Posts

Showing posts from 2016

The Impact of School Breaks on students living in Poverty : The Achievement Gap

As we come to another long break for the holidays everyone is looking forward to relaxing at home and spending time with loved ones. Unfortunately, we know this is not true for many of the students that we work with and serve. It is especially important during this time that we are aware of the words we use and behaviors we exhibit around our students.  Many of the ones who live in poverty find comfort and safety in school that they do not have at home. Below is important information provided by Michelle McDonald written for the NASP publication (Volume 41 Issue 7). Also below the information are important resources/ contact information to help our students in need. The Impact of School Breaks on Students Living in Poverty By Michelle McDonald    Summer and winter breaks from school can be highly anticipated times for students and educators. However, for students living in poverty, the break from school can bring hidden challenges that school psychologists should be aware of whe

Psych Speak

Did you know the WS/FCS School Psychology Department publishes a newsletter several times a year?  In the current issue, you will meet our interns, learn about which staff members serve on the school psychology leadership collaborative team at the state level, read a re-cap of School Psychology Awareness Week, and meet one of our staff members who has a side gig as a pole vaulting coach.  Check it out at  Psych Speak

Dr. Corliss Thompson Drew- Creating Relationships- 35 years

Dr. Corliss Thompson Drew- the leader of all of us crazy, passionate and driven people is celebrating 35 years as a School Psychologist this year. When reflecting on the years she remarked that " There are a host of people, a village, that have supported, encouraged, and helped me to get where I am today." With feeling the support of others, Dr. Thompson Drew also wants to support and impact our students. She writes " I feel a responsibility to pay that forward and lend a hand to others. I have been a mentor to high school students for several years and find that I learn as much from them as they do from me. Sometimes it’s challenging but it’s always rewarding, especially when I see them accomplish goals that they set."  When discussing what small steps are needed to change our students lives, she believes forming relationships and having communication with families is key. "   In my career, it has always been important to spend time meeting with and talking

The benefits of gratitude

It's easy to get caught up in what is wrong rather than focusing on what is right.  But research has shown that having a grateful attitude can reduce stress, both in students and in the teachers who care for them every day. At this time of year, Thanksgiving is the perfect time to think about the good things that we have in our lives. Many resources are available to help to cultivate an "attitude of gratitude" in the classroom.We have posted links to a couple right here: http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/classroom-activities-character-development-thankful-gratitude.shtml http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/gratitude_activities_for_the_classroom

One Final Post for SPAW

As we close out the 2016 School Psychology Awareness Week, it seems appropriate to re-post a video Dr. Emory did for us last year to celebrate.  We are fortunate to have such a supportive Superintendent in the WS/FCS! 2015 School Psychology Awareness Week Video

Alison Sharp- 10 years- It's the small and basic things that matter most

Alison Sharp has many insightful experiences with life. As a School Psychologist for 10 years, she offers us a look into how our schools have adapted to our changing world. She believes that a student having their basic needs met (food, clothing, shelter) impacts our students the most. Along with that, she has seen that "p overty and academic standards have both risen.  Students need more support to have their basic needs met to focus on their learning.    A local church has supported my elementary school with a backpack program and has provided our children with warm coats.     Our school has a grant so both breakfast and lunch are provided for free to all students. Teachers are rising to the academic challenge by grouping the kids to provide support, and we have revamped our reading program as well." Along with basic needs being met, she believes that offering students quality interventions to assist them in filling those academic gaps, opens a path for them to be successf

School Psychology Awareness Week Video

Many thanks to Jennifer Grabski, School Psychologist extraordinaire, along with Chris Runge and Zack "TJ" James, for pulling all of these clips together! The video spotlights many of the things we do and why we do them. School Psychology Awareness Week is all about sharing the things we love about our job with others.  To watch the video, visit School Psychology Awareness Week Video

