2006 BIENNIAL CONFERENCE - NEW ORLEANS, LA
The 2006 conference of the National Conference of Governor's Schools will be held October 5-8 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The conference theme is Celebrating 20 Years of NCoGS: Building on Success. NCoGS is pleased and excited to visit New Orleans and do its part to help the region rebuild from the devestation wrought by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Our host in New Orleans will be the Louisiana Governor's Program for Gifted Children. Learn more about our host at http://gpgc.org. The program is dedicated to putting together this summer's program, although the hurdles to be overcome are significant. We applaud the GPGC's strong devotion to providing Louisiana's gifted population an oasis of learning in a chaotic post-hurricane landscape.
Registration
Complete the Registration Form and send by fax, mail, or email attachment. A revised version of the form is now available that includes a less expensive option for non-members who wish to attend the conference - but registration must be completed by September 8.
Book hotel reservations now! Conference rate is $125/night through September 8, so book online for speedy service.
Conference Details
Date
Thursday, October 5 - Sunday, October 8, 2006 (Columbus Day Weekend)
Accommodations
Our conference hotel is the Sheraton New Orleans at 500 Canal Street. Reservations can be made for the conference rate of $125/night (excluding taxes). Book reservations for the conference online through the Sheraton's NCoGS Conference Registration portal or contact the hotel directly at 504-525-2500 and ask for the National Conference of Governor's School rate. Our conference rate of $125/night is effective only through September 8, so book early. Use Google Maps to locate the hotel in relation to the French Quarter and other New Orleans landmarks.
Transportation
Fly into Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) and take the Airport Shuttle to the hotel. Current cost of the shuttle is $13 each way. Shuttle tickets may be purchased online or booked at the airport upon arrival. You may also take a cab, which runs approximately $28 each way.
During the conference, transportation will be on foot. The hotel and activities are located conveniently within blocks of the beautiful and historic French Quarter.
Conference Fees
Draft Conference Agenda
Thursday, October 5
3:00-5:30 PM Registration Sheraton New Orleans
3:30-5:00 PM Executive Committee Meeting Governor’s Suite
Executive Committee meetings are open to all NCoGS members. The Executive Committee consists of the Officers and Appointees from the Board of Directors.
6:00-8:00 PM Opening Reception Historic New Orleans Collection
Wine and cheese reception will feature heavy hors-d’ouvres and access to the Collection. We will walk to the HNOC from the hotel.
8:00 PM Dinner on your own French Quarter
Josh Brown, Assistant Director of the Louisiana Governor’s Program for Gifted Children and our host, offers several options for experiencing historic New Orleans. Put together a group to try out an option, or strike out on your own. Details TBA.
Friday, October 6
7:30-8:30 AM Continental Breakfast Sheraton Room TBA
8:00-8:30 AM Welcome Remarks: President Sheraton Room TBA
8:30-11:00 AM Keynote Address: Dr. Tracy Cross Sheraton Room TBA
Dr. Tracy L. Cross, George and Frances Ball Distinguished Professor of Gifted Studies, is the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies, Research and Assessment for Teachers College at Ball State University (BSU). For nine years he served BSU as the Executive Director of the Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics and Humanities, a public residential school for academically gifted adolescents. He received his graduate degrees in Educational Psychology from the University of Tennessee. Dr. Cross has published 70+ articles and book chapters, a co-authored textbook Being Gifted in School: An Introduction to Development, Guidance and Teaching, now in its second edition. He is the new editor of the Journal for the Education of the Gifted and editor emeritus of the Roeper Review, Gifted Child Quarterly, Journal of Secondary Gifted Education, Research Briefs and others. He served as president of The Association for the Gifted of the Council for Exceptional Children and is in the board of NAGC.
Dr. Cross is a long-time dedicated advocate for governor’s schools and we are truly honored he is joining us. Through the years, Dr. Cross has evaluated 20 different governor’s school programs, giving him a strong background and understanding of our programs.
11:30 AM – 12:45 PM Lunch: Understanding Roles Sheraton Room TBA
Several NCoGS members who have held different positions offer their perspective on the roles we play in governor’s school programs.
1:00-2:15 PM Breakout Sessions A & B See Room Listings
Josh Brown, Assistant Director of the Louisiana Governor’s Program for Gifted Children and our host, offers several options for experiencing historic New Orleans. Put together a group to try out an option, or strike out on your own. Details TBA.
