A1 - An Introduction to School Safety Planning – Rm. 222

Lauren Sabella LMHC, Behavioral Health Coach: Reading Public Schools

QBS Safety Care training set teachers up for success by providing information about preventative care and de-escalation strategies. In this presentation we will review some basic concepts of crisis prevention, and crisis management as well as what to do next. We will learn the key concepts of safety planning, what language should be used and what should be avoided, as well as who should be involved in the safety planning process. You will also learn about what makes a safety plan effective, and how to avoid some common mistakes.
Content Strands: MTSS/PBIS, Social Emotional Learning/Behavioral Health

Course Materials:  Initial Prevention Plan        Anger Thermometer

 

A2 - Authentic Assessment: How Students Can Show What They Know – Rm. 201

Julie Cremin, Digital Learning Specialist: St. John’s Prep

Come see the many ways students can demonstrate their learning while simultaneously practicing the skills needed for real-world tasks that are expected in the workplace. We will look at examples of student work such as podcasts, video PSAs, infographics, video production, and websites, as well as a variety of tech tools that enable student creation. We will discuss how to manage authentic assessment in the classroom, including student motivation, accountability, and incorporating student voice and choice in both the process and product.
Content Strands: English Language Arts/Reading/Writing, Foreign Language, Mathematics, Social Studies, Special Education, Technology

 

A3 - Coding Is Not Just For Robots – Rm. 223

Kathy Santilli, K-5 Technology Integration Specialist and Lisa Norcross, Library Media Specialist: Reading Public Schools

 

Coding is for everyone! Overwhelmed by all the coding lingo? Confused on how to integrate into your teaching? Join us for this hands-on workshop to learn more about plugged and “unplugged” coding. We will show how it can be used with ELA and Math curriculum. You will explore apps, try devices, see what free activities there are, and you might even interact with a robot!
Content Strands: English Language Arts/Reading/Writing, Mathematics, Technology

 

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A4 - Doubt to Think, and Think to Know – Rm. Cafeteria

Featured Presenter: Aaron Polansky, Keynote Speaker, Massachusetts Educator, Former Assistant Principal of the Year

 

What is the secret to building belief and efficacy in students? How do we “create” motivation while gifting the shift from external (us) to internal (self-directed) motivation? What are the components of this secret formula? How do we inspire them to fall in love with education and find their passion? "Doubt to Think, and Think to Know" is not a lecture. It’s an activity that you will participate in with real world applications that apply to more than just the questions presented above. Think deeply and reflect.
Content Strands: General or Interdisciplinary

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A5 - Eating Disorders 101 – Rm. 203

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Jennifer White Morneault, Health/Wellness Teacher: Arthur W. Coolidge MS

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This presentation will discuss eating disorders. In addition, we will be talking about the signs and symptoms that are experiences with each disorder. Staff will be informed on what they can do regarding someone who is struggling and what their options are. In addition, staff will be informed about the services that are provided within the area and New England.
Content Strands: General or Interdisciplinary, Health/Wellness/Physical Education, Social Emotional Learning/Behavioral Health, Support Staff/Specialists

 

A6 - Engineering Design Challenge/Wind Turbines – Rm. 300

 

Paul Guidetti, Science Teacher: Arthur W. Coolidge MS

 

Participants will have the opportunity to get hands-on experience in the engineering design process as they design, build and test wind turbines in a “friendly” competition. Participants will learn more about the engineering design process as well as brainstorm ways in which they might incorporate this, or other, engineering challenges into their current curriculum to help students learn more about engineering, renewable energy, energy conversion and more.
Content Strands: Science/Engineering

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A7 - Ensuring a Non-Hostile School Environment: Preventing and Responding to Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination in School – Rm. 309

Michael Joyce, Attorney at Law: Nuttall, MacAvoy & Joyce, P.C.