Ginger Calhoun- Creating 'Strong Root systems"- 30 years and counting

"After more than thirty years as a school psychologist, some days I feel as if I have more questions than  answers.  While many, many things have changed in schools, some things are still the same.  We aim for success and, like a gardener, we tend our plants, providing all the nutrients that our young kindergarten seedlings need to develop a strong root system.  Sometimes our plants are drowning because of too much water. Some of our plants don't get enough sunlight because they are shaded by the faster growing varieties.  Some plants grow better in bright light, some in sandy soil.  It's a simple analogy.  It could be enlarged to describe the innumerable types of plants, each with their own function and worth: in that way a school  is a  garden with vegetables, flowers, trees, bushes, all valuable in their own way.  When a garden is left to chance, when it is left untended, then its future is doomed.  A plant may be a climber that needs a lattice.  Branches may need pruni

Hidden Talents of School Psychologists

Image
As school psychologists, we have to balance many different roles and functions (see our recent blogs on A Day in the Life of a School Psychologist).  I doubt you could find any school psychologist who went into the field because they love all the paperwork, yet we end up doing massive amounts of it.  Because we care about children and believe in what we are doing, school psychologists have become experts at juggling paperwork and deadlines while still engaging in a variety of activities to support the educational and mental health needs of our students.  To learn more about the hidden talents of school psychologists, visit http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/the-hidden-talents-of-school-psychologists_us_57957234e4b0e339c23f3390

Alana McOuat- Let's be positive- over 20 years experience

Alana continues to be a shining light for her schools. She has over 20 years experience as a School Psychologist. When discussing students she feels having positive interactions with students are the best medicine for an ever changing world and a small step we can all take. Here are some of her words of wisdom: "I have seen teachers and staff take time to recognize personal as well as academic achievements of students.  Students thrive with positive interacts with adults.  Small daily recognition of effort, for example, over time tends to produce good relationships among teachers and students.  What may seem like a small step in actuality can be very positively impactful.  This type of recognition happens all of the time in the schools I serve.  Teachers and staff members get to know so many students and use their names when they talk with them.  This has helped to create community and belonging." Thank you Alana for your support and effort to change the world through rec

Making Miracles- Patsy Barrett- 30 years as a School Psychologist

Patsy Barrett continues to offer insight and wisdom to her schools and colleagues. With 30 years of experience as a School Psychologist she is a valuable resource to us all. She witnesses people making small steps to help shape and change students lives everyday. Over the years, she observed that    "just a simple hug or a smile makes the biggest impact on a students day.  That little thing that makes a student know that you care, that you see them as a person. They will do anything to please you once you touch their hearts." Patsy spends time reaching out to students and touching their hearts, by being a mentor. " I have I     mentored numerous students over the years and enjoy making that connection. I often use this opportunity to reach students on a more personal level and talk to them as a mother would to her child….giving that unconditional love.Student s will test you to see if you are going to leave if they misbehave or fail but when you don’t  you can someti

Another "Day in the Life" of a School Psychologist

To continue our goal of increasing awareness of the various roles of school psychologists, I am sharing the second “day in the life” snapshot to give readers another perspective.  Like the first author noted, I find that many people do not understand what we do.  To be fair, roles vary by psychologist and by needs of the different populations we serve, making it hard to define.  My family thinks I do individual counseling sessions all day, often using the phrase, “And how does that make you feel?” :) Truthfully, I’m not sure I’ve asked that question once in my 17 years of practice.  I rarely engage in individual counseling sessions with students – not because I don’t see this is as a need (I DO!), but because it’s hard to commit to this when you serve four schools and may be called away at any time for a crisis.  Fortunately, I work with truly exceptional school counselors and social workers who help support that direct services need.  We school psychologists do LOTS of collaboration

Sherry Todd- 10 years

Happy 10 years Sherry Todd in the School Psychology profession. Outside of the day to day assistance she offers teachers, parents and students, Sherry volunteers at a local therapeutic horse riding farm and works with children with special needs. She is also a senior mentor and works one on one with a student to help encourage her to graduate.Sherry believes that confidence is an underlying factor in student success and works with children to achieve this. Thank you for your continued efforts taking small steps to change our students lives!

