Durham Public Schools PL

Presenters: Kenneth Hill | [email protected] | Presenter; Dr. Kristin Bell | [email protected] | Presenter; Wendy Vavrousek | [email protected] | Presenter; Krista Saunders | [email protected] | Presenter; Ajalyn Baker | [email protected] | Presenter; Sharon Richardson | [email protected] | Presenter; Hannah Hribar | [email protected] | Presenter
Location: Hillside High School Multiple
Description: Live training with Goalbook staff for EC teachers to learn how to utilize Goalbook for writing high-quality, compliant IEPs with goals that are standard-aligned.
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): Exceptional Children
Targeted Instructional Grades: Pre-K, 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, 7th Grade, 9th Grade, 11th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade, 10th Grade, 12th Grade
Targeted Roles: Teachers

Presenters: Kendra Suggs-Shealey | [email protected] | Faciltator
Location: Other... New Direction Center
Description: This session explores how language, tone, and word choice can either escalate or de-escalate challenging situations. Participants will learn practical communication strategies to respond calmly, build rapport, reduce conflict, and support positive outcomes when working with students experiencing heightened emotions or challenging behaviors.
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): MTSS
Targeted Instructional Grades: *None (Non-Instructional)
Targeted Roles: All Roles (Non-Specific), Interventionists

Presenters: Pachovia Lovett | [email protected] | NC DPI
Location: Other... Old Northern Room V1
Description: Explore attendance as a signal of underlying student needs rather than simply a behavior to correct. School social workers will use root cause mapping to identify barriers, uncover contributing factors, and develop targeted, student-centered interventions that address the “why” behind absenteeism.
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): School Social Work
Targeted Instructional Grades: *None (Non-Instructional)
Targeted Roles: Social Workers

Presenters: Dr. Melissa Watson | [email protected] | Director; Dr. Cherice Artis | [email protected] | K-12 School Counseling Coordinator
Location: Other... Old Northern
Description: 504 coordination does not have to mean stepping away from your role as a school counselor. This session helps counselors navigate the 504 process with confidence while keeping advocacy, collaboration, and student access at the center. Explore how to respond to parent requests, bring the right team together, make thoughtful team based decisions, and develop accommodations that are connected to actual student needs. Most importantly, learn how to fulfill your coordinator responsibilities without losing your counselor identity or your commitment to students.
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): School Counselors, School Social Work
Targeted Instructional Grades: 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, 7th Grade, 9th Grade, 11th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade, 10th Grade, 12th Grade
Targeted Roles: Social Workers, School Counselors

Presenters: Gloria Sanchez | [email protected] | SEL & Mental Health Coordinator
Location: Other... Old Northern High School
Description: Drug overdoses have become the third leading cause of death among children and adolescents in the US. Young people have overdosed after taking pills they did not know were laced with fentanyl, a potent opioid drug. In this break-out session, we will cover: 1) the scope of the overdose crisis in Durham County; 2) the health and safety impacts of opioid drugs, including fentanyl and counterfeit pills; 3) harm reduction strategies to prevent an overdose; 4) how to respond to an overdose, including how to administer naloxone, and 5) the basics of substance use disorder and resources available to those affected by it. We will also introduce the Safety First Program, an evidence-based drug education curriculum for youth developed by Stanford University and the Drug Policy Alliance.
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): School Counselors, School Social Work, Social Emotional
Targeted Instructional Grades: 7th Grade, 9th Grade, 11th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade, 10th Grade, 12th Grade, Leadership
Targeted Roles: Social Workers, School Counselors

