The SPARC Symposium is a signature virtual event hosted by SPARC, the Summer Programs and Auxiliary Revenue Collaborative.
Wednesday, October 14, 12:00-3:30pm EST
The SPARC Symposium is a signature, virtual event designed to elevate your leadership skills and your auxiliary programs. Two days of strategic conversations led by independent school thought leaders will be focused on the themes of transformational leadership, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and youth program design for the future.
- Engage with colleagues in designing an aspirational future for your programs and your school
- Join compelling conversations with independent school leaders through a combination of live and recorded sessions
- Collaborate in engaging chat conversations with other attendees, speakers, and panelists
- Develop strategic outcomes that inform your future work and priorities
- Participate in a national, virtual event that connects and elevates our auxiliary community and our schools
Deep Dive Discussions
Following two days of panel discussions and a keynote session, we will host a series of five Deep Dive Discussions from October 19-23. These 60 minute sessions will focus on five core areas of auxiliary program management and will draw from the themes presented during the Symposium. Each day’s discussions will be facilitated by Executive Director, Nat Saltonstall, who will be joined by other leaders in the field.
Auxiliary Program Goals Re-evaluated
Monday, October 19, 2:00-3:00pm EST
Staffing and Personnel Management
Tuesday, October 20, 2:00-3:00pm EST
Marketing and Communications
Wednesday, October 21, 2:00-3:00pm EST
Summer Program Design
Thursday, October 22, 2:00-3:00pm EST
After School and Enrichment Program Design
Friday, October 23, 2:00-3:00pm EST
Who Should Attend?
The SPARC Symposium is designed to meet the professional development needs of a wide range of independent school leaders. Recommended attendees include all members of the auxiliary department, CFO, COO, Heads of School, Directors of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and other members of the school senior leadership team.
Registration Fee
Includes the full set of Symposium events:
- Symposium Opening
- Keynote Address
- 3 Panel Discussions
- 2 Zoom Discussions
- 5 Deep Dives
- Complete recording of all sessions available to attendees after the event.
SPARC Members: $295 (Free for unlimited attendees from your school after paying for the first two individuals. Request discount code from info@SPARCnational.com)
Non-Members: $395
Schedule
October 14, 12:00-12:20 EST
Symposium Kickoff: Elevating Auxiliary
Join SPARC Executive Director, Nat Saltonstall, as he sets the stage for SPARC’s inaugural Symposium. While our independent schools are being tested and upended by prolonged crises, how do we as leaders develop a strategic vision for our programs and ourselves? How do we elevate auxiliary programs to a place where they are an essential element of the larger school culture and experience? By drawing from the collective guidance of our panelists and speakers, we can continue to positively guide our schools and programs towards a reimagined future.
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October 14, 12:20-1:20 EST
Transformational Leadership: Effective Strategies to Guide Your Team Through Change and Uncertainty
At no time in recent history have educational leaders been universally challenged as they have over the past eight months. From abrupt school closures to program cancellations, supporting communities through issues of race, and guiding schools towards safely reopening in the midst of an ongoing pandemic, school leaders have been continually tested from every direction. How have they developed a common purpose, reassessed their values, built trust, inspired their communities, and employed innovative strategies to move their organizations forward towards an uncertain future? Join a discussion among seasoned leaders who will discuss lessons learned through these difficult times.
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Jonathan Koshiba, M.Ed., MA
Academy Dean (former Director of Extended Learning)
Punahou School
October 14, 1:30-2:15 EST
The Power of Inclusive Leadership
Do you believe that you can change the world? Our choices reflect what is inside us. Some of these choices are made for the better and some for the worse. Most leaders don’t face life and death decisions every day but are faced with very difficult choices. Fostering an environment of inclusion takes time and energy, on the part of the leader and employee. The Power of Inclusive Leadership embeds understanding cross-cultural factors, biases, and even how you deal with uncertainties. Let’s uncover the role you play in this ever changing world.
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October 14, 2:30-3:30 EST
Live Zoom Discussion
Join other attendees to debrief and discuss the day’s sessions. Share your reactions and thoughts inspired by panelists’ comments. The discussion will be moderated by Executive Director, Nat Saltonstall, and joined by select panel members for further conversation.
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October 15, 12:00-1:00 EST
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Building Intentional Communities
As we face a national reckoning on racial justice, our panel will explore how to make meaningful strides towards diversity, equity and inclusion in our schools. How do we build cultural competency within our staff and our children? What are the critical steps we must take to develop inclusive communities? How do we hire and retain diverse talent? How do we create and maintain open channels for honest and constructive communication? By participating in this important conversation with a panel of experienced leaders, attendees will enhance their own commitment to anti-bias awareness, multicultural programming, and equity initiatives in their schools and programs.
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Dr. Teresa Leary Jenkins, Ed.D
Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
St. Mary's Episcopal School
October 15, 1:15-2:15 EST
What Do Youth Need Now? Future Program Development Informed by Current Trends, Research, and Recent Lessons Learned
The impact of COVID on schools and youth programming has been significant, from the loss of in-person school last spring to the cancellation (or modification) of most summer programs this past summer. While many directors pivoted and developed new auxiliary programs in record time, the future remains uncertain. Many experts would argue that children now urgently need outlets for authentic connection, social and emotional learning, and creative expression. How can our schools and our auxiliary programs best serve our youth and families to achieve these goals, while also recognizing new potential opportunities? Join a conversation with our panel of education leaders to reimagine your program vision.
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October 15, 2:30-3:30 EST
Live Zoom Discussions
Join other attendees to debrief and discuss the day’s sessions. Share your reactions and thoughts inspired by panelists’ comments. Select one of two Zoom discussions that will be moderated by select panel members for further conversation.
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Symposium Sponsors
Thank you to our Symposium Sponsors for their generous support of this event and for their partnership in advancing our schools.
FAQ
Absolutely! Throughout the session, there will be a simultaneous live chat. This is a space to share ideas, experiences and insights regarding the session content.
The SPARC Symposium is a combination of pre-recorded presentations, insightful panel discussions, live chat rooms, and live Zoom discussions.
The SPARC Symposium has been designed as an exclusively virtual event. While we will all miss the National Conference in Scottsdale this year, we look forward to gathering again at the Valley Ho in 2021!
Although we highly recommend Chrome for the smoothest user experience on any website, here’s a handy link to download Edge, which is Microsoft’s move away from IE. The quality will be compromised on Internet Explorer 8.
Our Business Partners are essential members of the SPARC community and are critical to the success of the Symposium. For further information regarding sponsorship opportunities, please email nat@SPARCnational.com.
Each session is accompanied by a live fireside chat to propel discussion between speakers and attendees. This is a space to share insights and connect with other professionals in the industry. We recommend joining in 10 minutes early and introducing yourself in the attendee chat before each session begins.
Yes! All sessions will be recorded and available to registered attendees after the event.
Registration for the Symposium will open on September 15.
Yes! Only the first two attendees from SPARC member schools need to pay. After that, additional school employees are free!
Yes! The Deep Dives are limited to Symposium attendees and will be connected to content that was discussed during the Symposium panel sessions.
All registration fees are non-refundable. For those attendees that are unable to attend, remember that recordings of all Symposium content will be available to all attendees after the event.
Matchbox Virtual Media is partnered with CE21 to host this event.
Please contact us at SPARC with any questions by emailing info@SPARCnational.com.
