ISBE School Wellness Conference

Schools often identify struggling students only after they are already failing, disengaged, or chronically absent. This session will highlight how Proviso Township High School District 209 redesigned its MTSS Early Warning System to shift from reactive interventions to weekly, preventative support for every student.


Participants will learn how the district implemented weekly BAG Reports (Behavior, Attendance, and Grades) that are shared with families and reviewed by school teams to monitor the progress of every student. Through consistent weekly data reviews, staff identify early warning signs, assign timely interventions, and track impact before students fall off track academically or disengage from school.
As a result of this system-wide approach, the district increased freshman on-track rates from 61% to 87% in one year, ranked #1 in Illinois for reduction in chronic truancy, and #5 statewide for reductions in chronic absenteeism. This session will walk participants through the structures, routines, and leadership decisions that made these gains possible—without adding unsustainable workload to staff.


Attendees will leave with a replicable framework for implementing weekly early warning systems, sample protocols for data review meetings, strategies for engaging families through transparent communication, and guidance on aligning MTSS practices with student wellness and prevention goals.

This presentation focuses on the art of de-escalation within an educational environment, emphasizing that these skills are universal across all interpersonal interactions. The session transitions from foundational theory, such as remaining calm and setting boundaries, to specific, high-stress scenarios involving both students and colleagues. By prioritizing empathy, non-threatening communication, and the "power of the pause," the training aims to equip staff with practical tools to maintain professionalism and preserve dignity during conflict. Ultimately, the presentation frames de-escalation not just as a safety measure, but as a critical transferable skill for building a culture of trust and emotional regulation across the entire school community.

Self-worth is crucial for overall mental health. You will learn how to evaluate the impact of self-worth on your life, your students' lives, and apply strategies for improvement. You will gain insights into best practices, action research, and evidence-based learning that can be implemented for you and your students. This presentation will help you understand the importance of self-worth and how it can benefit both you and your students. It will provide practical strategies and techniques that can be applied to real-life situations, creating a more positive and supportive school environment.

In this interactive session, educators will discover evidence-based wellness strategies that create healing classroom environments while preventing teacher burnout. Participants will learn applicable techniques to integrate into their daily routines—no special equipment or extensive time required.
Through hands-on practice and real classroom examples, attendees will explore:

• Simple breath work and grounding exercises to regulate stress for both teachers and students
• Trauma-informed approaches that build trust and emotional safety
• Morning and transition routines that set a positive tone without sacrificing instructional time
• Self-care strategies educators can sustain even during the busiest seasons

Participants will leave with a personalized wellness toolkit they can implement the very next day, along with concrete strategies for modeling self-regulation and resilience. Whether you're experiencing burnout or seeking to deepen your practice, this session offers compassionate, practical support for cultivating joy and balance in your professional life while nurturing student well-being.
Session Format: Interactive presentation with experiential activities, and small group discussion. 
Ideal For: K-12 educators, counselors, administrators, and support staff seeking practical wellness integration

What if your strongest Tier 3 SEL supports didn’t come from a new program but from the people already in your building? This session explores how Hadley Junior High strengthened MTSS-B by starting small, building relationships, and embedding SEL supports into existing systems.


Participants will learn practical strategies such as affective statements, restorative circles, mentor programs, and creative PBIS practices that prioritize connection without overwhelming staff. Walk away with a simple What–Who–How framework and actionable ideas to ensure every student has someone in their corner.