New Personnel Training for Principals, Administrators, and Outreach Consultants
Marco Orlando, Educational Consultant/CSS Field Colleague; Margarita Garcia, Consultant, Learning Support & Partnerships Division, CDE, CA

This overview of the CSS program is required for all principals and for those outreach consultants who have not completed the Dropout Prevention Specialist Certificate program. This presentation will feature a video presentation, interactive training by expert field colleagues and principals, and a clear understanding of what makes CSS such an effective academic and student support program.

Strand: CSS Toolkit
Grade Level: K–12

A Promising Solution to Racism, Harassment, Gangs, and Bullying
John Vandenburgh, Coordinator Student Support, Murrieta Valley USD Support Ctr., CA

This in-depth workshop presents a cost-effective, research-based approach for K–12 school campuses that develop a network of understanding, unity, and support among students from a variety of backgrounds and personalities. Learn how to develop the cultural competency in your students and faculty and come away with an extensive safe schools diversity awareness program, resource packet and implementation plan for your school.

Strand: Safety and Violence Prevention
Grade Level: K–12

Actively Involving Parents—The Key to Success
Ralph Fry, Co-Author, Parent Project, CA

In this interactive in-depth session, we will learn tools to actively engage parents of strong-willed or out-of-control children as part of the solution. We’ll look at the problems parents face, discuss strategies to motivate and retain parents’ involvement, and look at several skills we can quickly teach moms and dads to help them to support their children’s school attendance and performance.

Strand: Family and Community Collaboration
Grade Level: K–12

Behind Closed Doors: Facilitating Classroom Learning Activities
Cristal McGill, Ph.D., Education Consultant, ASU Faculty Associate, Impact Learning, Inc., CO

Effective instruction means finding ways to keep students physically and emotionally engaged in the learning process. This fast-paced, innovative, and dynamic in-depth session explains why, while simultaneously demonstrating how to put these ideas into practice. Walk away with a “neural explosion” of ideas guaranteed to lift any activity or game to an entirely new level.

Strand: Instructional Strategies
Grade Level: K–12

Kids in Chaos
Ray Culberson, Director, San Bernardino City USD Office, CA

Growing numbers of children come to school from an environment of crime and neglect, often suffering from depression, anxiety, conduct disorder, ADHD, and a host of other emotionally charged issues. In this unique in-depth session, you will learn strategies for handling difficult students, as well as learning techniques for maintaining your own personal sanity as you try to effectively engage these families.

Strand: Engaging At-Risk Students
Grade Level: K–12

REFOCUS™: A Powerful Solution to Problem Behavior
Greg Solomon, Inst. Music Teacher, Vista Heights Middle School, Moreno Valley USD, CA

At the core of the nationally acclaimed Time To Teach! Program is the strategy of REFOCUS™, unquestionably the most powerful solution to problem behavior ever developed for the classroom teacher. When behaviors are addressed early and consistently, without giving multiple warnings and repeated requests, your classroom will run more smoothly than you ever thought possible!

Strand: Instructional Strategies
Grade Level: K–12

Stemming the Tide: Helping At-Risk Kids Stay in School
Kate Bishop, CWA Coordinator/CSS Field Colleague, North Sacramento District Office; Patrick Yrarrázaval-Correa, Principal, Carr Intermediate School, CA

Impoverished schools frequently struggle to keep students interested in and attending school. Many factors get in the way of students graduating and becoming successful adults. Solving the truancy issue at your school is not simple and requires a school wide effort. Session leaders will present their real-world strategies for getting kids excited in school, and offering the supports and limits needed to increase attendance and school success. Learn about effective interventions at the elementary and secondary levels for helping students experiencing family chaos, homelessness and school failure.

Strand: Engaging At-Risk Students
Grade Level: K–12