The Bridging the Gap Conference, held on Septermber 28th, 2009 was an exciting professional development opportunity for Surrey School District staff, City of Surrey staff and Community Partners to come together and discover the unique opportunities our Community-Schools Partnership presents for families in Surrey. Delegates explored the Children’s Aid Society Developmental Triangle, presented by keynote speaker Abelardo Fernandez, and discovered how Community-School Partnerships can contribute to the success of students, families, teachers and community.
Keynote Speaker: Abe Fernandez Community Schools Consultant National Center for Community Schools
Abe Fernández is a Community Schools Consultant with The Children’s Aid Society’s National Center for Community Schools, based in New York City. He provides support, training and consultation to community school initiatives across the country (including Hartford, CT; Lehigh Valley, PA; Kent County, MI; Salt Lake City, UT; and others) as they adapt the CAS community school model, a school reform and service delivery strategy that integrates core instruction, opportunities for academic and cultural enrichment and services that remove barriers to learning. Abe was formerly an Assistant Director of the CAS Community Schools department and an Administrative Supervisor. Prior to joining Children’s Aid, he served as the Director of Youth Services of Union Settlement, a settlement house in East Harlem, and he started his career as a teacher of middle school mathematics and Director of the Summerbridge/Breakthroughs program in the Bronx.
Community Schools FAQ's
Workshop Presentations
Dr. Wayne Hammond Executive Director Resiliency Initiatives Canada
A Strength-Based Approach to Evaluating and Building Resiliency in Complex Children and Youth
Resiliency Initiatives
Youth Framework
Dr. Kimberly Schonert-Reichl Associate Professor, Department of Educational & Counselling Psychology and Special Education, Faculty of Education, University of British Columbia
Promoting Strengths and Reducing Risks during the Middle Childhood Years: Findings from Recent Research and Implications for Practice
Steve Arnett Executive Director Nanaimo Youth Services Association
Youth Panel: Engaging Youth - School & Community
Nanaimo Youth Services
Colleen Drobot Registered Professional Counsellor (RPC) Authorized presenter and practitioner of Dr. Gordon Neufeld's work B. Ed., Dip. of Special Education
Cultivating Caring Children
Mark Fettes Director Centre for Imaginative Education, Simon Fraser University
Learning for Understanding through Culturally Inclusive Imaginative Development (LUCID)
LUCID Surrey
Mary Gibbons Principal, Holly Elementary
The Story of Holly
Deirdre Gourdriaan Facilitator, BC Healthy Communities
Delphine Melchert Executive Director Saskatchewan Community Schools Association
Building Communities of Hope
Leading the Way
Susan Papadionissiou Coordinator, Office of Early Childhood Development, Learning and Care, Surrey/White Rock
Early Childhood Profile for Surrey and the Role C-SP Schools Can Play
Bridging the Gap
Annie Smith Executive Director McCreary Centre Society
Strategies for Successful Youth Engagement