Conference+Sessions

[|In-Service Day Evaluation and Survey]
Please complete the online survey-we appreciate your feedback!

= = = = =**January 25th 2008 USM faculty and Staff In-Service**=

**10:30 - 11:30 - Session I**

 * Building Community at USM - Mike Landgraf and Mike Snyder**

Do you have ideas to promote school spirit and cross-divisional interaction between the children, parents, faculty and staff at USM? Would you like to provide input on how we can improve faculty/staff parties, picnics and social get togethers? Join us for an informational brainstorming session to discuss ways we can build a stronger community at USM. We will discuss and explore opportunities to utilize our tremendous asset of being a K-12 school to help build a community of well-rounded life long learners and leaders.


 * ++Bump, Set, Spike! – Jeff Wilson**

Join some of your USM colleagues on the hardwood for a fun game of volleyball! You don’t need to be a pro to play – just some gym shoes and an hour of energy!


 * Drawings That Teach - By Hand And By Computer - Bob Geniusz**

In this workshop participants will learn some strategies to make drawings for handouts and visuals in the classroom. This class is designed for people who have not drawn a lot and may have avoided making drawings in the classroom. This is a class that can help you use less clip art and put a little more of yourself into your classroom materials.


 * Exploring Google Earth - Kristin Bayer**

Google Earth can be more dynamic and effective than a map. Learn to pinpoint locations, map routes, and add images to help students visualize locations in literature, history, and world culture


 * ++Fit and Healthy for the New Year!-- Cindy Safstrom**

This workshop will explore three different ways to keep fit and healthy. It will start with a cardiovascular workout for your heart, move to a resistance workout for your muscles, and end with a relaxation component for mind and body. All fitness levels will be able to participate and benefit.


 * ++Fitness Center Orientation – Sarah Griffin and Don Forti**

Have you always wanted to learn about the Fitness Center but never seem to have the time? This session will introduce you to the equipment in the Fitness Center. Participants will have the opportunity to try out the equipment and begin to develop a fitness plan. Beginning in March, the Fitness Center will be open later with possible adult only hours. Session participants should come dressed in casual clothing.


 * 5 C's: A Tool for Exploring Identity - Rishi** **Raghunathan**

Often times diversity is assumed to be skin deep not recognizing the complexity below the surface. The 5 Cs of Awareness (Color, Culture, Class, Character and Context) is a tool that can help you inventory your identity and help you understand the richness of the diversity around us. Participants in this workshop will participate in a 5 Cs discussion that will deepen the awareness and appreciation of the depth of our identities.


 * ++Lighten Up Wisconsin Work-Out Session - Jane Keily**

Join us for an energetic workout session. The USM Lighten Up Wisconsin Group will use this as a workout time, however anyone can join in the fun and fitness. If you want to learn more about Lighten Up Wisconsin, this is a great opportunity. Our USM group will be working together for 100 days to lose weight and/or track daily minutes of exercise. The purpose is to jump start healthy habits through small, realistic changes in exercise and eating. Come to the session in workout clothes and athletic shoes. Remember: Everyone is welcome! Let’s get pumped up and slimmed down together.


 * Make and Take it Activity Totes - Hilary James**

This session will get you started on developing and implementing take home activity bags for Lower School students. The activity bags foster the home/school connection by providing parents with age-appropriate activities to work on with their children. Bring your creative ideas!


 * ++Mental Health Issues in Schools - Paul Salerno**/**Lizzie Perry**

This workshop will explore the many facets of mental health in schools and will provide a framework for addressing specific mental health needs. An overview of common diagnoses in children and adolescents and practical strategies to support students with mental health needs in the school environment will be included.


 * Microsoft Office 2007 Introduction - Technology Department**

Vista is coming! Office 2007 is coming! In this session members of the Technology Department will be showing the new software to attendees and discussing the changes. There will also be a question and answer session at the end.

[|Organize Your Digital Photos with Flickr!] - **Matt Montagne and Sarah Markwald**

This is an opportunity for you to start the process of organizing and storing digital photos that you may have scattered across several computers and storage cards. With flickr you'll learn how to gain control of your photo collection through the use of "tags." Bring as many digital photos as you can either on CD, USB drives, or your camera storage cards. Also, you might consider purchasing a flickr "Pro" account for $25 annually. A flickr basic account is free, but it does come with monthly upload storage limits. Come join us and organize your digital photos with flickr!


 * Professional Development Grant In-House Information/Writing Session - Kathy Choren**

Interested in writing a grant but can't find the time to get started or work on your proposal? Use this session to work on your grant proposal. A Committee member will be available to help.


 * Pump and Shock – Revisited! AKA – CPR/AED Recertification! - Sue Baker**

This is an opportunity for people to renew their certification in CPR (pump) and AED (shock) use. This workshop is appropriate for staff whose certification expired sometime between late December 2007 and the end of January 2008. Review your skills today and save yourself from having to take a full course all over again.


 * Starters, Energizers, Focusers: Quick and Easy Games and Exercises for Every Classroom** **– Adam Moreno**

No matter what subject area, no matter what age level, 45 minutes is a long time for students to sit quietly in their seat. We all know this...however, there are times when time just doesn't allow for a big activity. In this workshop, we will learn simple and quick "games" that can be played in any classroom. These games are excellent to start a class off with high energy, to liven up a class in the middle of a long lecture, to refocus a class that is a little out of hand, or to use as an incentive at the end of class. No prior theatre or performance experience is needed...just a positive attitude and a willingness to participate!


