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SBSA Annual Conference
Breaking Down Borders
Introduction
Dear SBSA friends,
The Small Boarding School Association's annual conference is approaching quickly. I hope you plan to join us in March for the association’s first-ever Canadian conference! Below is some updated information on the conference schedule, information regarding speakers and breakout session topics as well as help for travel and hotel arrangements.
It is not too late - REGISTER TODAY! Attendance is limited to the first 200 registrants - and a maximum of two participants per school.
As you are making your travel plans, keep the following times in mind: The conference begins with lunch at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 17 and runs through lunch on Friday, March 19. If you are driving, you can find directions on our website.
We can’t wait to welcome you to our campus in March. Please feel free to email me with any questions, visit our website or visit the Small Boarding Schools website to prepare and plan for the conference. Don’t wait to register!
Can’t wait to see you all!
Joanne Carruthers
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Schedule of Events
Wednesday, March 17
10 a.m. SBSA board meeting @ Alumni House
11:25 a.m.-1:25 p.m. Shuttle buses from hotels to Stanstead College. Departure times: 11:25/11:35, 12:25/12:35, 1:25/1:35
12:00-2:30 p.m. Registration @ Student Centre; Campus tours at 12 p.m., 1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.
12:00-1:30 p.m. Lunch @ LeBaron Dining hall
1:30 p.m. First-Timers’ Session @ Library
2:00 p.m. Welcome and Announcements @ Pierce Hall
2:15-3:45 p.m. Keynote Speaker @ Pierce Hall: Polly Young-Eisendrath
3:45 p.m. Break - Refreshments @ Student Centre
4:15–5:30 p.m. Session I @ 1st & 2nd floor Colby House and Pierce Hall
5:45 p.m. Meet and Greet Cocktails @ LeBaron Dining Hall
6:00-7:30 p.m. “Cabane à Sucre” Quebecois Dinner (attendance required) @ LeBaron Dining Hall
7:30 p.m. Shuttle buses from Stanstead College to hotels
Thursday, March 18
7:25-8:35 a.m. Shuttle Buses from hotels to Stanstead College. Depature times 7:25/7:35 and 8:25/8:35
Educational consultant pick-up at 7:25/7:35
8:15 a.m. Breakfast @ LeBaron Dining Hall
Educational consultant breakfast @ Alumni House
9:15 a.m. Session II @ 1st & 2nd floor Colby House and Pierce Hall
10:30 a.m. Break – Refreshments @ Student Centre
11:00 a.m. Session III @ 1st & 2nd floor Colby House and Pierce Hall
12:15 p.m. Lunch @ Lebaron Dining Hall
1:00 p.m. Keynote Speaker @ Pierce Hall: Caryl Frankenberger, WISC IV
2:15 p.m. Informal Chat Sessions
3:15 p.m. Break - Sugar on snow and hot apple cider @ Student Centre
3:45 p.m. Session IV @ 1st & 2nd floor Colby House and Pierce Hall
5:00 p.m. Cocktails @ LeBaron Dining Hall
6:00 p.m. International Buffet @ LeBaron Dining Hall (attendance requested)
7:00 p.m. International women’s choir Choromondo @ Pierce Hall (attendance requested)
8:15 p.m. Shuttle buses from Stanstead College to hotels
Friday, March 19
7:25-8:35 a.m. Shuttle Buses from hotels to Stanstead College. Depature times 7:25/7:35 and 8:25/8:35
8:00 a.m. Breakfast @ LeBaron Dining Hall
8:45 a.m. Announcements @ Pierce Hall
9:00 a.m. Keynote Speaker @ Pierce Hall: Motivational Speaker Marc-Andre Morel
10:30 a.m. Break – Refreshments @ Student Centre
11:00 a.m. Session V @ 1st & 2nd floor Colby House and Pierce Hall
12:15 p.m. Closing Lunch & Presentations / Drawings @ LeBaron Dining Hall
12:45 (and 1:15 p.m. if necessary) Shuttle buses from Stanstead College to hotels
1:00 p.m. SBSA Board meeting
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Sessions
Session I: Wednesday, March 17
4:15 p.m.
Full disclosure: Understanding and Talking with Families about Learning Issues
Helen H. Waldron, Assistant Head of School, The Forman School
Families with children who have learning differences approach disclosure in many different ways. There are multiple frameworks from which their own understanding is born. Their understandings are further affected by public perceptions of LD and prior school experiences. This session will explore those frameworks and provide a process for individuals to rethink their communications with families. Ultimately this session will help participants get what they need to in turn help families make the right school match.
