Comprehensive School Health Education Spring Conference – Save the Date Information

INFORMATIONAL LETTER: 75
POLICY CODE: GCIB

TO: Superintendents of Schools, Maine Principals Association
FROM: Angela Faherty, Ph.D., Commissioner of Education, Susan Berry, Health Education and Health Promotion Coordinator
DATE: March 4, 2011
SUBJECT: Comprehensive School Health Education Spring Conference – Save the Date Information

Mark your calendars!

2011 Comprehensive School Health Education
Spring Conference

Maine Department of Education

Date: May 5, 2011
Time: 7:45 a.m. - 3:20 p.m.
Place: The Green Ladle on the campus of Lewiston High School

6 Professional Development Contact Hours will be given

Featuring Keynote Speakers:

Kevin Jennings
Assistant Deputy Secretary for Safe and Drug-Free Schools
U.S. Department of Education

"Ensuring that All Schools are in Safe Places for Students to Learn"

Kevin has authored six books, co-produced a documentary, and founded GLSEN. He will focus his presentation on the connection between bullying and harassment as an education issue that detracts from a student's ability to focus on learning. He will discuss how to create truly safe schools – ones where every student feels like they belong, where every student feels secure, and where every student feels valued. He will make the connection to a quality health education curriculum in giving students the knowledge and skills they need to practice healthy behaviors.

Dr. Raffy Luquis
Associate Professor of Health Education
Pennsylvania State University

"Cultural and Linguistic Competence: Key Points for School Health Educators"

Dr. Luquis is an expert in health education, health promotion and cultural competence. Dr. Luquis' primary teaching/research interests are in the areas of multicultural health, community health education and health promotion, program planning, implementation, and evaluation. He will share key points for educators to understand and share strategies to practice regarding cultural and linguistic competence when teaching personal and sensitive health education topics.

In addition to our two plenary sessions, the conference will offer information and access to materials on a wide variety of health education topics, programs and resources for the classroom. There will be exhibits, roundtables, structured networking and teacher resource sharing.

Join us for a day focused on improving and promoting quality Pre-K - HS health education throughout the State.

Look for registration materials in March.

Susan S. Berry
Health Education and Health Promotion Coordinator
Maine Department of Education
207-624-6695
susan.berry@maine.gov