State Principals Conference

December 2-3, 2015
Cornhusker Marriott - Lincoln, NE
Pre-registration is now closed. Please visit the on-site registration desk to register.

Wednesday, December 2
12:30 pm      Registration & Exhibition Opens

1:00 pm        Welcome - Troy Lurz, NSASSP President and Michael Allison, NASSP President
                     A True Friend Will Tell You When You Have Dirt on Your Face - Sam Stecher
In education we are in the business letting people know what’s not up to snuff. Any time we let any of our stakeholders, from parents to students to staff members, know something is below our expectations we are telling them about dirt on their faces. We do this out of respect and an expectation of growth. However, if we only focus on that aspect of our profession our school community environment can become toxic in short order. Sam has a mission to build relationships powered by mutual respect so when somebody tells us about the dirt we clean up with a smile.

2:15 pm        Break & Exhibition Visit

2:45 pm        Concurrent NSASSP and NAESP Law Sessions
First Amendment and Copyright For Secondary Principals - KSB School Law
The First Amendment and Copyright are two of the more complex legal areas for school administrators.  Principals, especially, are expected to make decisions quickly even though the law can be very difficult to apply.  The attorneys from KSB School Law will take you through a quick-hitting review of the law, current cases, and other developments in order to help handle these issues and avoid risk and liability for your district.

Must Know" Info  for Elementary Principals - Perry Law Firm
From involvement in custody disputes to evaluating personnel, elementary principals must address a wide variety of issues.  In this session, attorneys from the Perry Law Firm will discuss matters such as student discipline, social media and anti-discrimination laws.  They will focus on the areas that especially impact elementary schools.  The session will also address new legal developments and provide guidance on special education and other complex areas of the law that impact your work on a daily basis. 

4:30 pm        Social and Tasting at Ploughshare Brewing Company
Join us for some networking and fun!  Ploughshare Brewing Company will provide a tasting of their current brews along with some appetizers and a space to catch up with your colleagues.  All attendees will take home a collectible Ploughshare pint glass. 

6:00 pm        Dinner on your own

Thursday, December 3
8:00 am        Continental Breakfast & Exhibits Open

8:45 am        Welcome - Mark Johnson, NAESP
                     Difference Maker - Lisa Utterback
The role of the principal has changed tremendously over the last decade in the United States.  Instructional leadership has moved to the forefront of this demanding job and the level of expectations and accountability continues to rise at the state and national level.  A school's fate is determined by the leader at the helm.  Principals are the difference makers within the school communities in which they serve.  They have the power and ability to influence stakeholders to come together in a collaborative fashion to accomplish common goals.  The secret to success is creating a school environment that empowers members to believe in the work and strive for excellence.  A principal's daily actions and behaviors must be strategically aligned with the mission of the school.  Principals are the catalyst for improvement.  An effective principal must state the way, lead the way and be the way.  School leadership is indeed a way of life.
10:00 am      Break

10:15 am      Select-a-Session I

11:00 am      Break

11:15 am      Select-a-Session II

12:00 pm      Awards Lunch

1:15 pm        Select-a-Session III

Session I: 10:15-11:00
NSAA Unified Sports, Bowling – Arbor 1
Dan Masters and Deb Velder, NSAA
The NSAA has approved Unified Sports, Bowling for implementation in the 2016-17 school year and preliminary approval of the bowling manual.  We’ll take a look at Unified Sports®, the vision behind implementation, and the benefits that could come to your school district in registering and participating in Unified Sports, Bowling.

Reaching Higher: The Simple Strategy to Transform America's K-12 Schools – Arbor 2
Dr. Matthew Blomenkamp, Bennington Public Schools, and John Baylor, John Baylor Prep
Matt Blomenkamp, Principal at Bennington High School, joins John Baylor to share how BHS is using 'Reaching Higher' to transform their school and create more 2- and 4- year college graduates. John's new book 'Reaching Higher' shows why we need to transform our schools and how to do it. Come learn about this simple step-by-step 8-week program that can launch transformative results.

SPED 101 not Rocket Science – Ballroom A
Jeremy J Weber, Kelly Schukei, Denise Johnson, Jill Swenson, and Joni Wiebe; Peter Sarpy Elementary
Co-teaching and Inclusion are more than just buzz words.  Co-teaching is more than having 2 certified staff members in a room together.  Inclusion is more than having students in the general ed setting.  What is the purpose of SPED?  Do general ed staff buy in?  Are students getting what they need? Are we being reactive or proactive?  How do we plan for our students with significant needs

Establishing and Communicating Learning Targets  – Ballroom B
Brad Jacobsen, Ashland-Greenwood Middle & High School
Establishing and communicating learning targets relates to the Marzano Framework, Element 1.  This session will not only demonstrate how our district is providing staff development on specific elements within the Marzano Framework of 41 elements as well as how we connect the Marzano Framework to NDE's Evaluation system (the 7 effective practices).

Legislative Update and Call to Action – Ballroom C
Dr. Mike Dulaney, NCSA, Troy Lurz, NSASSP, Mark Johnson, NAESP
This session will highlight some of the probable issues that will arise in the upcoming Nebraska Legislative Session.  We will also discuss ways that you, as a principal, can get involved and be an advocate for your school and district.

