As a result of the enthusiastic response that we have received for this year's Safe Schools Conference, we have reached capacity and we are no longer able to accept registrations. We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause.
We invite you to mark your calendar now for the 2009 Safe Schools Conference, May 4-6 , 2009 - Hilton Harrisburg.
The session descriptions below are provided for information only.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Plenary Sessions - 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
A. How to Effectively Respond to Cyberbullying Incidents – Without Getting Sued
Nancy Willard, Director, Center for Safe and Responsible Use of the Internet, Eugene, OR
This hands-on session will delve more deeply into the legal and practical aspects of effectively responding to cyberbullying incidents. Guidance will be provided on the possible legal pitfalls and how to conduct an effective investigation and retain evidence to develop and justify an effective school district response.
B. Keeping Our Children Safe in a Multimedia World
Brian Primack, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
This interactive session will explore the media messages that affect today’s adolescents. Participants will evaluate the likelihood of certain mass media messages impacting adolescent choices in smoking, alcohol use, unhealthy eating behaviors and risky sexual behaviors. Strategies will be presented to counteract these messages and to maintain the health of our children in a multimedia world.
C. A Cross-System Approach to Reducing Truancy
William Amesbury, Magisterial District Judge, Magisterial District 11-1-01, Wilkes-Barre, PA
Joan Byer, Circuit Court Judge, Jefferson County Judicial Center
Louisville, KY
Stephen Fisher, Basic Education Associate 2, School Services Unit
PA Department of Education, Harrisburg, PA
Cindi Horshaw, Director, Program Policy Unit, PA Department of Public Welfare, Harrisburg, PA
Lynda Long, Dropout Prevention Coordinator, Center for Schools and Communities, Camp Hill, PA
In this session, participants will obtain information and materials to help schools to increase student attendance. Judge Joan Byer, a Circuit Court Judge from the Family Trial Division of the Jefferson County Judicial Center in Louisville Kentucky will describe the Louisville Truancy Court Diversion Project. Judge Byer is widely recognized for developing and implementing one of the first and most successful truancy court diversion models in the United States. As the current president of the National Truancy Prevention Association, she brings a unique perspective to truancy prevention work. The Pennsylvania perspective, and related resources, will also be provided.
D. Implications of Children Living in Poverty
Tania Thomas-Presswood, Associate Professor of Psychology, Gallaudet University, Washington, DC
Close to 13 million children in the United States live in poverty (National Center for Children in Poverty, 2006). Growing up in poverty can have a negative effect on children’s cognitive and social-emotional development. One of the most critical challenges encountered by educators working in communities characterized by pov erty is understanding the unique needs of the children and dispelling misconceptions about people who live in poverty. Successfully addressing the socio-emotional and educational needs of children increases their achievement, decreases behavioral problems, reduces their chances of dropping out of school, and improves their quality of life.