• Connecting for Students

      About the Summit

      • Norfolk Public Schools’ Department of Learning Support - Special Education Services is hosting the 2023 Connecting for Students Community Summit to provide an engaging, supportive experience that promotes learning without limits for students and embodies NPS’ Continuing the Drive for 5 initiative. The summit will serve as a platform for families and educators to connect and collaborate. We want to create an opportunity to strengthen the community and school connection by giving families and staff the necessary tools and information to create an inclusive and equitable learning environment in which all students can thrive.

        August 3, 2023
        Lake Taylor High School
        1384 Kempsville Rd, Norfolk, VA 23502

        2022 Equity and Excellence Conference Video

         
         

        Keynote Speakers

         

        Principal Kafele

        A highly-regarded urban educator in New Jersey for over twenty years, Principal Baruti Kafele distinguished himself as a master teacher and a transformational school leader. As a principal, Baruti Kafele has led the transformation of four different schools, including Newark Tech, which went from being a low-performing school in need of improvement to being recognized by U.S. News and World Report as one of the best high schools in the United States. 

        One of the most sought-after school leadership and classroom equity presenters in America, Principal Kafele is impacting America’s schools! He has delivered over 2500 conference and program keynotes, professional development workshops, parenting seminars and student assemblies over his 36 years of public speaking. An expert in the area of “attitude transformation,” Principal Kafele is the leading authority for providing effective classroom and school leadership strategies toward closing what he coined, the "Attitude Gap.

        He is the recipient of over 150 educational, professional and community awards which include the prestigious Milken National Educator Award, the National Alliance of Black School Educators Hall of Fame Award, induction into the East Orange, New Jersey Hall of Fame, recognition as one of the World’s Top 30 Education Professionals for 2020, 2021 & 2022 by Global Gurus Top 30 and the City of Dickinson, Texas proclaiming February 8, 1998 as Baruti Kafele Day.

         

        Call for Presenters

        CCEIS Conference

        Norfolk Public Schools’ Department of Learning Support is looking for education professionals and community organziations interested in presenting at NPS’ next community summit. Potential presenters, please visit the link below to apply.
        https://whova.com/portal/registration/npsea_202308/sssdi34b

      Keynote Speakers

      • Principal Baruti Kafele

        Principal Kafele

        A highly-regarded urban educator in New Jersey for over twenty years, Principal Baruti Kafele distinguished himself as a master teacher and a transformational school leader. As a principal, Baruti Kafele has led the transformation of four different schools, including Newark Tech, which went from being a low-performing school in need of improvement to being recognized by U.S. News and World Report as one of the best high schools in the United States. 

        One of the most sought-after school leadership and classroom equity presenters in America, Principal Kafele is impacting America’s schools! He has delivered over 2500 conference and program keynotes, professional development workshops, parenting seminars and student assemblies over his 36 years of public speaking. An expert in the area of “attitude transformation,” Principal Kafele is the leading authority for providing effective classroom and school leadership strategies toward closing what he coined, the "Attitude Gap.

        He is the recipient of over 150 educational, professional and community awards which include the prestigious Milken National Educator Award, the National Alliance of Black School Educators Hall of Fame Award, induction into the East Orange, New Jersey Hall of Fame, recognition as one of the World’s Top 30 Education Professionals for 2020, 2021 & 2022 by Global Gurus Top 30 and the City of Dickinson, Texas proclaiming February 8, 1998 as Baruti Kafele Day.

      Call for Presenters

      • CCEIS Conference

        Norfolk Public Schools’ Department of Learning Support is looking for education professionals and community organizations interested in presenting at NPS’ next community summit.

        Potential presenters, please visit the link below to apply.

        https://whova.com/portal/registration/npsea_202308/sssdi34b

      Call for Exhibitors

      • CCEIS Conference

        Check back in mid April for more information.