Liberal Arts: The Canadian Way
Eddie Pomykala, Recruitment and Admissions Officer, Bishop’s University
Eryn Hessian, Coordinator of University Guidance, Stanstead College
Many Canadian universities are large institutions that feature equally large enrolments. In many such cases, the application process can be impersonal and mechanical in nature. Small Canadian universities have a different focus and are looking for students who are the right fit. During this session, we will discuss the recruitment, application and admissions strategies we have in place at Bishop’s University that allow us to identify potential leaders and students who fit our special application profile. The Canadian university experience will also be explored.
It’s all a matter of perspective….and purpose
Matt Ralston, Head of School, The Leelanau School
Patrick Begg, Business Manager, The Leelanau School
On July 1, 2009 I became Headmaster of The Leelanau School in Glen Arbor, MI after 17 years as a teacher and administrator at The Hill School in Pottstown, PA. Hill is a school of 500 students with an endowment in excess of $100 million located in the Mid-Atlantic region. Leelanau is a school of 50 students with essentially no endowment located in northwest Michigan. I will share some of my experiences in moving to this small “out of the way” school – especially in these tough economic times. Patrick is the business manager of Leelanau and has the clearest long term understanding of Leelanau’s spending and mission. Together we will present and discuss how we have begun to market Leelanau, improve our facilities, and position ourselves for growth in a time of significant financial challenges and administrative change.
How to get them on your Campus…and Keep them there!
Stormy S. Johnson, Director of Admissions, Perkiomen School
Elizabeth Schmitt, Director of Admission, Miss Porters
Admission events afford schools a unique opportunity to position themselves and convey a message consistent with publications, conversations, and the student experience. Too often, though, events lose their luster and meaning. Join us if you’re looking to breathe new life into your events!
Consultants vs. Paid Agents
Brian Chatterley, Assistant Head of School for External Affairs, Wilbraham and Monson Academy
Elena Spensley, Education Solutions International
Sam Corabi, Director of Academics, Grand River Academy
Educational consultants generally get paid by the family of the student. Paid agents get paid by the school. One of the most controversial issues facing small boarding schools today is whether or not to use paid "educational agents" to recruit students. This session will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using educational agents as well as the ethical issues involved.
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Session II: Thursday, March 18
9:15 a.m.
Where have all the good kids gone?
Robert B. Genetelli, Jr., Dean of Students, Landmark School
This workshop will open the discussion regarding the issues surrounding adolescents today. All evidence suggests that students are coming to us with a myriad of issues, from anxiety, learning needs, to lousy parenting and substance issues. It is more challenging than ever for small schools to provide the basic services. Technology, multi-media and absentee parenting will be a primary focus.
Integrating Psychological Services for Adolescents into a Boarding School Environment
Richard G. Collins, Ph.D, Executive Director, Brehm Preparatory School
The purpose of this presentation is to discuss how psychological services have been integrated into adolescents’ experiences at a boarding school in Illinois. The Psychological Services Division of our school provides group and individual services to students as well as consultation to parents, teachers, and administrators. The objectives of this presentation are to explain: 1) the breadth of services provided to adolescents, 2) the roles of graduate students, clinical psychologists, and administrators in the division, 3) how services are integrated into students’ experiences, and 4) our initiative to collect data and use empirically-supported treatments to maximize students’ progress.
Effective Public Relations in Schools: No Longer a Luxury – A Necessity
Tracey Quinn, Director of Public Relations and Enrollment, Venta Preparatory School
This workshop will explore the importance of public relations in schools and how schools today are challenged to be more customer oriented (both internally and externally) than ever before. Schools need to be aware of the changing nature of their “customers,” as parents are demanding more transparency in decision making, better customer service, more individual attention and greater flexibility to suit their changing lifestyles and modes of communication. Schools can live or die by public opinion and quality public relations is the key to garnering current parent support and attracting new families.
Go Green with Enrollment, Re-enrollment and Orientation
Alison M. Lescarbeau, Communications and Public Relations Director, Admiral Farragut Academy
Going green in Admissions! I will discuss turning the enrollment, re-enrollment and orientation process into a paperless process thereby saving time, energy and money! How to combine all of your forms, make them accessible and simplify the process for parents!
