88th Annual CASCWA State Conference: Full Schedule

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7:30am PDT

Continental Breakfast

Tuesday April 29, 2025 7:30am - 8:15am PDT

TBA

Tuesday April 29, 2025 7:30am - 8:15am PDT
TBA

8:15am PDT

Transition/Break

Tuesday April 29, 2025 8:15am - 8:30am PDT

TBA

Tuesday April 29, 2025 8:15am - 8:30am PDT
TBA

8:30am PDT

??Title??

Tuesday April 29, 2025 8:30am - 9:45am PDT

TBA

Speakers

Dr. Ron Nocetti

Tuesday April 29, 2025 8:30am - 9:45am PDT
TBA

8:30am PDT

Building Resilient Teens in a Risky World: The Power of Prevention

Tuesday April 29, 2025 8:30am - 9:45am PDT

TBA

Prevention plays a critical role in equipping teens with the skills and mindset to resist substance use. By fostering resilience, students can be empowered to navigate peer pressure and make healthier choices. This session introduces evidence-based methods to support high schools and middle schools in integrating powerful prevention strategies. Then move beyond theoretical frameworks and dive into actionable steps you can implement. Convenient digital follow up materials are included, making it easy to share your key take-aways from this session after the conference.

Speakers

Angie Ferguson

Executive Director, Drug Free Clubs of America

Voluntary, Visible & Verified - Discover a unique drug prevention strategy created by firefighters for today's world! Learn the modern tools that have been proven to have a positive impact on the school culture while also helping teens navigate pressures to experiment with drugs... Read More →

Janet Rowse

Founder, SafeLaunch

The SafeLaunch mission is to prevent teen substance use. We educate civic leaders, families and youth about the developing brain's unique vulnerability to any substance use. We have many programs on our website. We promote Drug Free Clubs of America, a one of a kind, school based... Read More →

Commander Ron Cuff

Founder, SafeLaunch

Tuesday April 29, 2025 8:30am - 9:45am PDT
TBA

At Promise Youth, Sponsor

8:30am PDT

The Power of SART

Tuesday April 29, 2025 8:30am - 9:45am PDT

TBA

Learn how to make the most of a SART meeting at your site to explore barriers to attendance and engage students, staff, and family members in effectively identifying and committing to interventions to address barriers.

Speakers

Sasha Lubkin

TSA ATTENDANCE, SRVUSD

I am a California licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and hold a pupil personnel service credential for school social work. Prior to working in education, I provided case management and substance abuse treatment for parolees, taught job readiness skills to adults seeking work in... Read More →

Tuesday April 29, 2025 8:30am - 9:45am PDT
TBA

Attendance

8:30am PDT

Utilizing a System of Approach to Attendance & Truancy Mediation

Tuesday April 29, 2025 8:30am - 9:45am PDT

TBA

Learn about Lodi USD's system of approach for addressing student attendance and truancy. This presentation will cover the following: district/school site structure for attendance/truancy, Lodi USD's truancy mediation process, and the use of RaaWee K12 Attendance Improvement software.

Speakers

Benjamin Rechter

Coordinator, Lodi Unified School District

Tuesday April 29, 2025 8:30am - 9:45am PDT
TBA

Attendance, Sponsor

8:30am PDT

Expulsion Hearings – Ensuring Due Process and Protecting the Rights of Students

Tuesday April 29, 2025 8:30am - 9:45am PDT

TBA

When students are recommended for expulsion, it is often the responsibility of the site administrator to present the case before the Administrative Panel or Governing Board. The quasi-judicial nature of the expulsion hearing process requires that administrators have at least a basic understanding of the required components of presenting a case, including understanding the burden of proof, how to introduce evidence, and how to question witnesses. This training session provides school administrators with a clear understanding of the expulsion hearing process, from creating the expulsion packet through drafting appropriate findings of fact and conclusions of law.