Sonya Stiles- 15 years experience- A Complex World

Sonya Stiles is 15 years veteran to the School Psychology profession. Over her past 15 years of experience she has observed a shift in the complex world our children live in. Family dynamics have changed, heightened sense of peer pressure with social media/technology changes, feeling of isolation and being misunderstood are a few of the issues she has observed. Below is her response to the questions of" what changes and challenges have you observed our students experiencing since you began working?" "The curriculum has moved forward so much over time, with increased academic pressure and evaluations/standards of success.  Classrooms are very busy with a wealth of information that can seem overwhelming at times.  Additionally, students extra curricular lives are not just filled with fun activities anymore, they are instead highly competitive and focused upon success.  While extracurricular activities can be very rewarding and help to develop a social network, they also

Middle School Suicides

Last week, I spoke to the staff at my elementary school about suicide prevention.  The school psychologists in the WS/FCS have been asked to speak to all of our schools about this topic.  At the elementary level, I'm sure some teachers were puzzled about why we were talking to them.  To explain, you have to look at the statistics.  They show that the suicide rate among U.S. youth ages 10-14 has doubled from 2007 to 2014.  Just as frightening, 425 young people in this age group died by suicide in 2014.  That number really drives this issue home.  This article from NPR explains more about the increase and describes six myths about suicide every educator should know.  One of those myths is that young children cannot be suicidal. In order to reverse this trend, we must understand why it is happening and begin to have those difficult conversations.  To learn more, visit NPR middle school suicide

Technology to Support Struggling Readers

For years, schools have been using computers to accommodate some of the needs of dyslexic students. But with the rapid changes in technology, it can be difficult to keep up with the latest and greatest.  For many of these students, technology has helped them overcome obstacles in order to reach their potential.  This article from Time Magazine provides some of the latest technology available for struggling readers. They break it down by elementary, middle, and high school since there are great options available at all levels.  To learn more, visit http://time.com/10-tech-hacks-to-help-a-struggling-reader/

A Day in the Life of a School Psychologist

I find that many people do not really understand the role of a school psychologist.  Even my own mother thinks I mostly conduct psychological evaluations for special education programs. Some people believe we are kind of like school counselors and see kids for individual and group sessions all day.  The truth is that we can serve both of those functions and much more.  To explain the various roles of a school psychologist, it might be helpful to walk you through a fairly typical day.  School psychologists find it difficult to keep a regular schedule because you never know when you will be needed.  Since most of us serve three to four schools, we have to be available to many people, sometimes all in the same day. Fortunately, all of our days are not quite this hectic but this one gives you an idea of the various activities we do. 7:20-Arrive at one of my schools, turn on computer, return emails, check schedule 7:50-A teacher stops by to ask about a student I'm evaluating 8:10-Th

Letter Reversals: A Guide for Parents and Teachers

As school psychologists, we frequently hear teachers and parents express concerns over letter reversals.  Although letter reversals are a common problem until around age 7, this problem is still considered a red flag for dyslexia by many.  In this article from Understood.org, the author explains why this is not necessarily a sign of dyslexia, when it is time to become concerned, and strategies for helping your child with this difficulty.  To learn more, visit  FAQs About Letter Reversals

Halloween Humor

Image
We've had a month full of blogs on bully prevention for National Bullying Prevention Month. As we move into November, let's continue teaching our students about the importance of empathy. Our focus on this topic should remain strong all year!  On a lighter note, I thought we could all enjoy a little Halloween humor. Happy Friday!

Why Schools Need More School-Based Mental Health Services

Emotional and psychological trauma affects so many of our students.  The National Survey of Children's Health reported that 35 million students experience trauma and children of color often experience multiple traumatic events.  We see the effects in classrooms but have difficulty supporting those students because of limited school-based mental health resources.  Few schools have a full-time school psychologist or social worker.  In this article from The Center for American Progress, they described the results of a nationwide analysis of mental health and counseling services in schools.  Nearly every state has limited access to these resources!  Because trauma can contribute to behavior problems and truancy, these students often receive harsh disciplinary measures instead of the mental health intervention they need.  To learn more about the analysis and why we need more school psychologists, social workers, and counselors in our schools, visit https://www.americanprogress.org/iss

stop bullying.gov

October is National Bullying Prevention Month. Last week, as a school system, we showed our support and advocacy for bullied students during Unity Day.  Many people in our system wore orange to show our solidarity to STAND UP, STEP UP with our students against bullying.  According to an article posted on stopbullying.gov, 'bullying is linked to many negative outcomes including impacts on mental health, substance use, and suicide.  It in important to talk to kids to determine whether bullying - or something else - is a concern."  Although parents, teachers, and other students want to help, it's hard sometimes to know where to begin.  Stopbullying.gov  has valuable information about what can be done to help, as well as information about cyber-bullying, risk factors, prevention, and the best way to respond if you do have a concern. .

