Look forward to seeing and meeting new parents at the upcoming Open House for SWMS! Have any questions beforehand? Email me at [email protected].
Another summer has come and gone, and the new school year is here to greet us again!
Many student services professionals worked this summer, pouring into backlogged special education evaluations and/or summer social-emotional learning (SEL) in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS.) Others enjoyed the quiet of the summer time or the company of family and friends as they lounged at home or traveled the country. Regardless of how your summer was spent, it's important the note that the next few workdays are being spent gearing up for the return of students IN PERSON! Many of our children have not physically been in a school building since March 2020...let that sink in...March of 2020. 18 months ago...that's a substantial amount of time without "traditional" learning. However, what we do know is that although things didn't look traditional over the last year and a half, there was much our students DID learn. Students learned technology; students learned how to advocate for themselves via email and other tech tools. Although many may choose to focus on "learning loss," remember there was so much that was gained during this time, such as time with loved ones and time to stop the "rat race' of the regular school year. But, for those who struggled finding solace and only found stress during the school year, know that school psychologists and other school professionals are working to make things better. Again, this school year may not look like others...but, it will be school AND there will be learning, believe that! Have a great school year! Check back periodically for updates on how to care for self, and other strategies for coping over the course of a school year that is surely different from others. Take care! Jo Ellen The life of a school psychologist in the Spring Semester is chock full of initial and reevaluation referrals, case consultations, counseling, and so much more. It was important, for my mental and emotional well-being, to take a bit of a break from sharing things here as to "reclaim my time," and make sure I was being fully present for my family AND my school.
Even now, as we are in the downward spiral toward the very end of the school year (6 more weeks remain,) it is important to maintain boundaries and to know when to say "no." Honestly, I have not done such a great job of that this school year, but saying "no" will likely open you up to more time, believe it or not - time to take a deep breathe and take care of yourself. In addition to learning how to say "no," there are other ways to maintain boundaries professionally too. Take your work email off your personal cell phone. Respond to emails within a set time parameter, but it doesn't have to be right when they jump into your mailbox. Take a lunch break, even if it is only 10 minutes. Those moments may be just what allows you to be a better, calmer professional on the job. One doesn't have to try and do all of the above at the same time, but, with any goals, set something short-term and go from there. Track your progress and celebrate your small wins. I know I always do :-) So many of us looked forward to the end of 2020 and the bright future that is promised by a new year. However, we're 10 days in and things still seem as bleak as ever: COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths continue increase in most parts of our country, and a mom of rioters breached the US Capitol and brought violence and mayhem, which resulted in the deaths of 5 individuals. Whew...2021 - off to a GREAT start (insert sarcasm here.)
Nevertheless, the change we still hope to see is something that individually we can still achieve. It may take some ignoring of the constant news circuit, and some more focusing in on yourself and what your body, mind and spirit are telling you. This week, in my building, I'm inviting others to take the following Self Care Assessment linked here: http://socialwork.buffalo.edu/content/dam/socialwork/home/self-care-kit/self-care-assessment.pdf So many times, when a new year begins, we set lofty goals. We may think we know or understand our "why," but often times, we don't. Many years ago, before a baby and othe responsibilities, I completed a training program for beginner runners...in the heart of winter Week after week, we endured some pretty frigid conditions, tough hills, low motivation, amongst other possibly barriers. Our running coaches kept telling us, "Remember your why." You're more likely to stick with something, anything IF you have a why...and remind yourself of it. So, as you may struggle with the news of the last few days (we're only 10 days in, again I remind you!) maybe it's time to turn the outside noise off and set a plan, remembering your why. It just might be the turn of the year you need :-) Happy New Year - it's up to US to keep it happy! Eight years ago, one of the most heinous school shootings in US history, took place in an elementary school in a small, suburban community in Connecticut. Twenty students and six adults were killed; two were injured. One of the adults killed was school psychologist Mary Sherlach. Her and the school principal, Dawn Hochsprung, were confronted by the shooter upon his entrance into this small, cozy community school. The events of the day rocked the nation and changed how we respond to crisis events in school communities to this day.