Speakers

Dora Dome

Attorney, Dora Dome Law

Dora J. Dome has practiced Education Law for over 27 years, primarily in the areas of student issues and special education. She currently provides legal representation to school districts on student issues and develops and conducts professional development trainings for district staff... Read More →

Tuesday April 29, 2025 8:30am - 9:45am PDT
TBA

Climate & Culture

8:30am PDT

Supporting Challenging Behavior: Ensuring Success for General Education Elementary School Students

Tuesday April 29, 2025 8:30am - 9:45am PDT

TBA

In TVUSD, we have seen a dramatic increase in challenging behaviors from general education students, specifically at the elementary school level. This has resulted in a significant increase in referrals for special education assessments. Over the past year we have worked tirelessly to develop resources and provide support to our elementary sites to ensure that these students have access to all of the targeted interventions and supports necessary to mitigate their behavior and afford them increased success in the general education setting, rather than relying on our special education department to address these concerns. We want to be sure that the students who are referred to special education are only at that point because they have been given every opportunity to find success in the least restrictive environment, first. This presentation is a showcase of the resources we have created, the steps we have taken, our successes/challenges, the work we have done, and our next steps as we navigate this challenge in our district.

Speakers

Samantha Sellars

Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Temecula Valley Unified School District

Kelly Gradstein

Director of Student Wellness, Outreach, and Engagement, Temecula Valley Unified School District

As the Director of Student Wellness, Outreach, and Engagement, I am responsible for supporting Health Services, the Social-Emotional Learning Team, and for providing site support to Administrators across our district in the areas of student discipline, enrollment, attendance, and... Read More →

Lindsay Mason

School Counselor, TVUSD

Tanya Sybert

MTSS/PBIS Teacher on Special Assignment, Temecula Valley Unified School District

Tuesday April 29, 2025 8:30am - 9:45am PDT
TBA

Climate & Culture

8:30am PDT

Drug Diversion Program

Tuesday April 29, 2025 8:30am - 9:45am PDT

TBA

Riverside Unified School District, in response to increased suspensions and expulsions related to substance use, recognized the need for intervention. A multidisciplinary committee was formed to revise the district's disciplinary policy regarding marijuana and alcohol. Through the work of the committee, a subgroup of SAP Counselors worked together to create curriculum for the student Drug Diversion Program. The goal of the program is to reduce expulsions as well as provide psychoeducation to reduce and/or eliminate marijuana and alcohol use. Students are provided the option to attend 3 classes for a total of 12 hours. Classes are taught primarily by SAP Counselors.

Speakers

Andrea Salazar

Student Assistance Program (SAP) Counselor/Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Riverside Unified School District

Andrea Salazar is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She has been a SAP Counselor for 10 school years in the secondary setting. Andrea started at a Middle School and is now a Lead SAP Counselor at a Wellness Center at a high school. She also serves as part of the leadership... Read More →

Melissa Pinkerton

Student Assistance Program (SAP) Counselor/Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Riverside Unified School District

Melissa Pinkerton is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and holds a PPS Credential for School Counseling. She has been a SAP Counselor for 10 school years in the secondary setting. Melissa started at a Middle School and is now a Lead SAP Counselor at a Wellness Center at a high... Read More →

Ana Garcia

Student Assistance Program (SAP) Counselor/Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Riverside Unified School District

Tuesday April 29, 2025 8:30am - 9:45am PDT
TBA

Health & Wellness

8:30am PDT

An Introduction to Recognizing, Documenting, and Reporting Concerning Behaviors in School

Tuesday April 29, 2025 8:30am - 9:45am PDT

TBA

This session will focus on responding to concerning behaviors by helping participants to understand baseline behaviors and deviations , recognize behavioral markers of targeted violence, and observe, document, and report concerning behaviors.

