In the most recent episode of CASconversations, President Rosie Vojtek chats with Scott Driscoll, president and founder of Internet Safety Concepts, about a wide range of issues from cyber-bullying to sexting to digital footprints. Scott shares useful resources to help educators and parents ensure the appropriate and safe use of technology at school and at home. Listen now! 

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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 opportunities for your students? If so, please consider submitting a nomination for the CAS Distinguished Friend of Education Award. The deadline for nominations is January 12th.

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Nominations are now being accepted for the CAS First-Year Principal Awards for 2018-2019. 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 January 11, 2018.

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In the wake of the CSDE’s release of the preliminary net current expenditures per pupil (NCEP) data for 2016-17, the Connecticut School Finance Project has published an analysis of the changes between the 2016-17 per-pupil spending amounts and the 2015-16 amounts. The analysis also looks at how average daily membership (ADM) has changed for districts between 2015-16 and 2016-17. Key findings from the analysis include:

• The statewide NCEP average increased from $16,259 in 2015-16 to $16,576 in 2016-17. This is an increase of $317 or 1.9%.
• Among Connecticut's school districts, spending now ranges from $12,742 per pupil in Danbury to $36,080 in Cornwall. This is a difference of $23,338 per pupil.
• 28 Connecticut districts saw their NCEP amounts decrease from 2015-16 to 2016-17, including Connecticut’s three largest school districts.
• Total statewide daily membership declined by 3,402 students (-0.6%) from 526,570 in 2015-16 to 523,168 students in 2016-17.

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CAS is now accepting nominations for the 2018-19 School of the Year Awards. These awards recognize a member elementary and middle school that demonstrate a commitment to continued improvement; maintain a safe and healthy school environment; cultivate positive relationships with parents and the community; and, provide students with rich learning opportunities both in and out of the classroom. If you feel that your school may be worthy of this honor, please consider submitting a nomination.

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The Connecticut Commission for Educational Technology (CET), in collaboration with CAPSS and Innovation Partners America, has released a new report titled “Charting New Frontiers in Student-Centered Learning.” The report, which offers five recommendations for advancing student-centered learning in Connecticut, is designed to engage a diversity of education stakeholders to envision and implement the learner-centered experiences that all students deserve.

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If so, please consider nominating him or her for the Exemplary Educator of the Year Award. The purpose of this award is to give recognition to an elementary, middle level, and high school CAS educator who exemplify excellence in instructional practice, leadership in the profession, and authentic engagement with students, staff, and parents. The deadline for nominations is March 2, 2018.

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Scott Driscoll, founder of Internet Safety Concepts, will be sharing his vast knowledge of the “Ills of Social Media” at CAS on Nov 29th. The presentation, originally planned as part of a series of forums for assistant principals, is now open to all school leaders. What sets Scott apart from other social media presenters is his background as a youth officer in a suburban police department where he worked closely with schools. A skilled “techie” with a good understanding of public school policies and procedures, Scott employs clear and understandable terminology and a bit of levity to deliver an engaging and frank presentation on the trappings of social media. Please join us on Nov 29th from 4-6:30 p.m.

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For more than two months, schools around the state have been busy hosting fundraisers, collecting donations and running relief drives to support schools that were devastated by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. To date, seventy-nine schools have contributed almost $50,000 to the CAS Hurricane Relief Fund, every dollar of which will be matched by Brother’s Brother Foundation. CAS is proud to spotlight the compassion, caring and generosity demonstrated by Connecticut’s students and communities!

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Earlier this month, Commissioner of Education Dr. Dianna Wentzell issued a memo outlining changes to the state’s Teacher Education and Mentoring (TEAM) program for the 2017-18 school year and beyond. Among the changes is the elimination of the requirement for beginning teachers to submit reflection papers.

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Chief Talent Officer Dr. Sarah Barzee issued a recent memo containing links to updated resources to assist administrators in the important work of educator evaluation. Among the resources is a revised SEED Handbook containing the changes to the Guidelines for Educator Evaluation which were adopted in April 2017.

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The Rogers Educational Innovation Fund, designated by Neag School of Education Professor Emeritus Vincent Rogers, provides a $5,000 award available annually in support of innovative projects carried out by teachers in Connecticut. Elementary and middle school teachers in Connecticut are invited to apply. Applications due Dec. 15.

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