 

This presentation by attorney Michael J. Joyce will provide an overview of state and federal laws prohibiting bullying and discrimination in educational settings including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and state laws which protect individuals from discrimination based on gender identity, sexual orientation and religion (M.G.L. c. 71, Section 5). The primary focus of the presentation will be to define not only the legal obligations and school district liability under state and federal law, but the best pragmatic approaches to conducting a thorough, reliable and comprehensive investigation, and implementing remedial measures designed to eliminate the bullying and/or harassment.
Content Strands: General or Interdisciplinary, Leadership, Social Emotional Learning/Behavioral Health, Special Education

Course Materials: Notes Handout

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A8 - Ensuring Access to High-Quality, Standards-Aligned Curricular Materials – Rm. 225

 

Rachel Bradshaw, Instructional Policy Lead; Center for Instructional Support, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and

Secondary Education

 

Mounting evidence suggests that providing teachers with access to high-quality, standards-aligned curricular materials can substantially improve student outcomes—and student and teacher experiences—by strengthening vertical and horizontal alignment of student learning expectations, cutting down on the time teachers spend seeking and developing materials, deepening teachers’ understanding of state standards and content pedagogy, and providing a strong foundation for the work of professional learning communities. Ensuring the availability of great curricular materials is also much more cost-effective than many strategies for school and district improvement. In this session, staff from ESE’s Center for Instructional Support will share recent research findings on the power of curricular materials and discuss ways in which ESE might better support local decision-making about curriculum.
Content Strands: General or Interdisciplinary

Course Materials Link: Google Slides

 

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A9 - It’s Complicated: Children, Social Media, and Mental Health – Rm. Performing Arts Center

 

Featured Presenter: Dr. David Walsh, Psychologist, Best-selling Author, and International Speaker; and Erin Walsh, M.A.,

Teacher, Speaker, and Consultant

 

The Internet, social networking, cell phones, and video games are game changers for youth and families. Young people today spend an average of 53 hours a week with entertainment media, more than any other activity but sleeping. Digital technologies simultaneously unleash incredible opportunities and pose a new set of challenges for children and youth. In this interactive and energizing presentation, Dr. Dave and Erin Walsh will use brain science, stories, and humor to explain how technology is changing the ways that children grow up, socialize, and forge their identities. They will help parents and professionals understand the key ingredients for wellness in the digital age and provide practical tools and strategies that help children and youth build on their strengths.
Content Strands: General or Interdisciplinary, Social Emotional Learning/Behavioral Health, Technology
Supporting students with disabilities or diverse learning styles

 

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A10 - Just Talk About It – Rm. 413, Distance Learning Lab

 

Jon Mattleman, Therapist and Presenter: Middlesex Partnership for Youth

 

Geared for faculty and parents, this training includes a facilitator who will lead an interactive presentation designed to increase knowledge about teen mental health issues including mood disorders, suicide, and self-harm. This presentation will promote discussion, ease communication and enlighten teachers and parents to the warnings signs of mental health issues while teaching strategies to help students engage in help-seeking behaviors.
Content Strands: Health/Wellness/Physical Education, Social Emotional Learning/Behavioral Health
Supporting students with disabilities or diverse learning styles

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A11 - Living with Ambiguity: Supporting Students Experiencing Non-death Loss – Rm. 205

 

Kate Tetuan Parent, Program Specialist: Wediko Children’s Services

 

Even without death, students can grieve. This presentation expands the lens of childhood grief to include non-death loss. Through powerpoint, large and small group discussion, activity facilitation and personal reflection, participants will become familiar with ambiguous loss theory and how it is applicable to professionals working with grieving children. Participants will also learn specific strategies to work with students who are experiencing non-death loss, and will be asked to reflect on personal experiences of ambiguous loss.
Content Strands: Social Emotional Learning/Behavioral Health

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A12 - Mastering the Art of Effective Socratic Dialogue – Rm. 313

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Francis Vigeant, Chief Executive Officer and Founder: KnowAtom Science

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In this one-hour presentation, learn helpful tips and techniques for coaching students to engage with their own ideas and the ideas of their peers in Socratic dialogue. We’ll discuss: Why Socratic dialogue is so important in a next generation science classroom, how to get students to be active participants in an effective Socratic dialogue, and concrete steps you can take as coach to ensure students are making deep connections.
Content Strands: General or Interdisciplinary, Science/Engineering

 

A13 - Not Your Mother’s Weed: Understanding Marijuana Today – Rm. 207

 

Rich Catrambone, Retired School Professional/Counselor/Social Worker: Middlesex Partnership for Youth

