Who should attend the Academy?

We encourage schools to send 3-5 members of their interdisciplinary district or school wellness team to attend the Academy together. We welcome attendees with a wide range of roles within your district or school building, both administrative (e.g., assistant principal, department chair) and non-administrative (e.g., school psychologist, teacher, nurse). If you need more guidance on who to send to the Academy, please see our activity, “Constructing an Effective Leadership Team” under the WSCC Academy Resources tab on this page.

Which professional learning track should my team attend?

New this year! We are offering two simultaneous professional learning tracks at the 2024 WSCC Academy. When registering for the Academy, teams will indicate the track they will attend:

Introductory Track – This track is for teams who want to learn more about the WSCC model and begin exploring alignment between their practices and the model OR teams who are familiar with the WSCC model and want to begin working to strengthen their WSCC-aligned practices. At the Academy, attendees of the Introductory Track will:

• Increase their knowledge about the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model.
• Use the WSCC Practice Blueprint, an action-planning tool, to evaluate practices in their own district/school and develop a strategy to strengthen their district/school’s practices.

Intermediate/Advanced Track – This track is for teams who are actively engaged in strengthening their WSCC-aligned practices and want to enhance that work OR teams who are confident in the strength of their WSCC-aligned practices and want to plan for sustained implementation. At the Academy, attendees of the Intermediate/Advanced Track will:

• Strengthen WSCC action plans and use tools to plan for successful implementation.
• Reflect on WSCC implementation progress-to-date.
• Learn from other teams also implementing WSCC action plans.

Teams who attended the 2023 WSCC Academy should plan to register for the Intermediate/Advanced Track.

If you have additional questions about the best track for your team, please feel free to contact Kate Williamson, Project Coordinator for the CT WSCC Partnership: ctwscc@uconn.edu.

Can I attend the Academy alone?

The Academy is designed for school teams; however, individuals who lead their district or school wellness teams are welcome to join us on their own. When time is provided for teams to work together, individuals will be able to complete the same activities and bring the work back to their setting for more input from team members after the Academy. We do not suggest that teachers hoping to implement whole child practices in their classrooms attend the WSCC Academy. Our focus will be on school- and district-level change.

Can we attend the Academy virtually?

We are excited about the interactive nature of the Academy’s activities, and we are focused on providing an engaging in-person professional learning experience for attendees. Therefore, we are not offering a virtual attendance option.

What should we do to prepare for the Academy?

No advance preparation is required for the Academy. Attendees are invited to explore the WSCC Academy Resources tab on this page to learn more about the WSCC Model and our WSCC tools.

What should we bring with us to the Academy?

All attendees should bring a device to access digital copies of Academy materials and their district or school’s digital resources (e.g., website, student handbook, wellness policy). All attendees should also bring materials to take their own notes as needed. Attendees of the Intermediate/Advanced professional learning track should bring or have digital access to materials related to their ongoing WSCC work (e.g., completed assessments, action plans, etc.). Wireless internet access will be available to attendees. Please see below for information about lunch during the Academy.

Will we be able to receive support after the Academy?

Yes, teams who attend the Academy will have access to follow-up support from the CT WSCC Partnership as they work to bring their work back to their districts/schools. Additional details will be shared at the Academy.

What does the Academy cost?

The Academy is offered at no cost to districts and schools. There is no registration fee and materials will be provided free of charge.

Where is the Academy being held?

The Academy is being held at the UConn Hartford Times Building (10 Prospect Street, Hartford, 06103). The main entrance to the building is located on Front Street (18 Front Street). Please use the doors directly across from the Barnes & Noble.

Where do I park for the Academy and how much does it cost?

Parking will be fully validated for attendees who park in the Convention Center Garage (100 Columbus Boulevard; see parking instructions). The Convention Center Garage is a short walk from the UConn Hartford Times Building. Please bring your parking ticket with you to the Academy to be validated (do not leave it in your car). Attendees are welcome to find on-street parking or to utilize other garages in the area, but we are not able to provide parking validation for those sites.

What should we do for lunch?

There will be an hour-long lunch break during the Academy. Attendees can leave the Times Building to eat lunch nearby. There are a few restaurants near the Times Building (Bear’s Barbecue and Plan b Burger Bar, among others) and there is a full-service cafeteria located a few blocks away (Hartford Steam Boiler at One State Street). Attendees are also welcome to bring their own lunch and eat in the Times Building’s atrium or courtyard.

Who do I contact to discuss accommodations for the Academy?

We are committed to hosting an inclusive event. If you might need accommodations to fully participate in the Academy, please contact Kate Williamson, Project Coordinator for the CT WSCC Partnership:  ctwscc@uconn.edu.

How can I share information about the Academy with others?

Please feel free to spread the word about the Academy! Here is a flyer you can share!

Who can I contact with additional questions?

Please feel free to contact Kate Williamson, Project Coordinator for the CT WSCC Partnership, with any additional questions:  ctwscc@uconn.edu.