Impact: March 2009

"Survivor, It's a Jungle Out There! Helping Students Succeed in their World!"
by Maggie Beall, DPS President
Can you outlast, outrun, outwit, and outplay the odds until August 5 and 6? The theme for our annual DPS Conference at the Ramada Inn in State College is "Survivor."

New Beginnings: DPS President Attends Obama Inauguration
by Maggie Beall, DPS President
While the afterglow of the Inaugural activities is still fresh in my mind, I want to thank you for the extreme pleasure and honor to represent you at the inspiring events.

H&SV SSW Update
by Sherry Conway, HSVSSW President
This article is coming to you just after a when the Home & School Visitor/School Social Workers were recognized in the Commonwealth by the Governor's proclamation for the week of March 2 - 6, 2009 to honor our profession.

PSEA School Nurse Section News
By Carol Hackenbracht, SNS President
The PSEA DPS School Nurse Section Executive Board held its first video conference meeting on February 7, 2009. It was a great success. SNS board members from across the state traveled to four regional locations to "meet and discuss." Please check the PSEA DPS website for the spring SNS Newsletter.

School Counselors and PSSA exams
by Fran Gerchman, SCS President
The PSSA writing test is over, and we're gearing up for the reading and math exams. I am curious about the role of other school counselors in your school's PSSA process. I know that our Pennsylvania districts are so diverse in size and structure that there may not be an easy way to characterize how we are all involved. For example, in my small, rural district, I have been made test coordinator for the entire district. I open, inventory, and distribute the materials. I do the scheduling for the high school where I work.

Dental Hygienist Update
by Karen Buis, RDH, M.Ed., PSEA/DPS Dental Hygienist Section President
We were happy to celebrate Certified School Dental Hygienist's Day on February 4! Congratulations on your acknowledgement from Governor Rendell for all of your effort to promote healthy mouths and general well-being.

School Psychologist Update
by Rene' Fetchkan, SPS President
PSEA School Psychologists React to APA's MLA Revisions. History: The American Psychological Association (APA) has long been recognized by the professional field as a guiding force in the practice and advancement of the professional field of psychology.