The Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth (MPY) is pleased to announce that it is sponsoring a hybrid conference focused on “Cultivating Supportive Schools and Classroom Environments.”
WHEN:
Tuesday, Oct. 24, from 8:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
WHERE:
Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School, 565 Maple Street, Danvers, MA 01932
WHO:
- Raul Fernandez, Ed.D., Senior Lecturer in the Higher Education Administration Program, Boston University College of Education & Human Development
- Eliza Casella, Director of Social and Emotional Learning, Culture and Climate, Salem Public Schools
- Jessica Whelan, M.Ed., Restorative Coach, Weymouth Public Schools
- Jess Madden-Fuoco, M.Ed., Instructional Coach, The English High School, Boston Public Schools
- Eric Greene, Director of Community Dispute Resolution, MetroWest Mediation
- Robert Tremblay, Ed.D., Superintendent, Framingham Public Schools
- Kerry Wood, M.Ed., Principal, Fuller Middle School, Framingham Public Schools
- Courtney Balacco, M.Ed., Executive Director of Student Support, Framingham Public Schools
- Sara DeLuca, M.Ed., District Coordinator for School Wide PBIS/MTSS, Framingham Public Schools
- Shavonne Lord, M.Ed., Director of Health & Wellness, Framingham Public Schools
- Dennis Lynch, M.Ed., CAGS, Principal, Everett High School
- James Murphy, M.Ed., CAGS, Assistant Principal, Everett High School
WHAT:
Today’s schools are grappling with the inappropriate or excessive use of long-term suspensions and expulsions. Data shows suspensions and expulsions disparately impact students with disabilities and/or students of color. This conference will address alternative remedies to employ before considering student suspension in direct response to a specific incident. From Massachusetts Department of Education policy to district practices, participants will learn alternative strategies to discipline including mediation, conflict resolution, restorative justice, and collaborative problem solving.
This conference is a follow-up to the School Attendance Summit held on Oct. 3, 2023, also At Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical High School. School attendance is a continuing MPY initiative to make school inclusive and welcoming to all students.
About the Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth, Inc.
Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that provides training, fosters collaboration, and develops programming to increase the health and safety of students. MPY is committed to bringing cutting-edge information and high-quality trainings to constituents and endeavors to provide solution-oriented, community-based, multi-disciplinary approaches to reducing and ideally eliminating risky behaviors for youth.
Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth is governed by a Board of Directors made up of school superintendents, police and fire chiefs, and other community leaders who work closely with MPY staff to deliver this mission. To learn more, visit: https://massachusettspartnershipsforyouth.com/.