2017 Middle Level State Annual Conference

Nov. 10 - 11, 2017 • Embassy Suites, San Marcos

Hotel Reservations

Apply to Present at Middle level Conference 2017

Conference Registration Opens September 1, 2017

 

2016 Middle Level State Annual Conference

Nov. 4 - 5, 2016 • Embassy Suites, San Marcos

View the 2016 Program

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.

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

Join middle level leaders and advisors from across Texas at the 2016 Middle level Annual Conference, November 4 and 5, 2016, at the San Marcos Embassy Suites and Conference Center. Conference check-in will be Friday, November 4, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The opening general assembly begins at 7:30 p.m. The event will conclude by 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 5.

• Enjoy motivational general sessions presented by nationally recognized speakers 
• Learn in breakouts and discussion groups led by outstanding leaders and advisors from across Texas 
• Network with other student council and NJHS advisors 
• View opportunities for community service and leadership resources at exhibit
• Walk away with ideas for a successful year
• Advisor training
• Exhibits
• Activities and games
• Workshops presented by leadership consultants
• Ideas you can use immediately provided by other middle level councils

Invite NJHS advisers to attend with you!

Kevin Laue will keynote at the 2016 Middle Level Workshop

Nearly seven-feet-tall with flaming red hair, Kevin Laue commands attention simply by walking on stage. His story, however, never fails to hold that attention for audiences of all ages. The first player missing a limb to play NCAA Division 1 basketball, he overcame the early death of his father, a challenging home environment, and a legion of critics to become one of the top high school basketball players in his home state of California while earning a scholarship to join the Manhattan College Jaspers. Employing a mixture of humor, audience participation, and a uniquely strong delivery, he tells the story of a life so extraordinary, it was chronicled in the Oscar-qualifying documentary Long Shot. The Kevin Laue Story. His own inspirational journey is used as a jumping off point to examine the challenges faced by others every day, and his triumphs help audiences see their own problems in a new light. He shares his story to help change attitudes and perspectives of youth audiences. 

Registration: $55 per person (advisors and students)  if registered by October 14.
A conference t-shirt is provided for those who register by October 14.
$60 per person (advisors and students) for registration after October 14 and onsite.

Online registration will close Friday, 10/28. After that you may register onsite. A request for a refund may be submitted in writing by October 14. The TASC Board of Directors has a no-refund policy after October 14. Registration for this conference obligates you for payment unless you cancel in writing by October 14.

The deadline for room reservations at conference rates at the Embassy Suites is October 14.

QUICK LINKS:

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

Conference Highlights:

Students may attend a 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 4, 2016
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 5, 2016
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 $55 per student or advisor attending for registrations postmarked on or before October 22. If you have a question, contact lori@tassp.org
  • Pre-Registration and Refund Deadline is October 14: 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 14 postmarked deadline is $60. Conference T-shirts are NOT provided for registration after October 14 deadline.
  • Onsite registration fee is $60. Conference t-shirts are NOT provided for those who register onsite.
  • Cancellation Policy: PRE-REGISTRATION AND REFUND DEADLINE IS OCTOBER 14. TASC has a no refund policy for cancellations after October 14.
  • 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 $138 for a King Non-Smoking Suite and $138 for a Double Queen Non-Smoking. Room rates are quoted per night.
  • In previous years, the room block sold out early and most likely will again. Make your hotel reservations early to lock in the $138 (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 must have sleeves. Tops/dresses at any state TASC event may not be strapless or have spaghetti straps, and no undergarments can be visible.
  • Caps or hats are not to be worn when inside a building.
  • This dress code may be modified for specific events; attends will be notified by the assigned TASC designee.
  • 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.

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