Thursday, October 29, 2026

Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel, Marlborough, MA

• 8:30-9:00  Registration Check-In

• 9:00-9:15  Opening Welcome

• 9:15-10:00  Chronic Absenteeism is Hard but Addressable Problem: Findings from Surveys of School Prinicipals, Robert Balfanz, PhD

• 10:00-10:10 Initiative Overview & Breakout Session Preview

• 10:10-10:20 Break and Transition Time

• 10:20-10:50 Breakout Session Round 1 (select 1 session)

A. Implementation Structures: Leveraging Teams and Data for Action (Princess Room)

B. Finding the Why: Using Root Cause Analysis and Student Voice to Inform Solutions (Corporate Room)

C. Belonging and Connection: The Power of Relationships and School Climate (Duchess Room)

• 10:50-11:00 Transition Time

• 11:00-11:00 Breakout Session Round 2 (select a 2nd session)

A. Implementation Structures: Leveraging Teams and Data for Action (Princess Room)

B. Finding the Why: Using Root Cause Analysis and Student Voice to Inform Solutions (Corporate Room)

C. Belonging and Connection: The Power of Relationships and School Climate (Duchess Room)

• 11:30-11:45 School Practice Self-Assessment

• 11:45-12:45 Lunch (on your own - find local food options here) 

• 12:45-1:00 Afternoon Introduction, Patrick Tutwiler, PhD

• 1:00-1:30 Beyond the Roster: Reimagining the Architecture of Belonging, D'Annette Mullen, PhD

• 1:30-2:40 Moving from Learning to Action: School Team Strategy 

• 2:40-3:00 Commitments & Closing; Evaluation