ASCD is onsite in Chicago now, and all is in readiness to welcome a record crowd to the 61st ASCD Annual Conference. We have some random notes aimed especially at educators who will be joining us this weekend.
Session Changes 
Please review the list of session changes and cancellations in the two posts here and here. Two of the cancelled sessions were Monday ticketed sessions (3101T — Top Ten Palm Applications and 3442T — Mentoring Novice Teachers: Beginning the Journey). Check at Conference Registration to see what ticketed sessions still have open seats; they’re available on a first-come, first-served basis. We’ll continue to post session changes here.
Getting Oriented
For a crash course on how to do the Conference, check ASCD’s online Attendee Guide. You’ll find information on planning your Conference experience, getting to and from the Lakeside Center at McCormick Place, and getting around Chicago. It also inclludes a database of all Conference sessions. Especially valuable to those who have never been to an ASCD Conference is information on our “First-Timers’ Sessions,” which take place Friday, March 31 from 4:00–5:00 pm and Saturday, April 1 from 8:30–9:30 am.
Getting Around
Take the shuttle bus from your hotel to the Conference!
Several events on Sunday, April 2 may slow down taxis. A popular 10K fun run may boggle traffic around Grant Park on the way to the McCormick Center, and the World Series Champion Chicago White Sox play their home opener on Sunday as well. Although the stadium is well south of the convention center, it could cause congestion. Potentially adding to traffic woes is the reconstruction of the Dan Ryan Expressway, which begins this weekend. It’s the major north-south route through Chicago, and everyone is on pins and needles waiting to see if a commuting apocalypse is about to beset area drivers.
If you absolutely have to be on time, leave plenty of time--even if you’re taking the shuttle bus.
If you do take a taxi, tell the driver you need to go to Lakeside Center East at McCormick Place. That will ensure you get dropped off at the most convenient entrance.
Weather
It’s Chicago in the springtime, when you can pretty much expect anything in the weather department. Lucky us.
Thursday was gorgeous: warm, sunny, with gentle zephyrs wafting off Lake Michigan. It looks like that’s as good as it gets for the next few days. Friday will be windy with scattered thunderstorms, with a high temperature of 61 (16 centigrade). The real fun starts on Saturday; although the sun comes out, the temperatures fall to a high of 49 (9c). The thunderstorms are back on Sunday with temperature rising to a high of 60 (16c), and Monday will be generally rainy with a high of 55 (13c).
Get the gory details here.
Oh well, we’ll be inside, where the learning will be warm and dry, and the people happy and excited. We can’t wait for you to join us!
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