This document provides the program details for a congress on school desertion, factors, and solutions. The program includes panels and workshops over various topics related to school desertion such as pre-school programs, puberty and sexuality, academic resources, bullying, self-esteem, parental participation, stereotypes, and laws protecting children. The program runs from 8:30am to 4:30pm and features presentations from school boards, universities, community organizations, and other experts on supporting academic achievement and preventing students from leaving school.

1. PROGRAM:
SCHOOL DESERTION, FACTORS AND SOLUTIONS
8:30a.m.- 9:30 a.m. ● Congress Registration – Coffee
9:30a.m.-10:00a.m. ● Congress opening and welcoming to the participants
By Master of Ceremony: xxxxxx and Miguel Campos, from P.S.
Nadia Reyes, P.S. Henry Cruz, P.S. Mexicano, Catholic S. Alex ,
p.s and members of SSEN.
● Congress “Parents and Students Building the Future” by the
representative of Toronto District School Board, Chris Spence,
Director of Education, Ann Peron, Director of Education, Toronto
Catholic District School board.
Lloyd Mckell, Official Executive Officer from the Equity
Department. TDSB. Kirk Mark, from the Ethno Racial Community
Office TCDSB. And Chief Blair Police Department.
Al, Valdez. University of California. Jeff Rybek from U.of
Toronto.Manolo Romero, York University. Nadia Ma
10:00a.m.-11:00a.m. ● Panel: TDSB and TCDSB “Functions of the Education System;
Academic support for students and valuable resources for parents
and community; TDSB Libbi Rowan. Safe Schools & alternative
Schools. Maria Campodonico” By Maria Luisa Compodonico,
TDSB/SSEN Leader in Education and Pedagogy West Toronto,
TCDSB. Leader program and Curriculum LECTURE ROOM
MORNING WORKSHOPS (second floor)
11:00a.m.- 12:30a.m. 1. School Desertion: Pre-school programs, resources and support for
parents and children, by Guadalupe Pajares, Yorkwoods- TDSB
Parenting Centre ; Nelvis Padron, parent, Health Educator, and Faviola
Leyva and Ana Maria Oyarzun, York Town Child and Family Centre.
(The importance of positive stimulation and how it relates to the
emotional and academic development of the child) ROOM 2158

2. 2. School Desertion: Challenges of puberty and sexuality. By
Consuelo Llanos, Saint Joseph Health Centre; Blanca Rebagliati,
Yellow Brick House; Eva Safir Psychologist, Toronto Western
Hospital. (The importance of understanding the transition between
pre-adolescence to adolescence stages and sexuality. Strategies of
communication to enrich the relationship between the parents and
their children). ROOM 2159
3. School Desertion:Community and academic resources to support
families.; By Jorge Barahona, Culture Link, Ana Csillag, Teacher of
Pioneros de la Paz School, Mary Carmen Romero-Smith Teacher and
Doctor in Psycho Pedagogy, TDSB and TCDSB(Resource availability
for the settlement of newcomers, the process of academic evaluation,
integration to the Canadian education system and opportunities for
the secondary level). ROOM 2156
4. School Desertion: TDSB and TCDSB Schools Resources. By Carlos
Higueros, TDSB Youth Community Worker. Maria Luisa
Campodonico, Leader in education and Pedagogy, West Toronto C.I.
TDSB; Blanca Folz-Cruz Social Worker, Ph. in Theology ,
Presentation on the Catholic Education, ( resource availability to
promote the students academic performance).
ROOM 2157
5. School Desertion: Basic principles for a better education. By Imelda
Suarez, Educator and Author of “The hyperactive child” Book; Gloria
Ramirez, Master Degree in Second Language Education, OISE of
University of Toronto. (How to recognize and understand how to help a
hyperactive child, different learning styles familiarity and learn how to
guide your child better in her/his studies to maximize academic
achievement). ROOM 2154
6. School Desertion: Bullying and Antibullying = The aggressor and
the victim. By Father Carlos Sierra, Saint Andrew Church, Minister
Hernan Astudillo, San Lorenzo Community Centre; Inmar Barton
Ministerio Int. Auditorio de Jesucristo; Manolo Romero-Escobar,
M.A. Candidate-Graduate Psychology Program York University.
(Break the vicious circle of aggression inherited generation after
generation. How to develop an assertive interpersonal relationship
amongst high school students. Listen to the experts on how to
promote healthy relationships).
ROOM 2155
12:30pm.-1:00pm. ● LUNCH AND MUSICAL PRESENTATION

