Directors of Counseling and Student Services of Suburban Chicago upcoming events

2026-2027 All 3 Events Registration (Save $25) (16 Oct 2026)

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 16:30:00 GMT

Supporting Students Who Struggle to Attend: Building Confidence in the Classroom and Understanding School Refusal (04 Dec 2026)

Fri, 04 Dec 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Morning session presenters Dr. Jack Baldermann, Superintendent, and Dr. Carla Braun, Assistant Superintendent, from Westmont District 201, along with Dr. JR Entsminger, Director of Teaching, Learning, and Innovation at Steger School District 194, and authors of the recently published book Improving Student Attendance: How Connection and Belonging Combat Absenteeism, share proven strategies for improving student attendance by strengthening connection, belonging, and daily engagement, closing the gap between absent and invested students. The session will also highlight the value and importance of building a confident mind in students.

In the afternoon, Dr. Laura Koehler from Linden Oaks Behavioral Health helps attendees understand school refusal, the factors that contribute to it, and effective strategies for supporting students and families in improving school engagement and attendance. Koehler oversees partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs for adults, adolescents, and children as Manager of Anxiety Services, and integrates Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Exposure Therapy to help patients build skills for regulating emotions.

Ideal for: Student Service Administrators, School Counselors, School Social Workers, and Deans

Legal Updates in Education (05 Mar 2027)

Fri, 05 Mar 2027 17:30:00 GMT

Chaseray Griffin, attorney from F3 Law, covers how federal guidance, legal interpretations, and emerging technologies continue to shape education, and why staying current matters more than ever. This session explores recent developments related to Section 504, including the growing number of referrals, evaluation considerations, eligibility determinations, and compliance expectations for schools. Also covered: the evolving role of artificial intelligence in education and college admissions, with practical insights to support decision making and effective implementation in schools and districts.

Ideal for: Student Service Administrators, School Counselors, 504 Coordinators