Paul Tough, author of the best-selling How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character, kicks off the day-long event with his keynote address and he’ll be joined by nationally –recognized researchers and practitioners for a panel discussion, Q&A session, and facilitated working groups designed to share best practices and develop new strategies for success.

PanelistsC. Cybele Raver, Ph.D., New York University Steinhardt, Department of Applied PsychologyThe role of young children’s emotional development and the impact of self-regulation in cognition and school readiness.

Stephanie Jones, Ph.D., Harvard University, Graduate School of EducationThe longitudinal effects of poverty and exposure to violence on social and emotional development in childhood.

Mary Dozier, Ph.D., University of Delaware, Department of PsychologyTeaching parents and caregivers how to help children deal with adversity using practical applications based on understanding connections between experience, brain development, and behavior.

Jenny Roca, M.Ed., University of Pennsylvania, Penn Center for MindfulnessHow practical mindfulness and meditation practices can promote academic literacy, behavior control, improved focus and productivity, and enhanced coping skills in school-age children.

Mark your calendars – Monday, March 18, 2013 for a premier

gathering of academics, educators, social workers, early

education specialists and others for a daylong exploration of the

long-term physiological and neurological impact of poverty and

trauma on children’s ability to learn.

Who Should Attend■ Superintendents, Administrators,

Teachers

■ Diocesan/District Leaders

■ Funders & Investors in Education

■ Social Support Workers, School Nurses

■ Counselors

■ Education Specialists

■ College/University Researchers and Professors

■ Graduate and Undergraduate Students in Education, Applied Psychology, Social Work

■ Pre-School Directors and Staff

■ Parents

Before the Test Scores

Overcoming the Impact of Poverty and Violence on Children’s Ability to Learn and Thrive

The Enterprise Center, Burlington County College, Mt. Laurel, NJ

Summit OverviewOne day gathering of researchers, social scientists, educators, teachers, administrators, and parents coming together to shape a program of action that springs from a greater understanding of the physiological and neurological impact of poverty, violence, and trauma on a student’s ability to learn and succeed. After the keynote address, presentations by the panel members, and audience Q&A, smaller expert/practitioner groups will explore in facilitated working groups more effective strategies for improving behavior, resilience, academic achievement, and parental engagement. The summit will be the jumping off point for additional conversation and networking that will ultimately lead to new and practicable solutions. The post-conference blog will be a platform for exchange of ideas, research, and the sharing of strategies and practices that work.

Focus of General and Concurrent Sessions■ Turning theory into practice with what we know now. Research is great but how does one use it to inform

daily practice?

■ What are doable interventions that have been shown to reverse the negative impact of violence and poverty and get children on the right academic path?

■ How can mindfulness strategies and practice create a safe and emotionally healing space for learning?

■ What is the role of parents?

Attendees will gain valuable information about:■ The long-term impact on memory, executive function, and motivation from negative emotions and sustained

stress in children;

■ The effects of trauma, poverty, and anxiety on a child and the resulting behaviors in the classroom and on the playground;

■ The latest best practices for improving literacy, behavior, and whole child outcomes;

■ Role of parents in mitigating the effects of social and emotional stressors in their child’s life.

Preliminary Summit Schedule

8:00 a.m. Registration/Breakfast8:45 a.m. Welcome & Overview9:00 a.m. Keynote Address – Paul Tough10 – 10:20 a.m. Break10:30 a.m. Panel Discussion11:30 a.m. Q & A12:15 p.m. Lunch1:15 – 2 p.m. Concurrent Session I2 – 2:15 p.m. Break2:30 – 3:15 p.m. Concurrent Session II3:30 p.m. Closing Session/ Next Steps

For additional information about the conference or ways to get involved, contact:

Karen Dietrich, SSJ, PhD, Executive Director856-338-0966 kdietrich@cspschools.org

Pamela Rainey Lawler, Director, Development & Communications856-338-0966 plawler@cspschools.org