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WSPA Response to Extended School Closure and Evaluation Timelines due to COVID-19

The WSPA Executive Board voted on May 18, 2020 to endorse the following guidance for School Psychologists: LINK

WSPA Updates based on the Pandemic (Apr 30, 2020)

We stand in support of all school psychologists in making efforts to help and support all children during our social response to the pandemic. We know that this has been challenging on many levels (e.g., online platforms, family responsibilities, personal health challenges to name a few!) Hang in there!! We have linked some important NASP resources following this announcement. Please check them out.

WSPA Long Range Planning, traditionally held in June, is cancelled and will not be rescheduled this year. We will conduct our important work on the 5-Year Vision and Plan during the next academic year. While it would have been nice to complete this document, the challenges of the pandemic on Board Members and this important work can't be overlooked. We do not want to short change the process or the outcome just for the sake of completing it. The Board will still hold its June meeting - albeit virtually. If you would like to attend and/or have the Board consider business items, please EMAIL

WSPA Fall Conference in October is cancelled. The thought of coming back to work in the fall and tending to students and educators, with reduced professional development budgets, and concerns for the lingering pandemic response made the Fall Conference difficult to hold. We know this is a time when we come together and many get rejuvenated by attending our conferences. The Board is going to work towards putting material together to focus on self-care that you can access on our website during the School Psychology Awareness Week in November. Stay tuned for details.

We are planning for the Spring Conference and plan to hold it at the end of January. We are hoping this will be a good chance for the pandemic to be contained and offers the opportunity to get together. While we are watching the news and listening to medical experts paint the long range picture of the pandemic response and the "new normal," we are hopeful that we can get together and renew our connections. I know I am looking forward to connecting with colleagues and hearing a number of stories told over lunch and networking opportunities about, "well in my district, this is how we approached teaching, learning, and mental health during the pandemic." I am keeping my fingers crossed.

As has been the case this spring, we have all learned how fluid plans need to be moving forward. While we are taking reasonable steps to think forward, we also acknowledge that the landscape can change on a dime (or a day!). We will do our best to keep you updated and informed as we move forward. In the meantime, I suspect you have been inundated with emails and links for resources - the learning curve has been steep. Take care of yourself and know that we are supporting you in your work the best we can.

Take Care, Stay Safe, and Wash your Hands!

Rob Dixon, Interim WSPA President and CPD Chair.

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Clink this link for: NASP CPD Supports During the COVID-19 Health Crisis

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