Throughout this pandemic, many psychologists and other mental health professionals have brought up the topic of self-care for those struggling with the day-to-day rollercoaster that COVID-19 has brought to our country and our world. But, what if you're a student - or an adult - struggling with mental health crises in the midst of a pandemic? With most schools physically closed for remote learning, many students are isolated from their student services supports; crisis center hotlines are reporting surges in reports of suicidal ideation. In addition, the loneliness that many students are experiencing during this pandemic may lead to potential thoughts of acts of violence against self and others, if students are suffering from mental illness and the prolonged effects of stress and trauma. As a school psychologist, one of the many tools I can pass on is being aware of the warning signs of school violence, and the role I can play in preventing it: Warning Signs: 1. Suddenly withdrawing from friends, family and activities (including online or via social media) 2. Making statements or engaging in behavior meant to intimidate or mock others based on real or perceived differences (including race, religion, sexual orientation, etc.) 3. Excessive irritability, lack of patience, or becoming angry quickly 4. Experiencing chronic loneliness or social isolation 5. Expressing persistent thoughts of harming themselves or someone else 6. Making direct threats toward a place, another person, or themselves 7. Bragging about access to guns or weapons 8. Recruiting accomplices or audiences for an attack 9. Directly expressing a threat as a plan Being connected, even though we're "staying apart," is so important now more than ever. If you work in a school or are a current student, make sure to connect with friends, families and classmates that you haven't seen online or heard from in a while. Although they may not be experiencing intense trauma and stress, connecting with them may just be the highlight of their day; it also may encourage them to keep the lines of communication open, preventing possible signs of stress and trauma. My heart and prayers are with the Sandy Hook Community today, and all other school communities that have dealt with gun violence. I hope and pray a day will come when that will never be a headline again. "School psychologists are uniquely qualified members of school teams that support students' ability to learn and teachers' ability to teach. They apply expertise in mental health, learning, and behavior, to help children and youth succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. School psychologists partner with families, teachers, school administrators, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments that strengthen connections between home, school, and the community."
We often don't see them around the school building...maybe because they're itinerant. Maybe because they're in their office, buried underneath testing protocols. Maybe because they're calming the irate kid down outside who refuses to come back in the school. But, no matter what, he/she is there! I knew School Psychology was for me when I wanted to marry my love for data and numbers with education. I've always believed fondly in the promise of a good education for all children, and I didn't know how to advocate for that need. I wish every child can be the best version of himself/herself, but I wanted more influence (and flexibility) than a classroom teacher has. I VALUE teachers so much, but I just knew it wasn't for me. But, working in close proximity to them is amazing! The path to become a school psychologist for me wasn't easy - in the midst of grad school, Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. A few years after that, a recession hit...and a bad economy took away the job I had just worked so hard for. But, luckily, I've found my way back to my passion and am extremely proud to work in this field. Being a black, woman of color in this field (pretty much a unicorn!) fuels me to support the children who don't always see diversity and representations of themselves within the school setting. I hope that my new role, as the South Piedmont Regional Representative for the North Carolina School Psychology Association (NCSPA) further promotes the need for diverse mindsets, training and passion for children. For more information about School Psychology, visit the website www.nasponline.org. October is QUITE the busy month when it comes to awareness activities. In addition to some other well-known conditions October brings awareness to (breast cancer and bullying, to name a few) October is also known as ADHD Awareness month.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Deficit (ADHD) is a mental health disorder that can impact the way people think and focus. There are three recognized diagnosed types of ADHD - Predominantly Inattentive Type, Hyperactive/Impulsive Type and Combined Type. Usually, ADHD is diagnosed in children and can cause problems into adulthood. HOWEVER, ADHD can be manageable, depending on the course of treatment/management a person chooses. Some might choose to manage behaviors related to ADHD with medication; others may choose behavior modification skills. Research states a mix of both strategies may yield the best results, but it is truly up to the individual/family to figure out how to manage ADHD. When diagnosed, many people may feel distraught about their general functioning. However, as a mental health community, we know SO MUCH about ADHD, including how many INTELLIGENT, CREATIVE individuals have diagnoses YET still go on to lead fulfilling, successful lives and careers. Please review the link, below, from ADDitude magazine (online) about many musicians, actors and athletes who live with ADHD that have been successful in their careers. www.additudemag.com/slideshows/famous-people-with-adhd/?utm_source=eletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=adult_october_2020&utm_content=101320&goal=0_d9446392d6-7dfc4c5641-288678129 If you have any questions/concerns about ADHD and even wonder if YOU might have ADHD, feel free to talk to your primary care physician and/or school psychologist :-) Now, more than ever, families and children are connected to the internet - connecting with family and friends via social media and texting, logging onto class everyday via Google Meet and/or Zoom, and playing video games with people across the country on video game systems. Unfortunately, as we connect more and more virtually, we also put ourselves at risk more for cyberbullying.
Cyberbullying is defined as, "bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. (https://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/what-is-it, 2020.)" Cyberbullying can be argued to be ever more dangerous than bullying, as it can occur continuously by the person doing the bullying. It can also be often done under the nose of a teacher and/or school staff member and be unrecognizable or hard to trace. That's why it's important, as students and families, we learn what to do if/when cyberbullying occurs. Take a look at the graphic linked below from Pacer's National Bullying Prevention Center about what we all can do to stop cyberbullying in its tracks. Just as with bullying, being proactive when it first occurs can help nip future instances in the bud! www.pacer.org/bullying/classroom/pdf/covid-infographic-migh-high.pdf |
AuthorNC DPI licensed School Psychologist Archives
August 2022
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