PESI - Frequently Asked Questions
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How do I get to the conference location?
The Physical Education Summer Institute is held at North Wayne Elementary School (NWES) in Indianapolis, IN. NWES is located on the northwest side of the city. As you look at a map of Indy you'll notice that I-465 makes a big loop around the town. To locate your destination focus in on the northwest side of town, specifically, the area between where I-74 and I-65 North intersect the I-465 loop. You want the West 38th street exit which is one exit north of the I-74 and I-465 interchange. When you get to the West 38th street exit, head east, inside the I-465 loop. The first stop light just past the overpass is High School Road. Turn right at this light. The next light is 34th street and you'll turn right here. You'll pass over I-465 and NWES is just ahead on your right.
How do I contact the school where the conference is held?
No communication should be with North Wayne Elementary, our host school. They are kind enough to let us use their space, but they are not responsible for any of the conference planning or conduct. That also means that they will not take phone messages for conference proceedings, nor can you use their phones to call out. Direct all inquiries to Donetta Cothran at 812-855-6430 email at dcothran@indiana.edu.
What is the approximate schedule for the conference?
Late registration and pre-registration check-in begins on Tuesday at 8:00 a.m. (We are probably there a bit earlier than that!), and the first session starts promptly at 8:30 a.m. Sessions will last until 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday. On Wednesday we start at 8:30 a.m. and should be finished by 8:30 p.m. Thursday, is another 8:30 a.m. start and we will be done by 4:00 p.m. You will have an hour break for lunch on both Tuesday and Wednesday. Thursday’s lunch is on-site so that we can get done sooner.
What about food and lodging?
There are three motels (Days Inn, Signature Inn and Country Hearth Inn) located within 1 mile of the school at the West 38th street exit. There are other motels located a short driving distance from the conference site. Your specific lodging needs are probably best filled through the Indianapolis Housing Bureau at 1-800-926-8276.
There are a number of fast food and nice restaurants in the immediate area and you are responsible for your own lunch on Tuesday and Wednesday. Your conference registration includes a pizza party on Wednesday night and a box lunch on Thursday. In addition, a morning and afternoon snack is provided each day.
What is appropriate attire for the conference?
The conference sessions are a mix of activity levels that range from sitting in chairs to being very active in games. Some participants wear shorts and t-shirts although some people find that when they're sitting still in some sessions it can be a bit cool so pack a sweatshirt. Other people wear jeans, sweat suits, or casual wear that allows them to move and participate fully in all sessions. Safe, comfortable footwear is a must!
Are there any additional expenses?
You are responsible for your own lunch on Tuesday and Wednesday. No other expenses are associated with the conference. You might, however, want to bring extra money or your checkbook as presenters often sell their demonstration equipment at discounted prices.
Which college credit option is right for me?
Note: PESI does NOT collect the college credit fee. The IU Bursar will charge you once you have registered for class. Registration for college credit is a separate process from registering for the workshops.
It is possible to take the conference for college credit. Additional fees must be paid and there are academic work expectations both at the conference and after you leave. There are many variations in career goals and school district requirements so read the following paragraphs carefully so that you make the right credit choice for you.
If Your Goal Is:
Renew your teaching license: The cheapest and easiest way is to register for undergraduate pass/fail credit. You are eligible for this option even if you have completed an undergraduate or graduate program. License renewal is a separate process from taking the workshop. Please contact Ms. Dorothy Slota (dslota@indiana.edu) or Ms. Sharon Vance (svance@indiana.edu). They are the license experts in our School of Education. Their office phone is 812-856-8528. Official grades for the course are not available until mid-August, but as soon as you complete all course requirements your paperwork can be submitted and the state licensure process will begin. It often takes the state several weeks to finalize the paperwork and renew your license. You may also complete your paperwork through another university where you have taken college credit.
Renew your license AND qualify for a pay advance in your school district: Check with your school district. Many districts will accept undergraduate pass/fail credit, while some require graduate credit. Ask your school district for clarification on which type of credit it requires for salary increases. If they require graduate credit, be sure to ask if pass/fail is acceptable as that is a less demanding option than traditional grading.
Receive graduate credit to apply toward a graduate degree: Prior to registering for traditional graduate credit, please check with your degree institution to make sure that they will accept the transfer hours and that those hours will count toward your degree completion. You will also need to speak individually with Dr. Cothran (dcothran@indiana.edu 812-855-6430, to plan the academic work associated with this option.
Academic requirements for graduate credit with traditional grading are negotiated individually with the instructor. In general, we approach this as an independent study. The 3 days of the conference are our "lab" time where we will be together and your attendance will be required. You will complete a conference journal based on the sessions. You will then complete the independent study portion of the class on your own time. Two projects are required to be completed by mid-August. First, you must pick one of the topics from the conference and prepare a research investigation of the topic. Second, you have the choice of another research project or may choose an applied focus. For example, perhaps you're most excited about the fitness sessions at this year's conference. Your first project you decide will be a research paper on the status of children's fitness in the USA or the use and development of standard fitness assessments or some other topic. You negotiate and decide the exact topic and details of the project with the instructor. For the second project you could choose to complete another research project on another topic. Alternately you could choose to develop an applied project. You could create a fitness workout book for use in your classes, a web page for your students to learn about fitness, a new class curriculum or some other topic. Again, the specific details are negotiated with the instructor. Access to university library resources is necessary for successful completion.
How do I register for college credit?
If you selected college credit on the workshop registration page then the registration forms and a self-addressed return envelope will be included in the registration packet that will be mailed to you. Please have the forms filled out and returned to IU before the conference. If you are registering late, please bring the completed forms with you on the morning of the first day of the conference. Arrive early with your completed forms as you don't want to miss part of the first session because you're standing in line and filling out forms.
How and when do I pay for my college credit?
You do not pay us for your college credit. We will turn in your registration forms to the Registrar’s Office and then the IU Bursar's office will send out bills to your home address in July. Make sure you double check that you were not billed for any student fees as those should not appear on your bill.
