Drugs of Addiction Webinar: What Educators Need to Know

This special seminar presented by Nancy E. Pommerening, OCPS and Director: Drug Awareness and Prevention Inc. provides an overview of marijuana, its dangers, and how youth attitudes towards it have changed. In addition, we will examine other illicit drugs, the process of addiction, and possible solutions to the opiate crisis and other substances of abuse.

Objectives:

-The participant will understand current rates of usage and levels of marijuana potency in northeast Ohio.
-The participant will understand the process of addiction, and who is most at risk for the disease.
-The participant will be able to list 3 prevention strategies for your students that reduce substance abuse.

Register by Clicking Here

Myths About Online Therapy: BUSTED!!

PSI discusses Myths about Online Therapy!

Myth #1: Telepractice is an inferior therapy model and not face-to-face.
vpsi1Reality: VirtualPSI is a face-to-face service delivery model accomplished electronically. Students engage in real-time, state-of-the-art digital platform with a trained, state and nationally certified professional. Studies have shown that telepractice outcomes match, and at times, exceed traditional therapy models

Myth #2: Students have a difficult time engaging in telepractice because the technology is complicated and cumbersome.
vpsi2Reality: Today’s students are considered “digital natives” and have been exposed to technology since birth. VirtualPSI’s digital platform provides a dynamic, yet uncomplicated electronic environment to achieve their goals.

Myth #3: Online services limit interactions with other staff members.
Reality: VirtualPSI’s digital platform provides the optimal environment for teacher collaboration and open communication with the special education team. With the click of a button, our staff professional can participate in meetings, attend parent conferences, collaborate with building staff members and administrators, and contribute necessary information, as needed. Participation is seamless, timely and effective.vpsi3

Myth #4: Telepractice is electronically unsafe.
Reality: VirtualPSI uses a state-of-the-art encrypted platform that adheres to HIPAA guidelines. Additionally, VirtualPSI’s licensed professionals are held to the same standards and code of ethics of service delivery as when services are delivered in person.

vpsi4What should you do next?   For more information or a VirtualPSI demo call 800.841.4774 ext 257 or e-mail christineworthington@psi-solutions.org.

Learn more by clicking here.

 

Did you miss the free webinar on…

Did you miss the free webinar on “What educators and parents need to know about the Netflix Series, 13 Reasons Why”? Click here for a listing of all of our free webinars that you can watch.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer names PSI one of Northeast Ohio’s Top Workplaces

THE PLAIN DEALER NAMES PSI A WINNER OF THE NORTHEAST OHIO AREA 2017 TOP WORKPLACES AWARD

Cleveland, OH 06/19/17

We are very proud to announce that PSI has been awarded the Plain Dealer’s Top Workplace Award for Northeast Ohio for the second year in a row! THANK YOU to all of you, this would not have been possible without the support and dedication of our great team. Together, we create the foundation that helps all students Learn, Thrive, and Grow.

Do you want to join this great team?  View PSI Opportunities

 

PSI Expert recently presented at the ISCA Conference in Prague, Czech Republic

PolandExpPartner

Scott Poland an Expert Partner of PSI Recently Presented at the International School Counseling Association Conference (ISCA) in Prague, Czech Republic

The ISCA conference was held March 9 to 11, 2017 in the Czech Republic and was attended by over 130 counselors from 45 different countries. The counselors in attendance represented 80 different international schools. Dr. Poland provided two keynote addresses with the first one entitled, School Counselors Making a Difference in Crisis Intervention. His second keynote was entitled, Youth Suicide: The Critical Role of School Counselors in Prevention, Intervention and Postvention. Dr. Poland also provided three workshops entitled Non-Suicidal Self Injury: Critical Issues for School Counselors, Safeguarding Children in a Challenging World: A Presentation by Counselors for Parents and Contemporary Issues in School Crisis.

To learn more about PSI services contact us at 1-800-841-4774 or contact us at info@psi-solutions.org.

