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MERCY EDUCATION

CONFERENCEPhiladelphia, PA

October 11-13, 2018Hosted by Merion Mercy Academy

2018

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1 1 12:00 - 1:00 pm Lunch with Administrators

1:00 - 5:00 pmMeeting for School Administrators

4:00 - 7:00 pm Registration Opens at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Philadelphia-Valley Forge

THU

12 7:30 - 8:30 amBreakfast and Registration

8:30 - 9:30 am Welcoming Remarks and Opening Prayer

9:45 - 11:45 am Keynote Address: Amie Konwinski from Smart Girl Society “Educating the iGen”

11:45 am Announcements and Door Prizes

12:00 - 1:00 pm Lunch

1:00 - 2:30 pm Amie Konwinski and Panel of School Counselors

2:45 - 3:45 pm Breakout session by specialty/department/area of expertise

OPTIONAL NIGHT OUT ACTIVITIES

FRI

13 7:30 - 8:30 amBreakfast

8:30 - 9:00 am Prayer and Announcements

9:00 - 11:00 am Keynote Address: Sr. Janet Ruffing, RSM on Spirituality

11:00 - 11:20 am Announcements and Door Prizes

11:30 - 12:30 pm Lunch

12:30 - 2:00 pm Small-group discussions and large-group sharing

3:00 pm Depart for Merion Mercy Academy

4:00 - 9:00 pmMass at Sisters of Mercy Chapel, followed by entertainment, cocktails, tours, and dinner

SAT

ADMINISTRATOR MEETING

EDUCATION CONFERENCE

Amie is the founder and CEO for Smart Girl Society. Her life journey led her from a tumultuous childhood and teenage displacement, to joining the U.S. Navy at just 17-years-old. Serving as a Data Processor for five years on active duty, Amie was stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and on the U.S.S. Shenandoah (AD-44), docked out of Norfolk, Virginia.

After an honorable discharge from active duty, Amie joined the reserves to complete another nine years of service and became a Company Commander and highly decorated Chief Petty Officer (ITC) by the age of 29. In the civilian world, Amie began her Computer Engineering career at Sterling Software (now Northrop Grumman), where she met her husband, Roger, and attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha to earn her Bachelor’s Degree in Communications.

After the birth of their second daughter, Amie traded-in her computer tools for diapers, marketing materials, volunteering, and had three more daughters in six-years (Yes, that makes five daughters). Amie, Roger, and their three youngest live in Omaha, Nebraska. Daughter #1 graduated from NYU and continues to live in the Big Apple, while #2 is a student at her parent’s alma mater, UNO.

As an avid traveler, National Park lover, and wanderlust sufferer, Amie has adventured in 49 states and hopped the pond nine times. In her free-time she enjoys Sudoku, reading, and napping.

Amie Konwinski

F o u n d e r a n d C h i e f E x e c u t i v e O f f i c e r ,

S m a r t G i r l S o c i e t y

Keynote Speaker

Kristin Fromal is the School Counselor at Gwynedd Mercy Academy Elementary (K-8). The school counseling position was new to Gwynedd Mercy Academy when she began, and she developed a new school counseling program based on the ASCA model while ensuring that it is firmly rooted in Mercy. Prior to her position at GMA she was a school counselor in the School District of Philadelphia at Warren G. Harding Middle School and Thomas Creighton Elementary. Before becoming a school counselor, Kristin worked as a litigation attorney. Kristin hold’s a B.A. from Duke University, J.D. and M.S.W. from the University of Pennsylvania, and school counselor certification from Gwynedd Mercy University. Kristin is an adjunct instructor in counseling at Gwynedd Mercy University, and has taught courses in Intervention Techniques, College and Career Readiness, and Practicum/Professional Seminar.

Panel of School Counselors

Kristin Fromal

Kathleen Ketofsky joined Mount Saint Mary Academy, Watchung, NJ, in 2015 as the Student Assistance Counselor. She has a BA in Psychology from Drew University and a Master’s in Social Work from Rutgers. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 25 years of clinical practice specializing in adolescents, families, and substance abuse. Kathleen has been a Student Assistance Counselor in schools for the last 16 years and maintains a private practice in Somerset and Middlesex counties in New Jersey. She is the Co-Chair of the Association of Student Assistance Coordinators in Somerset County, has presented at the NJAIS conference on depression and anxiety, and has led numerous workshops in the field of mental health and crisis management. The proud mother of an adult son and daughter, Kathleen is also a passionate equestrian and animal lover.Kathleen Ketofsky