Finding Students to Build Your Community
Adele Yermack, Member Services Consultant, Educational Records Bureau (ERB)
Come take a look at the different kinds of assessments used in the admission process along with observations and interviews for a full student profile. What types of admission assessments are available? What do all these assessment terms mean? And what are some of the pros and cons of testing? Find out the best assessment practices in the selection process so you can efficiently and effectively find your students and build your community.
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Session III: Thursday, March 18
11:00 a.m.
The Second Chance Teen: The Redemptive Nature of Wilderness and Outdoor Therapeutic Programs
Brian Proctor, Director, Educational Consultant, Education Links
Many teenagers go over to "the dark side" but their life is not over. Most are completely redeemable through an experiential wilderness program or outdoor therapeutic program. Once they successfully complete one of these programs and "graduate," they just may be ready for a small boarding school to complete their high school education and go on to a university or college. These teens can bring strengths and diversity to your school. This presentation is for admissions officers and administrators who are not completely aware of what teens experiences in these programs and how such programs change lives and family dynamics.
Developing New International Markets
Trip Darrin, Assistant Headmaster, Blue Ridge School
Gretchen Herbst, Director of Admissions, Admiral Farragut Academy
David Tuttle, Director of Admission and Financial Aid, Kildonan School
Diversify your portfolio – of enrollment sources! What new international markets are out there for our schools? How do you go about accessing them? Three experienced travelers will share data and insights and we want to hear yours. This session will feature extensive group dialogue and discussion.
Redefining College Prep – The Thoughtful Use of Academic Content to Develop Students' Core Competencies
Sarah Wagner, M. Ed., Academic Director, Shortridge Academy
Jake Weld, M. Ed., Academic Director, Talilsman
As the drive towards a “college prep curriculum” becomes an increasingly important portion of small boarding schools, the temptation to become content-centered may be hindering our ability to prepare our students for post-secondary education. By examining and presenting current research and programs which promote an educational focus on core competencies (skills) such as analytical thinking, clear communication, informed risk-taking, and independent thinking, the presenters will offer some tools for schools interested in instilling in students the skills they will really need to be successful in college and beyond.
Repositioning after 100 Years
Craig Tredenick, Director of Admissions, The Linsly School
Denis Stokes, Director of Admissions, Christ School
Using Christ School - a traditional boys boarding and day school of 225 students located in Asheville, North Carolina - as a case study, Stokes and Tredenick (five-year admission colleagues at Christ School) will discuss the path taken to further define/clarify the school’s purpose in the marketplace. This session is designed for young to mid-career admission officers and is intended to help them understand the dynamics of positioning a school in order for it to become more; and, in doing so, maximize the institution’s chances for meeting its enrollment, retention, fundraising, and other goals.
Intellectually Gifted Underachievers: the oxymoron unraveled
Dr. Barbara Cunningham, Summit Preparatory School
During this session intellectual giftedness and gifted underachievement will be examined. The presenter will share findings from her qualitative study and information will be presented on exploring the best placement for these teens. Giftedness is an enigma. When one adds the suggestion of underachievement to the mix, an even greater mystery arises. What is it that appears to cause a brilliant young person to totally disengage with the academic process?
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Session IV: Thursday, March 18
3:45 p.m.
Renewable Energy and Sustainability for Schools
VJ Bala, Stanstead College class of ’94, President, YUP Energy
Every school, company, or individual has a responsibility to help protect the environment and help educate for the future. YUP Energy embraces that responsibility as one of its core mandates. This session will focus on the positive impact Small Boarding Schools can have on the environment by implementing simple, yet effective choices. Initiatives will be shared for every school to make a head-start in the right direction.
What’s New at TABS
Annie Lundahl, Director of Marketing, The Association of Boarding Schools
This session will first review the all-new TABS.org and recent enhancements to the school admin area, as well as cover our 2010 marketing plans and beyond. Then, TABS wants to hear from you! We encourage a lively exchange of ideas and suggestions on how we can better support you and your school.
Traditional boarding schools: marketing, recruiting, admitting, and working with students from therapeutic schools and programs
Peter W. Stevens, Educational Consultant
Brian Chatterley, Assistant Head of School for External Affairs, Wilbraham and Monson Academy
Michele Gorman, Educational Consultant
Sheila Bogan, Director of Admission & Financial Aid, Dublin School
The next installment in the ongoing discussion of how traditional boarding schools can benefit from considering candidates who are in therapeutic schools or programs. First, of course, there are the doubt and fear factors. Then, there is the question of recruitment: how active can one be? How to go about that? What about working with one’s own faculty or board? What criteria to seek to make an admission decision? Whom to talk with? How to work with the student once he/she matriculates? Panel includes two admissions professionals, two consultants.
