The October 6th Newark Central School District Superintendent’s Conference Day theme accomplished just what the “We Are Better Together” Planning Committee intended _ unity, fun and professional discourse.
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Krista Lewis, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum Instruction, who along with Newark Central School District Instructional Coaches Amanda Quku (Perkins School), Stephanie Martin (Lincoln School), Alisa Elder (Kelley School), Lisa Eakins (Middle School), Will Bean (Newark High School) and Technology Integration Coach Aaron Sweet, planned and facilitated the conference designed around the “big rocks” of the NCSD’s Strategic Plan and District Comprehensive Improvement Plan (DCIP).
The day began at Newark High School where staff were welcomed with refreshments and favorite songs they had requested in a survey.
Along with the focus on professional learning, staff was invited to dress up like their favorite things that are “Better Together,” Lewis said.
Eakins said staff enthusiastically responded with many dressing up in pairs or groups in keeping with the conference theme. Perkins school staff dressed up as different “Waldos” and Lincoln School dressed as “Ty Beanie Babies.” There were many other groups including: Tedd Lasso, Skittles, Smores, Bills Fans, and Rock, Paper, Scissors. Perkins and Lincoln schools jointly won for buildings with the highest participation and are sharing the “Newark Spirit Cup”.
In the photo below Lincoln School staffers are in the top photo and Perkins staff underneath it.
After the Conference opener, staff were encouraged to participate in a Gratitude Fair in the gym with a variety of activities to encourage them to interact and have fun with the day. Eakins noted gratitude has been another theme of the district this year. At the Fair, staff could write notes of gratitude to people, create a gratitude wreath and designed gratitude rocks, to name a few of the activities.
A variety of learning sessions were offered in the morning for staff to choose from, along with a “Must Do” session on “Empowering All Learners Using Tools for Accessibility.”
Lewis said each staff member planned their own schedule around their ‘Must Do’ by selecting choice sessions to attend including: Differentiation and Targeted Instruction; Instructional Models to Support Needs Groupings and Differentiation; Using AI To Inspire Curiosity for Teaching and Learning; Emotional Competency; Using Higher Order Thinking As Part Of Instruction, Using SeeSaw At The Primary Level and many more.
In the afternoon, grade levels and departments that have State Assessments or Regents met to analyze their data and to plan for identified needs. Other departments had specific agendas centering largely on curriculum, instructional, and assessment practices.
“There were so many people who worked to make this day happen, from within our district as well as outside consultants,” Lewis said. “Our secondary teacher assistants, aides, and monitors participated in training on Effective Communication facilitated by Peaceful Schools. Consultants from the Warner School of Education facilitated the analysis of State Assessment and Regents data for math teachers in grades 6-12.
“Aaron Sweet, led a session on using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and developed the Accessibility PD for all staff. Robin Uveges joined us to lead a session for our TAs, aides and monitors on working in different classrooms. Jessica McNabb and Cara Colf led a session on using SeeSaw for primary school staff, and Lisa Zalacca led a session on Higher Order Thinking in ELA. Sandra Ordan, our Director of Innovation and Grant Services, led Emotional Competency, and Julia Solan and Katie Davison led a session on Tier 1 Circles, and Stefan Uveges and Melissa VanTyle facilitated a session on De Escalation Strategies. Our five instructional coaches each facilitated sessions throughout the day on a variety of topics. In addition to live sessions, there were also several asynchronous sessions for staff to choose from throughout the day.
“My presentations today centered around Emotional Competency and Self Awareness,” said Ordan. “I was honored to provide professional development around this important topic. We had a full house with lots of energy-stemming from our theme of Better Together. I cannot extend my gratitude enough to Krista Lewis and the instructional coaching team for another amazing, well planned day for our incredible staff.”
“This was a true team effort planning this Conference Day. It’s always great to give teachers an opportunity to not only learn something new but to have the opportunity to reflect on the year so far and collaborate with colleagues from across the district. It was really a day to pause and remember that we are ‘Better Together,’ “ Eakins said.