News & Updates

The Colorado Society of School Psychologists (CSSP) is currently accepting nominations for the 2025 School Psychologist of the Year. If you would like to nominate an exemplary school psychologist for this honor, please see the guidelines outlined below. Co-workers, supervisors, students, parents, and anyone else who has worked with the nominee in a professional setting may write letters of support. CSSP only considers school psychologists currently working in the school setting. A committee of educational professionals will review all nomination packets submitted. The winner will be announced at the CSSP Fall Conference. Additionally, they will then have the opportunity to be nominated for NASP’s School Psychologist of the Year. 

STEP 1- By October 6, 2025 

• Nominators will complete a nomination google form describing why the candidate should be considered for this award, and complete the contact information on the google form.  In your nomination statement, please give specific examples in any of the following areas: data-based decision making; consultation & collaboration; interventions & instructional support to develop academic skills; interventions & mental health support to develop social & life skills; school-wide practices to promote learning; prevention, crisis intervention & mental health support; family-school & community collaboration; diversity in development & learning; research and program evaluation; legal, ethical and professional behavior; performs job in an exemplary manner; earns respect of others; professional memberships and leadership activities. You will be able to go back into the google form to upload letters of recommendation.

STEP 2- By October 20, 2025 

• Nominator and/or nominee must collect four, one-page letters of support (one must be from their school(s) of employment) from colleagues, administration, students and/or parents about the candidate’s capabilities with a focus on the domain of school psychology.

• Nominee needs to be a CSSP member and must be a practicing school psychologist in the schools, who spends the majority of his/her time providing direct service to students, teachers, and parents in school settings. Trainers, researchers, or administrators are not eligible for this award. 

• Nominee must submit their résumé and/or curriculum vitae, inclusive of any presentations, newsletters and/or publications. 

• Nomination materials must follow CSSP guidelines listed above and all documents are due no later than October 20, 2025 

• Please attach the  nomination statement, nominee résumé, four letters of support, and candidate essay electronically to the google form or send to Kristen Arnold at karnold@greeleyschools.org

• A panel of peers will review all materials confidentially and determine the top candidate who will be nominated to represent Colorado for School Psychologist of the Year. 

The Colorado Society of School Psychologists is holding the Evergreen High School community in our hearts after yesterday’s heartbreaking tragedy. We grieve with students, families, educators, and all those impacted.

One of our own CSSP board members was present at Evergreen High School and is safe. We are grateful — and at the same time, we mourn alongside all who are hurting.

We also want to make sure support is accessible for everyone in this difficult time. Please share these resources widely:

For Youth & Families
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (https://988lifeline.org) – Call, text, or chat 988 anytime.
I Matter Colorado (https://imattercolorado.org) – Up to 6 free counseling sessions for youth 18 and under.
Safe2Tell (https://safe2tell.org) – Anonymous reporting of threats or safety concerns.
Colorado Crisis Services (https://coloradocrisisservices.org) – Call 1-844-493-8255 or text TALK to 38255, available 24/7.

For Educators & School Staff
Colorado Educator Support Program (https://coloradoeducatorsupportcoalition.org/) – Free, confidential counseling designed specifically for educators, school mental health providers, and staff.

Professional Guidance
NASP: Responding to a Mass Casualty Event at a School (https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-climate-safety-and-crisis/systems-level-prevention/responding-to-a-mass-casualty-event-at-a-school)
NASP: Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Families and Educators (https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-climate-safety-and-crisis/violence-prevention-and-safety/talking-to-children-about-violence-tips-for-families-and-educators)
ASCA: Helping Students After a School Tragedy (https://schoolcounselor.org/Publications-Research/Publications/Free-ASCA-Resources/Helping-Students-After-a-School-Tragedy)
SAMHSA: Tips for Talking to Children and Youth After Traumatic Events (https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/priv/sma12-4732.pdf)
NCTSN: Resources for Community Violence (https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/trauma-types/community-violence)

✨ To our colleagues and community: please remember it is normal to feel a wide range of emotions in the wake of such violence. Reaching out for help is a sign of strength — for students, families, and for us as adults and educators.

Together, we stand with Evergreen. Together, we heal.

Registration Now Open for the 2025 CSSP Fall Conference!
Freedom and the Right to Thrive!!!

Thursday Pre-conference (8:00-3:30): Addressing Anxiety in Schools: Tools and Strategies for School-Based Mental Health Professionals 
Presenter: Dr. Caroline Buzanko, PhD

BREAK: 3:30-4:00

Thursday Evening Session (4:00-6:00): Shaping the Future of School-Based Mental Health in Colorado: Policy, Practice, and Advocacy*
Presenters: Krista Klabo, EdS; Ben Ellis, EdS, & Heather Travis, PsyD
*This session will fulfill 2 hours of the Law/Ethics requirement for NCSP renewal 

Friday
Breakfast 7:00-9:00
Sessions: 8:00-4:45
Reception & Fishbowl Raffle: 6:00pm-9:00pm

Saturday
Networking breakfast 7:30-9:30
Sessions: 8:30-3:00

See our conference flyer for schedule and additional information.

Registration fees:
CSSP Members: Login and go to Member Event Registration at the top of the page to get the discounted member registration rates!

Pre-Conference: Thursday, Nov. 6th  (8:00am – 6:00pm) lunch on your own 
Includes Thursday evening session!!              
CSSP Reg. Early Career, & Assoc. Members: $150.00 
Non-Members: $225.00                        Student Members: $65.00 
Late Fee after October 15: $20.00 

Pre-Conference: Thurs. Evening Session ONLY 4:00pm – 5:30pm  
if NOT attending Thursday all-day pre-conference session)        
Members & Nonmembers: $40.00             Students $10.00

Conference Registration: Friday Nov. 7^th : 7:30-4:45 &
Saturday Nov. 8^th: 7:30-3:30
(Includes Breakfast both days)    
CSSP Reg. Early Career, & Assoc. Members $250.00       Non-Members: $450.00       Student Members $100.00
Late Fee after October 15: $20.00  

Friday, Nov. 7^th:  7:30-4:45 ONLY Registration (includes breakfast)
lunch on your own 
CSSP Reg. Early Career, & Assoc. Members: $150.00          Non-Members: $275.00        Student Members: $65.00
Late Fee after October 15,: $20.00   

Saturday, Nov. 8^th 7:30-3:30 ONLY Registration (includes breakfast)
lunch on your own
CSSP Reg. Early Career, & Assoc. Members: $125.00          Non-Members: $225.00                      Student Members: $50.00
Late Fee after October 15: $20.00  

CSSP Members: Login and go to Member Event Registration at the top of the page to get the discounted member registration rates!

LODGING
Book your hotel room at the beautiful Grand Hyatt Vail now to get the reduced conference rate of $169 (plus tax) per night!!

Book via this link: https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/group-booking/EGEGH/G-CSSP

Hotel Amenities:
- Waived resort fee
- Group rates available 3 days pre/post, based on hotel availability
- Reduced valet parking to $20 per vehicle per night
- 10% discount on à la carte spa services at the spa at Grand Hyatt Vail
- Complimentary basic WIFI in meeting space, guest rooms and public areas

in an attempt to end the shortage of school psychologists in Colorado, CSSP now is partnering with CDE to post open school psychologist positions.
Current openings can be found here: School-Based Mental Health Open Positions