KANSAS ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS

Empowering Children, Educators, and Families


Kansas Association of School Psychologists





Winter 2022 Edition

Jill Marzolf, Editor Brittany Reed, Associate Editor


KASP Vision and Mission

KASP VISIONKASP visibly leads in promoting proactive, research-based practices and partnerships which foster the academic and psychological well-being of children, for their benefit and that of their families, schools, communities, and the profession of School Psychology.

KASP MISSION:  KASP exists to advocate for the psychological and educational well-being of Kansas children, while serving the needs of the membership and promoting school psychology as a profession.


President's Message

Hello KASP members!

It’s hard to believe that the first semester is behind us! My fellow co-workers keep talking about how much more difficult this year has been than the last one and how much harder we have to work. Staff and student absences not only put a strain on the system, but we also have seen an uptick in behaviors and staff burnout. This is why it is so important that we take care of ourselves and make sure our oxygen tanks are on before helping others. I know that saying has been used so much during the pandemic but it continues to ring even more true as we progress through the year.

The KASP board met in January for our retreat at Fort Hays State University and we have some exciting things up our sleeves. We discussed making some changes to our criteria for our Minority Scholarship and increasing the amount awarded to the scholarship recipients. Another important discussion we had was getting back into changing the Emotional Disturbance category label. This was presented in 2020, however with the pandemic hitting it did not move further.

Additionally, as a board we have worked on our strategic plan over time and we are excited to get going on our strategic goal areas. Our strategic goal areas are lowering ratios, practice model alignment, school psychologists as leaders, and equitable access for marginalized groups. We will be looking for volunteers to help us with some of our initiatives so be on a lookout for an email!

Through these difficult times I challenge you to do one thing every single day that makes you happy, even if it is watching an episode of a show that you have seen many times (this is me with The Office!).

Keep rocking!

Lina Kitson, Ph.D., NCSP

KASP President




Lina Kitson, Ph.D., NCSP

KASP President

KASP IN SOCIAL MEDIA

 We send updates and information  via social media. This is also a great space for collaboration!

Board News and Announcements

Board Minute Summary by Angie Howard, Secretary

The KASP Executive Board convened in Hays, Kansas on the evening of Friday, January 7, 2022 and on Saturday, January 8, 2022.  The meeting on Saturday was called to order at 8:42 a.m.  Board members engaged in roll call and introductions.  Lina Kitson officially assumed the role of President of KASP.  The minutes from the October 2021 Board Meeting were approved after short discussion.  Members of the board engaged in Onboarding procedures, which included a brief discussion and review of established meeting norms, board responsibilities, the Constitution, and bylaws, which were distributed for review prior to the meeting. 

Board members engaged in small and large group discussions regarding the strategic priorities and established a plan for further refining and prioritizing strategic goals and actions for the upcoming year.  The board discussed options for increasing membership participation in accomplishing strategic tasks, noting importance of providing a clear description of opportunities available and details regarding time commitment. 

Members of the board discussed plans for revisiting discussion regarding a possible change to the Emotional Disturbance label that was paused in 2020, citing the importance of continuing this discussion with stakeholders.  Board members reviewed the criteria for the KASP Minority Scholarship and proposed possible changes to the qualifications as well as additional strategies for marketing the scholarship to ensure reaching those eligible and a robust applicant pool.  The Kansas School Psychology Evaluation Protocol (KSPEP) Sub-Committee shared with those present the revised NASP 2020 aligned evaluation form for review.  The KSPEP will be reviewed by board members and sent to KSDE for review by April with the goal of promotion to membership and administrators later this spring. 

The Treasurer gave the 2021 End of Year Budget Report and the board worked to establish and approve the 2022 budget.  The GPR representative reviewed plans for the upcoming School Mental Health Awareness day on January 27, 2022 at the state capital.  Region Directors engaged in small group discussion and planning for a combined virtual region meeting to provide information and training related to social emotional and behavioral needs of students.  Updates were provided by the President and Conference Chair related to upcoming conferences and the board engaged in planning for these events.  Members of the board proposed and approved changes to the standing rules to provide clarity for determining NASP Convention attendees sponsored by KASP and procedures for purchasing gifts/awards.  Board members briefly reviewed action items for completion.  The meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m. 

