All the latest MASC events

MASC/MASS 2018: Program and Panel Sessions

chevron_left Conference Information

The following is a partial list of panel sessions to be presented at the 2018 MASC/MASS Joint Conference. More information and scheduling details will be added soon!


  • Fostering Mindfulness
  • Managing on demand GIG workers in schools
  • Promoting Equity
  • Immersing Learners in Virtual Reality
  • Unique Financial Challenges and Opportunities for Regional
  • Looking for a Leader
  • Basics of Policy
  • New Superintendent Induction Program
  • Planning for Success
  • Community Engagement
  • Four Pillars to Create Successful School Cultures
  • Supporting Students in Uncertain Times
  • Responding to Student Threats of Violence through Collaboration
  • Financing our Future (MASBO)
  • Strategic Planning for the 21st Century
  • Personalized Learning
  • Coaching for Change
  • Relational Trust and SEL
  • Community Engagement: Focus on Equity
  • OPEB: What Districts Need to Know about Retirement Benefits
  • MTSS Blueprint: Constructing Tiers for Student Success
  • NEASC: New Priorities and Initiatives
  • Why Purchasing Matters (and what happens when it goes wrong)
  • The Role of the Arts in Student Achievement
  • Regional Schools Update
  • District Governance
  • Virtual Learning Experiences for All
  • Very Early Education
  • Chapter 70: The Basics
  • Increasing your Organization Effectiveness
  • School and Hospital Collaboration
  • Financial Literacy for School Leaders
  • Goal Setting
  • Resource Allocation: Using RADAR in Your Budgeting and Planning
  • Vocational/Technical/Agricultural Best Practices
  • The New Bilingual Law
  • Social-Emotional Learning to Enhance Student Achievement
  • School Budgets
  • Special Education Update
  • ESSA Evidence-based Interventions
  • Municipal Collaboration
  • MIAA Mission and Core Values
  • Cyber Liability and Your District
  • School Law 101
  • School Law 201
  • Families in Crisis
  • Crisis Communications
  • Role of the Chair/Efficient Meetings
  • Trauma Sensitive Schools
  • Student Health and its Relation to Student Achievement
  • Blizzard Bags
  • High School Start Times
  • Parliamentary Procedures
  • Superintendent Evaluation
  • Partner with Your Business Manager to Stay Focused on Student Achievement
  • Organizing District
  • Global STEM: Artificial Intelligence and Deep Learning
  • Student Vaping
  • New Member Orientation
  • Transforming Underperforming Schools
  • Linking SEL to Quality After-School Care
  • More to be announced!

MASC/MASS 2019 Joint Conference

2019 MASC/MASS Joint Conference

Online registration/changes/meal ticket ordering is now closed. Registration will still be available on site at the main registration desk.

MASC and MASS host the largest annual gathering of education leaders in Massachusetts, featuring a program of nationally known guest speakers, panel sessions offering professional development opportunities and in-depth discussion of the critical education issues of today, a variety of vendors and exhibitors, demonstrations on instruction and management best practices, special lunch and dinner programs, and a chance to network with other school leaders! Last year's conference included a wide variety of popular workshops and panel sessions on cost-savings issues, social-emotional learning, equity issues, labor relations, educator and administrator evaluation, leadership development and legislative updates, plus innovative ideas as described by MASC partners.

2019 Conference Details
November 6, 2019 - November 9, 2019
Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis
35 Scudder Ave, Hyannis, MA

Download the Conference App
Get the App for iPhone or iPad Get the App for Android Open Web App in Your Browser

MASC Partners and 2019 Conference Sponsors

As MASC Partners and premier conference sponsors, these companies help make MASC programs like this event possible - be sure to stop by their tables at the conference to thank them for supporting school leadership in Massachusetts!

Conference Hotel

Conference Center Photo

Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis
35 Scudder Ave, Barnstable, MA 02601

All under one roof for attendee convenience: meeting rooms, exhibition hall, banquet facilities, sleeping rooms, health club and pool, bar and dining room. There is ample free parking on the grounds, all adjacent to the hotel golf course. Hyannis is 70 miles from Boston, has an airport and also good scheduled bus service.

The main conference hotel is now sold out. The hotel has partnered with a nearby overflow hotel for bookings at the discounted conference rate. For more information, contact the conference hotel directly. You may still complete and submit the hotel reservation form to be placed in the overflow hotel.

