Safe Passage Across Networks (SPAN)

🎉 Exciting milestone! 🎉 Safe Passage Across Networks (SPAN) has reached 1,000 followers on LinkedIn! We’re grateful for each of you and the continued support for our mission to ensure positive transitions-care globally. Thank you also for continuing to share our LinkedIn page: the stronger the networks, the more beneficial our support! Now’s the perfect time to deepen your involvement! Become a SPAN member to receive exclusive benefits, including our newsletter, free resources, discounts on professional development opportunities and access to a global community dedicated to student transitions and well-being. 🔗 Become a member today: https://lnkd.in/dY_HT6y5 Valérie Besanceney Julia Love Aleka Bilan Jane Barron (MEd)

Safe Passage Across Networks (SPAN) is excited to share that Valérie Besanceney, Executive Director and Julia Love, Director of Engagement, are both featured in the most recent #InternationalAdmissionsBulletin. Find Valerie's article on pages 54 and 55 and Julia's on pages 14 - 19. Check out the latest edition in the link below:

Join our next SPAN Speaker Series with Cath Brew and deepen your understanding of LGBTQ+ inclusion in international schools! Whether you're a teacher, administrator, or counselor, you'll gain valuable insights to foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for all students. Become a member of SPAN today and join this session for free. 📅 Date: November 11 2024 🕒 Time: 9:00 AM UTC 🔗 Register now: https://lnkd.in/dZ6iTa7K Valérie Besanceney Aleka Bilan Jane Barron (MEd) Julia Love Catalina GARDESCU #LGBTQInclusion #EducationForAll #InternationalSchools #SPANSpeakerSeries

Thank you again to all of our fabulous #SPANsymposium2024 speakers! Your expertise and insights enriched our event last week and left a lasting impact on our attendees. We look forward to continuing the conversations as we transform positive transitions-care together in the international school community and beyond.

🌟 Join Our Next SPAN Speaker Series Event! 🌟 We look forward to welcoming Cath Brew for an insightful session focused on equipping you with the knowledge and confidence to support LGBTQ+ students as they navigate transitions within, between, and beyond schools. This 90-minute virtual workshop will provide essential tools to foster inclusion and create safe, supportive environments for LGBTQ+ students. Key takeaways include: ✅ Understanding LGBTQ+ terminology ✅ Practical strategies for overcoming challenges ✅ Inclusive practices for supporting transition cycles ✅ Engaging in difficult conversations with non-affirming staff and parents ✅ Supporting LGBTQ+ staff in challenging environments 📅 Date: November 11, 2024 🕛 Time: 9-10:30am UTC 💻 Virtual Event – FREE for SPAN Members, €25 for non-members Don’t miss this chance to foster a more inclusive and supportive #InternationalSchool community! #LGBTQ+Inclusion #PositiveTransitionsCare #InternationalEducation #DiversityAndInclusion #SPANSpeakerSeries ➡️ Register now: https://lnkd.in/eSyEU2-u

We are so grateful to our fabulous speakers and to all the attendees who were able to join us live this past week. At SPAN, we are still reflecting on all the meaningful conversations during the live Q&As. Although the live Q&As following each session were not recorded, each of the sessions (including our reflections at the end of both days) are available to watch for the next six months. So, for those of you who weren’t able to participate live, don't miss the opportunity to benefit from watching all of the fabulous SPAN Symposium 2024 recorded sessions. ➡️ Sign up here for our Post Symposium Registration Rates here: https://lnkd.in/ePq3AVn7 Jane Barron (MEd), Catalina GARDESCU, Aleka Bilan, Julia Love, Claudine Hakim, Ruth Van Reken, Michael Iannini, GRAHAM RANGER, Rami Madani, Mona Stuart #SPANSymposium2024

