| April
Is Convention Time!
This month we are looking forward to visiting with many PELINKS4U
readers at the AAHPERD Convention in Chicago. PELINKS4U can be found
at booth #645 in the Convention Exhibit Hall. If you are planning
to be in Chicago, please stop by to meet Rhonda and Ardath, and
pick up a few PELINKS4U promotional items. Some of our booth attractions
include the following:
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No Child Left on Their Behind pins,
t-shirts, and polos |
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NASPE Forum frisbees (free) |
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No Child Left on Their Behind chocolates (Not
nutritious we know, but for moments of low energy!) |
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PELINKS4U post-its |
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PELINKS4U clip boards printed with the NASPE
National PE Standards |
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Bring a business card for a laminated luggage
label |
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Videos with Don Hellison, George Graham, Bob
Pangrazi, Chuck Corbin and many other renowned PE personalities |
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Daily drawings for some of the above
items! |
I'm especially excited that, as a result of some dedicated fund
raising, close to 20 of our pre-service students will also be attending.
If you've never been to an AAHPERD Convention, and can't go this
year, it's definitely something to put on a future (before-I-retire)
"to do" list.
While you will likely pick up many new ideas, the best part of
the convention are the friendships made, and conversations shared,
with colleagues from around the country. A few days spent with several
thousand like-minded individuals does wonders for one's motivation.
If Chicago will be your first convention the experience can also
be a bit overwhelming. Here are some "conventioneering"
hints:
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Plan
out your daily schedule ahead of time. See our "News"
section for a link to the full AAHPERD program. Because many
events occur simultaneously, but in different locations, you
need to have a daily plan and allow travel time. |
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If you teach public school PE don't miss the
NASPE hosted sessions.
Thursday and Friday are key NASPE days! |
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Get to sessions early, and have a back-up plan.
Popular presenters, and certain topics, often fill rooms. Have
an alternative ready in case you can't get into a session, or
if you discover the session you are in is not what you expected.
It is okay to leave a session early, but less distracting if
you are sitting towards the back! |
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Schedule plenty of time to visit the Exhibit
Hall. Getting around to several hundred exhibitors takes time.
Also, be sure to plan space in your suitcase for items you will
be given, or purchase. |
If scheduling and/or funding prevents you from being in Chicago,
do consider attending this upcoming spring, summer, and fall professional
workshops. For teachers in WA State, we are hosting a PEAK
(Physical Education Activity Kaleidoscope) workshop April 30th featuring
Don Hellison. In the fall, most states host their annual conventions
- great opportunities to meet colleagues and get updated on the
latest trends. If you aren't sure of the dates check the workshop
calendar on this web site, or through your state AHPERD.
Finally, do remember that the primary purpose of our monthly PELINKS4U
is to share new ideas and insights with colleagues. We depend on
YOU for input. If you are presenting at AAHPERD or a local workshop,
or find yourself listening to a good presentation, take some time
to write up a short report we can share with readers. You can contact
us at pelinks@pelinks4u.org.
We look forward to seeing some of you in Chicago, then sharing
a convention report in the May edition of PELINKS4U.
Best wishes for a great spring.
Stephen C. Jefferies, Publisher
PELINKS4U
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