2018 Middle Level State Annual Conference

Nov. 9 - 10, 2018 • Embassy Suites, San Marcos
2018 Hotel Reservation

NEW! View the Full Program

Middle Level Annual Conference for TASC and NJHS
Middle level students are ready to take on the challenge of leadership and service, and you can give them that voice and ownership in their schools. Both students and advisors benefit from speakers and sessions designed specifically for middle school students. Students will leave inspired and prepared. Advisors will profit from training and the web of support offered at the conference. The entire conference including housing for the 900 attendees is in the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center in San Marcos November 9 and 10, 2018. Registration for the 2018 ML Annual Conference opens in August.

Middle Level student council and NJHS leaders and advisors hear nationally known speakers, gain training from experts, and share ideas with peers. The one night conference is held in San Marcos; many schools take advantage of nearby colleges and landmarks (history and government) before or after the event. Build your ML program by sending your students and advisors.

Keynote speakers:

Kyle Willkom:  You will smile and laugh while learning from this positive, fun, engaging speaker.

David Edward Garcia:  David motivates students and educators through laughter.

For Student Council, NJHS, and other ML Leadership Group members and advisors (Grades 5-8)

Invite NJHS advisers to attend with you!

Registration: $60 per person (advisors and students)  if registered by October 23.
A conference t-shirt is provided for those who register by October 23.
$65 per person (advisors and students) for registration after October 23 and onsite.

Early Bird registration will close October 23. After that you may still register online but will not be able to order t-shirts and will pay a slightly higher fee. A request for a refund or a cancellation may be submitted in writing by October 23. The TASC Board of Directors has a no-refund/no cancellation policy after October 23, the date on which early bird registration ends.. Registration for this conference obligates you for payment for all delegates registered unless you cancel in writing by October 23.  You may substitute an attendee.  Send requests to Lori DeLeon. 

The deadline for room reservations at conference rates at the Embassy Suites is October 26.

QUICK LINKS:

• Registration »    If you have difficulty registering, please contact Lori De Leon (email: [email protected]; phone:  512-443-2100 ext. 8520).  If dues have not been paid yet, she can open up registration for you.
• Hotel Block Reservation »
  
• Apply to Present at Middle Level Conference »   High School Councils that present are not asked to register for the conference.
• Advisor Recognition Online Form »
• 2019 Conference Coordinator Application »
• Exhibit at the Middle Level Conference »
• Service Project at the Conference:  Please contribute items to this project.
• • Tips for Advisors »
  • Notes for Advisors Regarding the Conference »
  • Restaurant Guide (includes restaurants that deliver) and nearby Medical facilities »
  • Letter from the Embassy Suites »
  • About San Marcos »
• Consider a side trip to the capitol and Bullock State History Museum in Austin, to Texas State University, or to nearby Wonder World Park in San Marcos.

San Marcos Embassy Suites and Conference Center: 1001 East McCarty Lane, San Marcos | Ph: (512) 392-6450

Conference Highlights:

Students may attend concurrent sessions and discussion groups designed to develop leadership skills as well as school and community engagement presented by outstanding high school and middle level student councils and chapters as well as a social (dance or movie).

Advisors may attend training specific to the middle level advisor. Interested high school and middle level councils and chapters may apply to present.

Conference Schedule (Tentative):

Friday, November 9, 2018
3:30 - 7:30 Registration/Exhibits/Bookstore
6:30 - 7:15 Advisors Meeting with Hotel Staff and TASC Director
7:30 - 9:00 Opening General Session
9:30 - 11:45 Dance or Movie (All advisors are expected to chaperone.)

Saturday, November 10, 2018
8:00 - 9:00 Registration
8:00 - 2:30 Exhibits/Bookstore
9:00 - 11:15 Advisor and Student Sessions
11:15 - 12:45 Lunch on your own
12:50 - 2:30 Advisor and Student Sessions
2:30 - 4:00 Closing General Session

Delegation/Registration:

• The conference registration fee is $60 per student or advisor attending for registrations postmarked on or before October TBD. If you have a question, contact [email protected]
• Pre-Registration and Refund Deadline is October 23: As a bonus for registering early, T-shirts are provided to schools whose registration is received by the pre-registration deadline.
• Late Registration after the October 23 deadline is $65. Conference T-shirts are NOT provided for registration after deadline.
• Onsite registration fee is $TBD. Conference t-shirts are NOT provided for those who register onsite.
• Student delegation size: unlimited.

