Agenda

Our students’ character is in trouble and scores of disturbing indicators prove it including the steady rise of anxiety, bullying, apathy, depression, aggression, and substance abuse, as well as the sharp decline in respect, civility, personal accountability, and honesty. In all our efforts to boost achievement and reduce negative behaviors, the one element we've overlooked is our students' moral intelligence: the learned capacity to decipher right from wrong, choose what's right, and then behave morally. This inspiring keynote, based on Dr. Borba’s award-winning book, Building Moral Intelligence, shares research confirming that character can be learned, provides a framework for teaching it, and shows simple no-cost ways integrate moral intelligence builders into existing content as well as school-wide. Heart-warming stories affirm just how influential educators can be and confirms they may well be the last, best hope for many students. An inspiring and timely address filled with uplifting stories and proven, practical solutions for turning today’s “Crisis of Youth Character” around so we do produce Quality 21st Century students.

Michele Borba
Author, Motivational Speaker & Child Media Expert

Michele Borba, Ed.D. is an internationally renowned educator and award-winning author who is recognized for her practical, solution-based strategies to strengthen child's behavior, self-esteem, character, and social development, and to build strong families. A sought-after motivational speaker, she has presented workshops and keynote addresses throughout North American, Europe, Asia and the South Pacific and has served as an educational consultant to hundreds of schools and corporations. Her proposal: "Ending School Violence" (SB1667) was signed into California law in 2002. She offers realistic, research-based advice culled from a career of working with over one million parents, educators and children. Dr. Borba has appeared over 53 times as parent expert on the "Today" show. She is a contributor iVillage, as well as a guest expert on countless TV and radio talk shows to discuss late breaking news and the every day challenges parents face including: The View, Fox & Friends, Geraldo and Friends, CNN American Morning, Countdown, MSNBC, The Early Show, Fox Headline News, and CNN Headline News. She has been interviewed by numerous publications including Newsweek, U.S. News & World Report, Reader's Digest, Chicago Tribune, The Globe and Mail, LA Times, People, Parenting, and Child. Her articles have appeared in Redbook, Parents, and Family Circle and writes "Parenting Secrets," blog for NBC's iVillage. She serves on advisory boards for Parents magazine, the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, the CHP National Character Education Partnership, and McDonald's Global Mom's Panel, and served as a spokesperson for Office Depot, T-Mobile, Gladerma, Johnson & Johnson, and RC2 Learning Curve West. Dr. Borba is the author of 22 books including Nobody Likes Me, Everybody Hates Me!, No More Misbehavin': 38 Difficult Behaviors and How to Stop Them; Don't Give Me that Attitude!, Building Moral Intelligence, cited by Publishers' Weekly as "Among the most noteworthy of 2001"; Parents Do Make A Difference, selected by Child Magazine as "Outstanding Parenting Book of 1999"; and Esteem Builders, used by 1.5 million students worldwide. Her latest book is 12 Simple Secrets Real Moms Know: Getting Back to Basics and Raising Happy Kids (Jossey-Bass; 2006). Her numerous awards include the National Educator Award, presented by the National Council of Self-Esteem; Santa Clara University's Outstanding Alumna Award; and the award for Outstanding Contribution to the Educational Profession, presented by the Bureau of Education and Research. She was named the Honorary Chairperson for the Implementation of Self-Esteem in Hong Kong and served as a consultant for the Center Resource Group for Character Education and Civic Engagement for the U.S. Department of Education. Dr. Borba is a former classroom and college teacher and has had a wide range of teaching experience, including work in regular education as well as work with children with learning, physical, behavioral, and emotional disabilities as well as a partner in a private practice for troubled youth. Dr. Borba received a Doctorate in Educational Psychology and Counseling from the University of San Francisco; an M.A. in Learning Disabilities and earned a Life Teaching Credential. She lives in Palm Springs, California with her husband and has three grown sons.

