OCTOBER 13, 2023
7:45 AM - 3:30 PM

CHARLES WRIGHT ACADEMY
7723 Chambers Creek Rd W
Tacoma, WA 98467
Directions

⬇️   (See below for virtual conference access information.)   ⬇️

Registration will take place in the Middle School Commons. Proceed there first to register, sign in for Clock Hours and/or STARS credits, gather registration materials, and then head down to the Tarrier Dome to grab coffee and breakfast and settle in for programming. 

Parking is going to be TIGHT, and we could use your help in minimizing the number of cars going to Charles Wright. The more people do their part, the more likely we will be to have everyone parked onsite, simplifying the whole attendee experience. 

Carpooling
We would like to ask that people travel to the event together in groups of three or more. Cars that have 3+ will be offered premium parking and cars with fewer people will be more likely to end up redirected to remote lots and then shuttled back.

Take the Train
Another option would be to take the Sounder. We will have a shuttle waiting for the train arriving at 7:36am at the Tacoma Dome Station. If you are planning to have a group take the train, please let me know so we can plan accordingly.  We have heard from many schools that the train provides the added bonus of time to discuss and debrief the conference with colleagues. Shuttle Instructions.

Send a Bus
We are very grateful to those of you who have arranged to travel together by bus. Buses will be able to drop people off right at registration and pick them up in the same place at the end of the day. This will feel like VIP arrival! 

If you are staying at the Marriott Tacoma Downtown, the shuttle will meet everyone just past the hotel entrance at 7:20 AM, departing at 7:30 AM. Shuttle Instructions.

Important Info for Single Occupancy Vehicles

If you are driving by yourself, you will be redirected to a remote lot and shuttled back to campus. You can save a step by going directly to the remote lots. If you are coming alone, please plan to arrive early.

Lot #1 - Chambers Bay "Caddie Lot":
Entrance at 6320 Grandview Dr W, University Place, WA 98467 

Lot #2 - Curtis High School "Buses Lot":
Entrance at 8425 40th Street West, University Place, WA 98466

More Detailed Directions to Remote Lots can be found here.

Remote Parking Lot Shuttle Schedule 

Masks are optional and we will have some available at registration. If you are not feeling well, please stay home.

All attendees will receive access to the virtual materials following the conference, so there is no need to notify us!

Pro tip: Use the tracks on the right side to filter sessions for your division or areas of interest!

If you are asked for an event code: Instead of searching for the event, go to “Sign Up / Sign In” and enter your email address. That will bring you to the 2023 Fall Educators Conference and allow you to download the app.

Unable To Download the App? There will not be any printed agendas onsite. The app will be the richest way to navigate the conference, but if you are not able to download it, there are a few options:

Network Name: NWAIS FEC 2023
Password: NWAIS2023

Breakfast will be served in the Tarrier Dome from 8:00-8:30AM.

Lunch and coffee stations will be located in the Tarrier Dome and the Middle School Commons. Please go to the location noted on your name tag. 

Let’s Make This Our Greenest Conference Yet!

This is our chance to walk our talk and live into our sustainable values. We are asking your help partner to lessen our impact on our local community and on the Earth as we gather together on Friday. 

There will be bins located throughout campus for lanyard returns to be reused for future events.

Bring a Water Bottle and/or Coffee Cup

We will not have water bottles available. There will be coffee cups, but it would be great to minimize our single use items. Refill stations are marked on the Campus Maps.

Follow-up from Last Year : Many of you let us know that we could have done better with lunch packaging last year. This year we hope you notice and enjoy our paper and compostable lunch packaging. 

Use The App

We will have a limited number of paper handouts that have the most basic information (session names, times and locations). We will not have any printed versions of the full conference program. All that information (and ton more) can be found in the conference app. Take a few minutes to find your way around the app. You can also explore some great ways to find and connect with colleagues. The app will also hold all the follow-up resources, slides that will be shared and handouts. You can download the app here.

Leave Behind Your Lanyard

If you have a use for it, please take it with you, but if you expect to throw it out, we will reuse if for a future event.

There will be baskets outside the Sessions C & D where you can drop them off.

Breakout sessions are open to all attendees on a space-available basis. It would be a good idea to come with a first and second choice in mind.

You can sign up for a space to pump here. 

These spaces will be private, have locking doors and nearby access to a sink. Lactation rooms are also marked on the Campus Maps.

Please read the following instructions carefully.

There will be a Clock Hours / STARS Credits table at registration. 

To remain in compliance with OSPI regulations, attendees are required to register in advance for WA Clock Hours and STARS credits.

To opt-in for either professional credit, please contact Vivian Hoang, NWAIS Registrar, to let us know that you would like to receive them. There is no cost for professional credits.

Clock Hours

To receive WA Clock Hours, you must physically sign in at the Clock Hours / STARS table receive your clock hours form. This must be completed on-site. You will not need to sign out at the end of the conference, this form is for your records.

Clock Hours are only available to those who have pre-registered and signed in receive them.

STARS Credits

To receive STARS credits, you must:

STARS Credits are only available to those who have completed both steps detailed above.

If you maintain a credential through another agency or are credentialed outside of Washington State, we would be more than happy to provide you with a certificate of attendance.

Please sign up for a certificate of attendance at the Clock Hours / STARS station. The certificate will be emailed to your school after the conference.

Charles Wright Academy is a large campus and sessions are spread throughout. If you might need an extra hand moving around campus, please email Vivian Hoang.

We will be best able to serve you if we have an understanding of your needs prior to the conference.

Virtual participation is asynchronous and will not be live-streamed or available the day of the conference. Sessions will be professionally recorded and the slides will be integrated into the experience. 

Recorded content for 11 featured speaker sessions will be available to all attendees on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 via the conference app.

Recordings will be available to view until January 2024.

Contact Emily McGrath with any questions regarding programming, or Vivian Hoang with any questions regarding registration.