For Immediate Release
Contact: Holly Brooker
(845) 255-1450 xt.1301 “Respecting Diversity: A Response to 9/11” Conference

The Mid-Hudson Bilingual ESL Technical Assistance Center (BETAC), in association with Ulster BOCES, is planning a conference for April 29 at the Williams Lake Resort in Rosendale. “Respecting Diversity: A Response to 9/11” will be a full-day forum with a goal to provide cultural tolerance training to area educators in Ulster County.

The conference is the result of funding from New York State SERV (School Emergency Response to Violence) and was awarded specifically in response to the events of September 11.

Spiritual leaders representing the religions of Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Unitarianism, and the Bahai faith will present a panel discussion in the morning. Following that, break-out sessions will include more in-depth discussions on topics such as: Understanding Differences, Peer Mediation, Anti-Bias Curriculum, and Cultural Awareness. The day will conclude with a performance by the Hudson River Playback Theatre.

Approximately 100 elementary, middle, and high school educators are expected to attend. For more information, please contact Sara Cutler, BETAC cultural resource specialist at 255-1400, ext. 356.