2018 Summer Institute - Download Presentations

The handouts and presentation slides for many of the sessions at the MASC 2018 Summer Institute are now available for download.

Friday Sessions (4:00pm - 6:00pm):

Social and Emotional Learning: What School Committee Members Need to Know and Do
There’s a lot of talk about social and emotional learning these days. What do we as School Committee members need to know about this field, why it’s important, how it can be implemented and integrated most effectively in our own districts? How can we support our superintendents and their senior staff to provide the best climate for learning, and learning experiences that foster achievement and success for life, community, and work? In this interactive session, we’ll share research that helps districts launch or deepen their SEL efforts, and connect those efforts to positive school climate, the achievement gap, and culturally responsive pedagogy. You will come away with key questions and resources to take back to your district.

Presenters: James Vetter, Executive Director, SEL4MA; Ellen Gibson, Chair, Policy & Advocacy Committee, SEL4MA; Rachel Poliner, Consultant, SEL4MA, MASC Glenn Koocher, MASC Executive Director (moderator)

Presentation: Social Emotional Learning - What School Committee Members Need to Know and Do

Alert: Accountability Changes Ahead!
New MCAS, no levels, and something called “extended engagement.”Big changes are underway on how Massachusetts evaluates how well students are learning in our schools and districts. Be a part of this conversation and learn what changes are underway in the state’s accountability system, what changes are still to come, and what these might mean for your district.

Presenters: Rob Curtin, Associate Commissioner for Data and Accountability, DESE; Kathleen Kelly, Vice Chair, Cambridge School Committee; Tracy Novick, MASC Field Director (moderator)

Presentation: Massachusetts’ Next-Generation Accountability System

Saturday Sessions (8:15am - 10:15am):

Goal Setting & Monitoring: Working toward Continuous Improvement
School Committees have a responsibility, along with the superintendent, to articulate a vision and set goals for the school district. By planning its work around defined goals, the committee can truly have a positive impact on student achievement. In this session, we’ll discuss a process for setting goals and monitoring progress toward accomplishing the goals. We’ll also talk about the importance of defining and measuring goal outcomes that lead to true progress for the benefit of students in the district.

Presenters: Dorothy Presser, MASC Field Director; Jim Hardy, MASC Field Director

Presentation: Planning for Continuous Improvement - The importance of goal setting

High School Start Times
If you are considering changing your High School start time, come and listen to districts who have made the decision and made the change. The research on teen age sleep needs is compelling but the process of changing school times is complicated! Do the pros outweigh the cons. Learn from those who have implemented the change.

Presenters: Laurie Tosti, Chair, Ashland School Committee; Scott Carpenter, Superintendent, Monomoy Regional School District; Margaret Driscoll, Chair, Melrose School Committee (moderator)

Presentation: The Debate Over Later School Start Times

Presentation: School Start Time Change - An In-Depth Examination of School Districts in the United States

Download: Melrose Late Start Times Memo

Saturday Sessions (10:30am - 12:30pm):

Restorative Justice
Restorative practices, evolving from restorative justice, is a social science that focuses on improving human behavior. Through a continuum of verbal strategies that effectively enhance and repair relationships, school-based misconduct is addressed with students rather than to them or for them. During this session, educators will learn the essential components of restorative practices and how these elements can establish a supportive social climate.

Presenters: Melissa A. Ugarte, Executive Director, The Education Edge; Jim Hardy, MASC Field Director (moderator)

Presentation: Restorative Practices

Critical Incidents in Schools: Preparation, Response and Recovery
In today’s world schools are faced with addressing critical incidents within their schools and communities as well as at a national and international level. Preparing, responding and recovering from these events is vital to the well-being of students, staff and families as well as the successful transition to a “new normal”. This workshop will provide an in depth understanding of what a critical incident is, how to prepare students and staff in case of an incident and best practices related to response and recovery.

Presenters: Kristin Kirby, LICSW, Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC) School Threat Assessment and Response System (STARS) Crisis Response Team Coordinator; Dorothy Presser, MASC Field Director (moderator)

Presentation: Critical Incidents