PSI hosted a free webinar on “Mindfulness in the School Setting”

Our own Karen Heichel, MA  presented a free webinar entitled “Practicing Mindfulness in your School”.  This is a new and very exciting topic.  This free webinar was held on December 2nd from 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM EST. but you can watch it now in our webinar library.

Mindfulness is being used for reducing stress, increasing attention, building attitudes of compassion and kindness that lead to more productive learning environment for students and a more collaborative working place for teachers.

Karen will be talking about how studies have shown significance improvement in self-awareness and acceptance by practicing mindfulness for 15 minutes three to four times per week. These activities can be integrated into your existing curriculum.  If this topic sounds interesting to you, click here for a link to the pre-recorded webinar.

Legislation Update: Asthma Inhalers House Bill 39

Stock Asthma Inhalers for Schools  House Bill 39 goes into effect Feb 1st

The full text of the bill may be found at https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA131-HB-39(click on “View Current Version”)..  Please look for the underlined sections to see the new language added by this law. You may also find the new text at http://codes.ohio.gov and enter the sections cited below.

A few key features of the law are noted below for your information:

  • The act updates several sections of the law, including:
  • The act does not require schools to have asthma inhalers, but sets out requirements to be followed for those that choose to have them
  • .7113 addresses The board of education of each city, local, exempted village, or joint vocational school
  • 7114 addresses governing authority, a chartered or nonchartered nonpublic school
  • 144 addresses governing authority, a community school
  • 30 addresses  governing body, a STEM school
  • 30 addresses board of trustees, a college-preparatory boarding school

The entities listed above:

  • MAY  procure asthma inhalers for each school operated by the district to have on the school premises for use in emergency situations
  • Are encouraged to maintain, at all times, at least two asthma inhalers at each school operated by the district
  • MUST adopt a policy governing their maintenance and use…. with a licensed health professional authorized to prescribe drugs
  • The policy shall be a prescriber-issued protocol specifying definitive orders for asthma inhalers and the dosages of medication to be administered through them and shall:
  • Identify the one or more locations in each school…in which an asthma inhaler must be stored
  • Specify the conditions under which an asthma inhaler must be stored, replaced, disposed of and how often it may be used
  • Specify the individuals… in addition to a school nurse…[or] an athletic trainer…who may access and use an asthma inhaler to provide a dosage of medication to an individual in an emergency situation
  • Specify any training that employees…must complete before being authorized to access and use an asthma inhaler
  • Identify the emergency situations…employees…may access and use an asthma inhaler
  • Specify that assistance from an emergency medical service provider must be requested immediately after an asthma inhaler is used
  • Specify the individuals, in addition to students, school employees or contractors, and school visitors, to whom a dosage of medication may be administered through an asthma inhaler in an emergency situation
  • May accept donations of asthma inhalers from a wholesale distributor…and may accept donations of money from any person to purchase asthma inhalers
  • Shall report to the department of education each procurement and occurrence in which an asthma inhaler is used from a school’s supply of asthma inhalers
  • The act updates 4729.51 to allow wholesale distributors to donate asthma inhalers to schools and allows schools to possess them
  • Addresses liability

 

New Brief from NCSSLE on School-Based Physical Fitness

NCSSLE
New Brief from NCSSLE on School-Based Physical Fitness:  Its Link to Student Academic Outcomes and Improved School Climate

The National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments (NCSSLE) just released a new brief, School-Based Physical Fitness and the Link to Student Academic Outcomes and Improved School Climate, outlining the growing body of evidence related to the value of school-based physical fitness. The brief outlines research suggesting that physical activity (PA) and physical education (PE) programming offered within the context of the school day are not only essential for children’s healthy development, but are positively linked to children’s academic achievement. In addition the report indicates that, when carefully designed and implemented, these activities have the potential to positively impact school climate and conditions for learning in schools. To read the learning brief, click here.

A Neurodevelopmental Approach to Autism: with Temple Grandin, Ph.D.

PSI is pleased to share this resource with you for your own use, to share with your colleagues, or to share with the families of the students with whom you work:

We here at S.U.C.C.E.S.S. For Autism 501(c)(3) are proud to inform you that we will be hosting a winter conference this year entitled:
“A Neurodevelopmental Approach to Autism: with Temple Grandin, PhD” 
                                                                   
Thursday Dec. 3 & Friday Dec. 4th 2015
 We are pleased to welcome world-renowned author and animal scientist, Dr.Temple Grandin, to our stage this year as she presents on her experiences as an individual with autism and sensory processing issues. She will be joined by many professionals in the field of autism; you will hear from occupational therapists Lynette Scotese-Wojtila, OTR/L and Ellen Winney, MS OTR/L, speech-language   pathologist Schea Fissel, ABD, MA CCC-SLP, and developmental pediatrician, Dr. Scott Faber.

This two-day conference will be held in the Main Building of the Center for Pastoral Leadership in Wickliffe, Ohio on Thursday Dec. 3rd (2:15 – 8:15pm) & Friday Dec. 4th (8:00 am – 5:30pm).

This is a unique event you won’t want to miss! See the attached brochure for event details, registration, and continuing education opportunities! Vendor and sponsor opportunities are available for local and/or national agencies and companies who wish she share their product information while supporting this event.

FOR EASY ONLINE REGISTRATION visit www.successforautism.org.

Seats are limited to see Dr. Grandin in this intimate setting; conference registration closes on Monday Nov 23, 2015. Should you have questions or need registration or vendor/sponsorship assistance, please call Erin at 440.943.7607 or email at itcerinb@yahoo.com.

 

PSI’s Dr. Colleen Lorber will be presenting at the Annual Buckeye Charter School Board Conference

Dr. Colleen Lorber, PSI’s Executive Director, will be presenting this Oct. 23 at the Annual Buckeye Charter School Boards Conference. On the program is also Ron Packard, Founder and CEO of Pansophic Learning. Dr Lorber will address the dos and don’ts of special education as it pertains to Charter School operations. Special Education management is a critical component that effective charter schools manage appropriately and professionally. 

The Buckeye Charter School Boards Association helps boards learn to function efficiently and effectively while maximizing student academic and social performance. Learn more about the Buckeye Charter School Board Association at http://www.buckeyecharterboards.org.