Wisconsin School Counselor Association Conference
at the
Stevens Point Country Springs Hotel

February 20, 21, 22 2008

You must have Adobe Acrobat reader on your computer to view these forms below. Get Acrobat Reader 

Conference Registration for 2008 conference. Use this form to register for the WSCA conference in Stevens Point.

Conference Booklet of Sectionals for the 2008 WSCA conference  Click here to view the listing of the sectionals with times and description for the WSCA conference in Feb. 2008. Available in early Februrary 2008.

Conference Mailer Click here to view the mailing about the WSCA conference in Feb. 2008.

Call for 2009 Pre-conference Programs. Use this form to request time to present a pre-conference program  at the WSCA conference of 2009.

Call for Sectional Programs 2008. Use this form to request time to present a sectional  at the WSCA conference of 2008 

Conference Exhibitor Space Request  Use this form to request space to exhibit at the 2008 WSCA conference.

WSCA conference graduate course  Use this form to request information or make a reservation for the graduate course at the 2008 WSCA Conference

Make your plans for the 2008 WSCA Conference to be held on

February 20, 21, 22, 2008

February 21, 2008 Keynote Speaker

Sean Stephenson, Keynote Presenter, Consultant and Best-Selling Author

“A Time to Stand”

WSCA has had such as positive response from conference attendees that we are bringing Sean back as our opening keynote speaker.  Sean is a man faced with adversity yet filled with greatness.  He was born with a rare bone disorder that stunted his growth and caused his bones to be extremely fragile.  By the time he turned 18 years old he had already fractured bones over 200 times, something as simple as sneezing would break his ribs.

While his disorder caused his bones to be stunted in growth and fragile, it ironically fueled his spirit to be unstoppable.  He has accomplished things someone several times his age:  traveling to 47 states and 5 countries, authoring 3 books, and working in The White House as a direct liaison to the President.  Those are just a few of his many accolades.

His presentations to students and educators across the country have continued for the past 9 years.  You may have seen him on the Discover Channel, CNN, The Oprah Show, and in the New York Times.  His experience is backed with credentials, as he serves on the board of directors to the National Association for Self-Esteem, he was recently board certified as a therapist, and is currently pursuing his doctorate in clinical hypnosis.

February 22, 2008 Brunch Speaker

Michael Pritchard

Michael Pritchard is a youth activist, humorist and Public Television host who is known by audiences across the United States for his ability to help young people gain real insight into themselves and the choices they make.  For more than 25 years, Mr. Pritchard has traveled the country, thrilling his youthful audiences while spreading his message of good choices, personal responsibility and respect for others.  Recently featured in Time magazine and on CNN, Pritchard had the unique distinction of winning the San Francisco International

Comedy Competition while he was California Probation Officer of the Year.  He keeps a demanding schedule visiting schools and universities across the country while finding time to bring his inspiring message to parent, civic, and professional groups, community organizations, and corporations.

            Michael is the host of LifeSteps.  LifeSteps is a powerful and dramatic look into the emotional life of teens as they grapple with the vexing problems and mounting challenges of the complex transition to adulthood.  Called “an invaluable addition to school-based curriculum” by the Midwest Book Review and winner of 24 national awards, including the Patent’s Choice Gold Award, LifeSteps helps teens develop the character and social-emotional skills to become responsible, knowledgeable, caring and successful.  This emotionally-charged series brings remarkable clarity and a profoundly positive approach to the very real painful issues facing teens today:  alcohol and drug abuse, teen violence, precocious sexuality, academic pressures, social isolation, depression, suicide, cruelty, racism and bullying.

One part comedian, one part youth counselor and all heart, Michael Pritchard has built a career on helping the youth of America make morally sound choices over those that could lead to a sentence of crime or despair.

February 20, 2008 One of the All-Day Preconference Workshop Presentations

David A. Opalewski, President, Grief Recovery, Incorporated, Saginaw, Michigan

“Preparing for and Responding to the Death of a Student or Staff Member”

Unfortunately, thousands of school age children die each year in the United States.  In addition, thousands more experience the expected or unexpected death of a parent, sibling, grandparent, classmate, teacher, or other significant person in their lives.  This presentation is designed to help school staff to develop appropriate and helpful procedures and polices in dealing with their tragedy and an understanding of grief from a child’s and adolescent’s perspective.  The purpose of this workshop is to help schools develop and train a crisis team to be proactive in the handling of a crisis.  We can not fix a tragedy, but when handled properly, we can grow from it.

