Horseheads Central School District
School Psychologists
School psychologists help children and youth succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. They collaborate with educators, parents, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments that strengthen connections between home, school, and the community for all students.
School psychologists are highly trained in both psychology and education. Training emphasizes preparation in mental health and educational interventions, child development, learning, behavior, motivation, curriculum and instruction, assessment, consultation, collaboration, school law, and systems. School psychologists must be certified and/or licensed by the state in which they work.
School Psychologists:
- Identify and address learning and behavior problems that interfere with school success
- When a student is suspected of having an educational disability, they can be evaluated by the school psychologist (as part of a multi-disciplinary team) to determine if they meet eligibility criteria and require special education programming and/or services.
- Support students' social, emotional, and behavioral health through direct counseling services or consultation with school social workers and social worker assistants, school counselors, teachers, parents, administrators, other school staff and community support services
- Make referrals and help coordinate community support services
- Support building intervention, crisis and safety teams and respond directly and/or assist coordination in crisis situations
Resources
Routines
Why create routines? Just like adults, children feel more confident and secure when their daily activities are predictable and familiar. A consistent daily schedule and step-by-step routines give children a predictable day. Schedules and routines at home help children feel safe, secure, and comfortable. By knowing what is happening now and what comes next it helps children feel in control of their environment. When they are part of familiar activities and routines, they develop relationships with the people they interact with and gain a sense of belonging and self-confidence. As children grow, they can follow routines, demonstrate emerging independence, and adjust to change more easily.
Where to start? Keep it simple. Think about what you do every day. You don't have to do anything new!
It may be helpful to start by breaking down one of your scheduled tasks into steps to create the routine. A schedule represents the big picture and includes main activities that happen across the day. Routines are the steps needed to complete each part of the schedule. Let your child help when they can. For example, if there are parts of the routine your child can do on their own or with a little assistance—let them do it. Try to keep the routine and schedule as similar as possible each day. However, it is also important to remain flexible as things do come up unexpectantly in life. You can say something like, "Plans change, things happen”, but give your child a warning ahead of time if things are going to be different. Let them know what is going to happen. It’s also beneficial to offer a choice in activities or the steps of a routine whenever possible.
Example:
Bedtime Routine: A regular bedtime routine helps your child know what to expect at the end of the day. Tell your child it is time to get ready for bed. Letting your child know it is bedtime begins the process for preparing them to relax and sleep.
Important steps to include:
- Brushing their teeth- brushing teeth with toothpaste before bed removes bacteria from their teeth and prevents tooth decay (cavities). It also helps to set a toothbrushing routine that lasts a lifetime.
- Spend 15 minutes reading to your child every night can improve their language development. It can also help strengthen the bond between you and your child. This is a good time to allow them a choice by choosing what book to read.
- Sleep is important for your child’s health and well-being.
Be consistent and patient. It may take time for your child to get used to the bedtime routine. Once the routine is set, bedtime will be calmer, quieter, and more fun for you and your child.
Recommended Sleep Needed by Age
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend the following:
| Preschool | 3-5 years | 10-13 hours per 24 hours (including naps) |
| School Age | 6-12 years | 9-12 hours per 24 hours |
| Teen | 13-18 years | 8-10 hours per 24 hours |
Depression - Click here
Anxiety - Click here
Grief - Click here
Suicide - Click here
Local and national contact information:
- Chemung County Crisis Services: 607-442-6900
- Family Services of Chemung County (ask for a crisis intake): 607-733-5696
- Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988
- If there is a question of an immediate threat to harm oneself or self-injury, please call 911 or take your child to the Emergency Room for an evaluation
Guidance for understanding special education
What does a special education evaluation by the school psychologist typically involve?
- Review of school records
- Gains information regarding previous interventions and progress from Classroom Intervention Team/Student Study Team, teachers, parents, and other related service providers when appropriate
- Observation of the student in the classroom and in testing sessions
- Student interview
- Administers appropriate standardized tests
- Provides interpretation of results and recommendations
- Assists with developing the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for students who qualify and require special education
Our School Psychologists:
Click on the psychologist's name for email address.
* indicates the therapist is a GST BOCES employee
| Kathryn Akins, School Psychologist | High School |
| Erin Green, School Psychologist | Big Flats |
| Jennifer Guzylak, School Psychologist | Ridge Road |
| Sara Michelucci, School Psychologist | Middle School |
| Jenna Ortlieb, School Psychologist | Gardner Road |
| Christina Roberts, School Psychologist | High School |
| Kylie Shope, School Psychologist | Gardner Road |
| Amy Trimber, School Psychologist | Intermediate School |