Exhibitor Information

Exhibitor Photo

A popular feature of the MASC/MASS Joint Conference is the exhibit floor, which hosts companies and organizations from a wide variety of industries and disciplines. Attendance and interest in the event grows consistently each year and spaces for exhibitors sell out quickly - be sure to reserve your space quickly once exhibitor sign-up opens to guarantee a spot.

MASC also offers a number of other opportunities for businesses and organizations interested in partnering with Massachusetts schools to engage school leaders; many popular programs are available for conference sponsors, as well as many other marketing opportunities throughout the year. For more information, contact Sam Cheesman.

The MASC Delegate Assembly

The Annual MASC Delegate Assembly is held each year during this conference, at which time new MASC officers are elected and the Delegate Assembly considers resolutions submitted in conformance with the MASC By-Laws. Members submit resolutions to be considered at the Assembly, which often result in the filing of legislation by MASC or the establishment of official positions on legislative and other issues.

In order for your school committee to have a vote at this meeting, districts must be active members of MASC (in compliance with annual dues regulations as spelled out in the MASC By-Laws). Member districts may designate a school committee member as a voting delegate (an alternate delegate may also be designated) and notify MASC using the official Delegate Form no later than October 18, 2019.

The 2019 Delegate Assembly will be held on Friday, November 8, 2019.

Delegates who attend only the business meeting do not need to register for the conference; if a delegate plans to attend any other conference programming or functions, they do need to register for the conference.

View 2019 resolutions and actions taken on each here.

COSCAP Conference

COSCAP Logo

The MASC/MASS Joint Conference also sponsors a meeting for Massachusetts Administrative Assistants to Superintendents and School Committee Secretaries who are members of COSCAP. Administrative assistants and executive secretaries throughout the state participate in the Council, with support from MASC. The COSCAP executive committee works with MASC to offer professional development opportunities and training for its members at this and other annual events, and also hosts an email discussion group for members to share questions and information.

2019 COSCAP Conference

Friday, November 8, 2019
Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis
Cape Cod Room
9:00am - 4:00pm

Download the App for iPhone or Android!

MASC/MASS Conference Header Image

The new and enhanced MASC Events mobile app includes events and conferences, news and resources for MA school leaders from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees - view upcoming events, connect and share information with other Massachusetts school leaders, and stay up to date with the various resources offered by MASC!

The MASC Events app now includes the official guide to the MASC/MASS Joint Conference! View the conference schedule and session details, get information and directions, check out vendors and speakers, download session handouts and other documents, and bookmark/take notes on practically anything - all right from your iPhone, iPad* or Android devices! Plus, create a profile to customize your conference schedule, rate and review sessions and speakers, connect with other attendees, view and share photos and comments and much more!

To download, use the links below or search MASC Events in the Google Play or Apple app stores.
Can't get the app on your device? Try the web version here.

*If you are searching for the app on your iPad, make sure to switch to "iPhone only" mode in the App Store

MASC/MASS 2018 Joint Conference

MASC/MASS Conference Header Image

2018 MASC/MASS Joint Conference

Preparing Our Students for the Future

MASC and MASS host the largest annual gathering of education leaders in Massachusetts, featuring a program of nationally known guest speakers, panel sessions offering professional development opportunities and in-depth discussion of the critical education issues of today, a variety of vendors and exhibitors, demonstrations on instruction and management best practices, special lunch and dinner programs, and a chance to network with other school leaders! Last year's conference included a wide variety of popular workshops and panel sessions on cost-savings issues, social-emotional learning, equity issues, labor relations, educator and administrator evaluation, leadership development and legislative updates, plus innovative ideas as described by MASC partners.

2018 Conference Details
November 7, 2018 - November 10, 2018
Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis
35 Scudder Ave, Hyannis, MA
Download the Conference App
Get the App for iPhone or iPad Get the App for Android

Featured Guest Speakers

Jeff Riley
Jeffrey Riley
MA Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education
Marc Brackett
Dr. Marc Brackett
Director, Yale University Center for Emotional Intelligence
Jim Braude
Jim Braude
Broadcast Journalist and Commentator
Jennifer Nassour
Jennifer Nassour
Former Chair, MA Republican Party and COO, ReflectUS
Andrea Cabral
Andrea Cabral
Former Massachusetts Secretary of Public Safety and Sheriff of Suffolk County; CEO, Ascend
Jimmy Tingle
Jimmy Tingle
Humorist and Candidate for Lieutenant Governor

MASC Partners and 2018 Conference Sponsors

As MASC Partners and premier conference sponsors, these companies help make MASC programs like this event possible - be sure to stop by their tables at the conference to thank them for supporting school leadership in Massachusetts!