Speakers

Tim Ware

Coordinator, San Diego County Office of Education

Lauritz Austensen

Special Agent, Homeland Security Investigations, FBI San Diego Campus Security Program Manager, Homeland Security Investigations

Tuesday April 29, 2025 8:30am - 9:45am PDT
TBA

School Safety

9:45am PDT

Transition/Break

Tuesday April 29, 2025 9:45am - 10:00am PDT

TBA

Tuesday April 29, 2025 9:45am - 10:00am PDT
TBA

10:00am PDT

Supporting At Promise Students: Crack Slippers

Tuesday April 29, 2025 10:00am - 11:15am PDT

TBA

Is the idea of all students succeeding truly believed, or is it just a cliché? If we genuinely believe it, we must be willing to do whatever it takes, even if it’s unconventional. The "crack slipper" is a student who doesn't fit into the existing structures and slips through the cracks. This presentation will explore strategies for supporting at-risk and at-promise students, focusing on identifying root causes and customizing support. We will address issues of misplacement and open discussion on best practices. Ultimately, the goal is to inspire educators to better support marginalized students at risk of falling into the "black hole."

Speakers

Edison Kelly Ed.D

Director Student Services, Vallejo City Unified School District

Tuesday April 29, 2025 10:00am - 11:15am PDT
TBA

At Promise Youth

10:00am PDT

Where the Heart Work Happens: Shifting the Mindset Surrounding At-Promise Youth

Tuesday April 29, 2025 10:00am - 11:15am PDT

TBA

In this session, participants will engage in meaningful discussions around vital collaboration with sites, district office departments, COEs, and state and federal agencies in order to make systemic impactful change as it pertains to at-promise youth. Victor Valley Union High School District will share our story of resiliency where intentionality is key to creating and sustaining transformational results in a growing district and community.

Speakers

Tiffany Hampton

Victor Valley Union High School District

Rachel Storch

CWA Coordinator, Victor Valley Union High School District

Diana Chapero

Counselor of Student Services, Victor Valley Union High School District

Tuesday April 29, 2025 10:00am - 11:15am PDT
TBA

At Promise Youth

10:00am PDT

Attendance: MTSS Tiers of Intervention: Addressing Absenteeism in High School

Tuesday April 29, 2025 10:00am - 11:15am PDT

TBA

Taking a closer look into Sequoia Union High School District’s (SUHSD) planning and development of a secondary student engagement service structure. This session will include perspectives from both district and site levels on the development and implementation of SUHSD’s tiered interventions to address the often complicated barriers to high school student engagement. SUHSD is a 2024 Model SARB awardee.

Speakers

Jarrett Dooley

Director of Student Services, Sequoia Union High School District

Shana Karashima

MTSS Coordinator, Sequoia Union High School District

Maribel Orozsco

Mental Health Caseworker, Sequoia Union High School District

Tuesday April 29, 2025 10:00am - 11:15am PDT
TBA

Attendance

10:00am PDT

From Crisis to Success: How One District Cut Chronic Absenteeism in Half

Tuesday April 29, 2025 10:00am - 11:15am PDT

TBA

With 40,000 students across nearly 70 schools, Garden Grove Unified School District transformed their post-pandemic attendance approach from compliance-focused to a comprehensive cultural shift emphasizing student engagement and family partnership. District leaders will share how they leveraged their MTSS framework to create sustainable attendance improvements, particularly among vulnerable populations. Learn how they aligned attendance initiatives with LCAP goals, integrated equity-focused practices into outreach strategies, and built a scalable system across all grade levels. Discover how their data-driven approach has created lasting improvements in student attendance and engagement.

Speakers

Erik Elorriaga

Account Executive, SchoolStatus

Erik is a former Special Education and Para-Professional helping students with severe educational needs accomplish huge success. Currently charged with increasing student achievement, family engagement, and overall attendance across California schools while focusing heavily on curbing... Read More →

Dr. Jeff Layland

Coordinator of Student Services, Garden Grove Unified School District

Dr. Jeff Layland (He/ His / Him) is the Coordinator of Social Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health with the Garden Grove Unified School District. GGUSD is a TK-12 school district that serves a diverse population of about 37,000 students. He helps to support many of GGUSD's social... Read More →

John Marsh

Director of Student Services, Garden Grove Unified School District

Dr. Steve Yoon

Assistant Superintendent of Special Education and Student Services, Garden Grove Unified School District

Tuesday April 29, 2025 10:00am - 11:15am PDT
TBA

Attendance, Sponsor

10:00am PDT

Reducing Truancy and Chronic Absence Through Collaborative Truancy Courts

Tuesday April 29, 2025 10:00am - 11:15am PDT

TBA

This presentation will lay out how to partner with schools and districts to first prevent and reduce truancy and chronic absence without law enforcement involvement. I will cover best practices, district-wide attendance messaging, and how to effectively communicate with parents about absences. I will also cover how to establish and run an effective collaborative truancy court, that both supports parents who are struggling with a crisis leading to their child's truancy, and encourages accountability of the parents in order to achieve improved attendance rates.

