| KANSAS ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS
Empowering Children, Educators, and Families |
Kansas Association of School Psychologists
Summer 2024 Edition
Mandy Thomsen, Editor Cori Bohnenblust, Associate Editor
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Dear KASP Members, Welcome back to a new school year! As the school year kicks off, I want to extend a warm welcome back to each of you. Whether you’re returning to familiar faces or stepping into a new environment, the start of a school year is always filled with possibilities. I hope that this year provides you with an opportunity to focus not only on your professional goals but also on your personal well-being. Remember, taking time for self-care is essential to staying resilient and effective in our roles. Pace yourself, lean on your colleagues, and stay connected with your mentors, KASP and NASP—you're not alone on this journey.
Upcoming Training Opportunities: As we dive into the new year, I’m excited to share that we have a lineup of exceptional training opportunities designed to support your professional growth. Registration is now open on the KASP website, so don’t miss out on these valuable resources. https://kaosp.wildapricot.org/Conferences-and-Regional-Meetings/
Mark your calendars for our Fall Convention, where we'll gather to receive excellent training in a broad scope of social, emotional, and behavioral interventions. This year, our focus aligns with the NASP Practice Model, particularly:
We’re thrilled to announce that Dr. Ross Greene, renowned for his work on Collaborative & Proactive Solutions, will be our Friday Workshop speaker. His insights and strategies will be invaluable as we strive to create supportive environments for all students. If you want to learn more about Dr. Greene’s work ahead of the workshop you read more about him and his work here: https://drrossgreene.com/.
In addition to our traditional Thursday Keynote Speaker, Legal Update, and Friday Workshop, we will have a wide variety of breakout sessions that should provide everyone with options that align with their roles and training needs. The list of breakouts and full convention schedule will be coming soon! The convention will also be a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with colleagues across Kansas, share experiences, and support one another in our collective mission.
Board Activity Update: I’m pleased to report that your KASP Board has been hard at work over the summer. During our retreat, we made significant progress on our strategic plan, focusing on advancing our advocacy efforts and expanding our support for school psychologists throughout the state. We’re particularly excited about our ongoing work related to the Interstate Compact for School Psychologists and will continue to leverage our 2024 Shortage Report to advance advocacy efforts. I encourage you to visit the NASP website to learn more about how this initiative could support school psychology nationally. https://www.nasponline.org/standards-and-certification/school-psychology-credentialing-resources/interstate-compact-for-school-psychologists
In addition to these efforts, several board members participated in leadership training this summer, equipping us with new tools and perspectives to better serve you.
Get Involved with KASP: Our work is stronger when we come together as a community. I encourage each of you to stay informed about KASP and NASP initiatives and consider getting involved—whether by keeping up with our activities, volunteering, or even running for an open board position. Your voice and participation are what make KASP a vibrant and effective organization.
Thank you for your continued dedication to the field of school psychology. I’m looking forward to a successful and fulfilling year ahead!
Warm regards,
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Board Minute Summary by Angie Howard, Secretary The Kansas Association of School Psychologists (KASP) Executive Board gathered for their summer retreat on June 19-20, 2024. The retreat began with the approval of previous meeting minutes and a review of action items from the Spring meeting. Action items from the Spring meeting were reviewed, with updates provided on completed, pending, and tabled items. Legislative and advocacy initiatives were a major focus, particularly the Interstate Compact for School Psychologists and the upcoming NASP Public Policy Institute. The board discussed the potential benefits and challenges of Kansas joining the compact and outlined steps for further consultation with NASP and KSDE representatives.
Planning for the 2024 Fall Convention, scheduled for October 17-18 in Lawrence, KS, was also a priority. The board confirmed keynote speakers, reviewed breakout session proposals, and assigned tasks for vendor outreach, awards, and election preparations. Additionally, the board finalized plans for a collaborative training session on Kansas Gifted Eligibility Determination with the Kansas Gifted, Talented, and Creative (KGTC) organization, set for September 13, 2024. Members of the board also discussed options for keynote speakers for the Spring 2025 KASP Virtual Conference.
The board revisited ongoing initiatives, working to prioritize and refine efforts, particularly related to the proposed KASP Special Interest Membership Directory (previously proposed as Collaborative Networking System) and an Ethics Subcommittee. Reports were presented from various board members, with updates on finances, regional activities, and upcoming newsletters. A motion was passed to transfer donations originally intended for the Children’s Fund to the Ainsley’s Angels organization due to an inability to distribute funds to the original recipient. Meeting dates were set for the January 2025 retreat and updates and action items were discussed for completion by Fall 2024. |
Report from the Treasurer Treasurer Julie Zollinger, Ed,S., NCSP |
A full treasurer report can be found in the Winter Newsletter. |
Fall Convention registration is OPEN! KASP has been busy throughout the summer gearing up for our Fall Convention. The theme for this year’s convention is Power and Purpose: Building Collaborative Strength. Dates: Thursday, October 17th & Friday, October 18th Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotels, Lawrence, KS Registration: Kansas Association of School Psychologists - KASP Fall Convention 2024 Hotel Reservations: KASP Discounted Room Rate Thursday’s schedule will include a keynote presentation, legal updates from KSDE, region and student meetings, and a variety of afternoon breakout sessions. On Friday, we’re excited to welcome Dr. Ross Greene, New York Times bestselling author and originator of the Collaborative & Proactive Solutions approach, for a full day workshop. Friday’s lunch will also include our general membership meeting and annual awards banquet. Please don’t forget to nominate your outstanding peers for KASP awards! We are still accepting proposals for Poster Presentations! Registration fees will be waived for one presenter per poster. If you’re interested in presenting a poster, please complete the proposal form below and submit to Amy Drinnon. Poster Presentation Proposal Form: Fall 24 Convention CALL FOR POSTER PROPOSALS Convention registration is open on the KASP website, where you will also find the link for hotel reservations at the DoubleTree. Reservations must be made by 11:59PM on Sunday, September 15th to receive the discounted rate of $129 per night. |
