The CAS Principal of the Year Award Program was established in 1984 to bring recognition to high-achieving school principals and to increase public awareness of the critical role that principals play in the education of our youth. The program honors outstanding principals who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership, a passion for educational excellence, a commitment to their students and staff, and service to their communities. If you know or work with an outstanding school principal, please consider nominating him or her for this prestigious award.

The Connecticut Association of National Honor Societies (CANHS) is hosting its winter advisors' conference next Wednesday, December 19th, from 3:00-6:30 p.m. at the CAS office. It is important that all advisors are in attendance. This year's conference will feature Todd Laudino, senior manager of the National Honor Society. Register now!

Registration is now open for esports Season One featuring three games: Rocket League, SMITE and League of Legends. Schools are able to build as many teams as they’d like, creating a truly inclusive activity. The inaugural season will begin the week of February 25th and end in April, with playoffs taking place in May 2019. The last day for schools to register is February 8th. 

Looking for an engaging, hands-on leadership experience for your students? You’re in luck! The CAS elementary student leadership conferences are coming up in January and there are a few spots remaining at the Sacred Heart University and Three Rivers Community College sites. The Naugatuck Valley and Asnuntuck conferences have reached maximum capacity. Don’t let your students miss out on this full-day of interactive learning and growth activities that foster leadership skills, productive thinking, decision-making, communication, and creative problem-solving.

On December 1, Seymour Middle School hosted 272 debaters from 22 schools at the CT Middle School Debate League’s largest event to date. Participants debated the motion: This House would allow incarcerated felons to vote. Proposition won 56% of the 144 rounds. Congratulations to the teams from South Orangetown Middle School (NY) and Greenwich's Eastern Middle School, 1st and 2nd place finishers, respectively. 

The Connecticut School Counselor Association (CSCA) Annual Conference is being held at the University of Hartford on May 29th, 2019. This year's theme is "School Counselors Make Connections" and the program includes a new track dedicated to school administrators. CSCA conference organizers are encouraging all school administrators to attend so as to learn more about the potential contributions and impact of school counselors in their buildings. 

The college application process is well underway for many high school students. For others, their future is undecided. Whatever their path, the unknown may leave them feeling fearful, anxious, or alone about what’s next. You can help bridge the gap between now and next by bringing 4 What’s Next to your high school. 4 What’s Next is a primary prevention program that builds psychological resiliency in high school students by giving them the tools to handle stress and distress now and in their future. Learn more about this vital program, sponsored by the Jordan Porco Foundation, at 4whatsnext.org.

As a CAS member, you have access to Horace Mann’s suite of solutions to help you determine if you can remove or reduce monthly student loan payments and redirect any savings to other life goals. Horace Mann has helped educators realize an average savings of $250 per month in student loan payments. Completing a convenient online student loan evaluation is the first step to finding out if you qualify for removing or reducing your student loan payments.

CSCU, the governing body of the state’s regional universities and community colleges, has released an economic impact study declaring that its 17 institutions contribute $11 billion annually to Connecticut’s economy. Other key findings include:

• $9.9 billion is earned annually by CSCU alumni in Connecticut. 
• 1 out of 19 jobs in Connecticut (or 123,354 positions) is supported by CSCU activities and their students. 
• For every $1 spent, students gain $6.60 in lifetime earnings, taxpayers gain $3.80 in added tax revenue and savings, and CT gains $11.70 in added state revenue and savings. 
• 76% of CSCU graduates work in Connecticut within nine months of graduation. 
• Annually, the average certificate, associate, and bachelor’s degree graduate from CSCU earns $5,900, $12,800, and $37,200 more compared to a person with a high school diploma or equivalent working in Connecticut. 
• 10,687 people were employed full or part time by CSCU during the year that was studied (2016-17).

To access the full report, click here.