VASS 2018 Annual Spring Conference
May 06 May 08, 2018 2018
Superintendents from all Virginia public school divisions as well as VASS Business Members are invited to attend the VASS Spring Conference from Sunday, May 6, through Tuesday, May 8, 2018, at the Hotel Roanoke. The conference will offer a rich array of professional learning and networking opportunities for all participants.
This year’s Annual Spring Conference will provide participants with insight into the new Administration’s specific objectives for public education. The Secretary of Education and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction will begin the conference with a discussion about where we go from here. We are asking them to be as specific as possible about their expectations. Their discussion with us will be followed by a discussion among ourselves concerning what we will need in terms of knowledge, skills, resources, and support from VASS in order to meet their expectations during the next four years.
The theme of this year’s conference is “The Road Forward,” and our hope is to gain a clearer picture of the path upon which we are continuing now that the SOA’s have been revised and the Profile of a Virginia Graduate has been adopted. A few of the presentations will address two of the obstacles that we have already encountered on this road: the teacher shortage crisis and the growing inequities in our society and in our schools.
To address these issues, we have assembled a diverse group of unique speakers. Each speaker will provide us with a different perspective on the problems and help us with potential solutions. Our speakers include: a musician who is also a global cultural diplomat, a former school administrator who specializes in helping schools develop wrap-around services for students, a former school administrator and counselor who works with school leaders to promote equity in education, and a pediatrician who is an award-winning author and health communicator.
The Registration form for Superintendents and other School Division Leaders is at the bottom of this page.
If you represent a business and you would like to attend the conference as a Partner, Sponsor, Exhibitor, or Business Affiliate Member, please click below for more information and registration.
Monday
8:40–9:30 AM Opening Session: “The Road Forward in Public Education: the Administration’s Map to our Students’ Futures” – The Honorable Artif Qarni, Secretary of Education of the Commonwealth of Virginia
10:55–11:55 AM Keynote Presentation: “Millennial Mojo” – Ravi, aviator, musician, and global cultural diplomat
1:40–2:40 PM Presentation: “Giving Our Students the Support They Need and the Courage to Grow” - Leigh Colburn, Founder of The Centergy Project
3:00–4:00 PM Break-Out Sessions: Ravi, Leigh Colburn, and High School Redesign
Tuesday
8:20–10:20 AM Presentation: “Igniting Equity Leadership” - Stephen Chang, Managing Director of the National Equity Project
10:20–11:20 AM Presentation: “Five Connections that will Change Children’s Lives” - Dr. Laura Jana, pediatrician, health communicator, and award-winning author
11:30-12:30 PM Break-Out Sessions: Stephen Chang, Laura Jana, and Craig Wood
Sunday
Noon–5:30 PM Moseley Golf Tournament
(Click Here For The Mosely Golf Tournament Registration Form)
6:00–7:00 PM Moseley Reception – Roanoke Ballroom Foyer
9:00–11:00 PM Cortez Management Hospitality Suite – Suite 267/274
Monday
5:30–6:30 PM M.B. Kahn Reception and Entertainment at The Quarter
9:00–11:00 PM Honeywell Hospitality Suite – Governor’s Suite
Tuesday
12:30–1:30 PM Annual Awards Luncheon – Crystal Ballroom
(Please check back for updates to the Conference Schedule.)
The 2018 Spring Conference registration fee for superintendents, superintendent designees (other school division leaders), and retired superintendents is $275 per person.
The registration deadline is Friday, April 27.
In the registration form (below), required fields are indicated with a red asterisk. Mistakes made in completing the form will be highlighted in red.
Once you have submitted the registration, the person or people whom you have designated to receive a confirmation email should see that email (with registration information included) within 24 hours.
Pre-Payment is not required. However, if you would like to pay now by credit card or PayPal, you will be provided with a link to the VASS online payment portal after you submit your registration.
If you do not pay by credit card at registration, the person on the registration form whom you have identified as the billing contact will receive an invoice for payment after the conference.
If a purchase order number is provided on the registration form, it will be referenced on the invoice.
Notice of cancellation must be sent by email to Liza Scallet, the VASS Administrative Assistant, by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 27 . . . or you will be billed in full.
Registration for VASS Partners and Other VASS Business Members
If your business is a VASS Partner, please contact Liza Scallet, VASS Administrative Assistant.
If your business would like to participate in the Spring Conference as a Sponsor, Exhibitor, or Business Affiliate Member, please click here for more information and registration.
Please note that the registration form on this web page is for use ONLY by superintendents and school division members.
The Hotel Roanoke
VASS has arranged for a special block rate at The Hotel Roanoke of $165.00 per night (plus tax) for a single or double.
The reservation deadline for The Hotel Roanoke is Thursday, April 5, or until all rooms are sold out.
To reserve a room, please call 540-985-5900 or 866-594-4722 (toll free).
Superintendents and School Division Leaders should provide the following CODE: VAS 18
Business Representatives should use the following CODE: VAV 18
Cancellations of room reservations must be received at least seven days in advance, or the first night’s deposit (charged at booking) will not be refunded.
Sheraton Roanoke Hotel
Additional overnight accomodations are available at the Sheraton Roanoke Hotel.
Rooms - $107.00/night
For Reservations Call 800-325-3535
Click here for more information.
Other Hotels
Click here for a listing of other accommodations near The Hotel Roanoke.
If you have questions or concerns, or would like to receive more information about the 2018 VASS Spring Conference, please contact our Administrative Assistant Liza Scallet.