This workshop includes a collection of tools and strategies that have been infused in hundreds of schools and counseling agencies and organizations – all with the potential to enforce solid character and caring hearts in our students. You'll learn how to develop a respectful moral learning community that enhances self-respect and social responsibility and reduces bullying and cruelty. Discover how violence, alienation and self-doubt need not plague our classrooms and learn proven and practical teaching practices that mobilize empathy or "Habits of Heart" and turn student cruelty into compassion. With Michele's down to earth approach, your staff will leave with proactive ideas to use the very next day in their classrooms and existing lesson plans, and your school team will have actual plans to implement in your hallway or school. Participants will learn:

• The foundation a respectful culture: moral mentoring, clear & common vision, democratic atmosphere
  
• Rapport builders to create caring connectors and build trust with at-risk youth
  
• How to set expectations that are fair and just and establish common school-wide values
  
• Moral discipline strategies that stretch moral thinking and change behavior; beginning restitution,
  
• The "5 E Lesson Planner" that will teach any new virtue and examples of how to use it to teach Kindness
  
• Dozens of simple cooperative strategies that boost student connection and increase learning engagement
  
• Techniques to boost perspective taking, cultivate empathy, emotional intelligence & point of view
  
• School-wide models of success that explicitly and implicitly taught character & reaped positive results
  
• Recognize high social needs students based on data and discover victims you may be overlooking
  
• Best teaching practices that boost achievement and build moral intelligence
  
• Proven ways to teach new moral habits and social skills to improve behavior and character
  
• How to boost personal accountability and social responsibility in students
  
• Use service learning and civic engagement so it cultivates student empathy
  
• Dozens of actual examples from showcase character-building schools who are making a difference

Michele Borba
Author, Motivational Speaker & Child Media Expert

Michele Borba, Ed.D. is an internationally renowned educator and award-winning author who is recognized for her practical, solution-based strategies to strengthen child's behavior, self-esteem, character, and social development, and to build strong families. A sought-after motivational speaker, she has presented workshops and keynote addresses throughout North American, Europe, Asia and the South Pacific and has served as an educational consultant to hundreds of schools and corporations. Her proposal: "Ending School Violence" (SB1667) was signed into California law in 2002. She offers realistic, research-based advice culled from a career of working with over one million parents, educators and children. Dr. Borba has appeared over 53 times as parent expert on the "Today" show. She is a contributor iVillage, as well as a guest expert on countless TV and radio talk shows to discuss late breaking news and the every day challenges parents face including: The View, Fox & Friends, Geraldo and Friends, CNN American Morning, Countdown, MSNBC, The Early Show, Fox Headline News, and CNN Headline News. She has been interviewed by numerous publications including Newsweek, U.S. News & World Report, Reader's Digest, Chicago Tribune, The Globe and Mail, LA Times, People, Parenting, and Child. Her articles have appeared in Redbook, Parents, and Family Circle and writes "Parenting Secrets," blog for NBC's iVillage. She serves on advisory boards for Parents magazine, the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, the CHP National Character Education Partnership, and McDonald's Global Mom's Panel, and served as a spokesperson for Office Depot, T-Mobile, Gladerma, Johnson & Johnson, and RC2 Learning Curve West. Dr. Borba is the author of 22 books including Nobody Likes Me, Everybody Hates Me!, No More Misbehavin': 38 Difficult Behaviors and How to Stop Them; Don't Give Me that Attitude!, Building Moral Intelligence, cited by Publishers' Weekly as "Among the most noteworthy of 2001"; Parents Do Make A Difference, selected by Child Magazine as "Outstanding Parenting Book of 1999"; and Esteem Builders, used by 1.5 million students worldwide. Her latest book is 12 Simple Secrets Real Moms Know: Getting Back to Basics and Raising Happy Kids (Jossey-Bass; 2006). Her numerous awards include the National Educator Award, presented by the National Council of Self-Esteem; Santa Clara University's Outstanding Alumna Award; and the award for Outstanding Contribution to the Educational Profession, presented by the Bureau of Education and Research. She was named the Honorary Chairperson for the Implementation of Self-Esteem in Hong Kong and served as a consultant for the Center Resource Group for Character Education and Civic Engagement for the U.S. Department of Education. Dr. Borba is a former classroom and college teacher and has had a wide range of teaching experience, including work in regular education as well as work with children with learning, physical, behavioral, and emotional disabilities as well as a partner in a private practice for troubled youth. Dr. Borba received a Doctorate in Educational Psychology and Counseling from the University of San Francisco; an M.A. in Learning Disabilities and earned a Life Teaching Credential. She lives in Palm Springs, California with her husband and has three grown sons.

