CAS is thrilled to announce that Donna Schilke, award-winning administrator and recently retired principal of Smith Middle School in Glastonbury, has joined the central office staff as assistant executive director. Donna will lead CAS’ middle level division, taking the reins from Earle Bidwell who retired last month after seventeen years as a visionary leader and tireless advocate for Connecticut’s middle level schools.

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The 10-guest registration limit for the 18th Annual Elementary Arts Banquet has been lifted. Schools that have already registered may add additional guests via the online registration portal up until January 18th. Any schools that have not already registered and would like to attend also have until January 18th to submit an online registration. Take advantage of this opportunity to honor two of your outstanding young artists in a celebratory and festive forum!

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The the first session of the 2017 CCSS Leadership Community of Practice series will be held on January 10th and there is still time to register! Presenter Kimberly Brown, Clinton Public Schools Psychologist, will offer an overview of executive functions and examine the connections between executive function development and improved outcomes for students. The series is offered without charge to school and district leaders, or their designee, and includes continental breakfast.

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There are a few spots remaining for the upcoming 3-day foundational series centered around the work of John Hattie and “visible learning.” This unique series is designed to develop efficacy, build capacity and foster growth mindsets in schools and districts. Don't miss the opportunity to be part of this engaging and innovative program!

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The next session of the 2016-17 Principals’ Leadership Series (PLS) will feature Diane Dugas, educational consultant and former superintendent, who will examine leadership practices that foster teacher growth and learning. The PLS, a year-long, five-session workshop series, is a professional learning opportunity for experienced school leaders which addresses key topics in the changing scope of their leadership duties. Join us on January 17th to learn new ways to help the adults in your school meet the complex teaching demands of the 21st Century. Register for any or all of the remaining sessions now!

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In a memo issued last month, the Connecticut State Department Education detailed its plan to transition the state’s high school science assessment from Grade 10 to Grade 11 beginning in the 2018-19 school year. To eliminate double-testing during the transition period, the CSDE will not administer the CAPT high school science assessment in 2017-18. Click here to read more about the important changes impacting state science assessments. 

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On March 7th, CAS is offering a special workshop on the PSAT 8/9 assessment. This half-day session, featuring Alan Bernstein, senior director for the College Board, is designed for districts currently using the PSAT 8/9 who want to learn more as well as for districts considering adding the assessment.

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Is there an extraordinary individual who has given his/her time, energy or expertise to your school? Has a local business provided services or resources which have resulted in positive learning experiences for your students? If so, please consider submitting a nomination for the CAS Distinguished Friend of Education Award. The deadline for nominations is just a week away!

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Do you work with or know an outstanding school principal? If the answer is "yes," then why not nominate him/her for the 2017 Principal of the Year Award? The CAS Principal of the Year Awards were 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 nomination window closes soon. Act now!

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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 three 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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Vans, the company whose shoes can be seen on many of today’s teens, invites high school art students to submit entries to its annual Custom Culture art competition. The contest was created to inspire and empower high school students to embrace their creativity through art/design and to bring attention to diminishing arts education budgets. Schools are challenged to create their most artistic and inventive designs using blank Vans shoes as their canvas. The top five schools will be flown to Los Angeles to celebrate their artwork and Vans will donate $50,000 to the winning school’s arts program!

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