Resources · Every November
A week to recognize the people behind safe, supportive schools
Each November the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) designates National School Psychology Week to celebrate what school psychologists do for children, and Boston Public Schools joins schools across the country in marking it. This page explains the week, how anyone can take part, and how we celebrate it here.
National School Psychology Week 2026
November 9–13, 2026 · Theme: Inspire Connection
NASP's 2026 theme highlights how school psychologists build the relationships that support students, strengthen collaboration, and change school communities. Each weekday carries its own question.
- MondayWhat connections inspire you?
- TuesdayWhere can connection take you?
- WednesdayHow will we inspire change?
- ThursdayWhat connects us?
- FridayLet's inspire connection!
Dates and theme are set by NASP each year. Upcoming weeks: November 1–5, 2027 and November 13–17, 2028.
Why It Matters
Much of a school psychologist's work happens where families never see it
School psychologists help children succeed in school, at home, and in life by bringing expertise in mental health, learning, and behavior into the school day: screening and assessment, counseling, consultation with teachers and families, crisis response, and the systems that keep whole schools safe and supportive. Most of it is quiet, and most families meet it only when their own child needs it.
National School Psychology Week exists to make that work visible, to thank the people doing it, and to press for more of them. Schools nationwide face a shortage of school psychologists, and NASP uses the week to invite advocacy alongside celebration.
In Boston
- More than 100 school psychologistsserving every Boston public school
- NASP Exemplary Recognitionone of four districts nationwide, 2025
- A school psychologist for your schoolFind yours in the directory
Ways to Take Part
There is a role for everyone in the week
Ideas from NASP's public materials and from how Boston celebrates, grouped by who you are. Items marked NASP link to NASP's own templates and guides.
Learn who your school's psychologist is and what they can help with. Send a note of thanks, or have your child make one. Younger students can use NASP's coloring pages NASP. Share a shout-out on social media during the week.
Recognize your school psychologist at a staff meeting or in the school newsletter. Adapt NASP's sample letter to the school community NASP for your families. Hang the 2026 poster NASP where students and families will see it.
Use NASP's planning checklist NASP to plan the week early. Introduce your role to a class, a parent group, or the school council. Take part in NASP's Advocacy Action Day on the Wednesday. Post with #SchoolPsychWeek and tag the department so we can amplify it.
Ask your school committee or city council for a proclamation using NASP's request letter and sample proclamation NASP. Share NASP's sample press release NASP with communications staff. Name your school psychologists publicly.
NASP publishes activities for graduate educators and programs NASP. Boston's practicum students and interns join the department's celebration each year, and many of our current staff first came to BPS as trainees. Training with us.
How BPS Celebrates
A week of recognition, a few traditions
Behavioral Health Services marks the week publicly on the Boston School Psychs social accounts and inside the department. The details change each year; the shape of the week does not.
A kickoff for the whole team
The week opens with photographs of BPS school psychologists at work and a public thank-you for what they do with students, families, educators, and communities.
Shout out a school psychologist who inspires you
Families, colleagues, and former students are invited to name a school psychologist who made a difference. The replies are the best part of the week.
School psychology trivia
A question or two about the field and the department, such as the year BPS earned NASP Exemplary Recognition, so people learn something while they play.
A conversation with a national leader
The Boston School Psychs Podcast features a guest from the field during the week. In 2025 it was Dr. Amber Harris, NASP Treasurer, on supporting and advocating for school psychologists. Listen to episode 4.
A closing thank-you
The week ends the way it began, with appreciation for more than 100 school psychologists across the district. Their work is also recognized year-round through School Psychologist of the Month.
NASP Resources
Materials from the National Association of School Psychologists
These are NASP's own public materials, linked here rather than copied. Everything below opens on nasponline.org without a login.
NASP's main page for the week: this year's theme, dates, and links to everything below.
A week-by-week plan for school psychologists organizing a celebration. PDF.
Ideas and contacts for celebrating and advocating at the state level.
An editable letter schools can send to families explaining the week and the role.
Template language for a school board, city, or state proclamation, with a letter requesting one.
For district communications staff and local media.
Activity sheets for K–12 students.
A shareable graphic for the week.
How university programs and their students can take part.
On the Wednesday of the week, NASP asks supporters to write to federal and state representatives, engage local school boards, and post with #SchoolPsychWeek and #NASPadvocates.
Themes and posters from earlier celebrations.
NASP also offers member-only materials for the week, including letterhead, a partner program, a gratitude program, and a student award; they require a NASP login and are not listed here. Questions about NASP materials: communications@naspweb.org.