Staff Spotlight - Mandy McCoy

Image
Mandy has been a school psychologist for 13 years. She received her training at Radford University in Radford, VA. She has worked in several North Carolina counties including Montgomery County and Catawba County. This is her second year working for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools.  Mandy currently serves North Hills Elementary, North West Middle, and Reynolds High. During her 13 years of practice, Mandy has found that she enjoys working with students that have experienced Traumatic Brain Injuries and students who have behavioral needs. We are glad to have you, Mandy! 

Video Series on Empathy from Class Dojo

Many teachers are using Class Dojo to help support and manage positive behaviors in the classroom setting.  Did you know Class Dojo also offers videos to support character traits such as perseverance, growth mindset, and empathy.  Although the series on perseverance has not been released yet (look for it in November), the videos on empathy were released at the beginning of October to coincide with National Bullying Prevention Month.  They can be watched at home and at school so that parents and teachers can work together to help children understand how to accept others and put themselves in their shoes.  The videos feature the Class Dojo monsters that kids know from class.  To go along with the videos, there are a set of discussion questions and projects so that parents and teachers can reinforce what the children have learned.  The Class Dojo blog describes empathy as a foundation skill necessary for learning to act ethically, build strong relationships, and have professional success.

Helping your teen with ADHD. How much help is too much?

When you have a teen with ADHD, they often have challenges with planning, organization, remembering their gym shoes, Spanish book, losing their interactive notebook and what have you.  That being said, how much help is too much?  Although they may need more support than most teens, they still need to be able to gain these skills in order to be functional adults some day.  This article by CHADD discusses how to give you teen with ADHD just the right amount of help.   Supportive or overparenting: Helping your teen with ADHD develop independence.

Manners Vs. Empathy and The Eddie Haskell Effect

This article published by NPR today really hit home with me.  It describes children who are kind but not necessarily helpful or thoughtful.  You might wonder how this is possible.  As described in the article, some children who have great manners are perceived as being kind even when they lack empathy.  In some cases, I've observed those children can actually be engaging in bullying behavior.  My friends and I have been calling it the Eddie Haskell Effect for years.  Do you remember Eddie from Leave It To Beaver (I'm dating myself)? He was especially polite to Beaver's parents but a real bully to Beaver.  When I was writing this blog tonight, I googled Eddie Haskell and discovered we were not the first ones to have seen this effect.  There is even an article from Psychology Today which describes it ( Eddie Haskell Effect ).  Since we are in National Bullying Prevention Month, it seems appropriate to have conversations about how to not only teach children to be polite, but a

Talking to parents about student assessments

In the recent years students have become bombarded by numerous assessments and tests at all levels. It is imperative that teachers and school personnel are able to explain to parents the meaning of the tests and test results. According to Rebecca Brown from Fast Bridge Learning parents need to understand: the purpose of the assessments, when assessments will be administered and what the test results mean. She recommends sending parents a summary of the planned assessments, reminding them of testing dates during the school year, and sharing information about how to interpret score reports. For more information on ways teachers can help parents make sense of the assessments and build better communication and parent-school partnerships follow link to the full article at the website below entitled  "Strategies for talking to parents about student assessments" By: Rachel Brown, Ph.D., NCSP. Strategies for Talking to Parents about student Assessments

Local Event to Discuss Suicide Prevention

On Thursday night at 6:30 p.m., a free event will be held at the Old Salem Visitor's Center to focus on suicide prevention among our youth.  There will be a distinguished panel of experts of the topic of suicide prevention, including our own Dr. Corliss Thompson-Drew.  The event is sponsored by the Mental Health Association in Forsyth County, Cardinal Innovations Healthcare, the N.C. Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and the Wake Forest School of Medicine's Clinical & Translational Science Institute. For more information, visit  http://www.journalnow.com/news/local/behavioral-health-groups-set-discussion-on-suicide-prevention/article_47bec9f2-c6eb-5597-a2a9-6de8cd617956.html