The HEROES^TM program is an evidence and strength based character education program that enables schools to meet Health and Wellness outcomes as well as equips staff and students to create a strength based culture in their schools. The program has significant educator and community support and recognition; and it has already impacted 50,000 youth across Canada. Impact Society is also partnered with Resiliency Initiatives Canada, headed by Dr Wayne Hammond, which serves in providing supportive research, evidence and data; as well as pre and post assessments to be utilized by the schools that use the HEROES^TM program.

Jack Toth
Founder and CEO
Impact Society
Jack Toth is founder and CEO of Impact Society, a Calgary based charitable organization which focuses on helping young people use their own gifts and abilities to make a positive change in themselves and others. Jack has over 25 years experience in mentoring and teaching youth. His personal story, along with his years of working with youth and adults led to the development of the HEROES program - a program that builds Confidence, Character and Integrity in youth. Youth are our most valuable resource: and as youth take steps towards Confidence, Character and Integrity, individuals, schools and whole communities can be dramatically affected in positive ways.

Don Barbor
Principal
Terry Fox Junior High School

Gord will share his experiences in dealing with some of the successes and challenges of 21st century technologies at home, in the classroom and the work place. The world of web 2.0 and the expectation for instant communication has given us many advantages but it has also placed many demands on users to "be online 24/7", share private information and open themselves up to many risks, scams and opportunities to be taken advantage of. Come to learn and discuss safety/security issues, how we can continue to be "present" in our daily lives and still use technology to work smarter, not harder.

Gord Smith
Business Solutions Manager
City of Lethbridge
Gord Smith is currently the new Business Solutions Manager for the City of Lethbridge. Gord has held various leadership roles in education over the past 14 years and resides in Lethbridge, AB. He is the former Director of Information Technology for Palliser Regional Schools and has been actively promoting the infusion of technology into teaching and learning throughout his career. Gord's passion lies in educating users about not only the power and vast amount of tools/resources available on the 'web' but also about being a safe and responsible digital citizen.

Research indicates that 99% of teens use the internet regularly and that on an average school day, the use of instant messaging increases from 28% in Grade 4 to 86% by Grade 11. Although technology brings great rewards, it also brings with it some disturbing cyber-bullying statistics:

• 1 in 4 youth, age 11-19 is threatened via the computer or cell phone.
• 1 in every 17 children is threatened on the internet

These statistics indicate how important it is that adults understand and are able to monitor and teach youth proper protocol around the use of technology, and how important character education in this technologically advanced world - in other words "Who Are You When No One is Watching".

Join us to learn more about Cyberbullying - a 24/7, sometimes hidden form of bullying, and gain knowledge about some practical strategies and resources that can assist you in preventing and responding to this type of bullying behaviour. Suggested classroom activities and video clips are part of this presentation.

Donna Blundell
Executive Director
Society for Safe and Caring Schools and Communities
Since 2006, Donna Blundell has been the Executive Director of the Society for Safe and Caring Schools and Communities where she has helped develop and implement violence prevention and character education programming for children and youth. Donna is a member of Alberta's Bullying Prevention Strategy working group and participated in the newly created cross Ministry Alberta Gang Suppression Initiative working group.

Karen Hobbs
Director of Education
Society for Safe and Caring Schools and Communities
Since 2006, Karen Hobbs has been the Director of Education at the Society for Safe and Caring Schools & Communities. Her background includes over 25 years working as a high school teacher. She has been actively involved with Alberta Education, the Faculty of Education, the University of Alberta, and the Alberta Teachers Association. She holds an M. Ed from the University of Alberta.

Character education with a wagging tale – that's how you can describe humane education, which incorporates students' relationships with other species and the environment, thus providing a unique point of reference for reflection on one's place in the world. By using animal welfare examples, stories and lessons within the existing curriculum you can add an extra dimension to your teaching. Learn about easy‐to-implement humane education resources for all subjects and grade levels that can help your students grow into caring, compassionate adults. We’ll also look at books that help enrich children's relationships with animals and the natural world.

Tim Battle
Director of Education
The Alberta SPCA
As a teacher, parent, pet-owner and humane educator, Tim knows that everyone benefits from positive relationships with animals. For the past 11 years Tim has been helping teachers inspire students to be kind to animals, people and the environment through the Alberta SPCA's humane education program. He has developed education resources for almost every subject, written numerous articles and delivered powerful presentations to teachers and other professional groups. Previously a teacher at a treatment centre for troubled youth, he saw firsthand how the cycle of violence perpetuates, and how effective teaching and appropriate intervention can inspire compassion in any student.

