DCSD Summer Summit 2026

Why is it that we provide feedback, yet instructional practices often remain unchanged? According to Many, Maffoni, Sparks, and Thomas in "Amplify Your Impact", the gap isn't a lack of effort—it's a lack of actionability. In this session, we will discuss how to move beyond "polite praise" and evaluative checklists. Administrators will develop Feedback Loops to spark immediate professional growth. We will explore how to ensure that teachers leave every interaction not just knowing what happened, but exactly how to improve it.

Learn how to increase your efficiency on a daily basis using Google's powerful AI tools: Gemini and NotebookLM. This introductory session will equip educators with practical strategies to quickly synthesize data, generate impactful content, and save valuable time.

A New Approach to Coaching, Teaching, and Learning

This session is meant for administrators, PLS or any teacher lead who helps facilitate team meetings. The goals of the session are to shift the culture of school performance from the individual to the team. It will focus on Amplifying the Impact of the collective over the individual with a hope to create synergy and connection. We will be discussing a Solution Tree plan of action as part of the presentation as well.

When a student is struggling with chronic absenteeism or other complex challenges, no one has to stand on the front lines alone. Join the Student Assistance Department and Health, Wellness and Prevention and our Attendance Specialist for a collaborative session that provides a clear, actionable roadmap for student success. This session will introduce you to your essential school district resource partners, including Re-Engagement Specialist for Chronic Absenteeism, Re-Engagement Specialists for Dropout Intervention, our Court Liaison, and our Attendance Specialist, who will also outline our critical community and court partners. We will outline the protocols and processes for promoting positive student attendance, student re-engagement and dropout prevention at all levels.

Principal Mentor/Mentee Meeting

Unlock the power of AI by shifting from a "tool-user" to a fluency-first mindset. This session reframes artificial intelligence as a vital disciplinary literacy, bridging the gap between historical theory and real-world application. We will trace the evolution of AI—from the logic of Statistical Language Models to the architecture of modern LLMs—demystifying how "tokens" become intelligence. Participants will sharpen high-leverage technical skills while cultivating the critical dispositions of ethical oversight and bias awareness. By integrating these core competencies, school leaders will transition from passive users to fluent navigators, ready to lead human-centered, AI-enhanced environments with strategic foresight and grounded confidence.

In this session, instructional coaches and leaders will explore key look-fors that signal strong mathematics instruction aligned to standards. Participants will examine coaching moves that help translate instructional planning into meaningful classroom practice, with a focus on supporting standards-aligned instruction, student discourse, and conceptual understanding. Through collaborative discussion and applied examples, participants will strengthen their ability to provide targeted, actionable feedback that moves instruction forward.

Refine your skills with Google's powerful AI tools: Gemini and NotebookLM. Learn about new features in these constantly evolving tools and explore advanced workflows designed to streamline planning, enhance communication, and synthesize complex information.

Kick off the 2026–27 school year with the latest updates and essential information for Postsecondary Readiness leaders. This session will provide timely guidance on current policies, processes, and best practices related to Career & Technical Education, Concurrent Enrollment, Extended Year Programming and Work-Based Learning. Leaders will gain clarity on key expectations, reporting updates, compliance requirements, and program priorities while collaborating with colleagues to strengthen pathway implementation and student opportunities across DCSD. Leaders will also engage in conversations around CTE pathway realignment and refinement to ensure programs remain responsive to student interests, industry needs, and postsecondary opportunities. Participants will leave prepared to lead with confidence and support high-quality postsecondary readiness experiences for all students.

Kindergarten Readiness Contact Training for the 26-27 school year