Speakers

Alisha Schoen

Santa Clara County District Attorney's Association

Alisha Schoen graduated from UCLA in 2005, after which she attended Stanford Law School, graduating in 2009. Alisha has experience in both the private and international sectors: she practiced civil defense work for two years before working for the Office of the Prosecutor at the... Read More →

Tuesday April 29, 2025 10:00am - 11:15am PDT
TBA

Attendance

10:00am PDT

Dealing with Drugs: Awareness, Recognition, and Prevention

Tuesday April 29, 2025 10:00am - 11:15am PDT

TBA

1. TYPES OF DRUGS AND CURRENT DRUG TRENDS 2. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF USE 3. PREVENTION MEASURES 4. INTERVENTIONS 5. A SUPPORTIVE, TIERED APPROACH TO DRUGS AND ALCOHOL USE 6. NARCAN AND HOW TO USE IT ATTENDEES WILL BE TRAINED ON THE USE OF NARCAN.

Speakers

Dr. David Diehl

Director of Student and Community Services, Selma Unified School District

Dr. David Diehl is the Director of Student and Community Services for the Selma Unified School District and was previously a vice principal for a Model Continuation High School. Prior to entering education, he spent 24 years in law enforcement, retiring as a police sergeant. His research... Read More →

Tuesday April 29, 2025 10:00am - 11:15am PDT
TBA

Climate & Culture

10:00am PDT

Creating and Sustaining Mental Health and Wellness Services

Tuesday April 29, 2025 10:00am - 11:15am PDT

TBA

This proposal outlines a fiscally sustainable framework to build and maintain comprehensive mental health programs in TK-12 schools. By creating a robust mental health continuum on campus, schools can address the varied social, emotional, and mental health needs of students while simultaneously developing a pipeline of qualified mental health professionals. The primary goal is to ensure the sustainability of mental health programs by leveraging resources to train and retain professionals who can support students’ mental well-being while advancing their own career pathways toward licensure.

Speakers

Shana Egans

Tuesday April 29, 2025 10:00am - 11:15am PDT
TBA

Health & Wellness

10:00am PDT

The Interrelationship between Workplace Violence Laws and Special Education

Tuesday April 29, 2025 10:00am - 11:15am PDT

TBA

This presentation will take a look at how the recently enacted Workplace Violence laws relate to and interact with Special Education laws and students’ rights for a Free Appropriate Public Education. Specifically, the presentation will assist attendees in understanding how a safe school environment can be created for staff and students using tools available for behavior modification and staff training.

Speakers

Lauri Arrowsmith

Senior Counsel, Lozano Smith Attorneys at Law

Lauri Arrowsmith is Senior Counsel in Lozano Smith's San Diego office. Ms. Arrowsmith focuses on helping school districts handle complex special education issues in a variety of settings, including IEP meetings, mediations and due process hearings. With her many years of experience... Read More →

