The annual CAS-CAPSS Convocation is right around the corner! Join us at the Aqua Turf on September 20th for an evening of camaraderie and inspiration. This year's featured speakers will be Connecticut’s very own Jahana Hayes, the 2016 National Teacher of the Year, and Dr. Dianna Wentzell, Commissioner of Education. Registration closes soon!

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Restorative practices are gaining popularity in classrooms throughout Connecticut. On September 30th, CAS is offering a half-day workshop, led by CSDE Consultant Dr. Jo Ann Freiberg, which will examine how restorative practices establish conditions for developing and nurturing a culture based on high quality relationships among all school community members. The workshop is open to teachers and administrators at all levels.

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Nominations are now open for the 2017 CAS Assistant Principal of the Year Awards. These awards honor outstanding school administrators who have demonstrated excellent leadership skills, a commitment to their staff and students, service to their communities, and contributions to the overall profession of educational leadership. If you know or work with an exceptional assistant principal and would like to nominate him or her for the Assistant Principal of the Year Award, click below for further information.

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The CAS Division of Student Activities is hosting a statewide conference to spotlight student activity programs at all levels that epitomize exemplary citizenship and civic awareness and demonstrate boundless potential for school-community impact. The CT Student Activity EXPO will feature both innovative and impactful programs nominated by school principals across the state as well as exhibitors who will offer schools additional learning and enrichment services.

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Nominations are still being accepted for the CAS First-Year Principal Awards for 2016-2017. These awards recognize individuals whose instructional leadership, innovative practices and managerial skills have had a positive impact on the school district in their first year of school administration. One award is given at each level: elementary, middle and high school. The deadline for submitting nominations is September 16, 2016.

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As a new school year begins, CAS is making every effort to ensure that our online membership database is as accurate and up-to-date as possible. Personnel changes happen most frequently during the summer months and inputting those changes into our online membership database is a task that easily slips through the cracks during the busy first few weeks of school. So, CAS would like to facilitate this process for our members. Each member school should have received a hard copy form requesting the names and email addresses of key staff members. If you have not done so already, please return your membership form as soon as possible. We will use your responses to verify the information we currently have in our files to ensure that an accurate flow of communication between CAS and your school can occur. If you did not receive a form in the mail, click here to download a copy. We appreciate your help as we endeavor to support your important work.

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This fall, CAS, in collaboration with the College Board, is offering five half-day workshops on the SAT and PSAT/NMSQT. Presenter Alan Bernstein, senior director of the College Board, will discuss test item types, score scales, and links between the assessments and classroom instruction. Considerable time will be spent demonstrating the online score report system and the various data reports that are available. The workshops are designed for administrators, teachers and counselors.

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The deadline for nominations for the CAS Elementary School of the Year Award for 2016-2017 has been extended to September 16th. This award recognizes an outstanding CAS member elementary school for its exemplary programs and for its successes in meeting the needs of its students. Why not nominate your school?!

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On November 1st, CAS and the Connecticut Council for Education Reform (CCER) will present “The High School Principal: Leading for Innovation” at the Sheraton Hartford South in Rocky Hill, CT. The conference is designed to examine topics and issues that high school principals are grappling with as they endeavor to improve teaching and learning in their schools. The keynote speaker will be Baruti Kafele, a former high school principal who successfully transformed four low-performing urban high schools in New Jersey. His outstanding efforts at Newark Tech were recognized by U.S. News and World Report Magazine which designated the school as one of America’s best high schools. Click here for a conference agenda. Registration opens soon!

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Calling all 5th grade teachers! You are invited to participate in the award-winning statewide civics program for 5th graders, Connecticut’s Kid Governor (CKG). CKG teaches students about government, the history/process of voting, and the importance of civic engagement through a statewide election for a 5th grade Kid Governor. It is a free program that aligns with the CT Social Studies Frameworks and CT Core Standards. Classes can choose to vote in the statewide election and/or nominate a fellow classmate to run for CKG. Learn more about this amazing program and see the powerful impact that CT’s outgoing Kid Governor, Elena Tipton, had on her fellow students.

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has developed interim guidance for district and school administrators pertaining to Zika infection. The guidance provides school districts with information for planning school-related activities and offers recommendations for reducing the potential risk for Zika transmission on school premises and among students. Other Zika-related resources are available on the CT Department of Public Health website.

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The “School Law Alerts” published by Shipman and Goodwin provide clear and helpful guidance on federal and state laws impacting school districts and their personnel. The August 4, 2016 issue explains the new requirements for employee background checks to which school districts are now subject (as of July 1st). The August 15, 2016 issue speaks to the Office of Civil Rights’ recent Dear Colleague Letter concerning the obligation of school districts to students with ADHD under Section 504. Check out these helpful resources.

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