The HEROES^TM program is an evidence and strength based character education program that enables schools to meet Health and Wellness outcomes as well as equips staff and students to create a strength based culture in their schools. The program has significant educator and community support and recognition; and it has already impacted 50,000 youth across Canada. Impact Society is also partnered with Resiliency Initiatives Canada, headed by Dr Wayne Hammond, which serves in providing supportive research, evidence and data; as well as pre and post assessments to be utilized by the schools that use the HEROES^TM program.

Jack Toth
Founder and CEO
Impact Society
Jack Toth is founder and CEO of Impact Society, a Calgary based charitable organization which focuses on helping young people use their own gifts and abilities to make a positive change in themselves and others. Jack has over 25 years experience in mentoring and teaching youth. His personal story, along with his years of working with youth and adults led to the development of the HEROES program - a program that builds Confidence, Character and Integrity in youth. Youth are our most valuable resource: and as youth take steps towards Confidence, Character and Integrity, individuals, schools and whole communities can be dramatically affected in positive ways.

Don Barbor
Principal
Terry Fox Junior High School

Gord will share his experiences in dealing with some of the successes and challenges of 21st century technologies at home, in the classroom and the work place. The world of web 2.0 and the expectation for instant communication has given us many advantages but it has also placed many demands on users to "be online 24/7", share private information and open themselves up to many risks, scams and opportunities to be taken advantage of. Come to learn and discuss safety/security issues, how we can continue to be "present" in our daily lives and still use technology to work smarter, not harder.

Gord Smith
Business Solutions Manager
City of Lethbridge
Gord Smith is currently the new Business Solutions Manager for the City of Lethbridge. Gord has held various leadership roles in education over the past 14 years and resides in Lethbridge, AB. He is the former Director of Information Technology for Palliser Regional Schools and has been actively promoting the infusion of technology into teaching and learning throughout his career. Gord's passion lies in educating users about not only the power and vast amount of tools/resources available on the 'web' but also about being a safe and responsible digital citizen.

Research indicates that 99% of teens use the internet regularly and that on an average school day, the use of instant messaging increases from 28% in Grade 4 to 86% by Grade 11. Although technology brings great rewards, it also brings with it some disturbing cyber-bullying statistics:

• 1 in 4 youth, age 11-19 is threatened via the computer or cell phone.
• 1 in every 17 children is threatened on the internet

These statistics indicate how important it is that adults understand and are able to monitor and teach youth proper protocol around the use of technology, and how important character education in this technologically advanced world - in other words "Who Are You When No One is Watching".

Join us to learn more about Cyberbullying - a 24/7, sometimes hidden form of bullying, and gain knowledge about some practical strategies and resources that can assist you in preventing and responding to this type of bullying behaviour. Suggested classroom activities and video clips are part of this presentation.

Donna Blundell
Executive Director
Society for Safe and Caring Schools and Communities
Since 2006, Donna Blundell has been the Executive Director of the Society for Safe and Caring Schools and Communities where she has helped develop and implement violence prevention and character education programming for children and youth. Donna is a member of Alberta's Bullying Prevention Strategy working group and participated in the newly created cross Ministry Alberta Gang Suppression Initiative working group.

Karen Hobbs
Director of Education
Society for Safe and Caring Schools and Communities
Since 2006, Karen Hobbs has been the Director of Education at the Society for Safe and Caring Schools & Communities. Her background includes over 25 years working as a high school teacher. She has been actively involved with Alberta Education, the Faculty of Education, the University of Alberta, and the Alberta Teachers Association. She holds an M. Ed from the University of Alberta.

Character education with a wagging tale – that's how you can describe humane education, which incorporates students' relationships with other species and the environment, thus providing a unique point of reference for reflection on one's place in the world. By using animal welfare examples, stories and lessons within the existing curriculum you can add an extra dimension to your teaching. Learn about easy‐to-implement humane education resources for all subjects and grade levels that can help your students grow into caring, compassionate adults. We’ll also look at books that help enrich children's relationships with animals and the natural world.