 

The marijuana industry is coming to Massachusetts and bringing with it marketing to youth, home-grown plants, marijuana food items (edibles), and products containing high-levels of THC. This workshop aims to address the impacts of the new marijuana industry on youth and what schools can do to relay a clear, consistent message about this drug to students.
Content Strands: Health/Wellness/Physical Education, Social Emotional Learning/Behavioral Health

Course Materials: Edible Marijuana Dangers      Marijuana Infographic    Marijuana Use Info

 

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A14 - “Out of the Box” Interactive Final Exams – Rm. 237

 

Meaghan Janger and Courtney Pray, Spanish Teachers: Reading Memorial HS

 

Attention will be paid to design and implementation of communicative, interactive final exams. Though pertinent to the language classroom, the concept can be applied to all areas in the humanities.
Content Strands: English Language Arts/Reading/Writing, English Language Learner (ELL), Fine/Performing Arts, Foreign Language, Literacy, Social Studies

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A15 - QBS: Sharing Successes and Problem Solving Discussion – Rm. 209

 

Kelly DiCato, Craig Murphy, Jackie Pelusi, Lisa Studer, QBS Safety Care Trainers: Reading Public Schools

 

The session will be a collaborative time in which attendees can share scenarios of situations they have been involved with which have required de-escalation and/or physical management. As a group, we will discuss what has been successful and/or brainstorm alternative interventions that may have been more successful as well as strategies to reduce the need for physical management. Attendees should be trained in QBS Safety Care De-escalation or physical management strategies.
Content Strands: Social Emotional Learning/Behavioral Health, Special Education
Supporting students with disabilities or diverse learning styles

 

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A16 - The Importance of Adult SEL – Rm. 307

Sara Burd, Director of Guidance and Social Emotional Learning: Arlington Public Schools

 

With such a focus on the importance of social emotional learning in our schools to benefit the learning, health and well-being of our students, it is important to take a look at the research and our current educational reality to acknowledge; adult SEL must be a priority! Participants in this workshop will learn about the research on adult SEL and the impact on student SEL. Additionally, we will cover the many benefits to cultivating adult SEL, professionally, personally and globally.
Content Strands: Health/Wellness/Physical Education, MTSS/PBIS, Social Emotional Learning/Behavioral Health, Support Staff/Specialists

Course Materials: Adult SEL Presentation    CDE Report    SEAD Research    Supporting Whole Teacher

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A17 - The Power of Interactive Read Aloud – Rm. 305

Keri DiNapoli and Tonia McGuire, Grade 4 Teachers: Wood End ES and J.W. Killam ES

This session will cover how to use picture books as mentor texts during reading and writing to improve your students literal, inferential, and analytical thinking through accountable talk. In this interactive session, you will see a model of interactive read aloud, learn how to use read aloud to level the playing field for all readers and writers in your classroom, and have the opportunity to plan and make interactive read aloud lessons using picture books.
Content Strands: English Language Arts/Reading/Writing, Literacy

 

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A18 - Using Class Dojo in the Elementary School Classroom – Rm. 224

 

Kelley McQuillin, First Grade Teacher: Joshua Eaton ES

 

Come learn how to use Class Dojo in your classroom. Class Dojo is a classroom management tool that provides you a unique opportunity to build community with both students and families. In the workshop, I will show you how to set up an account, how to manage it from a computer, smartphone, or tablet, and how to make it work for you and your students! Use this tool to streamline behavior plans and communication with families.
Content Strands: Social Emotional Learning/Behavioral Health, Technology

 

 

A19 - Using Data to Improve College & Career Outcomes – Rm. 235

 

Jen Appleyard, Early Warning Implementation Specialist: DESE

 

Join us for a College & Career Readiness Data session to build awareness & use of DESE’s College & Career Readiness data tools & data cycle resources. We’ll cover several EDWIN reports (FAFSA completion; postsecondary enrollment, persistence and completion; and postsecondary academic readiness) and talk about how these are related to the Early Warning Indicator System. Counselors and leaders may bring devices & EDWIN log-in info to pull up the reports and follow along.
Content Strands: General or Interdisciplinary, Leadership, Data Use/Counselors

Course Materials: Presentation

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