Mental Health Awareness Week Set for Oct. 21–26
MCPS and the Montgomery County School Psychologists’ Association will host Mental Health Awareness Week Oct. 21–26 to give youth and families the opportunity to hear from mental health experts on a variety of issues. A Mental Health Resource Fair and Student Forum will be held on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at Seneca Valley High School, 19401 Crystal Rock Drive in Germantown.
The keynote speaker is Charles A. Barrett, Ph.D., NCSP, a district-level administrator in Virginia, who practiced as a school psychologist for 13 years at the elementary and secondary levels. He serves as an adjunct lecturer at several universities, where he trains future school psychologists. The keynote and student forum are set for 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
2023-2024
MCSPA SPOTY AWARD RECIPIENT
Dr. Kenneth Reimer
2022-2023
MCSPA SPOTY Award Recipient
Dr. Pamela Lester
It is an honor to recognize Dr. Pamela Lester as this year’s MCSPA School Psychologist of the Year. Dr. Lester is a pivotal member of her school’s community and goes above and beyond her daily role and responsibilities to support students, teachers, and staff. This is Dr. Lester’s 18th year as a school psychologist for MCPS. School teams share that Dr. Lester’s level of expertise shines, and not in a way of arrogance but with humility. Dr. Lester is a true team player and maintains a positive attitude, is flexible, works with integrity, and collaboratively. She challenges the teams she works with to look at solutions that are in the best interest of students. Colleagues describe Dr. Lester as compassionate, empathetic, and a great listener. Colleagues further share that Dr. Lester provides sound advice and resources. She is available to staff and responds quickly to school teams in order to support school crises, interventions and/or consultations. But Dr. Lester's support does not stop there, she has an open-door policy and can be seen providing counseling and support to students and colleagues in and outside of their office. She makes space for all students regardless of their history and/or background. Given all of this, one of Dr. Lester’s most adoring qualities is her sense of humor. She demonstrates the ability to put a smile on the face of anyone they meet.
It is an honor to announce Dr. Pam Lester as the 2022-2023 MCSPA School Psychologist of the Year.
It is an honor to announce Dr. Pam Lester as the 2022-2023 MCSPA School Psychologist of the Year.
MCPS Mental Health Forum - May 31st @ Seneca Valley HS
Details below! Click here for more information.
2021-2022
MCSPA SPOTY Award Recipient
Ciara Caprara
MCSPA congratulates Ms. Ciara Caprara on winning the 2021-22 Montgomery County School Psychologist of the Year (SPOTY) Award! It is an honor to recognize one of our outstanding colleagues for MCSPA School Psychologist of the Year. Ciara continuously goes above and beyond to support students, families, and colleagues. She brings to the teams she works with intellect, compassion, empathy, expertise, hard work, and positivity. She always finds a way to make it work.
- To view the SPOTY Winner Statement in its entirety, click here.
- Please click the video above to view the 2021-22 MCPSA SPOTY video.
MCPS Mental Health Awareness Week (Nov 8-13)
MCSPA and MCPS to host a free virtual event November 8-13. Topics will include social media safety, coping with stress, healthy relationships, and more! Be sure to visit the virtual Resource Fair. For more information, see below and visit www.MCPSmentalhealth.org.
National School Psychology Week (Nov 8-13)
Return to School & COVID-19
As MCPS students and staff return to in-person learning, many for the first time since March 2020, supporting the social, emotional, mental, and behavioral health needs of students, families, and staff is of utmost importance. Please click below for resources:
NASP Communique' - Mental Health Awareness Week
Each year, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) hosts a mental health awareness fair to promote services, connect families with resources, and destigmatize topics. The event started in 2016 and was hosted by MCSPA. Due to the success of the event, MCPS requested to hold this event annually in conjunction with MCSPA. Since then, a variety of mental health professionals within MCPS and the community have come together to continue the important work of the fair.
The work of MCPSA and success of the fair was highlighted in the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) Communique'. The entire article can be found in its entirety, here.
The work of MCPSA and success of the fair was highlighted in the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) Communique'. The entire article can be found in its entirety, here.
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.
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.