Saturday, October 7
8:00-9:00 AM Continental Breakfast Sheraton Room TBA
9:00–10:15 AM Plenary Business Session Sheraton Room TBA
Issues to be addressed include voting on proposed amendments to the organization’s bylaws and electing officers for the upcoming term.
10:45 AM – 12:00 PM Roll Call of the States Sheraton Room TBA
Each program representative can share up to 5 minutes about successes and challenges experienced during the past summer. Be prepared to identify the number of years your individual or state’s program has existed as we celebrate our organization’s 20th anniversary.
12:30-2:00 PM Lunch: History of NCoGS Sheraton Room TBA
Celebrate the history of governor’s schools NCoGS through the eyes of those who spearheaded efforts to establish governor’s school programs and unite those program in a national conference.
2:15-2:45 PM Closing Executive Committee Meeting Governor’s Suite
Executive Committee meetings are open to all NCoGS members. The Executive Committee consists of the Officers and Appointees from the Board of Directors.
3:00-6:00 PM Insider’s Tour of New Orleans Vans
RSVP to [email protected] [email protected] to participate in a tour of New Orleans, led by Josh Brown and others who live in and around the Crescent City. This tour will entail an extra fee of no more than $10.00.
6:30 PM Dinner on your own French Quarter
Josh Brown, Assistant Director of the Louisiana Governor’s Program for Gifted Children and our host, offers several options for experiencing historic New Orleans. Put together a group to try out an option, or strike out on your own. Details TBA.
Our host in New Orleans will be the Louisiana Governor's Program for Gifted Children. Learn more about our host at http://gpgc.org. The program is dedicated to putting together this summer's program, although the hurdles to be overcome are significant. We applaud the GPGC's strong devotion to providing Louisiana's gifted population an oasis of learning in a chaotic post-hurricane landscape.
Registration
Complete the Registration Form and send by fax, mail, or email attachment. A revised version of the form is now available that includes a less expensive option for non-members who wish to attend the conference - but registration must be completed by September 8.
Book hotel reservations now! Conference rate is $125/night through September 8, so book online for speedy service.
Conference Details
Date
Thursday, October 5 - Sunday, October 8, 2006 (Columbus Day Weekend)
Accommodations
Our conference hotel is the Sheraton New Orleans at 500 Canal Street. Reservations can be made for the conference rate of $125/night (excluding taxes). Book reservations for the conference online through the Sheraton's NCoGS Conference Registration portal or contact the hotel directly at 504-525-2500 and ask for the National Conference of Governor's School rate. Our conference rate of $125/night is effective only through September 8, so book early. Use Google Maps to locate the hotel in relation to the French Quarter and other New Orleans landmarks.
Transportation
Fly into Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) and take the Airport Shuttle to the hotel. Current cost of the shuttle is $13 each way. Shuttle tickets may be purchased online or booked at the airport upon arrival. You may also take a cab, which runs approximately $28 each way.
During the conference, transportation will be on foot. The hotel and activities are located conveniently within blocks of the beautiful and historic French Quarter.
Conference Fees
- Early Registration (before September 8)
- Conference only: $150
- Conference AND NCoGS Membership: $225
- Normal Registration (starts September 9)
- Conference only: $200
- Conference AND NCoGS Membership: $235
Draft Conference Agenda
Thursday, October 5
3:00-5:30 PM Registration Sheraton New Orleans
3:30-5:00 PM Executive Committee Meeting Governor’s Suite
Executive Committee meetings are open to all NCoGS members. The Executive Committee consists of the Officers and Appointees from the Board of Directors.
6:00-8:00 PM Opening Reception Historic New Orleans Collection
Wine and cheese reception will feature heavy hors-d’ouvres and access to the Collection. We will walk to the HNOC from the hotel.
8:00 PM Dinner on your own French Quarter
Josh Brown, Assistant Director of the Louisiana Governor’s Program for Gifted Children and our host, offers several options for experiencing historic New Orleans. Put together a group to try out an option, or strike out on your own. Details TBA.
