FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 6, 2001

(SAMPLE PRESS RELEASE—SCHOOL PSYCH WEEK)

-- MEDIA ALERT --

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School Psychologists Help Students “Connect the Dots” During National School Psychology Awareness Week—November 9–13, 2015

Bethesda, MD—The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) has designated November 9–13, 2015 as National School Psychology Awareness Week. This year’s theme, “Connect the Dots and THRIVE!” highlights the importance of connecting students to the academic and social-emotional skills they need to promote personal achievement, growth, and resilience, as well as a sense of belonging and wellbeing. Schools around the country will be taking part in events and activities designed to help students and schools thrive.

NASP President Todd A. Savage explains how this year’s theme is meant to highlight connections between all the different factors contributing to student success. “School climate, access to services and supports, and academic and social-emotional skills all have an impact on students’ abilities to achieve their best,” notes Savage. “School psychologists work every day to enhance the connections between students, schools, and the evidence-based practices to help them thrive.”

This year, school psychologists will be working with teachers and other educators to help students connect their strengths and skills development in order to meet personal goals, overcome challenges, build positive relationships within the school community, and improve their academic achievement.”

“Children learn and grow as they take on and overcome new challenges. With the right supports, they can see how obstacles or frustrations can become opportunities to develop their skills,” says Savage. “The learning environment is the ideal setting to help students make the connection between every positive step in their lives and the strength that grows from these steps.”

Additionally, school psychologists will be collaborating with school staff to reinforce the connections that help schools become thriving communities. “Many of the School Psychology Awareness Week resources and activities can be applied to whole-school initiatives,” notes Savage. “This includes strengthening positive relationships between adults and students, improving behavior, establishing welcoming school environments, reinforcing a sense of mutual respect, and contributing to the good of the whole group”.

Several NASP programs are in place to reinforce aspects of the theme. School staff can use the Student POWER Award to recognize those students who work to make a difference through hard work, personal optimism, and dedication to others. The Possibilities in Action Partnership Award recognizes the contributions of teachers, administrators, other staff, and parents make to support the needs of the whole child. The Gratitude Works program is designed to help students focus on positive relationships, mature socially, and grow an understanding of the world by fostering gratitude through a variety of activities.

As part of National School Psychology Awareness Week, school psychologists at [NAME OF SCHOOL] will be adapting resources and activities provided by NASP to [FILL IN SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES AT YOUR SCHOOL.]

NASP represents 25,000 school psychologists throughout the United States and abroad. NASP empowers school psychologists by advancing effective practices to improve students’ learning, behavior, and mental health.

For further information contact [LOCAL CONTACT] or NASP Director of Communications Kathy Cowan at 301-347-1665 or [email protected], or visit www.nasponline.org.

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