Fine-Tuning Your Understanding of the WISC-IV
Caryl Frankenberger, Ed.M., Learning Disability Specialist
With the fundamentals of the WICS-IV under your belt, you are ready for a more in-depth look at this test of cognition. Did you know that the Full Scale IQ score may be an unreliable estimate of a child’s global intellectual abilities and that a General Ability Index score can be substituted? Did you know that emphasis is placed on fluid reasoning rather than on how quickly one works? Individual case studies will be used to elucidate these facts and to solidify those learned previously. Participants will leave being able to more accurately interpret WISC-IV results that can then be used in the placement and admissions process.
Your Tag is Showing: Marketing Your School from the Inside Out
Kristina L. Dooley Educational Consultant/IECA Associate Member
When it comes to marketing and branding, most schools work from the outside in. This session will show you how (and why!) you need to focus on what’s inside before charging full speed ahead with your external marketing plan. Participants will leave with several helpful hints on how to gain buy-in (and support!) from internal constituents. We’ll also share a few hints on how to effectively manage external communication, including the use of social networking, while gaining positive exposure for your school.
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Session V: Friday, March 19
11:00 a.m.
The Mind, Moods, Motivation and Maturity of the Middle School Male
Andrew D. Sapp, Ph.D., Founder & President, Cherry Gulch
This presentation will help you understand the unique clinical, developmental, social and academic needs of middle school boys. The research on middle school boys will be reviewed and you will be provided with practical examples of how to most effectively work with this age group. You will learn how this age group differs from both younger children and older adolescents. The importance of early intervention and prevention will be discussed as well as the need for age-specific treatment.
Looking at the Other Side of the Coin!
Richard G. Collins, Ph.D, Executive Director, Brehm Preparatory School
Learning disability is not just about academic performance. The goal of the presentation is to outline a holistic model of looking at students with learning disabilities in a boarding school. The presentation focuses on the academic, social, and emotional needs of students with learning disabilities and the resources required to successfully integrate the students in boarding programs. There will be an emphasis on the impact on the non-LD student responses and transitions.
The Admission Process: Beyond the Test Scores
Carolyn Orsini Nelson, Director of Admission, Landmark School
Jeanne Pacheco, Director of Admission, Riverview School
The profile of students applying to boarding schools has become more complex. As a result, Admission Officers have to examine more closely traits such as emotional stability, interpersonal relationships, decision-making, readiness and commitment. This workshop will examine the process used in two schools serving different populations. Discussion will include descriptions of both formal and informal tools and the relevant information provided by these. Participants will have the opportunity to share practices used in their schools. Please feel free to bring ideas and specific strategies.
Re-Recruiting no Re-Enrolling! A plan to retain your current families
Alison M. Lescarbeau, Communications and Public Relations Director, Admiral Farragut Academy
Treat your current parents as “new customers.” I will discuss how to keep families “connected” to your school, get their feedback, listen to their needs and have school staff work as a TEAM to retain families. The presentation will include how to spend your time wisely, personalize the re-enrollment process for your families and make it a smooth process.
Adventures in Financial Aid: Situations and Solutions
Lawrence Jensen, Director of Admission and Financial Aid, Christchurch School
Parents become emotional about two things: their children and their money. Only a financial aid administrator has the ability to anger families over both! Case studies, drawn on actual situations, will produce lively discussion and debate about how to allocate a financial aid budget in a way that will satisfy your head of school, your board, and perhaps even your families!
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Keynote Speakers
 Polly Young-Eisendrath
The Trouble With Being Special: Starting a New Conversation About Today's Children
Polly Young-Eisendrath, PhD is Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Vermont in Burlington, Vermont, and Clinical Supervisor and Consultant on Leadership Development at Norwich University, in Northfield, Vermont. A psychologist and Jungian psychoanalyst, she practices full-time in central Vermont. She is the author of many articles and chapters, and has published 14 books that have been translated into 20 languages. A recent book of her essays is Subject to Change (Brunner-Routledge, 2004). Her newest book, The Self-Esteem Trap: Raising Confident and Compassionate Kids in An Age of Self-Importance, was published by Little, Brown in 2008. The paperback came out in 2009. Also in 2008, a new and revised edition of The Cambridge Companion to Jung was published by Cambridge University Press, edited by her and Terence Dawson. www.young-eisendrath.com
An over-focus on praise, individualism, and pressures to be or have the best has shaped a generation of teens and young adults who assume they are special, feel unready to take on the normal adversities of life, are restless and unsure of themselves, and have a hair-trigger for humiliation, as well as unrealistic fantasies of achievement, wealth, power, and celebrity. How can parents, educators and young people themselves respond to this problem without blame or shame? How can we find a new foundation for confidence that is rooted in the wisdom of ordinariness, sharing, and interdependence. In this moment of global concern about living an ecological life, we must shift our focus away from the individual and towards relationship as the key to success at all levels. This presentation will examine the “self-esteem trap” – its roots and its character – and suggest some solutions for young people and the therapists who help them and their families.