 * ++Stress Management - Peg Cotter, RN, Columbia St. Mary’s**

This workshop will help you recognize the stressers in your life. Topics covered will include: the innocuous symptoms of stress, exercises to reduce stress, as well as ways to manage stress, get enough sleep, and control your environment. Peg managed a surgical intensive care unit for 10 years. Her interactive presentation promises to help you reduce stress in your life.


 * T****he Art of Crepes - Francine Eppelsheimer**

You don't have to travel to France to learn how to make crepes. Francine will lead you through each step of crepe preparation. While you practice flipping the crepes you will learn about the Crepe Suzette. Sign-up for the informal class to find out how to make this classic dessert! After "working hard" together, "The Art of Crepes" will culminate with the pleasure of enjoying some Crepes Suzette.


 * ++YOGA - Release the Power Within - Shannon Callies**

This workshop will explore Yoga and give participants the opportunity to enjoy the benefits without feeling intimidated. People will learn poses they can do at home or while sitting at theirs desks. Yoga is about the person, not the pose. You will learn more about how to relax and restore your body.


 * Zen of Knitting** **- Bev Pilarzyk**

This workshop for knitters of all skill levels will explore the joy of knitting in community. Bring your knitting project, or one you would like to start. We will enjoy the texture and the beauty of the yarns and each other’s company. Share your knitting troubles and triumphs with show and tell and help from the knitting doctor (Bev Pilarzyk). Learn relaxation mantras (knit two, purl two) and more! Be creative, be inspired.

12:45 - 1:45 - Session II

 * Collaboration Time For Curriculum Reflection And Planning**

Never seem to have enough time to sit down with a colleague or two and collaborate on that “dream” activity or project? Well, here’s the time you’ve been waiting for all along -“A dream come true.” Use this session to meet with colleagues to “have the time of your life” thinking and planning together for a special activity, project, or unit. All you have to do ahead of time is: decide on who you’d like to meet with and what you’d like to do during the hour-long session. It could be the start of something BIG!


 * ++Fit and Healthy for the New Year!-- Cindy Safstrom**

This workshop will explore three different ways to keep fit and healthy. It will start with a cardiovascular workout for your heart, move to a resistance workout for your muscles, and end with a relaxation component for mind and body. All fitness levels will be able to participate and benefit.


 * Getting Smart About The SmartBoard - Cheryl Bair, Gina Bongiorno, JoAnne Williamson** - Explore the Smart Gallery and Notebook tools to engage students and improve existing curriculum. Extend the borders of your classroom to students and help them prepare more fully for the future.


 * Juggling for Life - Paul** **Salerno**

This workshop will provide the opportunity to learn juggling or expand your juggling skills. While having fun today, you will learn about the metaphor of juggling as it applies to life.


 * Microsoft Office 2007 Introduction -** **Technology Department**

Vista is coming! Office 2007 is coming! In this session members of the Technology Department will be showing the new software to attendees and discussing the changes. There will also be a question and answer session at the end.


 * Power Tips for Organizing Your Email - Technology Department**

E-mail can be a struggle to manage at times. With the amount we get on a daily basis, how do you stay on top of it all? In this sessions we will cover a few tips and tricks that some of us use to organize it all. At the end of the session, there will be time to try them out for yourselves.


 * Professional Development Grant In-House Information/Writing Session - Kathy Choren**

Interested in writing a grant but can't find the time to get started or work on your proposal? Use this session to work on your grant proposal. A Committee member will be available to help.


 * Pump and Shock – Revisited! AKA – CPR/AED Recertification! - Sue Baker**

This is an opportunity for people to renew their certification in CPR (pump) and AED (shock) use. This workshop is appropriate for staff whose certification expired sometime between late December 2007 and the end of January 2008. Review your skills today and save yourself from having to take a full course all over again.


 * ++Stress Management - Peg Cotter, RN, Columbia St. Mary’s**

This workshop will help you recognize the stressers in your life. Topics covered will include: the innocuous symptoms of stress, exercises to reduce stress, as well as ways to manage stress, get enough sleep, and control your environment. Peg managed a surgical intensive care unit for 10 years. Her interactive presentation promises to help you reduce stress in your life.


 * Super Review (Department-Specific) Deliberation Time 12:30 - 2:00** (Required for PK-12 Physical education, PK-12 English and 5-12 Science teachers)

The English, Physical Education, and Science Departments are participating in the CARP Super Review process this year. This meeting session is required for designated Super Review teachers.


 * Wii Games – Technology Department**

Want to know what all of the holiday buzz has been about? Come to this session, as we will have a Wii system setup and you will have the chance to try if for yourself.

[| Wikis]**, [|Blogs] and [|Podcasts]...Oh My!!! - Will Piper and Matt Montagne**

In this guided experience you'll have the opportunity to create a classroom blog, a classroom wiki, and a classroom podcast series. The majority of time in this workshop will be dedicated to exploring and discovering the different things that you can do with these powerful learning tools after they're setup. We'll also skype in a few of our friends from across the country (and perhaps around the world) to tell you a few things that their schools are doing with blogs, wikis and podcasts. Come join us for "Wikis, blogs, and podcasts," and you'll be sure to say, "Oh My!"