Conference Hotel

Conference Center Photo

Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis
35 Scudder Ave, Barnstable, MA 02601

All under one roof for attendee convenience: meeting rooms, exhibition hall, banquet facilities, sleeping rooms, health club and pool, bar and dining room. There is ample free parking on the grounds, all adjacent to the hotel golf course. Hyannis is 70 miles from Boston, has an airport and also good scheduled bus service.

To reserve a room, either fill out the reservation form and email/fax to the hotel using the instructions on the form or contact the hotel directly. For more information about the hotel, see the hotel's website.

The main conference host hotel (the Resort and Conference Center) is now sold out of rooms on Wednesday and Thursday nights and is booking registrants at the Hyannis Doubletree and the Holiday Inn at the reduced conference rate. Contact the conference hotel for more details.

Exhibitor Information

Exhibitor Photo

A popular feature of the MASC/MASS Joint Conference is the exhibit floor, which hosts companies and organizations from a wide variety of industries and disciplines. Attendance and interest in the event grows consistently each year and spaces for exhibitors sell out quickly - be sure to reserve your space quickly once exhibitor sign-up opens to guarantee a spot.

MASC also offers a number of other opportunities for businesses and organizations interested in partnering with Massachusetts schools to engage school leaders; many popular programs are available for conference sponsors, as well as many other marketing opportunities throughout the year. For more information, contact Sam Cheesman.

The MASC Delegate Assembly

The Annual MASC Delegate Assembly is held each year during this conference, at which time new MASC officers are elected and the Delegate Assembly considers resolutions submitted in conformance with the MASC By-Laws. Members submit resolutions to be considered at the Assembly, which often result in the filing of legislation by MASC or the establishment of official positions on legislative and other issues.

In order for your school committee to have a vote at this meeting, districts must be active members of MASC (in compliance with annual dues regulations as spelled out in the MASC By-Laws). Member districts may designate a school committee member as a voting delegate (an alternate delegate may also be designated) and notify MASC using the official Delegate Form no later than October 19, 2018.

The 2018 Delegate Assembly will be held on Friday, November 9, 2018.

Delegates who attend only the business meeting do not need to register for the conference; if a delegate plans to attend any other conference programming or functions, they do need to register for the conference.

View 2018 resolutions and actions taken on each here.

COSCAP Conference

COSCAP Logo

The MASC/MASS Joint Conference also sponsors a meeting for Massachusetts Administrative Assistants to Superintendents and School Committee Secretaries who are members of COSCAP. Administrative assistants and executive secretaries throughout the state participate in the Council, with support from MASC. The COSCAP executive committee works with MASC to offer professional development opportunities and training for its members at this and other annual events, and also hosts an email discussion group for members to share questions and information.

2018 COSCAP Conference

Friday, November 9, 2018
Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis
Cape Cod Room
9:00am - 4:00pm

Download the App for iPhone or Android!

MASC/MASS Conference Header Image

The new and enhanced MASC Events mobile app includes events and conferences, news and resources for MA school leaders from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees - view upcoming events, connect and share information with other Massachusetts school leaders, and stay up to date with the various resources offered by MASC!

The MASC Events app now includes the official guide to the MASC/MASS Joint Conference! View the conference schedule and session details, get information and directions, check out vendors and speakers, download session handouts and other documents, and bookmark/take notes on practically anything - all right from your iPhone, iPad* or Android devices! Plus, create a profile to customize your conference schedule, rate and review sessions and speakers, connect with other attendees, view and share photos and comments and much more!

To download, use the links below or search MASC Events in the Google Play or Apple app stores

*If you are searching for the app on your iPad, make sure to switch to "iPhone only" mode in the App Store

MASC/MASS 2017: Handouts and Presentations

 Conference Information

The handouts and presentation slides for many of the sessions at the MASC/MASS 2017 Conference are now available for download. More will be added as we receive them from presenters. All the handouts and downloads here are also available on the MASC mobile app.

Presenters: Please send presentations and any other handouts as soon as possible to Sam Cheesman at scheesman@masc.org.

Read more...

MASC/MASS Conference: 2017 Exhibitors

Vendor Information

The following list includes organizations who have reserved an exhibit booth at the 2017 MASC/MASS Annual Joint Conference. Find the booth by matching the exhibit booth number below to the number on the Exhibit Hall Map (a more detailed and interactive exhibit floor map is available on the mobile app).

Learn more about exhibiting at the MASC/MASS Conference here.