A few of the many issues discussed in this workshop include:  formation of a crisis team, policies and procedures, dealing with specific crises (suicide, accidental death, anticipated death, homicide, catastrophic death, positive HIV report, etc).  Samples of announcements, classroom plans and other appropriate materials for your crisis team will be provided.  David Opalewski is a Teacher, Coach, and At-Risk Coordinator for Bridgeport-Spaulding Community Schools.  He is presently working on a workshop for school administrators and supervisory personnel on making crisis response plans in the event of a death of a student or staff member.

February 20, 2008 one of the Half-Day Preconference Workshop Presentations

Marvin W. Berkowitz, Ph.D., Sanford N. McDonnell Professor of Character Education at the
University of Missouri - St. Louis, St. Louis Missouri

“A Comprehensive Approach to Character Education”

In this workshop Dr. Berkowitz will share the essentials that he has learned though his extensive work in developing character education programs and researching their effectiveness.  Drawing on a framework of what is effective, Dr. Berkowitz will highlight programs from schools including program elements and resources for maintenance.  He will also share field-generated, field-tested ideas for integrating character development in the school and classroom.  Specific strategies will be presented ranging from long-term projects to ideas that can be implemented immediately in your school or classroom. 

In October of 2006, Dr. Berkowitz was awarded the Character Education Partnership Lifetime Achievement Award.  He is the inaugural Sanford N. McDonnell Professor of Character Education at the University of Missouri – St. Louis.  Marvin earned his Ph.D. in developmental psychology at Wayne State University.

He has served as professor of psychology and director of the Center for Ethics Studies at Marquette University, research associate at the Center for Moral Development and Education at Harvard University, and editor of Moral Education:  Theory and Application and Peer Conflict and Psychological Growth.  His research includes work on character education, moral development, and prevention of risky behaviors. 

February 20, 2008 One of the Half-Day Preconference Workshop Presentations

Bob Tyra, School Counseling Consultant, Los Angeles County Office of Education

Steve Schneider, WSCA Treasurer and High School Counselor, South High School, Sheboygan, WI

“The Wisconsin School Counseling Accountability Report Card”

Join us for a highly interactive session on how your school counseling program can generate an accountability report card demonstrating a commitment to getting results that will also be eligible for statewide professional recognition.  This report card can be used for:

·         Presenting a self-evaluation of your student support system.

·         Promoting your program to your school administration, school board, community partners and businesses and parents / guardians.

·         Preparing reports for school accreditation, grants or awards recognition, and implementing the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Standards and the National Model for School Counseling Programs.

As a result of attending this pre-conference workshop, you or your team will take home a functional outline of your program’s report card that is the first step for award consideration at next year’s state conference.  Presenters will include Wisconsin school counselors who have completed their first report card.

If your program is implementing or planning to implement the National Standards or National Model, this hands-on workshop is a great first step for moving to the next level.

INVITATION TO SPONSOR AND EXHIBIT

The Wisconsin School Counselor Association (WSCA) invites you to join approximately 1200 counselors, counselor educators, graduate students and counseling supervisors for the annual conference at the Country Springs Hotel in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.

WSCA is the professional association for school counselors in Wisconsin

WSCA provides leadership and professional development in all areas of school counseling

WSCA’s mission is to promote excellence in the profession of school counseling and in the development of all students. 

WHY EXHIBIT

• Introduce new products
• Meet face to face with customers
• Generate referrals
• Give demonstrations
• Promote name recognition
• Expand book and product sales

EXHIBITOR  BENEFITS

• Two large exhibition areas to select from
• One (1) eight foot table and two (2) chairs per space
• Company listing and product description in WSCA conference program
• Good traffic flow of qualified buyers and recommenders
• Quick lunch service for conference participants scheduled in the exhibit areas
• Promotional opportunities
• High buyer to exhibitor ratio

SPONSORSHIP

Sponsoring a conference reception, break or speaker highlights your support for school counselors.  Gain name recognition by sponsoring one of these events or a conference item, i.e. tote bags, pen, mug.  If you are interested in sponsorship, please indicate on the exhibit application. 

Details…

Wisconsin School Counselor Conference 2008

1100 attendees and over 100 exhibitors

Dates:

February 20, 21, 22 2008

Exhibit hours:  
Wednesday   4 pm -  6 pm (optional for exhibitors)
Thursday        8 am -  6 pm
Friday             8 am -  11 am

Exhibitor set-up hours :
Wednesday      10 am - 4 pm
Thursday             7 am - 8 am

 Location:

Country Springs Hotel
Stevens Point, Wisconsin
800-998-2311

Stevens Point Area Lodging information :

Please click here if you can not see the embedded table below

Contact Troy.Schimek@wrps.orgwebmaster for any questions or comments about this page