Amanda Cordova

Attorney, Lozano Smith

Tuesday April 29, 2025 10:00am - 11:15am PDT
TBA

School Safety

11:15am PDT

Transition/Break

Tuesday April 29, 2025 11:15am - 11:30pm PDT

TBA

Tuesday April 29, 2025 11:15am - 11:30pm PDT
TBA

1:15pm PDT

Transition/Break

Tuesday April 29, 2025 1:15pm - 1:45pm PDT

TBA

Tuesday April 29, 2025 1:15pm - 1:45pm PDT
TBA

1:45pm PDT

Engaging All Students: Lessons Learned From Incarcerated Youth

Tuesday April 29, 2025 1:45pm - 3:00pm PDT

TBA

THIS SESSION WILL PROVIDE INSIGHT INTO STREET SOCIALIZED YOUTH AND WHY RELATIONSHIPS CAN DEFLECT THEIR TRAJECTORY INTO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THROUGH HIS EXPERIENCE WORKING IN COURT AND ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS, ALONG WITH EXTENSIVE RESEARCH AND INTERVIEWS OF THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF INCARCERATED MALES ABOUT THEIR EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE, HE WILL SHARE WHY INCREASED AWARENESS INTO THE LIVES OF STREET SOCIALIZED STUDENTS FROM MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES CAN IMPROVE STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND RELATIONSHIPS, REDUCE THE DROPOUT RATE, AND IMPEDE FUTURE INCARCERATION. ATTENDEES WILL UNDERSTAND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF DEVELOPING POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH AT-PROMISE YOUTH, AND HOW THESE INTERACTIONS CAN BENEFIT THEM THROUGHOUT THEIR EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE.

Speakers

Dr. David Diehl

Director of Student and Community Services, Selma Unified School District

Tuesday April 29, 2025 1:45pm - 3:00pm PDT
TBA

At Promise Youth

1:45pm PDT

How Law Enforcement and the Courts Can Help Improve Attendance

Tuesday April 29, 2025 1:45pm - 3:00pm PDT

TBA

From Covid to false school shooting threats, educators are dealing with a tsunami of causes of increased chronic absence. As the problem gets bigger then, so too must our solutions get smarter. In this presentation I will cover how partnership with the district attorney to prevent and abate truancy is a vital part of that solution. I'll lay out the mechanics of how to scaffold tiered, partnered interventions. And how to create a collaborative truancy court that not only addresses attendance, but the underlying crisis that the child or family is experiencing which lead to the chronic absence in the first place.

Speakers

Alisha Schoen

Santa Clara County District Attorney's Association

Tuesday April 29, 2025 1:45pm - 3:00pm PDT
TBA

Attendance

1:45pm PDT

Understanding Section 504

Tuesday April 29, 2025 1:45pm - 3:00pm PDT

TBA

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act is a function of general education. As a result, many of the general education staff responsible for implementing the Section 504 requirements lack the specialized training typically associated with special education, even though there are comparable procedural requirements as those found in special education. This training provides an overview of the Section 504 process, including eligibility, assessment, and child find requirements. This training is ideal for Section 504 Coordinators and any staff responsible for implementing Section 504 at school sites.

Speakers

Dora Dome

Attorney, Dora Dome Law

Tuesday April 29, 2025 1:45pm - 3:00pm PDT
TBA

Attendance

1:45pm PDT

Individualized Intervention Program for Student Substance Use Support

Tuesday April 29, 2025 1:45pm - 3:00pm PDT

TBA

The Palm Springs Unified School District is utilizing an individualized intervention program to support students with substance use issues. Trained Prevention Specialists provide tailored services through a range of intervention options, from early prevention to intensive support. Partnerships with local agencies ensure seamless referrals to high-level services when needed.

A presentation will showcase program data, specific intervention options, and practical implementation strategies. This initiative aims to create a supportive environment, address diverse student needs, and promote healthier, more productive school communities.

Speakers

Lisa Todd

Coordinator - Student Services, Palm Springs Unified

Tuesday April 29, 2025 1:45pm - 3:00pm PDT
TBA

Climate & Culture

1:45pm PDT

Reducing Barriers to Effective Behavior in School Through Home Visits

Tuesday April 29, 2025 1:45pm - 3:00pm PDT

TBA

We do home visits for misbehavior. In this, our third year of suspension home visits, we have expanded our efforts to include Tier 3 pre-suspension students. Students who are preoccupied with social/emotional/familial issues engage in Ed Code 48900 violations strategies to cope with problems they cannot solve. Strengthening the home/school connection can find solutions and restore relationships for students and parents which result in better attendance and better behavior. By meeting families in the home to collaborate in helping our at promise students we can reduce the emotional barriers to prosocial behavior and academic success. Our suspension rate has been below the state and country for 2 years running since we began and we hope to create a culture of happiness, empowerment and freedom in our schools. This is how we do it.

