Empowering Leaders' Symposium 2026: Full Schedule

Welcome to the Henrico County Public Schools 2026 Empowering Leaders Symposium

You will be able to validate your attendance (Check-In to sessions) using your personal schedule.

10:15am EDT

ParentSquare: from basics to big ideas (New Leader- Required)

Monday June 1, 2026 10:15am - 11:30am EDT

From simple posts and alerts to scheduling conferences and sending secure documents, ParentSquare is your school communication hub. Session participants will learn tips and strategies they can use immediately to streamline their communication process and make their messages more engaging. This is a “must see" for new administrators and anyone interested in previewing new features and taking their skills to the next level.

Speakers

Eileen Cox

Chief of Communications, Henrico County Public Schools

Larry Willis

Media Services

Monday June 1, 2026 10:15am - 11:30am EDT
Community Room

Learning Environment, Recommended/Required (New)

12:30pm EDT

ParentSquare: from basics to big ideas (New Leader- Required)

Monday June 1, 2026 12:30pm - 1:45pm EDT

Community Room

Speakers

Eileen Cox

Chief of Communications, Henrico County Public Schools

Larry Willis

Media Services

Monday June 1, 2026 12:30pm - 1:45pm EDT
Community Room

Learning Environment, Recommended/Required (New)

1:55pm EDT

Rooted to Remain: Cultivating Success in Early-Career Teachers

Monday June 1, 2026 1:55pm - 3:10pm EDT

Community Room

Do you remember the highs and lows of your first years as a teacher? Now, couple that with higher mental health issues of young people, social media drama, and navigating the vast number of resources in HCPS, our early-career teachers often overcommit and feel overwhelmed, stressed out, and burned out. How can we teach them to go from drowning to riding the wave? Come to this session to learn tailored supports and intentional techniques that help early-career teachers to become "rooted to remain."

Presentation link: tinyurl.com/25ELSnewteachers

Speakers

Sarah Morris-Slaughter

Educational Specialist of Professional Learning and Leadership, Henrico County Public Schools

Dr. Sarah Morris Slaughter's purpose and passion is helping people to serve others (i.e. students, teachers, admininistrators, educators, colleagues) from an authentic place through the vehicle of professional learning. She has served in numerous capacities to include a middle school... Read More →

Monday June 1, 2026 1:55pm - 3:10pm EDT
Community Room

Recruit Engage Retain Reward Staff, Choice for all leaders

3:20pm EDT

How to Work with Almost Anyone

Monday June 1, 2026 3:20pm - 4:35pm EDT

Community Room

Working relationships are critical to your success and happiness. Having safe, vital, and repairable are the hallmarks of a flourishing and resilient working relationship. Learn how to work more efficiently with your teams by facilitating a Keystone Conversation before you jump into the work you do!

Speakers

Jenn Coleman

Professional Learning and Leadership Specialist, Henrico County

PLL Coordinator

Taren Meekins

Coordinator, Professional Learning and Leadership, HCPS Professional Learning and Leadership

Monday June 1, 2026 3:20pm - 4:35pm EDT
Community Room

Recruit Engage Retain Reward Staff, Choice for all leaders

10:15am EDT

Partnership in Practice: Strengthening the Relationship Between School Resource Officers and School Leaders (Elementary) - REQUIRED

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:15am - 11:30am EDT

Community Room

PRESENTATION LINK
Join the Director of Safety and the Assistant Chief of Police for this timely and essential session focused on building strong, collaborative relationships between School Resource Officers (SROs) and school administrators. Together, we'll explore best practices, clarify roles and responsibilities, and discuss proactive strategies for maintaining safe, supportive learning environments. This engaging session replaces the previously scheduled full-day training in August—meaning one less summer commitment! Attendance is required for all school leaders, and we’re confident you’ll find this time well spent. Come prepared to learn, reflect, and strengthen your school’s approach to safety through effective partnership.

Speakers

John Casullo & Assistant Chief Bob Wershbale

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:15am - 11:30am EDT
Community Room

Learning Environment, Required

12:30pm EDT

Partnership in Practice: Strengthening the Relationship Between School Resource Officers and School Leaders (Secondary) - REQUIRED

Tuesday June 2, 2026 12:30pm - 1:45pm EDT

Community Room

Speakers

John Casullo & Assistant Chief Bob Wershbale

Tuesday June 2, 2026 12:30pm - 1:45pm EDT
Community Room

Learning Environment, Required

1:55pm EDT

Partnership in Practice: Strengthening the Relationship Between School Resource Officers and School Leaders (Elementary)- REQUIRED

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:55pm - 3:10pm EDT

Community Room

PRESENTATION LINK

Join the Director of Safety and the Assistant Chief of Police for this timely and essential session focused on building strong, collaborative relationships between School Resource Officers (SROs) and school administrators. Together, we'll explore best practices, clarify roles and responsibilities, and discuss proactive strategies for maintaining safe, supportive learning environments. This engaging session replaces the previously scheduled full-day training in August—meaning one less summer commitment! Attendance is required for all school leaders, and we’re confident you’ll find this time well spent. Come prepared to learn, reflect, and strengthen your school’s approach to safety through effective partnership.

Speakers

John Casullo & Assistant Chief Bob Wershbale

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:55pm - 3:10pm EDT
Community Room

Learning Environment, Required

3:20pm EDT

Partnership in Practice: Strengthening the Relationship Between School Resource Officers and School Leaders (Secondary)- REQUIRED

Tuesday June 2, 2026 3:20pm - 4:35pm EDT

Community Room

PRESENTATION LINK

Join the Director of Safety and the Assistant Chief of Police for this timely and essential session focused on building strong, collaborative relationships between School Resource Officers (SROs) and school administrators. Together, we'll explore best practices, clarify roles and responsibilities, and discuss proactive strategies for maintaining safe, supportive learning environments. This engaging session replaces the previously scheduled full-day training in August—meaning one less summer commitment! Attendance is required for all school leaders, and we’re confident you’ll find this time well spent. Come prepared to learn, reflect, and strengthen your school’s approach to safety through effective partnership.

Speakers

John Casullo & Assistant Chief Bob Wershbale

Tuesday June 2, 2026 3:20pm - 4:35pm EDT
Community Room

Learning Environment, Required

10:15am EDT

Threat Assessment Training- REQUIRED

Wednesday June 3, 2026 10:15am - 11:30am EDT

Community Room

Threat Assessment training for returning TAT leaders. (Additional training sessions will be provided at a future time for new TAT leaders.)
Link to presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1kLy6OeD_zoPkrIzSXqSo7R3RhlimN03YCVeWhBMbEEs/edit?usp=sharing

Speakers