Nice, France

The school, for a second straight year, provided Scott an international professional development opportunity. He attended the 41^st annual European Council for International Schools pre-conference institute and conference. There were over 450 delegates - 135 schools (academic and career counsellors) and almost 170 college/universities (admission representatives) from around the world.

There were two keynote speakers that related to a common theme of global awareness and supporting children around the world. Mark Cook was a solider in the Balkans a the Commander of the British UN contingent. He and his wife started the Hope and Homes for Children in 1994 to provide homes for orphans of war disaster. Their original idea was to repair or build orphanages to give these children security, but soon realized that what they needed more was a ‘home and loving family.’

Sonia Manzano, who played Maria on Sesame Street provided a very dynamic and interactive address to the audience. The Sesame Street Foundation has provided the show throughout the world and the content has focused on addressing social issues such as bullying, disabilities, death and HIV/Aids as examples. A very interesting aspect is that a group of puppeteers are traveling parts of the world where there are disasters such as an tsunami or in African and other developing parts of the world to discuss HIV/Aids and the grieving process (deaths of family members).