Who Are School Psychologists as defined by, National Association of School Psychologists.
School psychologist are uniquely qualified members of school teams that support students’ ability to learn and teachers ability to teach. They apply expertise in mental health, learning, and behavior, to help children and youth succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally.
School psychologists partner with families, teachers, school administrators, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments that strengthen connections between home, school, and the community.
Increased parent involvement in schools and engagement with school psychologist increases their effectiveness.
An article published June 7, 2022 in the online magazine, The Conversation by Amy Briesch and Sandra M. Chafouleas titled “School mental health resources critical to ensuring safe school environments” provides important information about mass shootings, school violence prevention and the challenges counselors, psychologists and social workers face.
In contrast, this blog will explore how increased parent involvement can augment the specialized skills of mental health professionals through involvement in Togetr4Success.
The authors write, whenever a mass shooting takes place in schools, public discussion often focuses on laws or policies that might have prevented the tragedy, but averting school violence needs more than gun policy. It requires both prevention and crisis response that takes students’ emotional well-being – not just their physical safety – into account.
The authors further states, School violence prevention also requires professionals – counselors, psychologists and social workers – who know how to create an emotionally safe environment, which research shows is critical to safe schools.
Unfortunately, statistics show there is a critical shortage of such employees. Though school shootings have led to increased hiring of police officers to serve in schools, the hiring of experts in school mental health has not kept pace. Demand is greater than supply, a trend that is projected to continue in the years to come.
School social workers, counselors and psychologists are faced with significant challenges as the demands to create an emotionally safe school environment are limited and in some instances over-extended mental health professionals.
Togetr4Success model is the equalizer. It is the tool in your strategy toolbox. Increased parent involvement as teachers, administrators, social workers, counselors and psychologists have constantly identified as their single most important resource.
This blog site provides information you need to effectively increase parent involvement. Togetr4Success trained and experienced staff are here to function as your strategy toolbox and put the work of parent involvement in the hands of our staff. As former School social workers, teachers and administrators we developed the 10-week challenge . Let us bring the 10-week challenge to your school!
Thank you visitors to this important blog! Since my first blog post on June 2, 2022. Togetr4Success has received 410 views, 67 visitors and 11 subscribers and we continue to grow. Thank you for your insightful comments and suggestions. I appreciate your thoughts and they reassure me of the importance of parent involvement.