Youth Suicide in NC

Last week, The News and Observer published the first article in a three part series about youth suicide in North Carolina.  Along with the statistics, the article tells the very personal story of one local mother who is struggling to cope with the loss of her child to suicide.  According to the article, 46 children and teens committed suicide in 2014, an increase of about 1/3 from 2013.  Just as alarming, the number of youth suicides in North Carolina has doubled since the start of the decade.  The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that suicide is the second leading cause of death in this country for adolescents between the ages of 15 and 19.  I would encourage you to read this article and follow their three part series in order to learn more about what our state plans to do to support our youth.   http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article106638672.html

6th Annual Stand Up Step Up Walk/Rally Against Bullying

Image
Join the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools and its community partners for the 6th Annual Stand Up Step Up Walk/Rally Against Bullying on Saturday, October 8th at 8:00 a.m. a the BB&T Ballpark.  This is an opportunity for us to unite against bullying and show our children that we support and care about them. In addition to the walk itself, it promises to be a great morning with student performances and breakout sessions for middle and high school students.  

Revisiting the Question of Homework

We've posted on this topic several times. The research is unclear and parents and teachers are torn. Some think homework is essential to learning while others do not see benefits, only the stress it seems to create for students. Regardless of your opinion, this article from the Huffington Post provides a point of view you may not have considered. Homework does not yield the same benefits for low income children as it does for students from more financially secure backgrounds. As educators, we never truly know the pressures and responsibilities children face when they go home from school. All children do not have the same time and resources to complete assignments. To learn more about this perspective on homework, visit  http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_57bf3286e4b06384eb3e9e70?

IEP Meetings

Are you the parent or guardian of a child with special needs? If so, you probably know how stressful IEP meetings can be. Those meetings often involve lots of paperwork and terminology that can be confusing. This article from The Mighty suggests 10 important questions parents and guardians should ask during IEP meetings. https://themighty.com/2016/09/questions-every-parent-should-ask-at-an-iep-meeting/

Self-Injury

Do you know a young person who engages in self-injury? As a school psychologist, it seems like I am hearing about cutting more frequently and with younger students each year.  With the increased stress facing kids and teenagers these days, I worry because many do not have the coping skills to deal with this pressure.  It is estimated that approximately 15% of teenagers engage in self-injurious behaviors.  These articles from kidshealth.org and WebMD.com provide warning signs, factual information, and resources for help. As parents, guardians, and educators, it is imperative that we stay informed on this topic. http://kidshealth.org/en/teens/cutting.html# http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/features/cutting-self-harm-signs-treatment

October is National Bullying Prevention Month

Image
Throughout the month of October, we will be posting information on how to prevent bullying and the steps we can take to stop it.  In this informative video from stopbullying.gov, we find out about the role of a "bystander" and how this person can actually reinforce bullying behaviors.  They also provide strategies for how to teach children to be "more than a bystander."  To learn more, visit  https://www.stopbullying.gov/respond/be-more-than-a-bystander/index.html

The Pros and Cons of Stimulant Medication for ADHD

A couple of days ago we posted about the connection between ADHD and video games. Another concern I hear frequently from parents is that the stimulant medication used to treat ADHD will increase the chances of their child becoming a substance abuser. If you google this question, you will likely find conflicting information. According to this article from the ChildMind Institute, researchers from Princeton and Clemson University took a closer look at this issue.  Their research, which analyzed the Medicaid data from over 150,000 young people, found that individuals who took stimulant medication were less likely to engage in risky behaviors and had lower rates of substance abuse, STDs, and injuries.  What are your thoughts? Do you think the benefits of these medications outweigh the risks.  To learn more about this study, visit the ChildMind Institute at http://childmind.org/blog/adhd-meds-cut-risk-of-drug-abuse-stds/

