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National School Psychology Week, November 8-12, 2021

 

School psychologists are uniquely qualified members of school teams serving students, staff, and families. School psychologists receive specialized advanced graduate preparation that includes coursework and practical experiences relevant to both psychology and education. They apply expertise in mental health, learning, and behavior, to change lives by taking actions to help children and youth succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. In alignment with the FCPS Strategic Plan and Portrait of a Graduate, school psychologists help individuals realize their own abilities, develop the skills they need to cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively and fruitfully, and be valuable contributors in the community.

 

School psychologists help students develop the social, emotional, and life skills necessary to realize personal achievement and growth, and to build resilience and a sense of belonging. Through the delivery of direct services using evidenced-based practices, school psychologists help students build social and emotional competence, and the skills required to actively engage in learning.

 

School psychologists collaborate with school teams to develop universal prevention and intervention practices across a multi-tiered system of supports. These practices foster resilience, increase educators’ understanding of social and emotional development, reduce barriers to learning, and enhance students’ protective factors. School psychologists bring knowledge of data collection and analysis to team discussions, which informs the development of interventions and monitoring of student progress.

 

School psychologists intervene when students experience mental health issues, which may require a thorough risk assessment, intervention through individual or group counseling, and helping to connect families to community resources. They are members of crisis response teams and risk assessment teams, they assess and assist students at risk of harming themselves, and they teach and implement trauma-informed practices.

 

School psychologists consult with school staff and parents to further their understanding of youth mental health and empower them to develop the necessary skills to respond to complex student needs.

 

All children and youth can face problems from time to time related to learning, social relationships, making difficult decisions, or managing emotions such as feeling depressed, anxious, worried, or isolated. School psychologists help students, families, educators, and members of the community understand and resolve both long-term, chronic problems and short-term issues that students may face. They are a highly skilled and ready resource in the effort to ensure that all FCPS children and youth thrive in school, at home, and in life.