Mary Terese Lopata is in her 26th year as the school social worker at Mercy Career & Technical High School in Philadelphia, PA. “M.T.”, as she likes to be called, is a graduate of West Chester University and Temple University. She received her clinical social work license in September 2006. At Mercy, M.T. provides information and referral to students and their families, performs home visits as needed, coordinates the Student Assistance Program, teaches a freshmen course on “handling life in a healthy manner” and is a member of the school’s Institute for Excellence & Ethics leadership team. She attends many professional trainings addressing trauma that may affect students’ school success. M.T. is an Associate in Mercy. She recently completed Penn State’s Master Gardener’s program and is exploring horticultural therapy with students experiencing anxiety.Mar y Terese Lopata

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Originally from California, Professor Ruffing, a Sister of Mercy, is Professor in the Practice of Spirituality and Ministerial Leadership at Yale Divinity School. She received her B.A. from Russel College, her M.A. from the University of San Francisco, an S.T.L. from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, California, and her PhD in Christian Spirituality from the Graduate Theological Union. She has published five books and numerous articles on spiritual direction and supervision, mercy spirituality, female religious life and leadership, kataphatic mysticism, prayer, and other technical topics in spirituality. She has lectured or given workshops in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, the UK, Ireland, India, Thailand, the Philippines, Korea, Hong Kong and Macau. She was a founding member of Spiritual Directors International and is past president of The Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality. She has also chaired the mysticism group in the AAR, been an associate editor for The Way, and on the Editorial Board for Presence. She has experience in teaching religion and English in secondary schools, in the formation of spiritual directors, permanent deacons, and women religious.

Sr. Janet Ruffing

P r o f e s s o r i n t h e P r a c t i c e o f S p i r i t u a l i t y a n d

M i n i s t e r i a l L e a d e r s h i p , Y a l e D i v i n i t y S c h o o l

Keynote Speaker

Optional Night Out ActivitiesFRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2018 - Transportation will be provided to and from the Double Tree; times will be posted closer to the event. All three options are easily accessed from the hotel, although walking is not recommended as the highway is quite busy. The cost of transportation will be $5.00 per person.

VALLEY FORGE CASINO

KING OF PRUSSIA MALL

TOWN CENTER, KING OF PRUSSIA

Compared to some of the other Pennsylvania casinos, where

there is little, if anything, happening outside of the casino

itself, at Valley Forge Casino Resort, it seems like there is never a dull moment. Guests

can enjoy Karaoke Fridays with Cisco Kid between 9 p.m. and 1

a.m. at the Valley Tavern.

At King of Prussia, you’ll find offerings for every taste and budget, from luxury to your

favorite national and interna-tional brand retailers. A delec-table selection of international dining options are available at three unique food courts and in casual and sit down restau-

rants including Seasons 52, Maggiano’s Little Italy, Sullivan’s

Steakhouse, Cantina Laredo, Legal Sea Foods, and more.

King of Prussia Town Center is an upscale retail center. It serves as the region’s new downtown where outdoor

shopping, dining, and enter-tainment converge. Major

retailers including Nordstrom Rack, Ulta, REI and LA Fitness

surround a vibrant Main Street lined with a robust mix of de-

sirable dining, retail and service providers.

1160 1ST AVENUE, KING OF PRUSSIA, PA, 19406

160 N. GULPH RD, KING OF PRUSSIA, PA 19406

155 VILLAGE DRIVE, KING OF PRUSSIA 19406

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Hotel ReservationsDoubleTree by Hilton-Philadelphia-Valley Forge301 W. DeKalb Pike, King of Prussia, PA 19406

Individual attendees should make reservations directly with the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel.Phone Number: 610-337-1200Group Name: Mercy Education System of the AmericasGroup Code: MERRoom Rate: $134.00 Double-Queen/Queen

ALL RESERVATIONS may also be made online-CLICK HERE.• Complimentary parking is available for overnight guests and upon availability for local guests.• Com plimentary shuttle service is offered to area attractions within a five-mile radius of hotel. Attendees will have to make their

own arrangements for a shuttle from the Philadelphia International Airport.• Complimentary wireless internet is accessible in guest suites and meeting spaces.• Here are directions to the hotel and amenities and services.• The hotel reservation rate cut-off date is Tuesday, September 18, 2018.

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION• Please complete registration online and mail check to Kimberly Baxter.• Link for online registration is: https://fs17.formsite.com/mesa/form34/index.html.• The registration deadline is Tuesday, September 18, 2018. The registration fee will increase by $25.00 the following day.

Make checks payable to Mercy Education System of the Americas.Mailing Address:Kimberly BaxterAssociate Director for Programs and ServicesMercy Education System of the Americas8380 Colesville Road, Suite 560Silver Spring, MD 20910

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511 Montgomery AvenueMerion Station, PA 19066

Merion Mercy Academy