Company Booth
ARAMARK Education4
BoardDocs 54
CBS Therapy57
CGA Project Management56
Champions20
Chartwells School Dining55
ClearGov26
The College Board L1
Colliers International 46
Drummey Rosane Anderson1
Edgenuity58
Educatius, Inc.15
Effective School Solutions36
ePlus Technologies31
Flansburgh Architects37
Fontaine Bros.41
Gilbane Building Company32
HMFH Architects29
JCJ Architecture44
Johnson Controls (TYCO Integrated Security)43
Kaestle Boos Associates, Inc.22
Kennedy Day School59
KP Law49
LinkIt!30
MASC 47
Massachusetts DECA3
Meteor Learning (Merrimack College)53
Mind Research Institute5
Mirick O'Connell2
Mosse & Mosse Associates7
Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane25
myON6
New England School Development Council35
Panorama Education 24
Public Agency Retirement Services34
Renaissance Learning28
Rosetta Stone42
Scholastic 39
School Datebooks18
Sika Corporation45
Skanska USA21
S/L/A/M Collaborative23
Sodexo 19
Source4Teachers | ESS50
Ultiplay Parks & Playgrounds38
VIRCO33
Whitsons School Nutrition27

MASC/MASS 2017: Speakers - Joanne Peterson

chevron_left Conference Information
Joanne Peterson

Founder/Executive Director, Learn to Cope, Inc.

Joanne Peterson is the Founder and Executive Director of Learn to Cope (LTC), a non-profit peer-led support network which began in 2004.

Mrs. Peterson’s journey started as a young girl with siblings experiencing issues with mental illness and addiction. Years later when Joanne discovered that her own son’s experimentation with prescription drugs led to an opioid addiction, she was motivated and empowered to use her voice to bring about change. Today her son is in long term recovery. She designed LTC to offer families the support, education, resources and hope that her family would have benefitted from.

Funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MADPH), LTC has grown to have a full-staff who collaborate with communities across the state to spread messages of prevention, education, awareness and advocacy. Learn to Cope has over 9,000 members on a private online forum, 25 chapters throughout Massachusetts and most recently 2 chapters in Florida and 1 in Boise, Idaho. LTC families receive unique support and education from professionals and their peers. Through advocacy and awareness, Mrs. Peterson collaborated with MADPH to become the first parent network in the country to provide the overdose reversal antidote nasal Naloxone.

With the growth and expansion of LTC, Mrs. Peterson has been called upon by high level government officials, law enforcement, and educators to assist in their efforts to combat the opioid epidemic. In 2015 Mrs. Peterson was one of the recipients of the Advocate for Action award from the Office of National Drug Control Policy and was also Senator Markey’s guest at the State of the Union Address. In March 2016, Mrs. Peterson was asked by Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker to participate as a panelist for the National Governors Association Health and Human Services Committee to discuss the Nation’s opioid crisis. Most recently, Mrs. Peterson was invited to the West Wing to participate in a discussion held by Michael Botticelli, the National Drug Control Policy Director, on the Administration’s efforts to address the country’s opioid epidemic. Currently, Mrs. Peterson sits on the Massachusetts Health and Human Services Emergency Department Boarding Work Group, as well as the Governor’s Special Commission to Study Licensed Addiction Treatment Centers.


Joanne Peterson will be a guest speaker at the General Session on Friday, November 3, 2017 at the 2017 MASC/MASS Joint Conference - Sign Up Today!

COSCAP 2017 Fall Conference

COSCAP Logo

November 3, 2017
Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis - Cape Cod Room
35 Scudder Ln, Barnstable, MA
Get Directions

This event is free for COSCAP members! Not a member? Learn more about COSCAP here.

COSCAP Fall Conference Agenda

  • 9:00am - 9:30am: Registration/Coffee & Pastry
  • 9:30am - 10:15am: BoardDocs: A Paperless Solution
  • 10:15am – 10:30am: Break
  • 10:30am - 12:00pm: Open Meeting Law
    Jonathan Sclarsic, Assistant Attorney General, Director — Division of Open Government
  • 12:00pm - 1:30pm: Leadership Lunch
    Join your School Committee/Superintendent for the Leadership Luncheon in the Bass River Room
    Guest Speaker: Steve Buckley, columnist, Boston Herald
  • 1:30pm - 2:00pm: COSCAP Business Meeting/Elections
  • 2:00pm – 3:30pm: Labor, Employment & School Law
    Elizabeth Valerio, Esq., Deutsch Williams
  • 3:30pm - 4:00pm: Wrap-Up