Building the Heart of Successful Schools Conference

Tenth Annual Conference

December 4-5, 2008

Kalahari Resort and Convention Center, Wisconsin Dells

Registration Fees:
$140 through November 22
$165 beginning November 23

online event registration
by RegOnline

Conference Brochure

This Year’s Exciting Keynote Speakers!

Thursday, December 4, 2008

The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander: From Pre-School to High School—How Parents and Teachers Can Help Break the Cycle of Violence

Barbara Coloroso

Barb Coloroso

It is the deadliest combination going: bullies who get what they want from their target, bullied kids who are afraid to tell, bystanders who either watch, participate, or look away, and adults who see the incidents as simply “teasing” and a normal part of childhood. We have only to look to the headlines to understand that this is a recipe for tragedy. Some bullying targets, their cries unheard, have fought back with violence that has devastated entire communities; others have committed suicide; many more suffer in silence, their lives a constant round of emotional and physical pain. Barbara Coloroso gives parents, caregivers, educators—and most of all, kids—the tools to break this cycle of violence.

About the Presenter:
Barbara Coloroso is an internationally recognized speaker and author in the areas of parenting, teaching, school discipline, non-violent conflict resolution, and reconciliatory justice. She is an educational consultant for school districts, the medical and business community, the criminal justice system, and other educational associations throughout the world. Barbara has served as a classroom teacher, a laboratory school instructor, and a university instructor. She is the author of four international bestsellers.

More information can be found at Ms. Coloroso's website, kidsareworthit.com.

Friday, December 5, 2008

The Power of One—Putting Kindness Back in Schools

Dr. Stephen R. Sroka

Stev Sroka

Many people tend to think about school and community safety in terms of metal detectors, cameras and armed officers. With No Child Left Behind and its stress on academic achievement at all costs with little regard for the mental, social, physical, emotional, or spiritual aspects of the whole child, many teachers teach tests and not students. Today, new ways to prevent home, school, and community violence, and help children learn include social and mental health communication skills that incorporate kindness.

Stephen Sroka's presentation integrates cutting-edge research, humor, and inspiring real-life stories to facilitate learning about the whole child. He stresses students' mental, emotional, social, spiritual, and physical health needs and their relationship to academic and life success. The program is filled with "tips from the trenches" as well as current research on social intelligence, stress management, communication strategies, brain based learning, media literacy, character education, resiliency, and youth and asset development programs.

Experience an unforgettable message of hope and joy that with education, helping one another, and believing in yourself, you can change schools, communities, and lives.

Change is inevitable, growth is optional.
You have the Power of One to change the future with kindness. Let’s start today!

About the Presenter:
Stephen R. Sroka, Ph.D., grew up in poverty in a housing project in a single parent family. His third grade report card read, “Parent notified boy is retarded.” In the ninth grade, after being involved in a school fight, he had two hip operations and was told that he may never walk again. The doctor told him he better start to listen to his teachers. And, as he tells students today, the more he listened, the smarter the teachers became.

Today, Dr. Stephen Sroka is an internationally-recognized speaker, trainer, author, teacher and educational consultant on sex, drugs and violence prevention education. His presentations include topics such as: at-risk youth, brain based learning, teacher motivation and education, alternative education, and truancy and dropout prevention. Dr. Sroka is an Adjunct Assistant Professor, School of Medicine, Division of Adolescent Health, Case Western Reserve University, an Adjunct Associate Professor of Health Education at Cleveland State University and President of his company, Health Education Consultants. He has worked in schools for over 30 years. Dr. Sroka received the Outstanding School Health Educator Award from the American School Health Association, was selected the Disney Outstanding Health Teacher of the Year, and was inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame.

More information can be found at Dr. Sroka's website, DrStephenSroka.com

Conference Site/Hotel Information

The conference will be held at the Kalahari Resort/Convention Center. Mention the Building the Heart of Successful Schools conference to get the special conference rates of $99/single. Government rates are honored with proof of employment.

Phone: 1-877-525-2427
Address: 1305 Kalahari Drive, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965

Exhibitor Information

Bring an exhibit to the conference! Sign up early as there is limited space available for exhibit booths. Exhibitor Information

For questions about this information, contact Linda S. Carey (608) 267-9354

Last updated on 8/29/2008 7:02:27 AM