CAS has been asked to provide administrator feedback to the state’s Mastery Examination Committee to help in its efforts to prepare and present findings and recommendations concerning the impact, administration, and appropriateness of the statewide mastery exam in Connecticut. Please share your experiences with last year’s assessment process by completing a short survey.

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On November 17th, CAS will host a webinar on the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Presented by CSDE Science Consultant Elizabeth Buttner, this webinar will be the second session of the 2015-16 Connecticut Core State Standards Leadership Community of Practice workshop series. Ms. Buttner will review the new standards and discuss the state’s plan for instructional changes, curriculum adaptations, professional development, and transitions to NGSS assessments. Participants may attend in person or via computer but must register in advance.

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The Breakthrough Coach is returning to CAS in November and only a few spots remain in his popular two-day training program. If you want to learn how to work with less, produce more and still get everything done in a sensible school week, then you’re ready for The Breakthrough Coach! If interested, please contact Anna Flores directly via email, aflores@casciac.org, or phone, 203.250.1111.

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CAS Executive Director Dr. Karissa Niehoff was one of this year’s recipients of the Connecticut Women’s Education and Legal Fund’s (CWEALF) prestigious Maria Miller Stewart Award. The award was presented on October 6th at CWEALF’s annual recognition dinner, “One Woman Makes A Difference.” Dr. Niehoff was honored for her dedication to gender equity and for being a role model for women in education and sports.

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Due to increased demand, CAS will offer an additional workshop to introduce administrators to the CT Leader Evaluation and Support Rubric-2015. This half-day session will lead participants through a detailed analysis of the new rubric's structure and associated evidence. Please join us at the CAS office on November 20th for this no-cost event.

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The CAS Division of Student Activities is pleased to offer a half-day workshop with CT resident and founder of the Look For The Good Project, Anne Kubitsky. The Look For The Good Project is a research-backed program built around a core belief that gratitude changes everything for the better. Anne will share gratitude-based practices that support character education initiatives and instructional pedagogy, can be linked to school climate plans, and have a dramatic positive effect within classroom settings and even entire school communities! Participants will receive a “toolkit” of concrete ideas, strategies, and hands-on techniques that can be immediately implemented in any classroom or school setting.

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Are there members of your faculty who have the potential to be strong school leaders? If so, please pass along this flyer detailing four upcoming information sessions about the University of Connecticut Administrator Preparation Program (UCAPP). The Neag School of Education and CAS have collaborated to develop this nationally recognized program that combines rigorous course work with a robust internship experience to prepare candidates for successful school building and central office level leadership. The combined resources of the university and CAS, the personal attention that each student receives, and the quality of the classroom learning experience set the UCAPP program apart from all other preparation institutions in Connecticut. We hope that you will encourage your most promising teachers to consider the UCAPP program as the next step in their career ladder.

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CAS and ACES are jointly offering a new training program to help administrators and faculty members respond to students' needs in a way that supports their growth as learners and their relationship capabilities. “Using a New Lens: A Unique Approach to Understanding Challenging Behavior in Our Schools” will examine the well-researched psychological theory of attachment and its impact on a child's approach to learning and relationships. Participants will engage in a reflection process protocol that results in insights into understanding and changing both student and teacher behavior.

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Twenty high school athletic programs have been selected as CIAC Michaels Achievement Cup exemplary programs in recognition of the excellence of their overall sports programs for the 2014-15 academic year. See which schools came out on top!

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The State Education Resource Center is offering two excellent professional development programs in the coming months. All administrators are welcome to participate! The seven-day "Enhancing Instructional Programs Within Schools" series provides training in special education administration for principals and other administrators. The sessions focus on specific competencies, systems change, and the unification of general and special education as part of the CT Core Standards (2010), Common Core of Teaching, and Common Core of Leading: CT School Leadership Standards.

“What Every PPT Chairperson Should Know” is a three-part series that will help participants develop in-depth knowledge about the PPT process and how it is to be properly documented; learn how to foster culturally relevant family engagement; and examine strategies for dealing with challenging situations at PPT meetings.

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Nominations are now open for the 2016 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). These awards are the nation's highest honors for teachers of mathematics and science (including computer science). Anyone - principals, teachers, parents, students, or members of the general public - may nominate exceptional mathematics or science teachers who are teaching grades K - 6 for the 2015-2016 school year. Teachers may also apply directly. Nominations are being accepted now through April 01, 2016. Contact Charlene Tate Nichols, charlene.tate.nichols@ct.gov, with any questions.

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