Presenters: Shay Draffin | [email protected] | Project Build
Location: Other... Old Northern Room N15
Description: Create a school culture where every student feels seen, valued, and empowered to stand up against bullying. This engaging workshop equips participants with practical strategies for recognizing bullying, navigating peer conflict, and making positive choices. Through interactive activities and meaningful conversation, participants will explore personal responsibility, empathy, respect, and the power of their choices. Participants will leave ready to move from bystanders to upstanders and help create safer, more connected school communities. Create a school culture where every student feels seen, valued, and empowered to stand up against bullying. This engaging workshop equips participants with practical strategies for recognizing bullying, navigating peer conflict, and making positive choices. Through interactive activities and meaningful conversation, participants will explore personal responsibility, empathy, respect, and the power of their choices. Participants will leave ready to move from bystanders to upstanders and help create safer, more connected school communities.
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): School Counselors, School Social Work
Targeted Instructional Grades: *None (Non-Instructional)
Targeted Roles: Social Workers, School Counselors

Presenters: Dr. Helen Lupton Smith | [email protected] | K-12 School Counseling Coordinator
Location: Other... Old Northern
Description: Stress First Aid is a practical, proactive approach to recognizing stress and providing meaningful support before stress becomes overwhelming. Participants will learn simple strategies to identify signs of stress, strengthen protective factors, and respond effectively in the moment. Through engaging activities and real-world application, participants will build skills they can use with themselves, colleagues, and those they serve. Walk away with practical tools to promote well-being, connection, and a healthier, more supportive school community.
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): School Counselors, School Social Work
Targeted Instructional Grades: 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, 7th Grade, 9th Grade, 11th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade, 10th Grade, 12th Grade
Targeted Roles: Social Workers, School Counselors

Presenters: Gloria Sanchez | [email protected] | SEL & Mental Health Coordinator
Location: Other... Old Northern High School
Description: As more and more youth experience sudden outbursts of anger, frustration, and mental health problems – and often documenting it on social media - the negative consequences of our cultural dependence on screen use and the impact is becoming clearer. School personnel are often asked to help navigate this complex and evolving landscape and these increasingly dysregulated emotions and behavior. The goal of this session is to describe the most common screen uses in youth and share the most recent research as it relates to increasing rates of anxiety, depression, and problematic behaviors. We will explore how to intervene regarding some of the challenges that schools face when working with children, teens and their families as they assist with many of the unhealthy behaviors tied to maladaptive use of screens. By the end of this session, participants will be able to: · Identify the most common uses and functions of screen use in children and adolescents · Examine the current research regarding the impact on development, health and well being · Acquire resources and strategies to assist with effective interventions to help youth cope
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): School Counselors, School Social Work, Social Emotional
Targeted Instructional Grades: 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, 7th Grade, 9th Grade, 11th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade, 10th Grade, 12th Grade, Leadership
Targeted Roles: Social Workers, School Counselors

Presenters: Kendra Suggs-Shealey | [email protected] | District Intervention & Support Coordinator
Location: Northern High School TBD
Description: This session provides an in-depth overview of Tier III behavior supports through the use of Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA) and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP). Participants will leave with practical tools and strategies to strengthen MTSS: Tier III supports and improve student success.
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): School Counselors, School Social Work
Targeted Instructional Grades: *None (Non-Instructional)
Targeted Roles: Coordinators, Interventionists, Social Workers

Presenters: Natashua Siler | [email protected] | ECF
Location: Lowe's Grove Middle School Room 302
Description: Beginning of the year information and check in with new and returning EC staff
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): Exceptional Children
Targeted Instructional Grades: 7th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade
Targeted Roles: Assistants, Occupational Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists, Psychologists, Teachers

Presenters: Ajalyn Baker | [email protected] | Presenter; Hannah Hribar | [email protected] | Presenter; Sharon Richardson | [email protected] | Presenter
Location: Hillside High School TBD
Description: DPS EC department leads will provide instruction and support for general education teachers to understand their students' IEP, the general education teacher role in developing IEPs and participating in IEP meetings, how to implement accommodations, and supporting the ChildFind process.
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): Exceptional Children
Targeted Instructional Grades: Pre-K, 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, 7th Grade, 9th Grade, 11th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade, 10th Grade, 12th Grade
Targeted Roles: Teachers

