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WHAT'S HAPPENING AT NASP

by Peggy Berglund, NASP Delegate

August, 2009

Dear NASP Members,

As the end of the summer nears and our thoughts begin to turn to the new school year, I want to share with you a few NASP updates. NASP's advocacy efforts on our behalf are critical to the future of the profession. NASP members, their colleagues, and other stakeholders engaged in an unprecedented effort during the recent APA Model Act Public Comment Period. More than 7,000 letters were sent to APA through the NASP website. In addition, NASP also received copies of more than 100 school psychology association and external stakeholder letters, including letters from APA affiliates, state departments of education, superintendents, special education directors, principals, union leaders, and elected officials. In total, APA reported that 19,000 letters had been received encouraging APA to retain the exemption for school psychologists!

Last month, Scott Poland, NASP Past President, represented NASP and provided testimony during a Congressional hearing on Strengthening School Safety through Prevention of Bullying for the House Subcommittees on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education and Healthy Families and Communities. Read and view archived webcasts of all testimonies at http://edlabor.house.gov/hearings/2009/07/strengthening-school-safety-th.shtml or view Scott's testimony at www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEGxDsb55pg

Susan Gorin, NASP Executive Director, recently attended the Flu Summit to hear the latest on the H1N1 Flu Pandemic that is predicted to hit children and schools this coming year. NASP will continue to work with the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services (including the Centers for Disease Control) and our partner organizations on how to respond to this potential crisis in the schools. You can access a handout and podcast, available in English and Spanish, with tips for parents on talking to their children about the flu virus at www.nasponline.org/resources/swineflu.aspx

As you begin to gear up for the new school year, you will want to check out the back-to-school resources available at www.nasponline.org/families/index.aspx#back. The offerings include two new audio articles, Back to School Transitions and Home-School Conferences. NASP is partnering with 'Fishful Thinking' to make additional resources available for parents and teachers. Accessible at http://www.fishfulthinking.com, the program provides tips and activities designed to help increase children's optimism and resiliency.

To get the year off to a strong start, consider purchasing some of the latest publications in the field on topics including RTI, multiculturalism, school crisis intervention, and more. Members save up to 20% on most publications and if you act before September 30, as a NASP member, you can save $100 off the list price on the latest edition of the practice essential, Best Practices in School Psychology V. You can access the online store at www.nasponline.org/publications/index.aspx

If you have moved over the summer or are starting a new job, visit www.nasponline.org and click on 'View My Profile' to provide a new mailing address or a preferred e-mail address. While you are online, you can also choose which member e-mail and print communications you want to receive from NASP.

I hope you enjoy the final weeks of summer, and I look forward to bringing you more NASP news in September.

Sincerely,

Peggy Berglund,
OR Delegate

	Web www.ospaonline.com