2023 WCASS Spring Conference
Growing Forward: Creating Culture and Supports for Learning

The conference has reached capacity. To be put on the waitlist please contact [email protected]

Learn more about this year's speakers here!


Wednesday, May 3, 2023

10:30-3:00 Registration

11:00-11:30 Networking Lunch

11:30-2:30 Pre-Conference Session

The Federal Perspective: What Every Local Leader in Special Education Should Know
Phyllis Wolfram, Executive Director, Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE) 


This session will discuss:

  • The national education agenda and the impact on special education at the state and local level.

  • The need for change and flexibility in special education.

  • Why the local leader’s voice is critical to the future of special education.

  • Specific issues addressed will include, Seclusion and Restraint, Section 504, Behavioral Health, Discipline, What’s up at the Office of Civil Rights and much more!

 

2:30-8:00 Networking Opportunities (Registration has closed for this part of the event.)

Please join us Wednesday, May 3 for any or all of these fabulous WCASS Networking opportunities sponsored by Care Solace, Otus and Waterford.org. The fun starts with a shotgun start golf outing or clubhouse games networking followed by a cocktail reception and dinner. You are welcome to join one, two or all three events to kick off connection and set the stage for a great conference.

Part 1: Golf at Wild Rock, a US Open qualifying course at the Wilderness 

  • 9 hole shotgun tournament
  • 2:30 check in
  • 3:00 start
  • Don’t golf? Check out the alternative: Clubhouse games and networking

Part 2: Cocktail Reception 

  • 5:30 pre-dinner open bar networking 
  • Connect and reconnect with friends and colleagues

Part 3: Dinner

  • 6:30-8:00 Dinner at the clubhouse
  • Enjoy time with old and new friends
  • Awards from golf outing presented 

We are thankful for our sponsors who made this event possible!

Please review and adhere to your district policies regarding vendor engagement including receiving gifts or favors from vendors which might influence recommendations on the eventual purchase of equipment, supplies or services.


Thursday, May 4, 2023

7:00-4:30 Registration

8:00-9:45 Welcome & Keynote Learning

Rewiring Our Perceptions of Discipline: Connections Over Compliance
Dr. Lori DesautelsButler University

Applied Educational Neuroscience is a framework that is built upon educator nervous system, attachment, co-regulation and teaching ourselves and our students about their neuroanatomy.  We will explore discipline protocols from the lens of neuroscience. We will address specific shifts within the traditional and brain aligned models and practices. We will begin to understand that traditional discipline works the best for kids that need it the least and works the least for kids who need it the most.
When we are dysregulated, our brains do not respond to words, lectures, consequences, or rewards.  Relational discipline is not something we do to children, it is something we want to create within them.
Lastly, we will share new brain aligned strategies for meeting students in brain development  and nervous system states promoting lasting behavioral changes and the healthy regulation of our nervous systems. This new lens for relational discipline is effective and supportive for all students! This shift takes leadership and begins with regulated adult nervous systems.


Dr. Lori Desautels, has been an Assistant Professor at Butler University since 2016 where she teaches both undergraduate and graduate programs in the College of Education.  Lori was also an Assistant Professor at Marian University in Indianapolis for 8 years where she founded the Educational Neuroscience Symposium that has now reached thousands of educators and is in its 10th year. 

Lori’s passion is engaging her students through the social and relational neurosciences as it applies to education by integrating the Applied Educational Neuroscience framework, and its learning principles and practices into her coursework at Butler.  The Applied Educational Neuroscience Certification, created by Lori in 2016, is specifically designed to meet the needs of educators, counselors, clinicians and administrators who work beside children and adolescents who have, and are, experiencing adversity and trauma. The certification is now global and has reached hundreds of educators.  

Lori’s articles are published in Edutopia, Brain Bulletin, and Mind Body Spirit international magazine.  She was also published in the Brain Research Journal for her work in the fifth-grade classrooms during a course release position with Washington Township Schools. Lori continues her work co-teaching in the K-12 schools integrating her applied research into classroom procedures and transitions preparing the nervous system for learning and felt safety.  Lori is the author of 4 books.  Her most recent book, Connections over Compliance: Rewiring our Perceptions of Discipline was released in late 2020.   Her new book will be published in January, 2023 entitled, “Intentional Neuroplasticity, Our Educational Journey Towards Post Traumatic Growth.” 