 

 

Watch PSI Expert Dr. Scott Poland assisting in Colorado with Suicide Tragedies

In late 2016, in the wake of more tragedies and more teen suicides in Academy School District 20 in Pueblo, CO, News5 interviewed PSI Expert, Dr. Scott Poland with the goal to put a stop to teen suicide in their community.

Dr. Scott Poland, a licensed psychologist who is internationally recognized as an expert on youth suicide is one of the national experts D-20 is working with as they deal proactively with this crisis.  Our thoughts go out to this community.  Watch two videos with Dr. Scott Poland covered by KOAA in Colorado.

KOAA.com | Continuous News | Colorado Springs and Pueblo

KOAA.com | Continuous News | Colorado Springs and Pueblo

 

 

Did you miss the Free Webinar on Human Trafficking?

If you were unable to listen to the live webinar, a recorded version is available now.  This webinar is presented by: The Collaborative to End Human Trafficking by Ruthmary Powers, HM, Ph.D., Educ. Specialist and Sister Josie Chrosniak, HM, B.S. in Education.

If you would like to view the recorded webinar, click here.

 

FEELING SOCIAL?

Dec16_SocialWe at the PSI management level are SO proud of the work you are doing in your schools and communities. We also feel there are many unsung HEROES out there and would like to feature them via the various PSI social media connections. If you’re interested and want to highlight what you or a co-worker is doing, please sign on to Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn and liking, following, or re-tweeting our posts.

Comments and replies to our posts are just as important. After a presentation or event, posting a few words or review will go a long way. If we feature an interesting article, “this is a very interesting read!” will do the trick.  If you feel a friend of yours would like one of our posts, you can share the article through Facebook.

Find us HERE:

THANKS!

Implementing Direct Instruction in Today’s Classroom

PSI employees were energized again in an afternoon session led by PSI Fall Meeting keynote speaker William J. DeMeo. This time, DeMeo presented on differentiating instruction in the classroom.

Leading off with an engaging introduction video, participants were left with some mportant messages, including the need to look beyond classroom walls to see what awaits our students and that teachers need to be the innovator, motivator, and facilitator of learning.

Dec16_DirectInstructAttendees then participated in activities lead by DeMeo, including active learning activities like think-pair-share discussion and silent partner writing. With think-pair-share, learners are able to think for themselves, share their ideas with a partner, and ultimately discuss with the entire group. Silent partner writing involves writing down thoughts and questions about a picture, quotation, or discussion question. Partners pass the paper they write on back and forth and engage in a conversation without using spoken words.

DeMeo also stressed the importance of flexible grouping in the classroom. Flexible grouping allows teachers to group their students by three group types: flexible, which includes readiness and learning style; ability/aptitude groups; and cooperative groups. Flexible groupings can be done with the whole class or just half of the class, in teams, in student-led small groups, and with partners.

As with many activities in the classroom, some students will finish their work ahead of their peers. The same can hold true with flexible groupings, and DeMeo says that teachers can provide anch
or activities an learning stations for students to complete when the assigned task is complete. Anchor activities provide meaningful work for students when they are finished with an assigned task or when they are stumped and waiting for teacher assistance. Anchor activities also provide ongoing tasks that tie to content and instruction. Some examples of anchor activities include investigations, vocabulary work, magazine articles with generic questions, journals and learning logs, silent reading, activity boxes, and learning packets.

While DeMeo left participants with a variety of classroom activities to try out with their students, he also asked them why differentiate? He discussed with participants that the student population is not the same as it was 50 years ago, and that families have also changed over time. Passive learning, like lectures, reading, and even audiovisual are not as effective with today’s students. The current student population learns best by teaching others and using their learning immediately, practicing by doing, and having group discussions.

Individualizing student instruction will allow students to reach their full potential. DeMeo left participants with a question to ponder: Will one size fits all curriculum be effective (if it ever was)?