2020 Fall "Postcard" Campaign

Thank you so much for participating in our virtual version of our annual postcard writing campaign where we send 500 handwritten postcards to our elected officials during the fall conference. We are so sad that we are not meeting in person this year, but fully understand that safety must come first.

We count these contacts for our annual tracking of how many school psychologists contacted their elected representatives and officials (almost 5,000 last year including the postcard campaign!), so please complete this form when you send your letters this year!

Since we cannot provide you with postcards and postage, we have come up with an alternative, again with help from NASP.  We have the National School Psychology Week letterhead from NASP available here, with the WSASP information added to it*.  

You can participate in our campaign this fall in five ways:

1. Print the letterhead and handwrite your message, then send in the mail to Olympia.

2. Type your message on the letterhead, print it, and send in the mail to Olympia.

3. Type your message on the letterhead and email it as an attachment to your elected representative and officials.

4. Copy the letterhead graphic into your email body with a typed message to send to your elected representatives and officials.

5. Contact your elected official through their website email with the message (this platform will not allow you to use graphics or attachments).

We are encouraging everyone to send a hard copy through the mail, as this does have a different impact compared to an email.  You can use this tutorial to find your elected representatives’ mailing addresses.  To send an email most representatives use firstname.lastname@wa.leg.org. You can also send a letter to other elected officials, such as the superintendent of public instruction. If you email representatives through their webpages, you may not be able to use an attachment or insert graphics.

*You can access the NASP letterhead without the WSASP information here for those who do not live in Washington.

SAMPLE MESSAGES:

Below are sample messages to get you started. You can use these as written, or you can add to them to provide more specific information based on your experiences.

I’m a school psychologist. I care that key stakeholders understand the importance of our national professional standards in improving outcomes for students, families, and schools. I promote students’ mental health and academic learning. I help teachers meet the needs of their students. I work with parents to support their children’s school success. I partner with administrators to evaluate data and implement effective systems and interventions. The NASP Practice Model is my framework for effective service delivery in the school context.  Please contact me for more information about this.

I am a school psychologist. The 10 Domains of Practice in the NASP Practice Model define the knowledge, training, and skills I have to meet the needs of students, families, and schools. What’s most important about the NASP Practice Model? Everything. Understanding the domains helps inform the range of knowledge and skills I can provide as a school psychologist. The NASP Practice Model outlines how services are integrated to best meet the needs of students, families, and the school community.  Please contact me for more information about this.

I am a school psychologist.  The COVID 19 Pandemic has resulted in an increase in mental health needs nationwide.  Our students need access to high-quality, school-based mental health services in order to thrive.  Stand up for Washington’s students by supporting mental health services in schools. Please support legislation that will strengthen the work of school psychologists! 

I am a school psychologist. I provide essential services to staff and students every day.  Washington is facing a critical shortage of school psychologists, at a time when our students need psychological services more and more. Please support legislation providing National Board Parity for Nationally Certified School Psychologists to help schools recruit and retain people like me.

I am a school psychologist, and I stand for social justice for all of my students.  School psychologists provide culturally responsive services to students and families from diverse backgrounds. Please support policies and legislation that help all students succeed, such as those supporting the rights of LGBTQ+ students, equitable access to education regardless of race or zip code, and fair discipline practices.