Speakers

David McPhee

Attendance Specialist, Val Verde Unified School District

Tuesday April 29, 2025 1:45pm - 3:00pm PDT
TBA

Climate & Culture

1:45pm PDT

Supporting Teen Parents: A three branch approach

Tuesday April 29, 2025 1:45pm - 3:00pm PDT

TBA

This presentation focuses on the rights and protections for pregnant and parenting students, covering three key areas: reproductive health, parenting, and academic/social supports. Students are entitled to accommodations such as eight weeks of parental leave, excused absences for caring for a sick child, and lactation rooms. Under Title IX and California law, schools must prevent discrimination and ensure pregnant students remain full participants in education. Unfortunately, many students are unaware of these rights, leading to alternative schooling or dropout. This presentation aims to raise awareness and ensure that students receive the accommodations they are entitled to.

Speakers

Michelle Sapanara

Assistant Superintendent, Springs Charter Schools

Michelle Sapanara currently serves the students and families of Springs Charter School as Assistant Superintendent, Student Services. In this role Michelle is responsible for student support services which includes coordinated school health and behavioral health services, school counseling... Read More →

Tuesday April 29, 2025 1:45pm - 3:00pm PDT
TBA

Health & Wellness

1:45pm PDT

The Building of a District Response Team@ School Based Mental Health Programs

Tuesday April 29, 2025 1:45pm - 3:00pm PDT

TBA

San Gabriel Unified developed a District Response Team when schools reopened after the COVID school closures. The team consists of a CWA counselor, 2 Wellness Counselors, the School Based Mental Health coordinator, and the District Licensed Clinical Social Worker. The team has a wide range of situations that it responds to and ways that it supports site staff. These include: coordinating and providing mental health support after significantly negative school events, training relevant staff in the CSTAG threat assessment protocol, and coordinate Tier 3 interventions for intensive student situations. Members also participate in the District Safety and Emergency Committee to include postvention strategies into crisis response. This presentation will share how the team functions and is deployed and will give concrete examples of cases where team members partnered with schools in their responses to negative school events.

Speakers

Ruth Esseln

Director of Student Services, San Gabriel Unified School District

Ruth Esseln is the Director of Student Services in the San Gabriel Unified School District. Her background is in high school administration. She started her career as a high school English Language Arts teacher through Teach for America and is an experienced WASC Chair. Ruth is currently... Read More →

Chris Saporito

High School Wellness Counselor, San Gabriel Unified School District

Ryan Saiyasombat

CWA Counselor, San Gabriel Unified School District

Tuesday April 29, 2025 1:45pm - 3:00pm PDT
TBA

School Safety

1:45pm PDT

Who is Holding Down The Fort?

Tuesday April 29, 2025 1:45pm - 3:00pm PDT

TBA

Safe schools are of major importance to the public, parents and school officials. Unfortunately, individual school sites have not been assessed to properly ensure the safety of all as school officials are reactive rather than proactive. During this interactive session, Sherman Garnett Jr. who describe what is a safe school from an educational and law enforcement perspective and provide all with resources and assessment tools that will ensure maximum safety at each school site including the necessary training.

Speakers

Sherman Garnett Jr.

Sheriff, Retired, Sherman Garnett & Associates

Sherman Garnett Jr. is a retired sheriff who served in many capacities from patrol officer, narcotics, gangs and most recently school resource officer. Mr. Garnett's speciality is safe school assessments.

