Thursday, April 3 - 2:30-3:30 PM

  ______ Keynote Follow-Up with Lew Smith

presented by

Lew Smith, Director, National Principals Leadership Institute, Fordham University

Lew’s keynote session will examine schools that have significantly improved, making meaningful, positive, and lasting change.  Join him for this session and continue exploring this topic with a smaller group.

  ______ Legal Issues Update

presented by

The School District Law Group of Kennedy and Graven

This session will address hot topic legal issues for school administrators.  More specific information will be published in the conference program booklet.

  ______ The Countdown to January 1, 2009 is Underway!  Are You Ready?

presented by

Richard Turner, General Counsel, AIG Retirement

Final 403(b) regulations have been published and generally become effective on January 1, 2009. There’s been plenty of buildup, discussion, information and misinformation talked about while plan sponsors and plan providers waited for the “final word”. We have that final word (and additional final words, published in November). So, what now? Join Richard Turner, Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, AIG Retirement to get straight information about what these changes mean to you and your school district’s 403(b) program. This session will highlight key requirements and timelines, and answer some practical questions that many school districts are asking.

  ______ Literacy Across the Curriculum: Content Enhancement for Student Success

presented by

Barbara Vallejo, MN SIM Coordinator, SIM Network

Margie Motzel, EBD Teacher & MN SIM Professional Developer, St. Paul Schools

Expectations for students are higher than ever, the volume of content information is ever expanding and instructional time remains the same.  What do you need to do next to enhance your curriculum and set your students up for success?  The University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning has a wealth of field-tested strategies and routines backed by student success data that can help.  Join this session and explore this rich resource.

  ______ Four Color Leadership: Leading Organizational Growth through a Whole System View

presented by

Tracy Flynn Bowe, Owner, New Directions Counseling & Training, Ltd.

In this session we will learn how to use the Four Color View system to transform organizational life and to leverage the tools and talents of your school district.  This is a simple and powerful tool to create strong and healthy professional learning communities that can meet the fast changing demands of educational communities.

  ______ iPods and Podcasting for Administrators

presented by

Paul Miller, Account Executive, Apple

Richard Voltz, Associate Director of Professional Development, IASA

Today’s school leaders need to focus on effective communication and varying communication strategies with staff, students, parents and communities. Podcasting facilitates the challenge of this focus and provides a 21st century solution.  School leaders and staff can produce podcasts that community members may then listen to at their convenience on their computers, iPod, or any MP3 player — communication on-the-go.

  ______ Supporting the Front Line Workers

presented by

Lesley Ernst, Assistant Manager, NE Metro 916 Intermediate School District

This session will explore research-based strategies designed to help educational leaders support and retain special education staff who work directly with challenging students in the areas of Developmental Cognitive Disabilities (DCD) and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).

  ______ Implementing a Response to Intervention (RtI) Model: Lessons Learned over 12 Years of Implementation

presented by

Kim Gibbons, Executive Director, St. Croix River Education District

Vern Koepp, Superintendent, Rush City Schools

This session will share St. Croix River Education District’s twelve years of experience with RTI implementation.  Information will be provided on training efforts, frequently asked questions, and common problems.  In addition, we will discuss issues around increasing instructional intensity and time for students with the most intensive needs.