State Principals Conference

Wednesday, December 4, 2024 
12:30       Registration and Exhibits Open

1:00         Welcome
                Legislative Update with Dr. Mike Dulaney and Kyle McGowan, NCSA
                #PrincipalRodeo (Notes)
This participant-driven session provides current development for the unique needs of principals.  Registrants will be contacted ahead of time for topic ideas. Join us at the #PrincipalRodeo to learn about the hottest topics and developments in the principalship! 

2:30         Break and Exhibit Visit

3:00         Concurrent Legal Sessions:

Investigations and Legal Pitfalls: The Principal’s Role 
Derek Aldridge and Josh Schauer, Perry Law Firm 
Principals are regularly tasked with leading investigations. Those investigations could be as simple as determining whether a student misbehaves or might be as complicated as why a student misbehaves. In this session, we will walk through the legal “best practices” of investigations and cover legal requirements under Title IX, the Student Discipline Act, and other laws. 

Cracking the Code: Key Issues in Special Education, Option Enrollment, and Attendance for Principals
Bobby Truhe and Amanda Dabney, KSB School Law  
We’ve got 90 minutes to get to the bottom of some of the classic and emerging issues in special education, option enrollment, and attendance. Ambitious? Absolutely. But principals can do anything. This will be a fast-paced session where the attorneys from KSB will share practical advice and make sure you feel prepared to keep working through the ever-changing legal landscape. 

4:30         Social at Bierhaus Maisschäler

Head down to the Haymarket to kick back with German-style lagers, European-inspired cocktails, butcher-built sausages, and Bavarian pretzels in a warm, inviting atmosphere on the corner of 8th and P Streets.

6:00         Dinner on your own

Thursday, December 5, 2024 
8:00         Continental Breakfast and Exhibits Open
8:30         Welcome
                The Power of Principal Behavior: Shaping Culture and Student Success 
                with Dr. Victoria Lentfer
Principals play a pivotal role in creating the climate of their schools. Their behavior can have a lasting impact on student engagement, academic outcomes, and emotional well-being. In this keynote session, Dr. Vicki Lentfer, an expert in classroom management and emotional resiliency, will explore how principal behavior influences the learning environment and the behavior of students. From communication style to emotional regulation, this presentation will highlight key behaviors that promote positive classroom dynamics, foster respectful relationships, and support student growth.

9:45         Break and Exhibit Visit

10:15       Select-a-Session I:

The Nebraska Threat Landscape and Our Schools
Monty Lovelace and Audrey Meyer – Nebraska State Patrol
It is no secret that there is a clear divide in our country for a variety of reasons. Hot-button topics have given way to disagreements, civil unrest, and, at times, violence. Unfortunately, our children are not immune from witnessing the hate, violence, and other stressful situations that can create concerning behaviors that carry over to the classroom and potentially lead to volatile situations or threats for schools to handle. It is important for school administrators to understand the Nebraska threat landscape and its effects on schools.   Lt. Monty Lovelace and Analyst Audrey Meyer with the Nebraska Information Analysis Center (NIAC) will provide a briefing regarding threats and concerning trends Nebraska schools currently face. Topics will include threats of violence, Internet crimes, and drug trends.

Competitive Balance Process within NSAA Activities
Jeff Johnson – NSAA, Dave Hoxworth – Scottsbluff Public Schools, Matt Martin – Crete Public Schools, and Dr. Mitchell Stine – Norris School District 
An NSAA Bylaw went into effect this year, establishing a Competitive Balance Committee to provide recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding the classification of schools and competitive balance. This state-wide committee has been meeting for the last year, developing criteria and a process for the NSAA and its member schools to implement. The presenters will provide real-time information and solicit feedback from the audience to take back to the entire Competitive Balance Committee for review.

Understanding IEPs for Administrators (Handout)
Dr. Jean Anderson and Mikki Bohling – ESU #10
In this session, we will discuss connecting the dots in an IEP meeting to ensure the meeting is not only compliant but also of high quality. We will lay out the required components of an IEP and what role the administrator can play in contributing and keeping a meeting on track. We will provide information on the role of the Local Education Agency Representative and why it is most often handled by a building or district administrator. We’ll also share how you can support your staff that serves students with disabilities when conflict exists and when the waters are smooth.

Breaking Down Barriers to Foster an Inclusive Education (Slides)
Allison Kelberlau, Emily Hughes, and Dr. Jenny Hellbusch – ESU #3
This session aims to equip building-level administrators with structures and strategies to foster an inclusive educational environment. Participants will explore key barriers and discover ways to overcome these challenges through effective scheduling, meaningful collaboration, and active participation in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process. By focusing on these key areas, the session will promote thinking around ways to create more inclusive and equitable learning experiences that ensure access and support for every student. 