Angie Howard

Secretary

Report from the Treasurer

The KASP board recently approved the president’s budget for 2022.  President Lina Kitson’s 2022 initiatives include an additional budget item for ESPS Recognition Program Grants, a focus on activities to retain and increase KASP membership and increase funding for the Minority Student Scholarships.  

Virtual KASP programs over the last two years have resulted in spending underbudget.  If you have questions or comments about the budget, feel free to contact me:  juliezschoolpsych@gmail.com

Julie Zollinger

Kansas Association of School Psychologists
2021 Expenses and Approved 2022 Budget

Budget Line (and brief description)

2021 Expenses

2022 Budget

Capital Outlay (replacement or support for fixed assets)

0

750

Executive Manager (stipend to manage the day-to-day activities of the KASP office)

2500

2500

Executive Board (expenses for the purpose of organization functioning)

4552.97

8400

Government Relations (advocacy efforts and training)

189

1000

Membership/Promotional (promotion of new and sustaining memberships

0

750

NASP Professional Development (expenses associated with annual convention, regional leadership, PREPaRE training for trainers)

3894

6500

KASP Office (executive management of the KASP organization)

1848.08

1600

Regional Directors (meetings specific to the region)

0

2000

Minority Student Scholarship

500

2000

Website/KASP-sponsored online professional development (website maintenance and online payment platform, Zoom subscription)

1963.17

2300

Interpreter

0

2000

Fall Convention/Spring Workshop Chair (stipend to plan both programs)

1500

1500

TOTAL

16947.22

31300


Convention News

Mark your calendars for April 8, 2022! The Spring Conference is just around the corner. The tentative schedule is 8 am - 11 am, an hour lunch, and then the conference will resume from 12 PM until 2 PM. There will be 5 hours of professional development available. This will be delivered in a virtual format. More information is coming soon!

Engaging, Motivating and Managing Hard to Reach, Uninterested and Disruptive Students

Speaker: Brian Mendler 

Speaker Bio: Brian Mendler has extensive experience working with challenging students in general ed, self-contained, and inclusion settings.  He provides staff development training for K-12 educators throughout the world with the focus on how to be successful with even the most difficult students.  He trains tens of thousands of educators every year and is a highly regarded dynamic speaker.  Educators love his seminars, because he is able to provide strategies that work immediately for today’s youth. 

Mr. Mendler has recently authored a book titled, Watch Your Mouth, Non Negotiables for Success with Toughest Kids.  The book provides educators with easy to use strategies for preventing and responding to difficult, disruptive, defiant and unmotivated behavior.  He has also authored That One Kid and co-authored books, Turning Tough Parents into Strong Partners, Strategies for Successful Classroom Management, Power Struggles 2nd Edition, and the best seller Discipline With Dignity 4th Edition.

Please follow Brian on social media:

Twitter and Instagram @brianmendler

Facebook: /brianmendlerfanpage

Podcast: The Brian Mendler Show (wherever you get your podcasts)


Advocacy Corner


On January 27th, 10 practicing and future school psychologists, along with School Counselors and School Social Workers gathered at the Kansas State Capitol in Topeka for a day of advocacy. The morning was spent discussing issues of importance regarding school-based mental health services. Kansas State Board of Education members told the group that school mental health services, particularly social emotional learning is a board goal and part of the accreditation process for schools across Kansas. 

State Senator Kristen O’Shea addressed the group with tips on how to talk to your legislators, and John Calvert, Director of the Safe and Secure Schools Unit at the Kansas State Department of Education encouraged us to remember why we became mental health providers to begin with. The afternoon was spent talking to state representative and senators in their individual offices. It was a great opportunity to begin conversations about our role and the importance of school-based mental health services for Kansas students!

