The California Association of School Psychologists Announces School Psychologists Devoted to Students' Emotional, Learning and Mental Health Needs

Business Wire, April 21, 2003

News Editors/Health/Medical Writers/Education Writers

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 21, 2003

Wynne Wong organized a "guardian angels" program at her school to ensure that at-risk students have someone looking out for them.

Rose DuMond realized that the classes at her high school created for students with serious behavioral or emotional needs had virtually no supplies beyond textbooks. She applied for and won a grant so the kids could have such items as appropriate-level books, art supplies and more than two Frisbees for the entire year.

These are just two examples of how school psychologists go above and beyond testing and making placement recommendations for special education students. They also provide safe and supportive learning environments for today's public school students.

The California Association of School Psychologists (CASP) salute Wong, DuMond and the other 3,500 school psychologists working in the state during California School Psychology Week, April 21-26, 2003.

Both Wong, a school psychologist with the Los Angeles Unified School District, and DuMond, with the Campbell Union High School District in the San Jose area, received grants for their programs from CASP. Wong assigns school staff members -- from teachers to school secretaries -- to at-risk children at her elementary school to provide them with an adult to give them one-on-one attention, three times a day. Each guardian angel can give his or her student token rewards -- pencils, stickers or even sponsorship in a local sports league -- for meeting goals. The result has been better attendance, fewer behavior problems, academic and social-emotional growth and fewer referrals to special education.

DuMond found that the students in this "school within a school" simply did not have the supplies needed for their classes. They did not have paperback books and novels for the wide grade level range of readers in the class that provides a haven until the students are ready to move into regular, general education classes. They also lacked art and physical education equipment. As a result of the purchase of the materials, the students would have an enhanced environment for learning, improved self-esteem and have the curriculum addressed simultaneously.

School psychologists have specialized training in both psychology and education. They team with educators, parents and other mental health professionals to ensure that every child learns in a safe, healthy and supportive environment. School psychologists understand school systems, effective teaching and successful learning.

CASP is the largest statewide school psychologist association in the nation. Headquartered in Sacramento, CASP works to ensure that all students learn in an educationally and psychologically healthy environment. To learn more about school psychology, log onto the CASP web site at www.casponline.org.