Friday, October 6
7:30-8:30 AM Continental Breakfast Sheraton Room TBA
8:00-8:30 AM Welcome Remarks: President Sheraton Room TBA
8:30-11:00 AM Keynote Address: Dr. Tracy Cross Sheraton Room TBA
Dr. Tracy L. Cross, George and Frances Ball Distinguished Professor of Gifted Studies, is the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies, Research and Assessment for Teachers College at Ball State University (BSU). For nine years he served BSU as the Executive Director of the Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics and Humanities, a public residential school for academically gifted adolescents. He received his graduate degrees in Educational Psychology from the University of Tennessee. Dr. Cross has published 70+ articles and book chapters, a co-authored textbook Being Gifted in School: An Introduction to Development, Guidance and Teaching, now in its second edition. He is the new editor of the Journal for the Education of the Gifted and editor emeritus of the Roeper Review, Gifted Child Quarterly, Journal of Secondary Gifted Education, Research Briefs and others. He served as president of The Association for the Gifted of the Council for Exceptional Children and is in the board of NAGC.
Dr. Cross is a long-time dedicated advocate for governor’s schools and we are truly honored he is joining us. Through the years, Dr. Cross has evaluated 20 different governor’s school programs, giving him a strong background and understanding of our programs.
11:30 AM – 12:45 PM Lunch: Understanding Roles Sheraton Room TBA
Several NCoGS members who have held different positions offer their perspective on the roles we play in governor’s school programs.
1:00-2:15 PM Breakout Sessions A & B See Room Listings
- Session A Using Technology: Eric Sheraton Room TBA
- In a reprise of his Web development sessions during the 2005 Biennial Retreat, Eric Johnson, free-lance Web developer and historical researcher,, will offer a follow-up session that is appropriate for Web “newbies” and experienced developers alike.
- Session B Funding & PR: Heather & Karen Sheraton Rooms TBA
- Heather Bell, Director of the Kentucky Center Governor’s School for the Arts, and Karen Narkevic, Director of the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for Health Care, will lead a discussion on funding governor’s school programs –through advocacy, fundraisers, or a combination of both – and on developing and distributing positive messages throughout the state.
- Session C Building Community: Ted, Jean & Lonnie Sheraton Room TBA
- Ted Tarkow, Director of the Missouri Scholars Academy; Jean Olson, Executive Director of the Governor’s Institutes of Vermont; and Lonnie Hass, Director of the North Dakota Governor’s School, will lead a discussion on successful ways of developing that all-important sense of community among students, staff, faculty, and throughout the community of learners.
- Session D Selection Processes: Ann & Dave Sheraton Room TBA
- Ann Biggers, Arkansas Department of Education Administrator of Programs for Gifted and Talented, and Dave Welch, Missouri Department of Education Director of Gifted and Talented Programs, will offer insight and lead a discussion on the wide-ranging topic of student selection for governor’s school programs. Be prepared to share your own practices and learn from the successes – and struggles – of others.
Josh Brown, Assistant Director of the Louisiana Governor’s Program for Gifted Children and our host, offers several options for experiencing historic New Orleans. Put together a group to try out an option, or strike out on your own. Details TBA.
Saturday, October 7
8:00-9:00 AM Continental Breakfast Sheraton Room TBA
9:00–10:15 AM Plenary Business Session Sheraton Room TBA
Issues to be addressed include voting on proposed amendments to the organization’s bylaws and electing officers for the upcoming term.
10:45 AM – 12:00 PM Roll Call of the States Sheraton Room TBA
Each program representative can share up to 5 minutes about successes and challenges experienced during the past summer. Be prepared to identify the number of years your individual or state’s program has existed as we celebrate our organization’s 20th anniversary.
12:30-2:00 PM Lunch: History of NCoGS Sheraton Room TBA
Celebrate the history of governor’s schools NCoGS through the eyes of those who spearheaded efforts to establish governor’s school programs and unite those program in a national conference.
2:15-2:45 PM Closing Executive Committee Meeting Governor’s Suite
Executive Committee meetings are open to all NCoGS members. The Executive Committee consists of the Officers and Appointees from the Board of Directors.
3:00-6:00 PM Insider’s Tour of New Orleans Vans
RSVP to [email protected] [email protected] to participate in a tour of New Orleans, led by Josh Brown and others who live in and around the Crescent City. This tour will entail an extra fee of no more than $10.00.
6:30 PM Dinner on your own French Quarter
Josh Brown, Assistant Director of the Louisiana Governor’s Program for Gifted Children and our host, offers several options for experiencing historic New Orleans. Put together a group to try out an option, or strike out on your own. Details TBA.
