Don’t Laugh At Me Conference Scheduled for February

The first regional Don’t Laugh At Me Conference will be held in Columbus, Ohio, on February 2 and 3, 2001. The conference will provide training for teams of elementary and middle school principals, teachers, and counselors who will implement the Don’t Laugh At Me curriculum in their schools.

The Don’t Laugh At Me program was inspired by NAESP’s members when they first heard the song of the same name performed by Peter Paul and Mary at the 1999 National Convention. Peter Yarrow of Peter Paul and Mary has since collaborated with nationally recognized experts in conflict resolution to translate the message of that song into a dynamic, tolerance-based curriculum for elementary and middle school students. The Don’t Laugh At Me school programs are designed to help teachers and students create a respectful, compassionate, and ridicule-free environment that nurtures both the emotional, social, and academic growth of students.

 Don’t Laugh At Me curriculum kits are available to NAESP members, at no charge, through the National Principals Academy. Request forms are found in the Members Only section of Principal online at www.naesp.org. The conference fee of $125 includes the Don’t Laugh At Me kit, two breakfasts, one lunch, and a Peter Yarrow concert. This conference will be limited to the first 250 people registered. To register, contact the Foundation to Advance Childhood Education at (614) 430-8590.