice, and legal and ethical issues.
New with this edition, the VitalSource Bookshelf version affords a much more interactive, portable, and accessible experience. See key features below. Available at the same price point as the print edition, the digital edition can be purchased for perpetual or 1-year access.
Link to purchase:
Get Involved! - Call to Action 2023-24
The WSASP Board is always looking for more members to become involved in the work that we do. We know that there are many amazing leaders among our members and want to make sure you know of all the great ways you can get involved this year! One way to get involved is to join a committee. Below are summaries of each committee and our Social Justice Task Force. If you find that you are passionate about an area listed, please reach out to the committee chair about how to get involved. All new committee members are mentored by veteran members and you can volunteer to take on as much or as little as you are comfortable with as you begin volunteering for this work.
Social Justice Advocacy Committee
Chairpersons: Marissa Avalon and Marina Ganotra
Did you know WSASP has a Social Justice Advocacy Committee? This group promotes social justice as an essential component in the practice of school psychology, and it provides WSASP members with resources, guidance, state data, and opportunities to engage with others about social justice issues.
Communications Committee
Chair persons: Alex Franks Thomas and Mikael Olson
The Communications Committee is responsible for the dissemination of information to Washington State school psychologists and the promotion of school psychology in Washington State. They strive to keep our membership informed by providing consistent, professional, succinct communication that is relevant to the profession of school psychology and aligned with association objectives. They support the dissemination of information about school psychology to all consumers within the state. Some ongoing projects they manage are the SCOPE, Prior Written Notice, WSASP website, editing WSASP publications, and official WSASP social media management. Contact communications@wsasp.org to get involved!
Assessment Committee
Chair persons: Leayh Abel
The assessment committee works to provide resources and recommendations regarding best practices in assessment for WSASP members, to promote communication and partnership with OSPI, ESDs, University Programs, publishers and other organizations and associations that may inform or benefit from recommendations for best practices in assessment, and to promote and share answers to frequently asked assessment questions and new advances or information. Some ongoing projects they manage are the Dear Assessment Committee Column and updates to WSASP Guidance documents. Contact assessment@wsasp.org to get involved!
Ethics and Professional Practices Committee
Chair person: Michael Kirlin
The ethics committee responds punctually and effectively to member questions and concerns in regards to professional challenges in their work and disseminates resources and information in how members can navigate ethical dilemmas in their practice. An ongoing project they manage is the annual Ethics presentation at the WSASP Fall Conference. Contact ethics@wsasp.org to get involved!
Government and Public Relations Committee
Chair persons: Carrie Suchy & Kate Salveson
The Government and Public Relations Committee (GPR) is responsible for advocating for students and the field of School Psychology at the policy level both state and federal. The Committee works to be familiar with public policy procedures and build working relationships with members of other organizations pertinent to the Association’s goals, such as OSPI, WEA, fellow ESA state organizations, etc. They work closely with other committees as needed to achieve the association’s goals. They work with the Executive Board to establish Association Priorities for GPR work and provide regular progress reports. Some ongoing projects they manage include planning activities for National School Psychology Week and advocating for state and federal legislation. Contact gpr@wsasp.org to get involved!
Mental Health Committee
Chair persons: Apryl Yearout & Sara Allen
The mental health committee works to promote and advance the role of school psychologists as school based mental health and behavioral health providers. The committee works to support school psychologists in their efforts by providing resources, sharing activities, and engaging with other committees to support policy changes. Some ongoing projects they manage are maintaining the Mental Health resources page on the WSASP website, providing regular articles and information for both the SCOPE and PWN, and a social media focus for May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month; the Mental Health Committee will also have three ‘Mental Health Chats’ this year, both in person at the fall conference and remote, for members to discuss and share questions, concerns, great ideas, etc–more information on that coming soon! Contact mentalhealth@wsasp.org to get involved!
Recruitment and Retention
Chair persons: Cassie Mulivrana and Kristin Schuster
The recruitment and retention committee works on activities designed to promote the highest standards for the profession to encourage School Psychologists currently practicing within Washington State to remain within the state and become Association members. The Committee will also undertake activities designed to attract new School Psychologists to the state and Association members. The Committee will also recognize members for outstanding efforts in membership development and recruitment. Some projects they manage include the mentor/mentee system for new to the field school psychologists and recruitment efforts at the annual NASP conference. Contact retention-recruitment@wsasp.org to get involved!
Professional Development
Chair persons: Tracy Pennington and Arick Branen
The professional development committee works to provide high quality professional development to school psychologists within and beyond Washington State. Some projects they manage include the annual fall conference and the spring lecture series. Contact pd@wsasp.org to get involved!
SCOPE ADVERTISING GUIDELINES
Over 2000 school psychologists and other educators currently receive the SCOPE
1) The services or products offered (advertised) shall provide potential direct and/or indirect benefit for school psychologists; children; and/or families. Benefits are not to be limited to the field of education.
2) The advertisements must be in good taste, meaning suitable for viewing by children and otherwise non-offensive i.e. non-sexist, nonracist, etc.
3) The company purchasing the advertisement space must be an established company in business for over five years and with known products. If the company's status does not meet this criterion, WSASP may require a catalog of products or services offered; a sample of products offered to preview; and/or references of prior service recipients. If the product/services are judged to be of likely benefit, the account will be accepted.
4) Product and service accounts are to be encouraged. Paid political advertisements and paid public policy statements will not be accepted unless approved by the executive board.
5) The Scope Editor will use the above guidelines to accept or decline advertising accounts.
6) The Scope Editor will refer questionable accounts to the WSASP executive board when the guidelines above are not sufficient to make judgment.
7) The WSASP executive board reserves the right to reject any accounts deemed below our standards of professionalism or of possible detriment to our Scope readers or association. The WSASP Board has approved these guidelines for organizations or individuals interested in advertising in our newsletter.
8) WSASP address is: 816 W Francis Ave, #214, Spokane, WA 99205
* For rates and conditions please email: SCOPE@wsasp.org