The Relationship Between AD/HD and Video Games

I get this question frequently, "How could my child have AD/HD since they focus so well when playing video games?"  I also get this question, "Do video games cause AD/HD?"  The relationship between video games and AD/HD can be complicated and confusing.  Children with AD/HD often have no problem maintaining attention while playing video games because of the constant stimulation and immediate feedback they receive. Compare that to a classroom setting where they are required to focus on things that may not be as exciting as their video games. To learn more about what the research says about the connection between video games and AD/HD, visit http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/childhood-adhd/features/adhd-and-video-games-is-there-a-link#2

It's OK 2 Ask

Image
In addition to information from the national suicide awareness and prevention organizations we've been sharing with you this month, we also wanted to tell you about a website created by the North Carolina Youth Suicide Prevention Task Force, led by the Division of Public Health's Injury and Violence Prevention Branch.  This Task Force developed Saving Tomorrows Today: North Carolina's Plan to Prevent Youth Suicide  in October of 2004, to outline comprehensive strategies for preventing suicides of youth between 10 and 24 years of age. Part of this plan is the  It's OK 2 Ask....  about Suicide website, which is designed to prevent suicide among young people by providing them with information and resources, including videos, poems, and other materials created by their peers. The website provides information on how to recognize and respond to the warning signs of suicide and guidance on how to find help for depression and suicidal thoughts. It also encourages young people

W-S/FCS Suicide Prevention/Awareness Activities

As you know by now if you follow our blog, September is Suicide Prevention/Awareness Month.  We've been sharing information on this important topic through blog posts, our Twitter feed and Facebook.  These social media efforts are just one part of an ongoing process to continuously improve our crisis response actions for those students who may need immediate intervention from student services personnel in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. Last year, the district's school psychologists, social workers and school counselors went through updated training on crisis response procedures for students who may be at risk for suicide.  The Department of Psychological Services also produced a brochure this summer on suicide awareness and prevention.  Our goal is to put this information into the hands of all teachers and other school personnel who are on the "front lines" with our students every day.  Our teachers are the primary source of referrals for students who may nee

Helping Children Manage Distress

Like many of you, I closely followed the breaking news coverage from Charlotte last night, as peaceful protests following a police shooting later became violent. The situation in Charlotte is – unfortunately – only the latest in what seems like a never-ending cycle.  With the extensive media access that is now available to all of us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, it would be understandable for anyone to feel overwhelmed with the endless stream of information delivered to our inboxes, smart phones, televisions, tablets, etc.  In the 10 days since the anniversary of 9/11, news headlines locally and nationally have included acts of terrorism in Minnesota, New York and New Jersey, ongoing racial tensions and strained relationships between police and community - and let's not even mention politics. If current events are stressful for us as adults,then it's a safe bet that some children may also be feeling hurt, scared or confused. This summer, we shared with you a resource from

Mental Health App for Adolescents and Young Adults

I do not consider myself the most tech savvy person, but I do try and stay informed on the latest apps, especially when they are designed for young people. Yesterday a student at my high school introduced me to Buddy Booster.  I was so intrigued that I spent some time learning more about it and reading the user reviews.  Buddy Booster was designed for youth and young adults to help them manage their wellness and overall mental health.  Users choose a character, or buddy, that falls asleep everyday and the user has to "wake" it up by interacting with it.  Users start by identifying how they feel each day. Based on that information, users must complete activities to get their buddy going.  If they are having a day of crisis, the app provides coping strategies as well as emergency contact information.  All of this information has to be entered by the user (in the settings) so it is designed to meet his or her particular needs. There are more features available on the app to help

Random Acts of Kindness

Image
Amy Clay, School Psychologist (Brunson Elementary, The Downtown School, Wiley Middle & Parkland High) Most of us have heard the phrase "random acts of kindness" before.  If you'd like to learn more, there's even a  Random Acts of Kindness Foundation  and their website provides lots of suggestions and information.  The idea is to do something small that may create ripples, so that others will "pay it forward" by then engaging in random acts of kindness themselves.  Simple things like paying a compliment to someone or writing a note of thanks can have a positive impact on others. Last week, you may have seen or read about Florida State University football player Travis Rudolph having lunch with a middle school student who has autism.  While visiting the school with several teammates, Mr. Rudolph saw a young man named Bo eating lunch alone at a table by himself.  Their lunch meeting was captured in a photo that has gained national media attention.