 Lori has met with well over 100 school districts across the country, in Canada, Costa Rica, Australia, Scotland, England and Dubai equating to more than 100,000 educators with much more work to be done! https://www.youtube.com/@loridesautels

9:45-10:15 Break & Visit Exhibitors

10:15-11:30 Concurrent Sessions

1. Our Journey Through the Developing Nervous System as We Rewire Our Perceptions of Discipline
     Dr. Lori Desautels, Butler University

2. The Wisconsin School Mental Health Framework in Action
    Lisa Stein & Monica Caldwell, Consultants, WDPI 

3. B-Sure (Brief- Student Universal Report for Emotional Regulation)
    Sara Totten, EdD, Director of Student Services, DeForest SD, WCASS Past President 

 

11:30-12:45 Lunch | Awards | Membership Meeting/visit exhibitors

1:00-2:15 Concurrent Sessions 

1. Educator Nervous System States Through the Lens of Applied Educational Neuroscience
    Dr. Lori Desautels, Butler University

2. Understanding Attendance and Truancy Laws and Best Practices
     Marge Resan and Julie Incitti, Consultants, WDPI 
 
3. Student Behavioral Health and Well-Being: How can I make a difference?
    Phyllis Wolfram, CASE Executive Director
 

2:15-2:45 Visit Exhibitors

2:45-4:15 Concurrent Sessions

1. Alternatives to Suspension and Expulsion
    Tim Peerenboom & Katie Berg, Consultants, WDPI
 
2. Shortened School Day: Considerations for IEP Teams
    Eric Kestin and Mike Hickey, Consultants, WDPI 

3. An Overview of the Wisconsin's Special Educators Induction Program
    Deb Wall, Statewide RSN Coordinator, Kaari Olson, CESA 1, Lisa Aalgaard, CESA 3, Tracy Hogden,    CESA 4, Mike Corrie, CESA 6, Brenda Jozwiak-Boldig, CESA 8, Matt Collins, CESA 12


4:15-6:15 Networking Reception Sponsored by Buelow, Vetter, Olson, Buikema and Vliet, LLC

 

 

 

 


Friday, May 5, 2023

7:30-8:30 Breakfast

8:30-9:30 Welcome & Legal Panel

So, you had a Bad Day! What’s next?
Every director has a bad day now and then, and needs some guidance on what to do next. This session will feature a panel discussion with experienced attorneys. The panel will present real life scenarios from your ‘bad days’ and discuss the big picture issues including disciplinary removals, out of district placements, accommodations, service animal ADA requirements, parent and staff communication issues, compliance issues and the ever popular “hot mess” issues. Join us for a discussion that we hope enlightens and entertains.

Attorneys:

Hannah Chin, Von Briesen & Roper, s.c.
Mary Gerbig, Buelow Vetter Buikema Olson & Vliet, LLC
Chrissy Hamiel, Atolles Law, s.c.

Tess O’Brien, Boardman Clark, LLP
Chad Wade, Renning, Lewis & Lacy, s.c.


9:30-11:30 WCASS Conversations

Topics include: Legal Hot Topics, Top Areas of DPI Complaints, WCASS Workload Guidance Recommendations, DPI Workload Guidance feedback, National Hot Topics, Service Animals, Bring your questions


Conference Fees:

Member: $350*
Non-Member: $425
Pre-Conference Session: $75 (in addition to conference fee; pre-registration is required)
*Must be logged in to see member pricing*

Sending a team?
Team of 3 Conference fees:
Members: $900
Non-Members: $1,100
Please email [email protected] with the following information in order to receive the team of 3 (or more) discount!
For each team member we need:
1. name
2. title
3. school
4. WCASS member status
5. pre-conference attendance
6. CESA region
7. email address

WCASS will register the group for you and send you the confirmation email & invoice.

 

Overnight Information:

Wilderness Resort
45 Hillman Road
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
Special room rate of $149 per night
Call 1-800-867-9453 and use the code: Leader #865388