Tim Battle
Director of Education
The Alberta SPCA
As a teacher, parent, pet-owner and humane educator, Tim knows that everyone benefits from positive relationships with animals. For the past 11 years Tim has been helping teachers inspire students to be kind to animals, people and the environment through the Alberta SPCA's humane education program. He has developed education resources for almost every subject, written numerous articles and delivered powerful presentations to teachers and other professional groups. Previously a teacher at a treatment centre for troubled youth, he saw firsthand how the cycle of violence perpetuates, and how effective teaching and appropriate intervention can inspire compassion in any student.

After a life-changing encounter with a homeless person when she was only 5 years old, Hannah is Canada’s youngest advocate for the homeless. Braced with the simple truth "Everybody should have a home. No one should have to eat from a garbage can", Hannah has raised both awareness and money, speaking to many thousands of people across Canada and the world. In 2004, at age 8, she founded The Ladybug Foundation, a non-profit registered charitable foundation to support her efforts to raise awareness and assist registered charitable organizations in Canada which provide food, shelter and other needs of the homeless and near-homeless, without judgment, so they can find dignity, security, hope and refuge. These frontline organizations "touch a homeless person in the next 24 hours".

Discover how The Ladybug Foundation Education Program (K-12, multi media resource) uses character building qualities to lead students and teachers to social action.

The Ladybug Foundation Education Program is a multi media educational resource.  It is a grade-by-grade, K-12, resource for teachers to use in their classrooms.  It brings to life the simple message of caring, sharing and empowerment to students across Canada, inspiring them to make a difference.

To date The Ladybug Foundation, through Hannah’s efforts, supports over 45 shelters and food banks across Canada. Hannah believes, deep in her heart, caring can and will change our world for the better.

Julie Rempel
Television Producer / Director &
Spokesperson
The Ladybug Foundation Inc.
"In 2002, my life changed in a moment (similar to Hannah Taylor's, the young founder of The Ladybug Foundation). For the first time in my life I had an experience that forced me to confront some of my fears, prejudices and philosophies about the homeless." A freelance Television Producer / Director, Julie has produced documentaries, talk shows and commercials for CTV, Global, Omni, and Vision. She has worked as a Morning Show Host in radio, and has produced radio talk shows. Through a number of 'meant-to-be' events, Julie met Hannah in late 2003. Hannah's Passion, a half-hour national documentary for CTV was the result of that first encounter, but that was just the beginning of their friendship. Julie has been helping to promote Hannah's message of 'caring, sharing and giving back' ever since. The Ladybug Foundation Education Program was a dream that has now become a reality; fueled by the passion that every child has the capacity and ability to change our world for the better, Julie has travelled across Canada and the world to bring the stories of hunger, poverty, homelessness and hope to every classroom in the country through a variety of visual mediums. "I am convinced that Canadian children are in great hands as they head off to school each day. But I also believe more passionately than ever that makeChange The Ladybug Foundation Education Program is a tremendous gift to the development of character building qualities in every student." Julie currently resides in Edmonton, Alberta with her husband and young daughter.

This presentation will give each school a great start or great ideas to start their own Character Education Project. We will demonstrate how we started our project:

• Give reasons as to why this project was needed. Survey results from Accountability Pillar Survey and School Survey’s.
• Developed a committee – a school promise- a school song – school wide bully forms for students, staff and parents.
• Changes to the school discipline policy and record keeping charts for the playground and office to track behaviour.
• Changes to counselling, FNMI and the addition of a CYCW to run group sessions like friendship groups, divorce and family violence groups, etc... and how we have been able to sustain the energy and passion that was created in the beginning.

• Each year we run our survey to parents, staff and students. This year we sent it out in November and we will continue to do this as we will use the information to guide our practice.
• We also continue to meet with staff to improve behaviour like updated our record keeping incident forms. Updated our awards and announcement over the intercom.
• Most importantly we let the culture of the school guide our practice. If the students are behaving and having fun. Then we are happy with the way in which our safe and caring school project is improving.

Ultimately, we would love to start seeing academic improvement which I believe is starting to come with our focus now shifting to literacy but never forgetting the importance of having a safe and caring school atmosphere.

During this session, Aimee will demonstrate how educators can teach in a fun way that engages students’ intrinsic motivation and gets them wanting to make positive character changes…for themselves!

We cover some of the facts related to health concerns of Canada’s youth and practical examples of how the program Aimee developed, called Smart Start 4U, takes participants through an exploratory process involving character development, physical movement and goal setting. We will share some inspirational stories about positive lifestyle and character changes witnessed by Aimee, teachers, parents and students. 