3. Harpist Marielba
1:00pm.-2:00pm Opening of the second part of the program by Keyter Feliz
● Panel: “ Trustees Roles, plans and strategies of support for the
Hispanic community” By Chris Bolton, Maria Rodrigues, Elizabeth
Hill, Stephenie Payne, TDSB School Trustees , Luz Bascunan, Former
School Trustee of Hispanic Heritage. (Develop strategies with your
School Trustees to prevent the increase of school desertion amongst
our Hispanic students.)
LECTURE ROOM
2:00pm.-3:30pm. AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS
1. School Desertion: Listen to me….. Why can’t I tell you who I am?.
By Ricardo Rodriguez, TDSB Special Education Teacher; Founder of the
Latin Group-HOLA; Leonardo Zuniga Mujica, Toronto Youth Cabinet-
TYC; Blanca Rebagliati, Yellow Brick House. ( Myth and homophobia.
Participate in the educational clinic process). ROOM 2158
2. School Desertion: Self-esteem, Development, Strengthening the
Individual Potential, By Maria Rosa Buse Doctor in Psychology; Ana
Vicente, Director Developmental Services, Family Services Association.
(The influence of self-esteem in the future of your children). ROOM 2153
3. School Desertion: Self-esteem, Identity, Family Role and School
Desertion. By Father Carlos Sierra, Saint Andrew Church; working with
the TCDSB schools; Luz Eugenia Sierra. Doctor in Psychology. (Holistic
vision of self-esteem and identity. Get to know the possible reasons of
negative behavior display by your children. How to deal with your child
who feels trapped by peer pressure; how to avoid the school desertion
due to these causes). ROOM 2159
4. School Desertion: The results of an integral education and school
desertion within Post-Secondary Education . By Daniel Shugurensky,
OISE University Professor Judith Bernhard, Program Director of Early
Childhood Education programme in Ryerson University, Vilma Felici,
Faculty of Continuing Education, from Seneca College, Carole Umana,
York University, Patricio Bascunan, George Brown Professor. (How to

4. help your teen cope with transitioning from High School to post-
secondary education). ROOM 2156
5. School Desertion: The importance of parent’s participation in the
educational system. By Maritza Guzman, Counselor for women and
families, Scott Mission; Eddy Zuñiga, Oakdale School Council Chair;
Nancy Valverde Firgrove M.S. School Council Chair; Astrid Roman,
Roselands P.S; School Council Chair; Alejandra Bravo, Ward 9 Council
Chair; Ana Bell Chacon, Acuarela Educativa. (Become a scholar leader,
be aware, what is going on at your child’s school; get to know the
educational system and be an active participant in decision making).
ROOM 2157
6. School Desertion: The stereotypes and the Hispanic-American
students. By Claudia Cornali, Ursula Franklin, Raquel Moran, Madonna
Catholic Secondary School; Sammy Morales, West Humber C.I.;
Christian Amaya, Seneca College Student. (How stereotyping can
discourage students’ confidence in school, orientation on how to defeat
the negative effects of labeling). ROOM 2154
7. School Desertion: Protecting Children in Ontario. By Walter Zuleta,
Children Aid Social Services, Roxana Zuleta, Ontario Early Years Centre,
Jane and Finch Family Centre. (Children’s Rights, Learn the pros and
cons of the laws that protect children in Ontario). ROOM 2155
3:30pm.-3:45pm ● CLOSING CEREMONY
Speech by Michelle Munroe, TDSB Central Coordinator of the
community and Parental Involvement Office.
3:45pm. -4:30pm. Plenary, conclusions and recommendations