Mental Health in Schools

Amy Clay, School Psychologist (Brunson Elementary, The Downtown School, Wiley Middle & Parkland High) NPR has just released the first part of an educational series on mental health in schools, and it contains some powerful information on what they refer to as a "silent epidemic."  For example, 1 of 5 children in the United States shows signs of mental health disorders in any given year.  However, around 80% of these students will not receive the mental health services needed for issues such as anxiety, depression, substance abuse, etc.  Not surprisingly, this can lead to a decline in school performance for some students. My favorite part of this story is a discussion of the roles and realities related to mental health issues in children.  I've included excerpts below: " The teacher The role: During the week, many students see their teachers even more than their own families. Teachers are in a prime spot to notice changes in behavior. They read essays

Youth Suicide

Last year, two of our very own School Psychologists, Abby Flynn and Liz Williams, wrote this helpful guide on youth suicide for the popular parenting blog, Triad Moms on Main.  Since September is National Suicide Prevention Month, we thought it would be a great time to re-post the article.  We hope you will take the time to read this information as we continue to promote awareness and prevention of youth suicide.  http://triadmomsonmain.com/my-blog/youth-suicide-facts/

Playing With a Concussion Could Double Recovery Time

Amy Clay, School Psychologist  (Brunson Elementary, The Downtown School, Wiley Middle & Parkland High) Over recent years, we have seen an increasing awareness of concussions and other types of head injury.  The CDC has done some excellent work in this area, with their HeadsUp! program for athletes and they have a wealth of information available on their website about concussions.  One thing that the CDC makes clear is that ALL concussions should be taken seriously.  Certainly not all head injuries have lasting effects, but some do. New findings from research published in the journal Pediatrics  reinforce the CDC's stance that all concussions should be taken seriously. Playing With Concussion Delays Recovery Time Although this was not a large study, the findings are powerful.  It was reported that student athletes suffering a concussion who were immediately removed from play - which is the first step in the CDC's HeadsUp! program - took 22 to days to recover.  Ho

Six Myths About Suicide

Since September is designated as National Suicide Prevention Month, we will be updating the blog with information on this topic throughout the month.  This article from NPR stresses the critical role educators and parents play in protecting those children at risk.  One challenge we face is understanding and overcoming the myths we may have about suicide.  To learn more about what those myths are, visit  http://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2016/09/02/478835539/6-myths-about-suicide-that-every-educator-and-parent-should-know

September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day

Image
Amy Clay, School Psychologist (Brunson Elementary, The Downtown School, Wiley Middle & Parkland High) September is designated as National Suicide Prevention Month, in order to educate and involve others in the prevention of suicide.  The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)  reports that suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, with approximately 42,773 deaths per year.  Here is AFSP's Fact Sheet  on how suicide impacts us in North Carolina: The  National Alliance on Mental Illness  shares these warning signs for suicide risk: Threats or comments about killing themselves, also known as suicidal ideation, can begin with seemingly harmless thoughts like “I wish I wasn’t here” but can become more overt and dangerous Increased alcohol and drug use Aggressive behavior Social withdrawal from friends, family and the community Dramatic mood swings Talking, writing or thinking about death Impulsive or reckless behavior As

IEP vs 504 plan: What's the difference?

Although many people know that both an IEP and a 504 plan are designed to help a child succeed in their education, fewer people are clear on the differences.  According the authors of this article, " Both Individual Educational Programs (IEPs) and 504 plans can offer formal help for K-12 students with learning and attention issues.  They're similar in some ways but quite different in others."  In this article on understood.org, the differences are clearly compared in a side by side table.  https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/special-services/504-plan/the-difference-between-ieps-and-504-plans

Good Behavior Game

As we enter the new school year, teachers may be looking for new ideas for fostering positive behaviors in their classrooms.  The Good Behavior Game is a whole-class approach to behavior management that teaches appropriate behavior and rewards students for displaying those behaviors. It is a research-based approach that can be implemented during certain academic times of the day to motivate students to stay on-task. the amount of time that the game is "played" can be incrementally increased as children are more and more successful. Best of all, students love to play! To implement this game, follow the link below for more information. http://www.interventioncentral.org/behavioral-interventions/schoolwide-classroommgmt/good-behavior-game

