Monday Missive

November 2, 2009

Kudos

Kristie Speirs Neumeister will be receiving the Early Scholar Award at the National Association for Gifted Children conference in St. Louis this Friday.  This award is given annually to a person ten years or less in the field who has made significant contributions in conducting and reporting research regarding the education of gifted and talented individuals. Congratulations Kristie on this important honor.

Kendall Bronk had two papers accepted for presentation at the Society for Research on Adolescence: "A Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Purpose Exemplars" and with Nina Talib (doctoral student in Educational Psychology)  "Purpose Among High Ability Youth." It appears that our department will have a strong presence at SRA in March.

Department Matters

Don't forget to be working on the teaching evaluations for your colleagues. Tenure-line faculty who are submitting materials for tenure and/or promotion would appreciate receiving copies of their evaluations to include in their materials by December 1. If you have any other questions about these requests, please see me.

The Curriculum Committee should expect recommendations for revisions to the doctoral program in Educational Psychology soon. Also, revisions to the Minor in Human Development and proposals for a couple of new certificate programs are in process. Our goal is to have all proposed curricular changes forwarded to the College by the end of the semester.

The Policy and Planning Committee is reviewing all current departmental policies. Recommendations for changes to any of the policies will be forwarded to all members of the faculty in the next couple of weeks. Our goal is to have 2010-2011 policies updated and approved by the end of November.

School Psychology Awareness Week

This week is School Psychology Awareness Week in the department.  A number of activities have been planned to increase awareness of school psychology on campus.  Please feel free to participate in as many activities as you can.

Tuesday November 3:  11:00 A.M.  - School Psychology Awareness Week Carry In
Come to the 5th floor and enjoy the company of your fellow School Psychologists for our annual carry in. Food and/or monetary donations to offset the cost of food provided by the School Psychology Program are welcome.  See Matt Holcomb for details.

Thursday November 5:  - School Psychology Awareness Week Cake Day

Friday November 6: 12:00 p.m. - Lunch at Scotties  -- all faculty and students are welcome.

In addition, several of our graduate students will be making presentations in undergraduate classes in Psychological Sciences to raise awareness of School Psychology as a profession.  Thanks to those students who have volunteered their time for this endeavor. Thanks to Matt Holcomb for making all of the arrangements.

Attendance Policies

Everyone should have received information sent from the Provost's office regarding attendance policies during the H1N1 flu season. If you have any questions about how to handle individual student cases, please do not hesitate to chat with me.

United Way Campaign

The annual United Way Campaign is in full swing.  You should have received your contribution materials a couple of weeks ago.  Please return your forms to our United Way Team Captain, Jerrell Cassady,  as soon as possible.  It is preferred that you return the form even if you choose not to contribute this year. Thanks to Jerrell for his service to this worthy cause.


I hope I have not forgotten anything; if so, please let me know.  
Don't forget to forward to me any information you may have for future Missives.

Have a great week!
Sharon (and Lisa)