EDMONDS SCHOOL DISTRICT
PSYCHOLOGICAL AND ELEMENTARY GUIDANCE SERVICES
Manager:  Jo Callaghan
Email:  callaghanj@edmonds.wednet.edu
Phone:  425-431-7209
FAX: 425-431-7339

Mission Statement
Psychological Services
Counseling Services

 Child Find
                                 
Crisis Response
Special Needs Design Team
Special Education Resources On
the Internet


    
                                                                      

Edmonds School District Mission Statement
 AND
Edmonds School District Psychology Department Belief Statement:

To ADVOCATE ...
 We believe in educational relevance and are proactive in facilitating educational change in anticipation of emerging needs of students.  

f or ALL students ...
We see the needs and growth of all as of equal importance.  We believe the capacity to learn is universal and we value and advocate for the individual differences of students and adults.

by PROVIDING a learning environment ...
We believe in a process which includes application of our knowledge and professional training to achieve best practices through open communication, cooperative planning, mutual respect and trust.

which EMPOWERS students, staff and the community to MAXIMIZE their personal, creative, and academic potential ...
We believe that all want to learn and should have their developmental needs recognized and acknowledged so that the process of learning supports the courage to think.

in order to BECOME life-long learners and responsible world citizens.
We believe in the promotion of a process and system which facilitates healthy growth for individuals and which promotes interpersonal, national and international cooperation.


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School Psychology Services  
 
      School Psychologists have specialized training in both psychology and education. They team with teachers, parents, and other school staff to remove barriers to student learning and assist in developing appropriate educational programs for students with special needs.  The primary services provided by School Psychologists are:  consultation, assessment, intervention, prevention, and crisis response.   School Psychologists assist teachers in developing effective educational, social-emotional, adaptive and behavior management programs for the classroom.  School Psychologists lead building teams in considering special education referrals and planning and evaluating pre-referral interventions for a range of learning and behavior problems.  They conduct individual psychological assessments and participate in completion of functional behavior assessments and behavior intervention plans.  School Psychologists provide consultation to teachers on the development and implementation of Individualized Education Programs for students with disabilities.  School Psychologists also work with parents and may coordinate referrals to community agencies to assist in meeting the needs of children and families.  They may also be  involved in leading topical classroom discussions, providing crisis intervention and support, and providing short-term counseling interventions.  For more information see: National Association of School Psychologists

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Counseling and Guidance Services

 Counseling and Guidance services are an essential part of the education of all students.  Our Counselors and Guidance Specialists aim to increase student motivation and achievement by maximizing each individual’s educational, personal/social and career development potential.  They are advocates for students in working with school personnel, families, and community agencies to remove barriers to student learning.  The ultimate goal is to ensure that all students attain the knowledge and skills to become responsible citizens, to contribute to their own economic well being and that of their families and communities, and to enjoy productive and satisfying lives. Counselors and Guidance Specialists can be contacted directly at their respective schools.  The triangle below represents the prevention, intervention, and crisis response services provided by our staff.


 Build a School-wide Foundation

Guidance and Counseling Specialists assist in
developing caring school communities that encourage healthy relationships and lifelong learning for all students.
Intervene Early

Guidance & Counseling Specialists provide extra time and attention for students needing help with social, emotional or personal growth.  

We help teachers and parents understand and work with students' individual differences.
Help with Crisis and Referral

Guidance and Counseling Specialists respond to students, families and school communities in times of crisis.

We connect students and families with community caregivers.

 
Adapted from:  Safeguarding Our Children: An Action Guide.  Washington, D.C.:  U.S. Departments of Education and Justice, American Institutes for Research, 2000.


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Child Find

    Child Find is the process of identifying and screening children/youth, ages birth to 21 years, who may have developmental concerns and/or disabilities that adversely affect their performance in school. 

Preschool Child Find

     The school district  offers free assessments of preschool children when developmental delays are suspected.  For more information see: Preschool Services

K-12 Child Find 

    Each school has a Multidisciplinary Team which conducts free evaluations of a student’s skills and educational performance when it is suspected that the student may have a disability.  Eligibility for special education requires an evaluation to determine if the student (1) has a disability which (2) adversely affects his or her educational performance and (3) requires specially designed instruction and (in some cases) related services.  These evaluations consider the following areas: academic, adaptive, behavior/social/emotional, cognitive, health, physical/motor, speech/language, and vocational (if age 14 or older). It may include individual testing of achievement and abilities, interviews, rating scales, or other procedures determined necessary by the evaluation team.  If you suspect that your child may have a disability, contact the School Psychologist at your child’s school.
 
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Edmonds School District Special Needs Design Team 

    The Special Needs Design Team is a joint Edmonds Education Association/Edmonds School District committee addressing issues related to the provision of services for students at risk.  They have developed “Resources for Working With Special Needs Students” For more information, see:  The Special Needs Design Team


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Crisis Response

Many school district staff have been trained in emergency preparation and crisis response, and all schools have an emergency plan in place.  Information to assist with safety planning, emergency preparedness and crisis response can be accessed by school staff through the Emergency/Crisis Response Public Folder on the district’s server. 

If you have any questions regarding crisis response & preparedness, please contact:
Jo Callaghan in Psychological and Elementary Guidance Services (431-7209; callaghanj@edmonds.wednet.edu )

Here are some links to general guidelines in addressing students’ needs in or after a crisis or traumatic event. 

Common Myths about Grief and Loss
Helpful Hints to Assist a Grieving Child
Twelve Things Families Can Do to Cope With Trauma
Ideas for Parents in Dealing with Traumatic Events

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