Psych Society Holiday Happenings

So in addition to attending classes on Monday and Wednesday evenings, and completing my practicum on Fridays, I am also involved with PCOM’s Psychology Society as the Community Service Chair. In this role, I essentially serve as the liason between Psych Society and the SOC (Student Organization Council). I let the SOC know what community service events Psych Society has planned for the year. Each club at PCOM must hold at least two community service oriented events. 

So far, Psych Society has participated in the Red Cross blood drive and the Autism walk. Currently, we have toy donation boxes outside the auditoriums on campus for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia toy drive. After the holidays, we are planning on running a Philadoptables pet supplies drive as well. Consider donating and/or tell your friends and family about donating! This organization is great and helps to make someone’s holiday season a little bit more bright.

We are accepting donations for the CHOP toy drive now until December 19. More information can be found online at the link below regarding information about the toys that CHOP is accepting.

http://www.chop.edu/service/child-life-education-and-creative-arts-therapy/donations/toy-donations.html

Happy Friday!

So this week is our break in between fall and winter semester. We’re off for the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, but we start winter semester this upcoming Monday. We are taking Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Schools, Practicum seminar II, and Academic and Behavioral Interventions in Schools this semester. We have definitely talked about potential interventions prior to this semester, but it will be nice to have a class that solely focuses on the topic.

In other news, I was at my practicum site for a full day today. The 11^th grade student that I was going to observe in class was serving (ISS) In School Suspension, so I changed my plans. In the morning, I attended a re-evaluation meeting for a student I tested a few weeks ago. I was able to provide some feedback to the parent, but my supervisor mostly filled the parent in. I hung out with the 12^th grade guidance counselor for a good amount of the day, attending meetings and finding out more about the programs offered in the high school through guidance. I was also able to consult with a few teachers about the student I was going to observe to get some background information and consult with the guidance counselor about my case study. At the end of the day, I caught up with my supervisor over at the middle school and discussed some potential future assignments. I won't be at my practicum site until December, so I'll update with news then!

Happy School Psychology Awareness Week!

Each year for a week in November, school psychologists and the services that they can provide are in the spotlight. This year, NASP’s theme is “We’re all in! Teams work!”  In order to succeed in school and life, students, parents, and staff must often work as part of a team. The idea behind this year’s theme is to help students and school staff identify, implement, and enhance team related skills with a strengths-based focus. Visit the link below for more information and to obtain resources for your school to spread the message!

http://www.nasponline.org/communications/spaw/2013/index.aspx

I also included a link below with information about coordinating a strong school psychologist team. A strong and effective team of school psychologists either within or between school districts helps to ensure continuing professional learning and problem-solving support for all school psychologists involved. In turn, each school psychologist will be better able to serve the needs of his or her school population. 

http://www.nasponline.org/communications/spaw/2013/documents/SP_Team_Tip_Sheet.pdf

The walk was a success!

This past Saturday at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, the PCOM team joined more than 15,000 people for the Walk Now for Autism Speaks event. It was a beautiful day to walk! The MS in Counseling and Clinical Health Psychology, PsyD in Clinical Psychology, and Ed.S. in School Psychology programs were there to proudly represent PCOM. We reached our goal of $500, raising $620. Overall, the Philadelphia area raised $610,000 in support of Autism Speaks' mission to fund research, increase awareness and family services, and advocate for individuals with autism and their families. Thanks to all who donated and participated in the walk this year!