School board members from throughout the state will convene in Spokane this month for the 2004 Annual Conference of the Washington State School Directors’ Association. This year’s conference, which takes place Nov. 10-13 at the Spokane Ag Trade Center/DoubleTree Hotel, features an exciting lineup of speakers, workshops, exhibits and special events.
"This conference is the best opportunity for all of us to meet, share, and grow as school leaders" said WSSDA President Sandy Collins, a member of the Kent School Board. "We all share the same goal—to provide the best possible education for all children in Washington state."
More than 1,000 school directors, administrators and others from the education community are expected to attend the Annual Conference, which will present over 100 workshops on topics related to student achievement, governance, education funding, community engagement and other front-burner issues. Participants will also hear from a number of nationally recognized speakers and visit with exhibitors offering the latest in services and products for schools and school districts.
This year’s opening ceremony will feature a special Veterans Day tribute to the armed forces and veterans. Students from Spokane’s John Rogers High School ROTC will present the colors and the national anthem will be delivered by Aubrey Logan, a student from Jackson High School in Everett. Conference attendees who are veterans will be recognized during the ceremony along with those who have secured and preserved freedom throughout America’s history. Special "stars and stripes" pins in the shape of an apple will be provided to conference participants as a way to say thanks to all.
The opening session also recognizes the 50th anniversary of the historic Brown v. Board of Education decision with a keynote address from Terrence Roberts, one of the "Little Rock Nine" (the nine children who were the first to integrate the Little Rock Public Schools in 1957). Roberts will explore the lessons learned from this chaotic episode in American history, where we have come since Brown, and what is left to do to ensure that all children learn.
George McShan, president of the National School Boards Association (NSBA), will bring greetings from NSBA during the opening ceremony. McShan shares an important message about collaboration, advocacy for students, and building the partnerships to ensure educational success.
Other highlights of this year’s Annual Conference include:
State of Education Address – Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergeson will deliver the annual State of Education Address during the luncheon on Friday (Nov. 12). Dr. Bergeson’s presentation is consistently engaging, insightful and critical to the governance of education at all levels. Bergeson is expected to focus on the latest developments in education reform, with particular emphasis on readying the high school class of 2008 for the state’s new graduation requirements.
The WSSDA Pre-Conference – The Pre-Conference on Wednesday (Nov. 10) also has an impressive cast of dynamic presenters, including Jamie Vollmer, nationally recognized expert on community engagement, Susan Quattrociocchi, author of Living, Learning and Earning in America, Bob Hughes, technology guru and Lake Washington school director, and Mary Alice Heuschel, OSPI deputy superintendent for learning and teaching. With a special track on First-Term School Board Orientation, the Pre-Conference is a must for new school board members. Other strands include sessions on No Child Left Behind and the Washington Assessment of Student Learning, Community Engagement, and Technology. Those who attend the final session of the Technology Strand will be eligible to win an HP/Compaq Tablet Computer donated by the company.
A Do-Not-Miss Closing – Erik Wahl, artist and speaker of national and international renown, is the featured speaker for the closing session on Saturday morning. Wahl’s presentation is unique and entertaining. While creating an artistic masterpiece on stage, he challenges his audience to implement breakthrough thinking techniques to accomplish the extraordinary.
President’s Welcome Reception – Held at the beautiful Davenport Hotel on Thursday evening (Nov. 11), this event is the perfect start to Boards’ Night Out.
WSSDA Elections – On Friday (Nov. 12), school board members will vote for WSSDA officers and their director area representatives on the WSSDA Board of Directors and standing committees. Voting for these posts will take place during the director area caucus meetings.
Conference registration is available at wssda.org/annualconference or by contacting WSSDA’s Antonio Gonzalez at 360/252-3008 or 1-800-562-8927. On-site registration will also be available the day of the conference.
