P.O. Box 909 ● Trenton, NJ 08605-0909 ● Phone: 609.695.7600 ● Fax: 609.695.0413 ● Web: www.njsba.org/PI

DATE:                          MONDAY, OCT. 24 to WEDNESDAY, OCT. 26

LOCATION:                  ATLANTIC CITY CONVENTION CENTER

CONTACT:                    FRANK BELLUSCIO (fbelluscio@njsba.org)

                                    MIKE YAPLE (myaple@njsba.org)

                                    (609) 278-5202 – New Jersey School Boards Association

                                    (609) 449-3945 – Conference site press room, Oct. 24-26 only

Workshop 2011, the major conference for New Jersey’s local school board members and school administrators, will feature training programs on issues such as bullying, academics and funding.

The conference, which offers 200-plus training and information sessions, will take place in the Atlantic City Convention Center from Monday, Oct. 24 through Wednesday, Oct. 26.

The programming on Monday and Tuesday features high-profile speakers and education experts addressing some of the most pressing issues facing public education today. Wednesday features a daylong series of programs titled “Perspectives on New Jersey Education Reform,” focusing on issues such as teacher tenure, evaluation and school choice, and which will culminate with a presentation by Christopher Cerf, New Jersey’s Acting Commissioner of Education.

Workshop attracts thousands of local school officials who attend training programs that address topics such as:

·         Achievement and education reform: 30 programs

·         Technology (students’ cyberworld, maximizing websites, iPads in the classroom, etc.):

22 programs

·         Finance and labor issues: 26 programs

·         Alternative funding (shared services, cost-saving energy programs, foundations, etc.):

29 programs

·         Innovative curriculum: 13 programs

·         Student safety (bullying, emergency preparedness, etc.): 16 programs

·         Leadership (strategic plans, superintendent searches, etc.): 16 programs

·         Effective communications (community engagement, Twitter, online surveys, etc.): 14 sessions

Workshop 2011 is sponsored by the New Jersey School Boards Association, the New Jersey Association of School Administrators and the New Jersey Association of School Business Officials.

Reporters will have numerous opportunities for news and feature stories, and to gain in-depth background on trends and issues in public education. All Workshop programs will take place in the Atlantic City Convention Center. Attendance at Workshop 2011 is free for credentialed reporters and editorial staff of the news media.

Services for news media:  During the conference, a newsroom for reporters will be set up in the Atlantic City Convention Center. Press kits, telephones and wireless Internet access will be available. Upon arrival at the Convention Center, reporters should register at the Workshop Newsroom on the second floor, in Hall D. The newsroom telephone number will be (609) 449-3945.

If you plan to attend or would like additional information, contact Frank Belluscio (fbelluscio@njsba.org) or Mike Yaple (myaple@njsba.org) of the NJSBA Communications Department at (609) 278-5202.

Workshop program highlights include—

(All programs are in the Atlantic City Convention Center)

MONDAY, OCTOBER 24

Summit on School Bullying – The NJASA School Leadership Summit will include a panel discussion on harassment, intimidation and bullying. (2:30 – 4 p.m.)

How Education Foundations Can Provide Sustainable Funding – Local education foundations can be an important component in a district’s search for alternative funding. (11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)

Maximizing Your Website – Presenters will demonstrate how a district’s website can enhance curriculum technology development, and communications. (2:30 – 3:30 p.m.)

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25

Jamie Vollmer: Increasing Public Support for America’s Schools – Jamie Vollmer, who wrote the highly acclaimed book, Schools Cannot Do It Alone: Building Public Support for America’s Schools, will speak on his experiences of changing from a public-school critic to a public-school advocate. (10:15 – 11:15 a.m.)

Navigating the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights – A consultant to the Education Information and Resource Center will discuss the state’s new anti-bullying law. “Coach Randy” Nathan, who has spoken to thousands as motivational speaker and professional coach, will discuss the impact of the most significant change in New Jersey law this year. (3 – 4:15 p.m.)

“Is Sustainability the Answer to the Academic & Financial Success of NJ Schools?” – Will retrofitting existing school buildings with clean energy technology reduce operating costs, decrease tax dependency and provide more funding for the classroom? A diverse panel experienced in “greening” school facilities and curriculum will address this question from their unique perspectives. (3 – 4 p.m.)

Ten Alternative Sources of External School Funding – School districts are dealing with shrinking revenues by exploring new concepts such as ads on school buses, naming rights and student activity fees. (10 – 11 a.m.)

Creating a Culture of Character: Reducing Bullying in Our Schools – This program focuses on utilizing district policy and character education to foster a culture of character. (10 – 11 a.m.)

“I Love Boobies, Bong Hits for Jesus, and Other First Amendment Cases in Public Schools” – Leading school attorneys will discuss thorny issues involving free-speech and religion that have arisen in public schools. (10 – 11 a.m.)

Alternative Funding for Capital Maintenance – Numerous opportunities, from solar projects to energy-saving improvements, can help school districts fund repairs to aging facilities. (11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)

Raising Private Funding: Starting an Education Foundation – This program will describe how an education foundation can create new funding for valued school programs. (1:30 – 3 p.m.)

Using Technology to Engage the Community – Facebook, Twitter, and other audio and video content may help transform how school districts connect with the public. (11:30 a.m. – noon)

Great Schools of New Jersey – This NJASA roundtable discussion will highlight successful practices used in New Jersey’s most challenged school districts.  (1:30 – 3 p.m.)

Blogs, Tweets & Bytes: Working with the New News Media – A panel of media experts – NJ Spotlight editor John Mooney, Patch.com editor Tom Davis, and communications director Jeanine Genauer of the West Orange School District – will discuss how schools can best work with new social media, bloggers and hyperlocal news sites. (1 – 2 p.m.)

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26

Acting Education Commissioner Christopher Cerf Discusses Education Reform – Acting Commissioner Christopher Cerf, who oversees the 2,500 public schools in the state, will cap off an entire day’s worth of programming specifically on education reform in New Jersey. Cerf will discuss his visions of reform, and what school officials can expect in the future. (2 p.m.) 

Teacher Evaluations and Tenure – Moderated by John Mooney, education writer/editor of NJ Spotlight, this panel discussion will provide viewpoints from both sides of the issues.  Panelists will include representatives from NJSBA, NJEA, NJPSA, the New Jersey Educators Effectiveness Task Force, and Democrats for Education Reform. (12:45 – 1:45 p.m.)

“Teamwork, Dreamwork: Together We Can” – Earl C. Rickman III, a Michigan school board member and immediate past president of the National School Boards Association, calls on school officials to create a brighter future for the next generation with “dream work” and teamwork – even in difficult times. (9:30 – 10:15 a.m.)

Charters, Choice and the Opportunity Scholarship Act – Charter schools, school choice and the Opportunity Scholarship Act are being touted as reform options for children in failing schools. Both sides of each issue will be discussed by a panel that includes the Rev. Reginald Jackson, executive director of the Black Ministers’ Council of New Jersey; Dr. Julia Sass Rubin of Save Our Schools NJ; Julie Cavanagh, educator and co-producer of the documentary, The Inconvenient Truth behind Waiting for Superman; and Chris Emigholz, director of legislative affairs for the state Department of Education. (10:30 – 11:30 a.m.)

The State Board of Education – A question-and-answer format features members of the State Board, the body that sets regulations that all public schools must follow. They will discuss issues such as tenure and teacher evaluations; national common core standards, charter schools and school choice. (11:40 a.m. – 12:40 p.m.)

For information about the Workshop 2011 training program, contact the NJSBA Communications Department at (609) 278-5202.