Tommy Hilfiger Debuts Second Adaptive Clothing Line

Image
Last year, we shared with you that Tommy Hilfiger produced a line of adaptive clothing for children who are differently-abled.  Those items included magnetic closures, rather than zippers, buttons or other fasteners that could prove challenging, as well as adjustable waistlines and other features to make the clothing more accessible.  The Wall Street Journal did a great story this summer on adaptive clothing, including the Tommy Hilfiger line.  You can see their coverage in the video below: In addition to the original line of clothing that Tommy Hilfiger released in the Spring, they've now also developed a "Back to School" collection, in partnership with Runway of Dreams, a nonprofit group that works with clothing brands to modify existing lines or to develop new lines that meet the needs of the differently-abled.  (If you are interested in this topic, you can find amazing and inspiring videos documenting the Runway of Dreams fashion shows on YouTube!)  In addition

Waht If You Catn Reda?

Last week, I saw this story from Colorado Public Radio and thought it was worth sharing with others.  It opens with this: " Ecno ynam sraey oga a relddif emac ot eht egalliv. Eh doots ni eht egalliv erauqs litnu eht elpoep emac ot netsil dna ot ecnad. A ylloj rehctu decnad htiw eht diamklim . That was the sentence in front of me and I didn’t know what it said."  The author of the story, Jenny Brundin, describes her experiences alongside Denver area teachers in a workshop that was designed to simulate learning difficulties.  One of the most powerful observations she shares is the sense of frustration and hopelessness that many of the adult participants experienced during this simulation.  Even veteran teachers within this group described feeling discouraged and experiencing self-doubt.  It was interesting to see that some of the adults in this simulation also engaged in behaviors such as "shutting down, avoidance [and] being angry" as a result of their

Bitty & Beau's Coffee

The parents and guardians of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities often struggle with how to plan for life after high school.  Did you know almost 70% of adults with intellectual disabilities are unemployed?  In this article, we learn about an amazing couple in Wilmington, North Carolina who have created a safe and positive work environment for these individuals.  As the owners of this special coffee shop, they discovered that working with this population has been one of the "greatest joys in life."  To learn more, visit https://themighty.com/2016/02/coffee-shop-run-by-staffers-with-disabilities/

Setting up a Peace Table in your classroom for Conflict Resolution and Anger Management

Conflicts between peers are a normal (and daily!) occurrence. These experiences are an integral part of growing up and given the right tools, provide students a valuable learning opportunity.  However, finding the right tools and time to deal with these ongoing conflicts can become frustrating, time consuming, and in the worst circumstances, can detract from valuable teaching time. As parents and teachers, it’s a natural reaction to try to force a conversation, insist on a solution, and fix the problem. This may work in the moment (instant gratification!); however, we know that this doesn’t give children the tools to resolve the next conflict on their own. Fortunately, a friend of mine shared a wonderful teaching strategy that she employs in her Kindergarten classroom. This strategy can be used in any grade and provides students with a structured way to learn conflict resolution. Like any successful tool, time spent teaching the strategy upfront is necessary in order to expect chil

Promoting a smoother transition back to school

Returning to school after summer break can evoke lots of emotions in kids and adults alike.  Our kids may have anxiety about starting school again, and all that experience entails.  As parents we may experience anxiety as well during this time of transition.  This article provides tips on how to make this transition from summer to school a smoother and more enjoyable one for the entire family. http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/going-to-school/back-to-school/transition/

Welcome Back!

Image
Psyched About School took a much needed break for a few months.  We hope all of you had an enjoyable and restful summer!  As we prepare for the return of our students on Monday, we wanted to start the school year with a great article from Edutopia.  The article gives ideas on how to encourage a positive mindset in your students by helping them find their strengths and personal resources.  Throughout the year, look for more ideas on how to promote a growth mindset in the classroom and at home. http://www.edutopia.org/blog/helping-students-start-year-positive-mindset-maurice-elias?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow