Session I – 11:10 AM-12:00 PM Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Predominantly White Institutions (PWI), and Career and Technical Education Programs Moderator: Mrs. Theresa King, Thornton Township High School Career Counselor Facilitator: Mrs. Razietta Bishop, Thornwood High School Career Counselor, and Ms. Teffiney Ferguson, Thornridge High School Career Counselor Audience: Students, Parents, Teachers, School Administrators
Virtual Room: #1 This session provides an opportunity for students and families to virtually connect with HBCUs and PWIs alumni and professionals that will provide essential tools necessary to succeed in postsecondary education. •
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To enlighten diverse students, parents/guardians, and counselors about the value of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs). To provide Historically Black Colleges and Universities a large pool of quality candidates, operating in a manner supportive of the role that HBCUs play in the educational system of the United States of America and throughout the world. To promote programs and services which enhance the education of underserved students and provide scholarships to deserving individuals.
Student Talk - “The Fierce Urgency of Now!” • • • •
Moderator: Dr. Jarita Steward, Thornridge High School, Division Leader – English, Reading, Speech & Library Facilitators: Ms. LaBria Gordon, Student Board President, Mr. Corey Wright, Student of Thornridge High School Presenters: TTHS D205 Students Audience: Students
Virtual Room: #2 This session provides a virtual platform for Thornton Township High School District 205 students to discuss real life experiences that are grounded in “The Fierce Urgency of Now!” What does this powerful phrase invoke in today’s students? This session is truly student-centered!
Parental Engagement Best Practices Moderator: Ms. Della Mayes, Thornwood Parent Coordinator Presenter: Mrs. Annette Whittington, Vice President TTHS District 205 Board of Education Audience: Parents, Guardians, Teachers, School Administrators
Virtual Room: #3 This session introduces the model of “Mindful Parenting” as a framework where parents INTENTIONALLY bring moment-to-moment awareness to parent–child interactions.
Incoming Freshmen Class of 2025 Moderator: Mr. William Brown, Thornridge High School, Assistant Principal Presenters: Dr. Camilla Covington, Thornridge High School, Assistant Principal, Mr. Todd Whitaker, Associate Principal, Thornton Township High School, Dr. Todd Hall, Thornwood High School, Assistant Principal Audience: Parents, Guardians, Teachers, School Administrators
Virtual Room: #4 This session aims to provide best practices and strategies for incoming freshman students.
The Math Party Moderator: Mrs. Ebonie Williams, District 205 Coordinator of Curriculum Presenter: Dr. Stephanie R. Pasley Henry Audience: Students, Parents, Guardians, Building Administrators
Virtual Room: #5 Dr. Stephanie R. Pasley is recognized and respected as an International Educational Consultant, Author and Publisher of Instructional Curricula, Motivational Speaker and a Certified Fitness Instructor. She has made teaching and motivating young people her life’s work. Dr. Pasley earned a Doctoral Degree in Youth and Child Studies: Specializing in Curriculum Development and Systemic Change; an Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership; a master’s degree in Exceptional Student Education-Specializing in Learning Disabilities at Nova Southeastern University; and a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education at Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida. Dr. Pasley taught Methods of Mathematics for Elementary Teachers at Barry University and served as a fifth-grade teacher in the Broward County School District. It was her work as a classroom teacher that led to the infusion of her passions for educating children, the performing arts and physical activity. The merger of these three passions served as the launching pad for her unique instructional approach, which transcends traditional teaching methodologies and serves as one of the most dynamic and successful strategies for teaching math and reading. Dr. Pasley started her company, Step By Step Expressions, Incorporated to share her innovative, instructional creations—THE READING PARTY: Music! Fitness! Phonics! Fun! And THE MATH PARTY PROGRAM: Sing! Dance! Exercise! Learn! —with educators, students, and parents across the nation.