11:00       Break and Exhibit Visit

11:15       Select-a-Session II:

Stop Calling It Marijuana. What Schools Need to Know About High-Potency THC, Vaping, & Fentanyl
Jay Martin – Nebraska Department of Education
It is not ditch weed in our schools. The marijuana industry has changed the script. High-potency THC (the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana) is what students are using in vapes or edible cannabis products. Neighboring states and countries legalizing this new drug, along with clever marketing by the cannabis industry, has lowered our sense of risk with these products. Learn how the new gateway drug and vape industries are impacting a new generation of users, leading them to other deadly substances like fentanyl. What can schools do to be more aware and aid students in curbing these drug trends?

Student Leadership Teams: Where the Magic Happens
Kelly Klanecky – Wood River Rural Schools
As a Leader in Me school, our student leadership teams have transformed how our school runs and how invested students are in our success. Come learn about our unique approach to inviting students into the process. 
Outcomes:
1) Learn about the Leader in Me program
2) Gain ideas about organizing student teams and dedicating time to meet
3) Create a sense of ownership and responsibility for students 

Strengthening Special Education Support: Partnering with PTI for Better Outcomes and Breaking Down Barriers (Slides)
Cami Bergman and Heidi Sommer – PTI Nebraska, and Dr. Chelsea Feusner – University of Nebraska at Kearney
This session will strive to provide a supportive framework for principals with tips on helping parents and staff navigate special education while building strong relationships, fostering collaboration, and encouraging positive interactions in a welcoming environment. It will include the importance of partnerships that encourage understanding of the progressive nature of special education guidance and best practices in Nebraska. Participants will hear about how PTI staff are partnering with administrators, teachers, and parents to break down barriers and promote better outcomes for students and the IEP team.

Difficult Conversations: How To Build Connections and Relationships In Trying Times
Ernie Valentine – ESU #7
Using the work of Susan Scott, Robyn Jackson, and Anthony Muhammad, this session will focus on how a building leader intentionally plans for a difficult conversation. Considering WHO the conversation is with, IF the topic is worth tackling, and HOW/WHAT you communicate during the exchange will be the focal points of our session. We encourage participants to come with a difficult conversation in mind; you will emerge with a plan to tackle it!

12:00       Awards Lunch

1:30         Break and Exhibit Visit

1:45         Hot Topic Round Tables: Quick 15-minute interactive sessions.  Start at whichever you choose and rotate through all three.

Cell Phone Policies in Action
Jeff Gilbertson, Nebraska Department of Education
Learn how to implement and sustain a positive cell phone-free learning environment, highlighting detailed processes and procedures that will ensure immediate success. 

NDE’s Model Dress Code Policy (State-approved Model Dress Code Policy)
Dr. Zainab Rida – Nebraska Department of Education
This past September, the State Board of Education approved the NDE dress code model policy.  The school board of each school district must adopt a written dress code and grooming policy to be implemented at the start of the 2025-26 school year that is consistent with the model policy developed by the State Department of Education. Come learn about the model policy and ask questions.

K-2 Student Discipline
Dr. Amber Johnson, Plattsmouth Elementary Principal
The Plattsmouth Academy for Learning (PAL) Program is designed to provide targeted support for students in Kindergarten through 8th grade. This program focuses on identifying and implementing strategies to address the unique needs of young learners while promoting positive behaviors and academic success. By aligning practices with the state discipline law, the PAL Program ensures a proactive and developmentally appropriate approach to student discipline, emphasizing intervention, support, and skill-building. The goal is to create a nurturing environment where students can thrive academically and socially while addressing challenges that may impact their learning experiences.

2:30         Adjourn

Dr. Victoria Lentfer
Dr. Victoria Lentfer authors the best-selling book Keep Calm and Teach: Empowering K-12 Students with Positive Classroom Management Routines. Dr. Lentfer is a Personal Life Coach, an Educational Consultant, and author of her latest book, Cultivating Compassion in the Classroom. She has more than 20 years of experience providing instructional support and teaching in urban, suburban, and rural districts, as well as extensive work with incarcerated youth. She is the Director of the Classroom Management department at the University of Nebraska Omaha, where she teaches classroom management and middle-level courses. Visit Dr. Lentfer’s website at https://www.victorialentfer.com for more resources and opportunities to connect.