Conference Hotel: Embassy Suites

• Reservations may be made by calling either the hotel directly at 512-392-6450 by using the link to reservations. Individuals must identify themselves as being with the TASC Middle level Conference organization at the time the reservation is made in order to receive the group rate. The conference rate is $154 for a King Non-Smoking Suite and $TBD for a Double Queen Non-Smoking. Room rates are quoted per night. (Those rates include breakfast each day and a snack time with soft drinks and food each afternoon.)  All rooms are suites with sofa beds.  TASC registrants in the block are NOT charged for parking.
• In previous years, the room block sold out early and most likely will again. Make your hotel reservations early to lock in the $154 (plus tax) price. TASC will secure special rates at nearby hotels if needed. NOTE: Transportation from overflow hotels to the Embassy Suites Conference Center is not available.
• Please note that the Embassy Suites at San Marcos offers suites. There are suites with two queen sized beds and a sofa bed as well as suites with one king sized bed and a sofa bed. Breakfast is included in the price of the hotel room. There is a breakfast area that seats over 200; students may also take breakfast back to their rooms.
• All rooms contain a refrigerator and a microwave. Caffeina (the hotel restaurant) will be stocked with extra fast food sandwiches, chips, and sodas during peak lunch times.
• There is no fee for parking, and the parking lot accommodates buses easily. The hotel houses a heated pool, a fitness room, and a spa.
• There are numerous fast food restaurants in the area, and the Outlet Mall is a five to seven minute drive from the hotel. There are free shuttles to and from the Outlet Mall, but they are not sufficient for travel at lunch.
• Please take your tax exempt form for the school exemption for hotel tax. It is helpful to take a copy of your rooming list with you.
• Please review the dress code with your students. (No shorts, hats, or tops without sleeves-see below.)
• Extend your trip by visiting nearby Austin or San Antonio to reinforce your students' study of Texas history or visiting any one of the nearby colleges. There are also caverns, a wildlife park near New Braunfels as well as an environmental study area at Aquarena Springs at Texas State.

Advisor Responsibilities: It is extremely important that all advisors accept full responsibility for their groups. TASC will not chaperone individual students and rooms. At least one advisor from each school attending the conference is expected to meet with TASC staff and representatives of the hotel to review the conference and hotel’s guest and security policies. This meeting will be held on Friday prior to the Opening General Session.

TASC recognizes middle level advisors for years of service to student council and in TASC. Service pins are awarded at 5 year intervals (5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years). Retiring advisors who have served as an advisor for 5 or more years are also recognized and awarded a plaque. These recognitions take place during the business meeting at the Middle Level State Conference. In order to be recognized with a service pin or retiring plaque, advisors must submit a completed recognition form which can be found under the awards tab on the TASC homepage.

Workshop Sessions: A highlight of the event is the variety of school-led workshop sessions on Saturday morning. More than 40 topics will be available for student delegates to experience.

High school or middle level schools interested in leading a discussion group at the conference should submit the 2016 ML Workshop Proposal. High school groups that present at the conference do not need to register, but they must be accompanied by an advisor and are responsible for their own travel and housing arrangements. High school groups are expected to observe curfew hours.

Dress Code: Student leaders should be very aware of the impact of personal appearance, and their grooming should be above average. Middle Level and High School Annual Conferences and District Conventions/Conferences:

TASC Dress Code Approved August, 2015.

• Jeans/pants and t-shirts are highly encouraged as the primary dress.
• Shorts are NOT permitted at TASC conferences or workshops held during the school year.
• Shorts are permitted at summer programs but must be no shorter than three inches above the TOP of the kneecap.
• Skirts/dresses are permitted at all events but must be no shorter than three inches above the TOP of the kneecap.
• All tops and dresses must have sleeves at all TASC events. 
• Caps or hats are not to be worn when inside a building. 
• This dress code may be modified for performers at TASC events.  Costumes must be approved by a conference committee.
• TASC/TASC Districts retain the right to enforce a specified dress code for events outside the TASC state calendar.
• This dress code may be modified for specific events; attendees will be notified by the assigned TASC designee.
  Policy adopted November 2015

Meals: The conference registration fee does not include any meals. However, the Embassy Suites includes a breakfast and afternoon snacks for those registered at the Embassy Suites.

Education in Action, is a proud sponsor
of the TASC Middle Level State Conference