 Caryl Frankenberger
The Fundamentals of WISC-IV
Caryl Frankenberger is an educational consultant who specializes in psycho-educational evaluation and independent school placement. She taught at St. Andrew’s, Greenwood and the Carroll schools prior to receiving a Master’s degree from Harvard University and entering private practice. Caryl has served as a consultant to many schools, training teachers to understand children who have learning differences and helping guide the development of their learning centers. She is a member of Independent Educational Consultants Association and has served on their board as well as on the boards of several schools and foundations. Caryl lectures on issues related to the field of evaluation and learning disabilities, and has presented numerous workshops to schools and organizations throughout the country.
The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – Fourth Edition (WISC-IV) is one of the most widely used tests of intelligence the world over. If understood and interpreted correctly, the test can be of great value to those in school admissions and educational consulting. This keynote will focus on 1) describing IQ Indexes and subtests so that participants understand what skills are being measured and what abilities are being assessed, 2) learning how to interpret subtest and IQ Index scores and the descriptive classifications they yield and 3) understanding the discrepancies among subtest and IQ Index scores so that meaningful and statistically significant determinations can be made. What does scatter in the WISC-IV suggest and when does cognitive variability become cause for concern? The overarching goal of this keynote is to foster a clear understanding of the WISC-IV.
 Marc-André Morel
Destined to Succeed in a Changing World
Marc André Morel is one of North America’s fastest-rising speakers. He has delivered hundreds of inspiring, educating and entertaining talks to both English and French corporate audiences across Canada, the United States and Europe.
Audiences love Marc André’s content-rich but accessible material filled with stories, analogies, humour and energy. His charismatic delivery and style inspire participants to immediately take action and use it at work and in their personal lives, making the total experience even more enriching.
He earned his Commerce degree from Concordia University before gaining over 10 years of corporate marketing and training experience. He has several coveted corporate sales and leadership awards to his credit, including the Multiple Sclerosis Leadership 2002 Award for his professional excellence and outstanding community contribution. He earned his CSP (Certified Speaking Professional) in 2005.
Dedicated to making a difference for adults and youth, he is the founder of The Morel Leadership Centre for Youth. His own personal and inspiring story as to how he became a speaker is featured in the new Chicken Soup for the Canadian Soul. His first book, La Cinquième Saison: réaliser sa destinée avec simplicité, was published in November 2002 and has reached the best-seller status in Québec.
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Hotel and Travel Information
If you are flying, we recommend that you plan to travel to Montreal’s Pierre Elliot Trudeau Airport (Dorval). The conference hotel is approximately 100 miles east of Montreal. Alternatively, some of you may want to consider flying to Burlington, Vermont and driving across the beautiful Vermont countryside (approximately 2 hours drive) to Stanstead and on to the conference hotel (approximately 2.5 hours). If you are interested in a shuttle from the airport in Montreal to the conference hotel, please email me and let me know. The hotel can make these arrangements and the cost would be shared among those participating.
The SBSA 2010 Conference Hotels are Les Hôtels Villegia: Manoir des Sables and Cheribourg Hotels (less than a half mile separates the two). These spa-resorts are located near the quaint town of Magog, just 20 minutes (25 miles) north of Stanstead College at the base of Mount Orford ski resort. The SBSA hotel conference rate is $102 Canadian/night (Approximately $85 USD) at the Cheribourg and $129 Canadian/night (Approximately $110 USD) at the Manoir des Sables. Please ask for the SBSA conference rate when registering! Several people have been asking me which hotel to choose and my answer is as follows: The Cheribourg is a more simple and country-style hotel setting whereas the Manoir des Sables is larger and more modern.
We will have a daily shuttle service between the hotels and the conference.
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Contact
For information, contact Joanne Carruthers by email or by calling (819) 876-2223 or (819) 347-6051.
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