Session II – 12:20 PM-1:15 PM Divine 9 - Sororities Moderator: Mrs. Tammy King, TW Teacher, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Facilitator: Mrs. Erica McGhee, TR Dean, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Presenters: Black Sororities Audience: Female Students
Virtual Room: #6 This session’s mission is to educate students and the community about the nation’s historically Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLOs), collectively referred to as the “Divine Nine,” and the integral part these organizations played in American history. The members of the Divine Nine Sororities will provide historic facts, as well as share current information about educational initiatives and scholarships that are available through their local graduate chapters. • • •
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Alpha Kappa Alpha: This sorority was founded in 1908 at Howard University with the motto, "By Culture and By Merit." Delta Sigma Theta: With its beginning at Howard University, this sorority was founded in 1913 with the motto, "Transforming Communities through Sisterhood and Service." Zeta Phi Beta: With over 90 years of history, this sorority was founded in 1920 at Howard University with the principles of "Scholarship, Sisterly Love, Service, Finer Womanhood." Sigma Gamma Rho: This sorority was founded in 1922 at Butler University as a nonprofit dedicated to public service, "Greater Service, Greater Progress."
Divine 9 - Fraternities Moderator: Mr. Anthony Ethridge, TT Teacher, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc Facilitator: Dr. Albert Holmes, Jr., Federal Programs Coordinator, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc Presenters: Fraternities Audience: Male Students
Virtual Room: #7 This session’s mission is to educate students and the community about the nation’s historically Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLOs), collectively referred to as the “Divine Nine,” and the integral part these organizations played in American history. The members of the Divine Nine Fraternities will provide historic facts, as well as share current information about educational initiatives and scholarships that are available through their local graduate chapters. • • • • •
Alpha Phi Alpha: This is a fraternity that was founded in 1906 at Cornell University with the motto, "First of All, Servants of All, We Shall Transcend All." Kappa Alpha Psi: This fraternity was founded in 1911 at Indiana University with the motto, "Training for Leadership since 1911." Omega Psi Phi: Founded in 1911, this fraternity started at Howard University; Omega's website proudly states the motto, "Friendship is essential to the soul." Phi Beta Sigma: The fraternity was created in 1914 at Howard University with the motto, "Culture For Service and Service For Humanity." Iota Phi Theta: As a fraternity founded in 1963 at Morgan State University, the organization's motto is, "Building A Tradition, Not Resting Upon One!"
Social Emotional Practices Moderator: Dr. Shaniqua Jones Facilitator: Ms. Hanifah Ross, Dean Peace Center Presenters: Cook County Southland Juvenile Justice Council Audience: Parents, Guardians, Teachers, School Administrators
Virtual Room: #8 Learn how the implementation of Restorative Justice is vital to the educational, emotional, and social needs of our youth. Learn appropriate tools to advocate for your child in the school setting and understanding of your rights.
Meet and Greet Thornton Township High School District 205 Building Principals Moderator: Mr. Brett Fickes, Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction Presenters: Dr. Tony Ratliff, Thornton Township High School Principal, Dr. Justin Moore, Thornridge High School Principal, and Mr. Don C. Holmes, Thornwood High School Principal, Mr. Tyran Cox-Bey, Peace Center Program Administrator, and Mrs. Patricia Fortier, Outlook Academy Program Administrator Audience: Parents, Guardians, Teachers, School Administrators
Virtual Room: #9 This session will provide an opportunity to interact with your child’s principal to discuss upcoming building activities for the spring, summer, and/or fall.
CEDA Moderator: Ms. Susan Hudson, Special Education Teacher and Resilience Committee Co-chair Facilitator: Mrs. Stephanie Wayne, SPED Teacher Thornwood High School Presenters: Ms. Wendie Clark, Youth Services Coordinator Audience: Parents, Guardians, Teachers, School Administrators
Virtual Room: #10 This session aims to provide resources to families in the South Suburban Cook County region who need CEDA FSACE (Family Support and Community Engagement) and/or COVID services. CEDA FSACE and COVID services include but are not limited to receiving free electronic devices for students K-8, school supplies for students at all levels, rental and mortgage assistance, financial assistance for phone bills, gas/bus cards, document fees such as obtaining a driver’s license, citizenship, and liability insurance, as well as our case management service, emergency dental, vision, and transportation services. We have several services that are available for eligible families and we cannot wait to share this information with you.