Aimee Trudel
Teacher and Creator
Smart Start 4U
Aimee is a registered Natural Nutritionist, has a degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies, is a teacher, mom, fitness instructor, athlete and coach. She voluntarily created and tested the Smart Start 4U; Health and Lifestyle Awareness Program to improve the health of Canada's youth. Understands the time constraints faced by teachers and designed SS4U to be simple to use and highly effective. Aimee would like to share her journey with others so they, too, can improve student well-being, self esteem and academic performance.

At Vimy Ridge and Hil 70, and at Passchendaele, a country, and a nation, were forged. An entire generation of young men would fight for an ideal and by war's end, Canada would suffer 241,000 dead and wounded.

Norman Leach brings history to life, through video and storytelling, to show how WWI shaped Canada - and the character of Canadians - for the next century.

Norman Leach
Canadian Historian, Writer, Speaker
Norman Leach is a Canadian historian, award winning freelance writer, professional speaker and adventurer. He has written five books on Canadian military history including the best-seller "Passchendaele." Norman was also the historian on a number of movies and documentaries including: "Passchendaele" – the Canadian WW1 Epic produced by Canadian Paul Gross and filmed in Calgary. His documentary credits include "The Road to Passchendaele" which aired on Global, "The Mad Trapper of Rat River" on Discovery and "Hitler's Stealth Fighter" – a National Geographic documentary. Norman is in constant demand speaking at Universities, conferences, schools and historical societies across Canada as he brings Canadian history to life in his speeches and presentations.

After a life-changing encounter with a homeless person when she was only 5 years old, Hannah is Canada’s youngest advocate for the homeless. Braced with the simple truth "Everybody should have a home. No one should have to eat from a garbage can", Hannah has raised both awareness and money, speaking to many thousands of people across Canada and the world. In 2004, at age 8, she founded The Ladybug Foundation, a non-profit registered charitable foundation to support her efforts to raise awareness and assist registered charitable organizations in Canada which provide food, shelter and other needs of the homeless and near-homeless, without judgment, so they can find dignity, security, hope and refuge. These frontline organizations "touch a homeless person in the next 24 hours".

Discover how The Ladybug Foundation Education Program (K-12, multi media resource) uses character building qualities to lead students and teachers to social action.

The Ladybug Foundation Education Program is a multi media educational resource. It is a grade-by-grade, K-12, resource for teachers to use in their classrooms. It brings to life the simple message of caring, sharing and empowerment to students across Canada, inspiring them to make a difference.

To date The Ladybug Foundation, through Hannah’s efforts, supports over 45 shelters and food banks across Canada. Hannah believes, deep in her heart, caring can and will change our world for the better.

Julie Rempel
Television Producer / Director &
Spokesperson
The Ladybug Foundation Inc.
"In 2002, my life changed in a moment (similar to Hannah Taylor's, the young founder of The Ladybug Foundation). For the first time in my life I had an experience that forced me to confront some of my fears, prejudices and philosophies about the homeless." A freelance Television Producer / Director, Julie has produced documentaries, talk shows and commercials for CTV, Global, Omni, and Vision. She has worked as a Morning Show Host in radio, and has produced radio talk shows. Through a number of 'meant-to-be' events, Julie met Hannah in late 2003. Hannah's Passion, a half-hour national documentary for CTV was the result of that first encounter, but that was just the beginning of their friendship. Julie has been helping to promote Hannah's message of 'caring, sharing and giving back' ever since. The Ladybug Foundation Education Program was a dream that has now become a reality; fueled by the passion that every child has the capacity and ability to change our world for the better, Julie has travelled across Canada and the world to bring the stories of hunger, poverty, homelessness and hope to every classroom in the country through a variety of visual mediums. "I am convinced that Canadian children are in great hands as they head off to school each day. But I also believe more passionately than ever that makeChange The Ladybug Foundation Education Program is a tremendous gift to the development of character building qualities in every student." Julie currently resides in Edmonton, Alberta with her husband and young daughter.

This presentation will give each school a great start or great ideas to start their own Character Education Project. We will demonstrate how we started our project:

• Give reasons as to why this project was needed. Survey results from Accountability Pillar Survey and School Survey’s.
• Developed a committee – a school promise- a school song – school wide bully forms for students, staff and parents.
• Changes to the school discipline policy and record keeping charts for the playground and office to track behaviour.
• Changes to counselling, FNMI and the addition of a CYCW to run group sessions like friendship groups, divorce and family violence groups, etc... and how we have been able to sustain the energy and passion that was created in the beginning.