Presenters: Dr. Melissa Watson | [email protected] | Director; Dr. Cherice Artis | [email protected] | K-12 School Counseling Coordinator
Location: Other... Old Northern
Description: 504 coordination does not have to mean stepping away from your role as a school counselor. This session helps counselors navigate the 504 process with confidence while keeping advocacy, collaboration, and student access at the center. Explore how to respond to parent requests, bring the right team together, make thoughtful team based decisions, and develop accommodations that are connected to actual student needs. Most importantly, learn how to fulfill your coordinator responsibilities without losing your counselor identity or your commitment to students.
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): School Counselors, School Social Work
Targeted Instructional Grades: 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, 7th Grade, 9th Grade, 11th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade, 10th Grade, 12th Grade
Targeted Roles: Social Workers, School Counselors

Presenters: Dr. Cherice Artis | [email protected] | K-12 School Counseling Coordinator
Location: Other... Old Northern
Description: School counseling is constantly evolving, and there is always something new to navigate, question, or unpack. Counselor Conversations creates space for counselors to bring the topics that matter most to their daily practice, from emerging challenges and hot topics to strategies, trends, and real issues happening in schools right now. Come ready to share, ask questions, exchange ideas, and learn from one another. You bring the questions. We’ll bring the conversation.
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): School Counselors
Targeted Instructional Grades: 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, 7th Grade, 9th Grade, 11th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade, 10th Grade, 12th Grade
Targeted Roles: School Counselors

Presenters: Shay Draffin | [email protected] | PROUD Program
Location: Other... Old Northern Room N15
Description: Create a school culture where every student feels seen, valued, and empowered to stand up against bullying. This engaging workshop equips participants with practical strategies for recognizing bullying, navigating peer conflict, and making positive choices. Through interactive activities and meaningful conversation, participants will explore personal responsibility, empathy, respect, and the power of their choices. Participants will leave ready to move from bystanders to upstanders and help create safer, more connected school communities. Create a school culture where every student feels seen, valued, and empowered to stand up against bullying. This engaging workshop equips participants with practical strategies for recognizing bullying, navigating peer conflict, and making positive choices. Through interactive activities and meaningful conversation, participants will explore personal responsibility, empathy, respect, and the power of their choices. Participants will leave ready to move from bystanders to upstanders and help create safer, more connected school communities.
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): School Counselors, School Social Work
Targeted Instructional Grades: *None (Non-Instructional)
Targeted Roles: Social Workers, School Counselors

Presenters: Dr. Helen Lupton Smith | [email protected] | K-12 School Counseling Coordinator
Location: Other... Old Northern
Description: Stress First Aid is a practical, proactive approach to recognizing stress and providing meaningful support before stress becomes overwhelming. Participants will learn simple strategies to identify signs of stress, strengthen protective factors, and respond effectively in the moment. Through engaging activities and real-world application, participants will build skills they can use with themselves, colleagues, and those they serve. Walk away with practical tools to promote well-being, connection, and a healthier, more supportive school community.
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): School Counselors, School Social Work
Targeted Instructional Grades: 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, 7th Grade, 9th Grade, 11th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade, 10th Grade, 12th Grade
Targeted Roles: Social Workers, School Counselors

Presenters: Kafi Hill | [email protected] | Lead School Social Worker
Location: Other... Old Northern room N11
Description: Using a blueprint approach, new school social workers will learn how to ALIGN, ACT, and ACHIEVE in their practice. The session focuses on understanding the school social worker role, navigating school systems, using data to drive interventions, building relationships, and connecting students and families to meaningful supports.
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): School Social Work
Targeted Instructional Grades: *None (Non-Instructional)
Targeted Roles: Social Workers

Presenters: Pachovia Lovett | [email protected] | NC DPI
Location: Other... Old Northern Room V1
Description: Explore attendance as a signal of underlying student needs rather than simply a behavior to correct. School social workers will use root cause mapping to identify barriers, uncover contributing factors, and develop targeted, student-centered interventions that address the “why” behind absenteeism. • Topic: School Social Work
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): School Social Work
Targeted Instructional Grades: *None (Non-Instructional)
Targeted Roles: Social Workers