Session II: 11:15-12:00
“Elevate”- EHA Wellness Program’s New and Exciting Incentive Program – Arbor 2
Howie Halperin and Linda Kenedy, EHA Wellness
The EHA Wellness Program has had a major impact on the health and wellbeing of many educators across the state in the past five years.  EHA has now decided to take the wellness program to the next step through a comprehensive incentive program, “Elevate.”  During this session, you will learn how your staff and group will be able to earn incentive dollars through   “Elevate” which will be rolled out in the 2016-2017 school year.

Conducting Classroom Walkthroughs – Ballroom A
Lucus Dalinghaus, Johnson-Brock Public Schools, and Dr. Volora Hanzlicek, Southwest Plains Regional Service Center
This session will focus on conducting meaningful classroom walk throughs using the eWalk tool from Southwest Plains Regional Service Center.  Strategies for utilizing walkthroughs to enhance professional development will also be shared.

Wanted: Parental Involvement – Ballroom B
Amber Johnson, Bellevue Public Schools
If you are interested in increasing parental involvement and support within your school building, attend this break-out session!  Fairview Elementary within the Bellevue Public Schools successfully implemented a well-known nationwide program to promote parent volunteers and involvement throughout the school day, as well as, at other school wide activities. Come learn how you can easily increase parental involvement in a simple and effective manner AND promote student achievement at the same time!

Leading Change in a Changing World – Ballroom C
Dustin Favinger and Bill Beckenhauer, Cozad Community Schools
As school leaders, we live and work in a time of great change, and we are challenged to provide leadership in new ways every day. Please join our conversation as we explore the essential elements and resources needed by administrators to provide effective leadership today.  

Session III: 1:00-1:45
NSASSP Roundtable – Region Leaders and Newcomers – Arbor 1
Moderated by Aaron Plas, NSASSP Membership Coordinator 
This session will serve two purposes as it will give regions leaders to a chance to connect and learn what each other is doing in regards to membership recruitment, meetings, professional development, and speakers.  This information will help the regions become stronger as we learn from each other and continue to develop our personal networks.  In addition, these region leaders will help principals that want to become more involved in NSASSP but are not sure how to do so.  If you are new to NSASSP, this session will give you a phenomenal opportunity to listen to our region presidents/officers discuss how to become more involved in NSASSP.  We will share personal stories, experiences, and advice on the best way to become more active in this wonderful organization.  If you are new to NSASSP or a region officer this will be a can’t miss session for you!

I'm A Member of NAESP. Now What? – Arbor 2
NAESP Leadership
If you are a member of NAESP, you are part of a group of people that have access to endless amounts of resources and friendships across Nebraska, as well as the nation. Maybe you know this. Maybe you don't. This roundtable will help our Nebraska regions become stronger as we learn from each other and continue to develop our personal networks.  If you are new to NAESP, this session will give you a phenomenal opportunity to listen to our region presidents/officers discuss how to become more involved!  If you are a current member but haven't tapped into NAESP's true potential, then you need to join in as well. We will share personal stories, experiences, and advice on the best way to become more active in this wonderful organization.

Improving School Culture: One Day at a Time – Ballroom A
Jay Dostal, Kearney Public Schools
Climate and culture are the lifeblood of any school. How we communicate and build relationships within our school sets the tone for what our culture looks like. Not tending to a culture or addressing building norms on a daily basis will ultimately skew a culture towards the negative. In this presentation you will learn some tips that will help you build your school's positive culture and provide you with strategies that work in maintaining it for the long haul.

Vision and Learning, Exploring the Link – Ballroom B
Karen Aldridge and Brian Brightman, Nebraska Foundation for Children’s Vision
Studies show that 80% of classroom learning is done visually and 1 in 4 children entering kindergarten in Nebraska has an undetected vision problem.  In this session, Dr. Karen Aldridge, an optometrist and former teacher, will share what she observed for many years in student’s learning and behavior challenges which she now knows to be signs of vision impairments.  These clues can help shape a child’s future when observed and treated.  Not only will the child “see” a brighter future but school performance can be greatly improved.  Dr. Aldridge will be joined by Dr. Brian Brightman, current president of the Nebraska Optometric Association (NOA), to discuss how the NOA and the Nebraska Foundation for Children’s Vision are working with Nebraska School Nurses, Head Starts, EduCares, and Building Healthy Futures to make sure that all of Nebraska’s children are visually prepared to succeed in school and life.

Assistant Principal Roundtable – Ballroom C
Charlie Hutzler, Norris High School
Cameron Soester, Milford High School
As we approach the halfway point to the school year, now is the time to reflect on the fall and plan for the spring. Come join assistant principals from across the state to develop your professional network and tap into valuable group insight. Each participant is encouraged to bring a success story and a recent challenge they have faced. We'll use these scenarios to learn from each other, share advice and prepare for a successful second half of the school year. We look forward to seeing you there!

Any cancellation request must be received no later than Monday, November 30, 2015

*A 48 hour (2 business day) cancellation policy is in place for all events. To avoid being charged the full registration fee, please submit any requests to cancel your registration before the cancellation deadline. Please contact Michelle, michelle@ncsa.org,with all cancellation requests and inquiries. Please note: your registration fee will be refunded or waived ONLY if an event is cancelled due to inclement weather. Otherwise, the 48 hour (2 business day) cancellation policy remains in effect for all events.