NAPSA CONFERENCE IN SAN DIEGO, A GREAT SUCCESS
Slide Show
The 38th Annual Conference was held in beautiful San Diego, California at the elegant Westgate Hotel from October 5-8. The theme of the conference "Catch the Wave: New Directions for Pupil Services" provided conference participants with opportunities to gather information, make connections and examine possibilities for the future of the profession. The conference offered a cross-section of talented presenters who brought unique perspectives and expertise.
The opening keynote session of the conference was preceded by a Pre-Conference Academy and Workshop. Director Frankie Cooper led Academy presentations by NAPSA Executive Board members Kathryn Coleman, Ellen Robinson and Gwen Willis, and NAPSA member Daniel Lopez. NAPSA Trustee John Correll led the Sunday afternoon Workshop and focused on the Evaluation of Pupil Services programs.
The opening keynote presentation was by Drs. Howard Abelman and Linda Taylor from the national Center for Mental Health in Schools located at UCLA. Drs. Adelman and Tayor offered a provocative and thoughtful variety of initiatives for enhancing ways for schools to address barriers to learning by rethinking how schools provide support for students.
During the course of the following three days, the conference program offered break-out sessions on a variety of topics representative of the diverse responsibilities for which student services directors have responsibilities. These sessions included topics such as Alternative Programs, Middle College Programs in high schools, Crisis Intervention, a Secondary Child Study Team model, Autism, Bullying and a Pupil Services Response to Student Death.
In addition to these break-out sessions there were three powerful keynote presentations. On Monday morning Elena Gallegos, Esq. discussed the legal implications of NCLB. On Tuesday morning Elsa Abele explored processes for Understanding the Challenges of children diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome. And on Wednesday morning, Dr. Jim Fitzpatrick closed the conference by both describing and modeling ways in which Pupil Services Directors can lead educators in dealing with difficult and alienated students in order to Develop Responsible Behavior in the Classroom.
One of the aspects of NAPSA conferences that attendees always seem to enjoy is having the opportunity to socialize with professionals from different areas of the country. The size of the conference lends itself to the importance of sharing camaraderie with people who perform similar job functions. This year's conference was no exception. On Monday evening conference attendees were treated to a fine dinner at the Westgate Hotel. Following the dinner, President Ted Kozlik presented a plaque to Secretary Ronnie Knutson recognizing her 7 years of devoted service to the NAPSA Exective Board. Ted also presented a plaque and gift to Past-President Charlotte Roberts who is completing her tenure with the Board. Ted joined with all those present in thanking these woman for their leadership and wishing them much continued success in the future. Both Charlotte and Ronnie will be leaving the Board at the end of 2003.
The initial feedback and evaluations reflected positively on the quality of the presenters and the topics on which they spoke, the hotel and its services, and the overall structure and pace of the conference. The Executive Board will continue to use this information in planning for future conferences. Our conference site for 2004 is the Beau Rivage Hotel and Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi. We look forward to seeing you there October 24-27.