• Each year we run our survey to parents, staff and students. This year we sent it out in November and we will continue to do this as we will use the information to guide our practice.
• We also continue to meet with staff to improve behaviour like updated our record keeping incident forms. Updated our awards and announcement over the intercom.
• Most importantly we let the culture of the school guide our practice. If the students are behaving and having fun. Then we are happy with the way in which our safe and caring school project is improving.

Ultimately, we would love to start seeing academic improvement which I believe is starting to come with our focus now shifting to literacy but never forgetting the importance of having a safe and caring school atmosphere.

During this session, Aimee will demonstrate how educators can teach in a fun way that engages students’ intrinsic motivation and gets them wanting to make positive character changes…for themselves!

We cover some of the facts related to health concerns of Canada’s youth and practical examples of how the program Aimee developed, called Smart Start 4U, takes participants through an exploratory process involving character development, physical movement and goal setting. We will share some inspirational stories about positive lifestyle and character changes witnessed by Aimee, teachers, parents and students.

Aimee Trudel
Teacher and Creator
Smart Start 4U
Aimee is a registered Natural Nutritionist, has a degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies, is a teacher, mom, fitness instructor, athlete and coach. She voluntarily created and tested the Smart Start 4U; Health and Lifestyle Awareness Program to improve the health of Canada's youth. Understands the time constraints faced by teachers and designed SS4U to be simple to use and highly effective. Aimee would like to share her journey with others so they, too, can improve student well-being, self esteem and academic performance.

At Vimy Ridge and Hil 70, and at Passchendaele, a country, and a nation, were forged. An entire generation of young men would fight for an ideal and by war's end, Canada would suffer 241,000 dead and wounded.

Norman Leach brings history to life, through video and storytelling, to show how WWI shaped Canada - and the character of Canadians - for the next century.

Norman Leach
Canadian Historian, Writer, Speaker
Norman Leach is a Canadian historian, award winning freelance writer, professional speaker and adventurer. He has written five books on Canadian military history including the best-seller "Passchendaele." Norman was also the historian on a number of movies and documentaries including: "Passchendaele" – the Canadian WW1 Epic produced by Canadian Paul Gross and filmed in Calgary. His documentary credits include "The Road to Passchendaele" which aired on Global, "The Mad Trapper of Rat River" on Discovery and "Hitler's Stealth Fighter" – a National Geographic documentary. Norman is in constant demand speaking at Universities, conferences, schools and historical societies across Canada as he brings Canadian history to life in his speeches and presentations.

1. Dale will tell the story of his son's murder and his reaction to this tragedy
2. Forgiveness is the heart of this story and Dale will explain the benefits and healing he has experienced.
3. How do we break through the anger and violence of this Age of "Instant Gratification"?
4. What does it really mean to truly care for the people around you?

Dale Lang
Motivational Speaker
Solid Rock Youth & Family Foundation
Dale became a youth worker at St. James Anglican Church in Calgary in 1979, which eventually became a part time position. In the midst of all of this he developed a "Divine dissatisfaction" desiring to do more for the Lord. Eventually the Lord led him to seek ordination in the Anglican church and in 1984 he and Diane pack up their family and headed to Ambridge Pennsylvania, where Dale spent three years attaining his Master of Divinity at Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry. They then returned to Alberta where they were unanimously called to St. Theodore's church in Taber, where they ministered for 15 years. Dale currently ministers around the country and at home in Taber with the Rock. Dale and Diane have five children: Jeff (33) married with four children, Mark (30), Jason (shot and killed at his school in 1999 at age 17), Matthew (26) and Jennifer (18). Since the death of Jason both Dale and Diane have been asked to speak at events across the country. Dale has spoken in over 500 Junior & Senior high schools, numerous conferences, teachers conventions, the National Prayer Breakfast, churches and numerous other functions. The Langs continue to live in Taber Alberta, speaking across Canada. Dale also produced a weekly half hour televison program which appears on Satellite on The Miracle Channel in 2007- 2008. Dale and Diane currently own and run a small company out of Lethbridge Alberta called Sushi Moda Inc.