Tuesday April 29, 2025 1:45pm - 3:00pm PDT
TBA

School Safety

3:00pm PDT

Transition/Break

Tuesday April 29, 2025 3:00pm - 3:15pm PDT

TBA

Tuesday April 29, 2025 3:00pm - 3:15pm PDT
TBA

3:15pm PDT

Home and Hospital Instruction - What Every Student Services Administrator Needs to Know

Tuesday April 29, 2025 3:15pm - 4:30pm PDT

TBA

Home and Hospital Instruction is a program all districts are required to offer; however, how do you ensure your program is compliant, well thought out and implemented, and supporting the needs of our at-promise youth? This presentation will provide participants with: legal mandates; roles and responsibilities and best practices; step-by-step program implementation; and sample handbook, applications, and documents. Throughout this presentation, participants will explore traditional home and hospital instruction, extension of services, blended services, and re-entry to the regular school program from home and hospital instruction. Additionally, participants will learn about Home Instruction, as well as out-of-district services. Learn from a veteran administrator with over 13 years overseeing Home and Hospital Instruction and as a participant, you will walk away with tools to immediately utilize upon your return to your site and/or district.

Speakers

Steven France

Director, Acalanes Union High School District

Steven France brings 25 years of public school education at the high school and adult education levels. He began his career as a high school English and Leadership teacher in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District prior to his 2005 appointment as Vice Principal within the same district... Read More →

Tuesday April 29, 2025 3:15pm - 4:30pm PDT
TBA

At Promise Youth

3:15pm PDT

Reengaging, Redirecting, Reinforcing: Addressing Chronic Absenteeism Through Expanded Learning Partnership

Tuesday April 29, 2025 3:15pm - 4:30pm PDT

TBA

Chronic absenteeism poses a significant obstacle to student success and overall academic performance. Nevertheless, through strategic partnerships and expanded learning initiatives, schools can effectively confront this challenge and cultivate a culture of consistent attendance and active participation.

In this interactive workshop, participants will delve into the innovative approaches spearheaded by the Garvey School District in collaboration with expanded learning provider, Woodcraft Rangers. Together, they have established a comprehensive network of support and opportunities aimed at engaging and retaining students. From developing community and culturally tailored programs to providing immediate assistance for unhoused or foster youth, the partnership between Garvey and Woodcraft has capitalized on their respective strengths to optimize student engagement.

Speakers

Danny Salas

Chief Program Officer, Woodcraft Rangers

Danny Salas, Chief Program Officer, Woodcraft Rangers, leads diverse expanded learning programs, overseeing a team of directors, program managers, and 850+ site coordinators and club leaders. Instrumental in the formation of partnerships that support inclusion of neurodiverse and... Read More →

Bulmaro Magallon

Director of Family Services, Garvey School District

Tuesday April 29, 2025 3:15pm - 4:30pm PDT
TBA

Attendance

3:15pm PDT

SART and SARB - From Development, Training, Roll Out, and Implementation

Tuesday April 29, 2025 3:15pm - 4:30pm PDT

TBA

A student's truancy journey begins at their school site. We often have a well-established SARB process at the district level, but what preventative steps exist at the site level? Who do we engage? What does the SART process look like prior to the student being referred to the district-level SARB?

Next, we will explore the SARB process, which must follow various compliance aspects and there are many facets to a successful program. Participants will explore the legal aspects of SARB, learn step-by-step aspects of a successful SARB program, explore implementation procedures, and evaluate their site and/or district SARB process. Participants will walk away with tools to immediately implement when they return to their site and/or district.

Speakers

Steven France

Director, Acalanes Union High School District

Tuesday April 29, 2025 3:15pm - 4:30pm PDT
TBA

Attendance

3:15pm PDT

Stop Bullying Without the Need for Suspensions

Tuesday April 29, 2025 3:15pm - 4:30pm PDT

TBA

In this session, participants will learn how SBCUSD is using a unique restorative approach called the Undercover Anti-Bullying Team to stop event the toughest of bullying cases.

Speakers

Marlene Bicondova

Director, San Bernardino City Unified School District

Tuesday April 29, 2025 3:15pm - 4:30pm PDT
TBA

Climate & Culture

3:15pm PDT

Student Records Do's and Dont's May and Shall

Tuesday April 29, 2025 3:15pm - 4:30pm PDT

TBA

Are you current and well versed in the area of student records? What are the rights of caregivers as opposed to custodial parents? Are special education files considered " special" and maintained separate from other educational files? These questions and more will be answered in an interactive session in which you will be challenged and provided solutions to these challenging questions.

