As Midwinter Conference approaches (January 28-30 in Kalamazoo), here are the hot items you need to know about. Sign up now to ensure your spot at the table where information is shared, decisions are made, and networks are established. Reserve your hotel stay while group rates last.

Preconference events add value to your time away from the office:

Contract Planning and Review (1/27/09) -
Save personal aggravation and wasted time in the district by maintaining a fair and binding contract. Spend a full day with attorney Tom Derderian of Kluck and Associates getting his advice on the subject and consider scheduling some one-on-one time to review your specifics.

Understanding School Finance (1/28/09) -
Targeted at superintendents within their first few years on the job, this half day of guidance from our expert line-up of experienced presenters will look at the financial side of the superintendent's job and what it takes to succeed.

Podcasting for Administrators (1/28/09) -
Get your own iPod and learn how to use it and other media tools to increase your effectiveness as a communicator. Walk away with skills, equipment, and information to extend your reach into a new media for your team, students, and community.

High School Site Visits (1/28/09) -
Take a brief tour of a local school to see some best practices in action and share with staff and students about what's going on in the classroom and behind the scenes. Choose between Comstock High School and their work with the Michigan Merit Curriculum or Portage High School's International Baccalaureatte program.

This year's Midwinter Conference agenda (1/27 - 1/28) includes:

• Brian McNulty, of the Leadership and Learning Center, will share the most recent research on schools and the role of administration. The data reveals areas of success and highlights new objectives for school leaders to focus on in the 2008-09 school year. He will disseminate new information, strategies, and methods for creating standards-based classrooms for success.
• EdYes! Reform
  Hear the latest recommendations and share your input on reforming Michigan's accreditation system.
• Poster Peer Sharing
  This gallery will highlight work being done in districts sharing descriptions of programs and initiatives, major findings, challenges, questions still to explore, summaries, resources, and contact information for administrators involved. Get a snapshot of these innovative projects brought right to you as part of your conference experience.
• Break-out session topics like...
  • Data Driven Decision Making
  • Triangle of Systemic Change
  • Dealing With High Priority Schools
  • No More Cookie Cutter High Schools
  • Responsible Contracting
  • and more...
• Mike Flanagan, State Superintendent
  "Where We Go From Here"
• Brad Biladeau, MASA Associate Executive Director for Government Relations
  Legislative Update
• Mark Bielang, AASA President, Paw Paw Public Schools Superintendent
  AASA Update
• Chris Wigent, Wayne RESA superintendent
  "Lessons Learned"
• Round Table Discussions
• Distinguished Administrators Luncheon (Thursday, January 29)
  Please let us know if you plan to attend (no charge) when you send in your registration

Conference details online