A big thank you to those who were able to join us. If you were unable to attend, it is not too late to advocate on behalf of your students. You can find your local legislator at www.openstates.org Many members stated they preferred email!! 

There are several issues you can let them know about: The first is HB 2513. This bill would require consent for schools to procure consent before any “test, questionnaire, survey, or examination” The intent of this bill was in response to the Kansas Communities that Care Survey that ask students questions regarding sexual activity and illicit drug use. However, the way the bill is written it would likely impact the school’s ability to collect SEL screening data. The information from surveys of this type are helpful for school psychologists to be able identify student needs and intervene with higher risk students. HB 2315 has already cleared the House K-12 Education Budget Committee and will be voted on by the full house before being sent to the senate. Contact your representative to let them know your thoughts on this bill. 

Some of the representatives reported that they did not completely understand what SEL is. Most of them are open to hearing what you do in schools each day to teach kids skills to develop resiliency, self-esteem, and self-regulation. They welcome help in defining SEL. 

KASP is once again leading the way. We have requested that HB 2487 be reintroduced in the House Education Committee. HB 2487 was originally introduced during the 2020 legislative session but was never voted on by the full legislature due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.  This bill would change the name of the Emotional Disturbance category of special education to Emotional Disability. At the time this bill was originally introduced, it had wide bipartisan support. Although this bill must go through the House Education Committee, any member can introduce it. We had several conversations but have not yet confirmed a supporter for this bill. 

Obviously, advocacy is not a one-time, one day thing. While we enjoyed our time in Topeka and have laid some groundwork, it is time for our members to contact their local representative. Help them to understand the school-based, mental health framework and SEL.  While there will be detractors, there are several members of the legislature that just need to understand more about our roles, what we do, and what students are learning. 

Thank you for all the work you do each day for Kansas students! If you have not yet participated in any advocacy efforts begin by attending a local town hall. If you are not a the table, you are on the menu!

Jonathan Smeeton, Advocacy Representative


Student Section


My name is Shelby Reichard, and I am your Student Representative for 2022. I am representing Pittsburg State University and am currently taking courses and completing practicum experiences in order to obtain my EdS degree. I am a Fort Scott, Kansas native and have lived there my entire life. In my undergraduate coursework, I actually majored in English Education in Secondary Education and earned a Bachelor’s in this area before beginning my graduate studies. As I begin to plan for this current spring 2022 semester, I am excited and eager to begin my four-day-a-week practicum in Iola, Kansas! Nothing beats hands-on experiences, and this will be a great opportunity to learn from administration, faculty, and current school psychologists.

As we return from a much-needed Christmas break, we need to set time to refocus and set clear and defined goals for the year. I may not be one for setting and keeping New Year’s Resolutions; however, I am a huge proponent of lists and checking off tasks. The beginning of a school year can be stressful and overwhelming for students and staff, and one simple way to fight that stress is to start the year off strong by making clear goals and keeping a list of items to complete. Personally, I like the old-fashioned way of keeping a list for each day in a notebook or planner, but I also think Google Keep is a great digital option, especially for school psychs constantly on the go. Use Google Keep to type a quick note or to make a checklist for the day. Both will be easy ways to keep us accountable in the schools and on top of the workload!

Lastly, KASP has some big plans and goals for the year. This year we will be having our spring convention virtually and the fall convention in person. It will be fantastic to have an in-person convention for our students and members to meet and learn from some exciting speakers. More information to come on those events very soon! It is such an honor to be your Student Representative, and I cannot wait to hear from YOU because your voice matters! We want to hear from our members and see what you believe is valuable and insightful. If you have any questions about KASP, please feel free to email me. I look forward to hearing from you and seeing what the year 2022 holds in store.

Sincerely,

Shelby Reichard, B.S.Ed, M.S.

Student Representative


Kansas Association of School Psychologists (KASP) is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists to offer continuing education for school psychologists.  KASP maintains responsibility for the program.                                         

 KASP is a NASP approved provider of CPDs.   KASP is approved provider #1030

No person will be denied access to or full participation in any KASP program, event or activity on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, disability, or age. 

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