Speakers

Sherman Garnett

Owner, Sherman Garnett & Associates

Sherman Garnett is a veteran 48 year educator who has served in a variety of educational roles including teacher, athletic coach, dean, assistant principal, principal, student services administrator, college professor and current governing board member.

Tuesday April 29, 2025 3:15pm - 4:30pm PDT
TBA

Climate & Culture, Sponsor

3:15pm PDT

A School District's Student & Educator Well Being

Tuesday April 29, 2025 3:15pm - 4:30pm PDT

TBA

Riverside Unified School District’s Department of Wellness and Engagement supports students demonstrating social, emotional, and/or behavioral concerns impacting their ability to fully participate in daily instruction, school activities, or their overall educational experience with licensed therapists, school psychologists, and prevention assistants. The
program focuses on developing supports for students facing non-academic barriers to their learning. The department also supports a thriving structure for enhancing employee well-being.
Participants will gain knowledge about:
RUSD’s innovative program that includes 42 licensed therapists, 8 school psychologists, 20 prevention assistants, and a teacher on special assignment. Consider how attendees might implement a similar structure for counseling, behavior support, and the well-being of employees. These structures work within the Multi-Tiered System of Support framework.

Speakers

Katarina Roy Schanz

Director, Riverside Unified

Dr. Katarina Roy Schanz serves as the Director of Wellness and Engagement for the Riverside Unified School District. In her previous roles of school counselor, assistant principal, and school principal, she saw the clear need for supporting the overall well-being of students and staff... Read More →

Tuesday April 29, 2025 3:15pm - 4:30pm PDT
TBA

Health & Wellness

3:15pm PDT

Growing Community: Increasing Connectedness for Oakland USD's McKinney Vento, Foster, and Newcomer Youth

Tuesday April 29, 2025 3:15pm - 4:30pm PDT

TBA

System-impacted students need ways to build a sense of belonging, agency, and academic identity through meaningful relationships. However, many adult practices are disconnected from students’ best interests and are based on a system that is not designed for marginalized youth to successfully graduate. Upon recognizing this disconnect, Oakland Unified School District leaders came together across departments to address these issues and focus on equity.

This interactive presentation will offer experiential learning on OUSD’s journey by highlighting the value of student-centered design, exploring student-led research strategies to address chronic absenteeism, and unpacking student well-being and relationship data.

Speakers

Dr. Zaia Vera

Executive of District Partnerships & Impact, Sown To Grow

Jerome Gourdine

Principal, Oakland USD

Jerome Gourdine has served the Oakland Unified School District for more than 27 years, as a teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal, Program Manager and now Director of Targeted Strategies. Among his many accomplishments is receiving the 2007 MetLife Principal of the Year Award, a... Read More →

Tuesday April 29, 2025 3:15pm - 4:30pm PDT
TBA

School Safety, Sponsor

3:15pm PDT

Promoting School Safety Through Technology and Facilities

Tuesday April 29, 2025 3:15pm - 4:30pm PDT

TBA

Speakers

Vicente Bravo DaVinci Schools - Wiseburn USD

Chief Administrative Officer/Assistant Superintendent, Da Vinci Schools (Wiseburn USD)

Vicente Bravo brings with him expertise and experience in the area of student support services gained from having served as a classroom teacher, site and district administrator, and county-level administrator. He has presented at local and state conferences sponsored through the Los... Read More →

Tuesday April 29, 2025 3:15pm - 4:30pm PDT
TBA

School Safety

4:45pm PDT

Reception - CASCWA Awards

Tuesday April 29, 2025 4:45pm - 6:15pm PDT

TBA

Tuesday April 29, 2025 4:45pm - 6:15pm PDT
TBA

11:30pm PDT

Lunch & Keynote Speaker - Sponsors, Raffle and CASCWA Section Awards

Tuesday April 29, 2025 11:30pm - Wednesday April 30, 2025 12:30am PDT

TBA

Tuesday April 29, 2025 11:30pm - Wednesday April 30, 2025 12:30am PDT
TBA