National School Psychology Week (NSPW) 2020
November 9-13 is National School Psychology Week (NSPW) 2020! Check out www.NASPonline.org starting on November 9 for resources and information. NASP flyers can be found here (English/Spanish) - Help spread awareness!
MCPS Mental Health Awareness Week
MCSPA is proud to co-sponsor this year's MCPS Mental Health Awareness Week. This free event will take place virtually from Monday, October 26 to Saturday, October 31. Please visit www.MCPSmentalhealth.org for access to 26 different presentations, covering topics from COVID-19 to Suicide Awareness and more!
Protests Across America
National protests following the death of George Floyd have sparked discussions surrounding race, privilege, discrimination, racism, and social justice. Students are feeling overwhelmed by these issues and look to us to teach them, make them feel safe and help them make sense of the world. MCPS school psychologists have a responsibility to support all students and support parents and educators in talking about these important topics.
To help start these conversations, resources from NASP and the American Academy of Pediatrics can be found here.
Additional resources for parents and educators gathered from various MCPS school psychologists can be found here.
To help start these conversations, resources from NASP and the American Academy of Pediatrics can be found here.
Additional resources for parents and educators gathered from various MCPS school psychologists can be found here.
COVID-19
Talking about coronavirus with your children can be overwhelming.
Check out these NASP and MCPS resources to help. MCPS School System and Community Resources can be found here.
Check out these NASP and MCPS resources to help. MCPS School System and Community Resources can be found here.
Join MCSPA June 20th
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's (AFSP) mission is to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide. They create a culture that’s smart about mental health through education and community programs, develop suicide prevention through research and advocacy, and provide support for those affected by suicide.
Annually, MCSPA collects donations on behalf of AFSP and participates in the Out of the Darkness Walk. Donate here. While this year's event will look different, we still encourage everyone to participate and raise awareness. Together we can #StopSuicide.
AFSP will be hosting their signature Out of the Darkness™ Overnight Walk as a virtual event, on June 20, 2020. The registration fee and fundraising minimum have been lifted for this one time only. Register here.
Annually, MCSPA collects donations on behalf of AFSP and participates in the Out of the Darkness Walk. Donate here. While this year's event will look different, we still encourage everyone to participate and raise awareness. Together we can #StopSuicide.
AFSP will be hosting their signature Out of the Darkness™ Overnight Walk as a virtual event, on June 20, 2020. The registration fee and fundraising minimum have been lifted for this one time only. Register here.
Join us for Children's Mental Health Matters! Week
The Children's Mental Health Matters! campaign brings together non-profits, schools, and other agencies with the following goals: raising public awareness of the importance of children’s mental health and substance use, helping reduce the stigma of mental health, and connecting families, educators and providers throughout Maryland with resources to help children.
In addition, they are offering weekly resources and activities to help support children's mental health during this unprecedented time of crisis. Check it out at Mental Health Mondays.
In addition, they are offering weekly resources and activities to help support children's mental health during this unprecedented time of crisis. Check it out at Mental Health Mondays.
Audrey Potter
2019-20 MCSPA School Psychologist of the Year
Congratulations to Audrey Potter, the 2019-20 MCSPA School Psychologist of the Year (SPOTY)! It is an honor to recognize one of our outstanding colleagues for MCSPA School Psychologist of the Year. This psychologist demonstrates an immense dedication for working to better the lives of students and is a constant advocate on behalf of her school psychologist colleagues. To read the full SPOTY announcement, please click here.
MCSPA is now on Twitter!
Follow us @ MCSPA_MCPS!
We tweet information regarding public relation events, upcoming advocacy events, informative resources, and mental health self-care tips, among other topics. Feel free to share with colleagues, MCPS staff, friends, and family.
Our Purpose:
- To promote and maintain the highest standards of professional practice for the provision of psychological services as set forth by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).
- To encourage and facilitate discussion by psychologists on matters of professional interest and help secure conditions which promote the greatest effectiveness in the practice of school psychology.
- To advocate for the interests of children through school psychology as a science and profession.
- To provide input to Montgomery County Public Schools Board of Education, Leadership and Administration to assist children in meeting or exceeding performance and achievement standards.
- To establish a liaison and encourage effective collaboration with other professions and professional agencies concerned with education and well-being of children.