News about the .National PDS Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, March 29-April 1, 2007 at the Riviera Hotel. The theme of the conference is “Betting on the Future:  Creating Winning Strategies for PDS Success!”  Seven Bluefield area participants from partner schools are scheduled to attend.

Thursday, March 29, 2007
10 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Conference Registration Open
1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Pre-Conference Workshops
            The National Consortium Of Professional Development Schools: A Web-Based Project For PDS Self-Assessment And Improvement
             Jane Neapolitan, Towson University
             Mona Wineberg, American Association of State Colleges and Universities
Carol Muniz, Benedum Collaborative at West Virginia University

A Major Grant Empowers PDS Initiative
Gwen Benson, Dee Taylor, Bill Curlette, Susan Ogletree, Susan McClendon, and Patsy Terry, Georgia State University
Carolyn Hall, L.O. Kimberly Elementary School
William Bradley, Woodland Middle School

3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Facilitated Discussions
A Deans’ Forum On PDSs
Les Sternberg, University of South Carolina
Van Dempsey, Fairmont State University

New Members Session For Individuals Wanting To Learn More About The NAPDS
Elliott Lessen, NAPDS President
Chris Perkovich, NAPDS President-Elect

Action Research As A PDS Tool
Roger Brindley, University of South Florida
Claudia Balach, Slippery Rock University

Professional Development Schools And No Child Left Behind
Eva White, Clark County School District
Wanda Oden, Paradise PDS
Mary Ann Ward, Petersen PDS
             Lisa Bendixen, Pam Campbell, Patti Chance, Greg Levitt, and William Speer, University of Nevada Las Vegas

Come to Las Vegas a day early!!

There is room still available for the Hoover Dam Pre-Conference Excurision on Wednesday 03-28-07.  If you would like to, please call 803-777-1515 to make arrangements.
Completed in 1935, the Hoover Dam remains the number one sightseeing attraction in Nevada. It is simply an experience and photo opportunity that is not to be missed. You’ll also enjoy a relaxing buffet lunch at the Hacienda Hotel and can stroll through the Desert Botanical Garden at Ethel M’s Chocolate Factory and savor a piece of their world famous candy.
Your deluxe motorcoach tour to Hoover Dam, which originates at the conference hotel, allows you plenty of time to also enjoy the optional Bureau of Reclamation Discovery tour (additional $11). You can tour the center, watch a movie on the Hoover Dam’s construction, visit the museum and enjoy many of the facility’s exhibits. Your trip from Las Vegas to the Hoover Dam includes lunch and the Ethel M’s Chocolate Factory Tour. Tour departs hotel at 8:30 am and returns at approximately 4:30 pm.
Pre-Conference Excursion to Hoover Dam!
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
$50.00 per person

See you in Vegas!!