April / May 2009

Vol. 18, No. 5

Why is it that no matter how many TRIs you bump up to the Fall or how much
you try to prepare yourself, it always seems that Spring brings more IEPs,
parent requests, and altogether craziness?  I don’t know about you, but I am so
ready for Spring Break and wondering if it is bad to start counting down the
days until summer.  Well, I have decided that I need to learn some better ways
to de-stress and make the most of the time I spend away from work.  I found a
great list of ways to do this.  At first I thought, I already know all of this, but
then I tried to remember the last time I did some of these things.  The answer
was, for most of the items…“a long, long time ago”.  I wonder if some of you
are like me and go home at night or spend time at home on the weekends, but
do not actually sit down and take a moment or a few moments to decompress. 

Here’s the list: 
1. Surround yourself with positive people.
2. Rent a funny movie or visit a joke Web site.
3. Get moving! Exercise or dance to your favorite CD.
4. Set aside 5 or 10 minutes to have "you" time.
5. Keep a journal.
6. Clean your email inbox weekly.
7. Do yoga.
8. Take a bubble bath.
9. Surround yourself with positive people.
10. Rent a funny movie or visit a joke Web site.
11. Get moving! Exercise or dance to your favorite CD.
12. Set aside 5 or 10 minutes to have "you" time.
13. Keep a journal.
14. Clean your email inbox weekly.
15. Do yoga.
16. Take a bubble bath.

Pretty simple, right?  Well, obviously, for many of us, easier said than done.  However, I could
do many of these things on a daily basis, but often feel that there is something else that is more
pressing.  Of course, if I simply took the time to take a bubble bath, or go to that yoga class, or
just dance, I might be less stressed and might not be waiting to do all these things on spring
break or summer vacation.
 
In January, we held two half-day workshops on the same day.  First, Jan Paulus, provided us a
look into the intricacies of the NEPSY-II.  Over 75 people attended and the response was very
positive, except many attendees had wished the workshop had been longer.  Then, in the
afternoon, Bobbie Kohrt gave us practical strategies and useful ideas for implementing socials
skills for students with ASD.  Overall response was also very good and over 100 people
attended.  Truly a successful day.  Thank you to all who attended and helped coordinate the
workshops.
 
On another note, I attended the CASP Convention from March 12 through March 13.  Every
time I attend a conference with other school psychologists, I am amazed at the amount of
knowledge and experience that can be in one room.  As usual, the workshops that I attended
were extremely informative and helpful.  I was especially impressed by the NASP president and
his thoughts on what is happening with the APA changing the qualifications of who can serve
students in California public schools.  CASP has extensive information available on their website
at http://www.caspsurveys.org/NEW/mla.asp.  In short, CASP “strongly oppose[s] a number
of the proposed changes and the language that would seriously undermine services to children,
families, and schools, as well as school psychologists’ professional identity and practice.”  I
want to reiterate the concern that approval of the APA proposed Model Licensure Act (MLA)
could seriously endanger our job.  There are so many times that we fail to act when it is in our
best interest to do so.  This is one of those times.  Please, take the time to send your response at
the website listed above.  Also, encourage your colleagues, friends, family, and anyone who
cares to also send a response.  By simply taking a few moments to read more and act, as
someone put it to me the other day, the job you save could be your own.

I would also like to take a moment to extend SCCASP’s support to any school psychologists
who have been given pink slips or layoff notice from their districts.  Too be honest, I do not
really know what to say, but I think all of us have been concerned in recent months and
understand how difficult it must be for those of you who have received layoff notices.  Be
assured that we are thinking about you and good luck!
 
Lastly, we are in the process of figuring out what workshops we are going to be providing for
next year.  We are taking your recommendations from our members to help us determine which
workshops would be most beneficial.  Of course, we will do our best to provide interesting and
informative workshops that will help us do our jobs better.  If you have a suggestion that you
would like us to consider, please email us.  Contact information is under the Executive Board
section further in the newsletter.  We hope to provide some great workshops that you will find to
be worthwhile and beneficial.
 
Sincerely,
Sarah Rodriguez, Co-President