Reproduced with permission from Prince William County Public Schools.
The Office of Student Services held its Back-to-School Symposium August 17 at Forest Park High School. The theme of the conference was “Building Assets in Our Schools and Communities,” in accordance with the Healthy Communities Healthy Youth (HCHY) initiative that the School Division has adopted. Over 360 school psychologists, school social workers, school counselors, prevention specialists, school nurses, attendance officers, and special guests attended the event.
Keynote Speaker Chris Beyer, vision training associate for Search Institute (which coordinates HCHY), presented an inspirational talk entitled “Taking Your Game to a Higher Level” which described the Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets as the “essential building blocks for what children need to be successful.” Beyer described the Assets as the framework for youth and the plate on which all other new programs can be placed. She said the objective of the Assets is to “create a world in which each child thrives.”
Workshop session contributors included Dr. Leslie Bonci, director of sports medicine nutrition from the University of Pittsburg Medical Center, who presented “Nutrition, Total Fitness and Wellness” to coincide with the School Division’s wellness policy; Dr. Michael Gillette, Ph.D., of Bioethical Services of Virginia, who presented “Ethical Decision Making in the Delivery of Student Support Services” to challenge participants to examine their own thinking; and Dr. Patricia Popp, state coordinator for the education of homeless children, presented a session on helping children who experience homelessness. In addition, community participation from three Prince William County police officers offered updates for symposium participants on gang activity, methamphetamine use, and Internet safety. Secondary-level counselors also profited from workshops designed to enhance technical skills in the counseling office.
In the spirit of youth empowerment, the conference was facilitated in part by members of the Student L.E.A.D. Team of the HCHY youth leadership council. The aim of the symposium was met with practical examples of the Developmental Assets presented in all workshops to aid Student Services staff in their work with PWCS students.
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