Day 2 of the #2024SPANSymposium was filled with insightful discussions and practical strategies for supporting students through transitions. The day began with a heartfelt keynote by Nikki Muller, who shared how her challenging yet enriching Third Culture Kid (TCK) upbringing shaped her path in life. Her story highlighted how navigating complex transitions led her to discover her true calling. Following the keynote, an inspiring student panel featured secondary and university students sharing their experiences and ideas on how schools and universities can better support students transitioning to higher education. A highlight of the session was a brief introduction to the Council of International Schools's Transitions-Care Model, with a live Q&A led by Dan F.urness, Head of Safeguarding and Wellbeing at the Council of International Schools (CIS). Later, Claire Holmes presented resources focused on positive transitions care for younger children. These materials emphasize building acceptance, bravery, and resilience before, during, and after transitions. Isabel Hosgood led a session that explored the integration of student voice into school transitions programs, ensuring that their perspectives are heard and valued. SPAN partners offered great food for thought through their presentations: International School Counselor Association (ISCA) offered a session on navigating transitions through SEL standards, empowering students' well-being and success. SENIA International focused on student advocacy and preparing students with disabilities for life beyond school. The symposium closed with a presentation from SPAN Showcase school The International School of Kuala Lumpur, in which the team shared how key stakeholders — including parent associations, classroom teachers, counselors, and admissions teams— have successfully implemented transitions-care programming across various school roles. Day 2 was a powerful conclusion to the symposium, reinforcing the importance of collaborative, student-centered approaches to transitions care at all educational levels. Thank you to all presenters, participants and supporters for another unforgettable Symposium! Valérie Besanceney Jane Barron (MEd) Aleka Bilan Catalina GARDESCU Julia Love Claudine Hakim Ruth Van Reken Mona Stuart Rami Madani GRAHAM RANGER Michael Iannini Morgana Angeli Brooke Fezler Tanya Farrol Gerald Anthony @heather cook Lynn Kogelmann @christine wright Catherine Gresse-Lambert

What an incredible first day at the #2024 Symposium! The quality and diversity of sessions has truly been exceptional. The day kicked off with Christopher O'Shaughnessy’s keynote address, which was both humorous and deeply inspiring. His thought-provoking insights offered great food for thought and set the perfect tone for the day. He spoke about narrative therapy, inviting us to reframe our stories through externalisation, re-authoring, and connecting as strategies for supporting transitions through story telling. The keynote's conclusion: Adventure—Crisis—Reflection—Adjustment—once adjusted, the true adventure can begin! We were also inspired by Roslyn Dotterweich’s session on the curb-cutting effect - so deeply personal and motivational. Her insights spoke to the power of small changes that create a massive impact. Throughout the day, concurrent sessions provided in-depth explorations of programs, strategies, and best practices, all centered around enhancing transition support. Student voices were heard loud and clear today and will continue to be tomorrow. A special mention to the International School of London, SPAN Showcase School, for their exceptional wellbeing and transitions-care program, and to the learning from the Pathway 2 deep dive with the Council of International Schools. We wrapped up with thoughtful reflections from Valérie Besanceney and Claudine Hakim, and the family spirit of Safe Passage Across Networks (SPAN) was unmistakable. Thank you to all speakers and participants. What an amazing day! We can't wait for Day 2! Jane Barron (MEd) Aleka Bilan Catalina GARDESCU Ruth Van Reken Anjara Mellman Alistair G. Julia Getty Julia Love Mary Jo Hebling Cari Freer Binu T. Derrick Jefferson Zack E. Danielle Staadecker Timea Virag Michael Iannini GRAHAM RANGER Rami Madani Mona Stuart

Thank you to our SPAN Member schools, also sponsors supporting the #SPANSymposium24! Your generosity and partnership help make this event a reality, empowering professionals and change-makers to come together and drive positive transitions-care and wellbeing in international schools. We couldn’t do it without you! Thank you to: International School of London, The International School of Kuala Lumpur, Hangzhou International School, International School of The Hague, Frankfurt International School, Copenhagen International School, Amsterdam International Community School, American School of Bombay, Woodstock School, The American Embassy School, New Delhi If you have not signed up, there is still time: https://lnkd.in/ePq3AVn7

The SPAN Symposium 2024 kicks off TOMORROW! Check out the schedule here: https://lnkd.in/e5HfAbvq See what’s in store, and don’t miss this incredible opportunity to connect, learn, and grow! Let’s make this an unforgettable experience! #SPANSymposium2024 #StartsTomorrow #LastChanceToRegister #Day1Schedule #InnovationStartsNow Valérie Besanceney Jane Barron (MEd) Julia Love Catalina GARDESCU Claudine Hakim Aleka Bilan Mona Stuart Ruth Van Reken GRAHAM RANGER Rami Madani Michael Iannini