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Middle School Awards
Administrators
Principal of The YearTThe Principal of the Year Program, sponsored annually by the Connecticut Association of Schools, was established to bring recognition to exemplary school principals and to increase public awareness of the critical role that principals play in the education of our youth. The program recognizes outstanding middle and high school principals who have succeeded in providing high quality learning opportunities for students. These administrators 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.Each year nominations are solicited for a Middle School and High School Principal of the Year. The winners are chosen by the CAS Awards and Recognition Committee, a selection committee consisting of active and retired principals and assistant principals. The selections will be made in February of each year. Both the middle and high school honorees will be recognized locally by CAS. They will also be honored nationally by NASSP and will represent Connecticut in the competition for National Principal of the Year, sponsored by NASSP and MetLife. (NASSP does not include elementary schools.) For additional information about the National Principal of the Year program, visit http://www.nassp.org/awards/09-01.cfm. CRITERIA FOR AWARD Collaborative Leadership
All candidates must be members of CAS and NASSP and have at least three years experience as a school principal. Assistant Principal of the YearThe Assistant Principal of the Year Program, sponsored annually by the Connecticut Association of Schools and the National Association of Secondary School Principals, was established in 1990 to bring recognition to the assistant principalship and to spotlight the critical role that assistant principals play in the education of our youth. The program recognizes outstanding school assistant principals who have succeeded in providing high quality learning opportunities for students. These administrators have demonstrated excellent leadership commitment to staff and students, service to their communities, and contributions to the overall profession of educational leadership.Each year nominations are solicited for an Elementary, Middle Level, and High School Assistant Principal of the Year. The winners are chosen by the CAS Awards and Recognition Committee, a selection committee consisting of active and retired principals and assistant principals. The selections are made in December. Either the middle or high school honoree will be recognized nationally by NASSP and will represent Connecticut in the competition for National Assistant Principal of the Year, sponsored by NASSP and Virco, Inc. (NASSP does not include elementary schools.) From the 52 state winners, three finalists are selected and become eligible to be named the National Assistant Principal of the Year. The national winner receives a $5,000 award from Virco. For additional information about the National Assistant Principal of the Year Award, please visit http://www.nassp.org/awards/09-02.cfm. CRITERIA FOR AWARD Candidates should demonstrate success in the following areas: Collaborative Leadership
All candidates must work in a CAS member school and have at least three years experience as an assistant principal (or the equivalent thereof).
TeachersJohn Wallace AwardsThe John Wallace Awards were established in memory of John Wallace, a dedicated school superintendent. Two awards are offered:
Each applicant will complete an application and submit a reference letter from his/her professional supervisor. The John Wallace Scholarships are for eligible undergraduate or graduate students studying in accredited higher education institutions. The selected scholarship recipients will not complete his/her program in the year in which the scholarship is awarded. The Wallace Scholarships are open to candidates who are associated with a CAS member school (either themselves or through a parent or guardian). (NOTE: Wallace Scholarships are offered at the elementary, middle and high school levels. Application procedures and selection processes may vary among levels.) Click here to download an application: Middle Level Exemplary EducatorPURPOSEEvery middle level school in Connecticut has a number of outstanding professional educators, including classroom teachers, counselors and specialists. The purpose of this award is to give public recognition in Connecticut and nationally to a CAS member middle level educator who exemplifies the profession. Nominations may be made by any present or former member of the school staff or district central office personnel. The educator chosen will receive recognition in the media, in CAS publications and at a CAS sponsored ceremony in her/his community. ELIGIBILITY CAS recognizes that outstanding middle level educators create a classroom and school environment appropriate to the needs of the early adolescent. The following criteria will be used to determine the recipient of this award. Please note, however, that past recipients are not eligible. 1. Candidate must be a practicing educator of a CAS member middle school who exhibits the following: a. Demonstrates excellence in teaching; b. Demonstrates involvement with students, staff, and parents in and out of the classroom; c. Demonstrates leadership within the profession. 2. The candidate should be in at least her/his fifth year as a practicing middle school educator in Connecticut and in at least the third year in his/her present position. 3. Each of the three areas on the accompanying nomination document must be addressed individually. The total response is limited to six pages (exclusive of Nomination Title Sheet). 4. Nominations must be accompanied by three (3) letters of recommendation, by any persons who are qualified to judge the professional performance of the candidate. Either the nomination or one of the three letters of recommendation must be from the building principal. Incomplete nominations will not be considered. 5. Finalists will be asked to write a one to two page reflective essay about his/her beliefs, motivations and/or experiences as a middle level educator. 6. The successful candidate will also be invited to share her/his expertise at a CAS sponsored workshop and/or writing for a CAS publication. Sponsoring school district will be asked to release the Exemplary Educator for one or two school days for in-service and/or celebration activities. Click here to download an application. William Cieslukowski Outstanding First Year Principal AwardsTo honor William Cieslukowski, a dedicated school principal and former president of the Elementary & Middle School Principals of Connecticut, this award recognizes a first year elementary, middle and high school principal who have had a positive impact on their school or school district. The recipients must demonstrate exemplary instructional and organizational leadership, a willingness to take risks, and the ability to overcome adversity.Nominations may be made by superintendents, teachers, or colleague principals. Click here to download an application.
StudentsMIDDLE LEVEL SCHOOLS SCHOLAR-LEADER AWARDS PROGRAMThe Connecticut Association of Schools established the Scholar-Leader Banquet in 1985 to give public recognition to one boy and one girl from each middle level school in Connecticut who have distinguished themselves in scholarship and leadership in school and the community.The two Scholar-Leaders, their parents and school officials, up to a total of ten, are invited to attend a statewide awards banquet the first Monday in June. Each Scholar-Leader receives an award signifying the honor, as well as, an individual photograph commemorating the event. The Commissioner of Education and other dignitaries are included in the evening's program. ANNUAL MIDDLE LEVEL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
The Middle School Student Leadership Conference is a CAS initiative to train middle-level students in leadership skills. Since its inception ten years ago, over 3,000 students in grades 6, 7, and 8 have participated in the day-long event. Each year, students participate in workshops designed to increase their skills in a number of leadership areas. The conference is also an opportunity for middle school students to meet other young community leaders and hear from recognized high school leaders who may act as role models. Led by teachers, administrators, youth offices, high school students and counselors from around Connecticut, students have opportunities to work in small groups. The workshops and small group activities are designed to give middle school participants the tools to become effective leaders in their communities. Participating schools are invited to apply for the Arthur Director Leadership Award for superior application of the conference themes. ARTS IN THE MIDDLE"Arts In The Middle" is an all-day conference for outstanding art students. Connecticut middle schools were invited to send four arts students and an art teacher to the first annual "Arts in the Middle" program, sponsored by the Hartford Art School of the University of Hartford.The event featured hands-on workshops taught by practicing artist from around the state. The goals of the program are to:
Schools
Arthur Director Annual Leadership AwardThe Arthur Director Leadership Award Program is open to all schools participating in the Middle School Leadership Training Conference. This award, named for the founder of Connecticut Lighting Centers, is presented to the school that shows superior application of the concepts learned at the leadership conference. To be considered for the award, schools need to submit an application with supporting documentation (no more than 3 pages). Click here to download an application.Middle Level Outstanding School Of The YearNominations may be made by any present or former member of the school staff or by district central office personnelPurpose To give public recognition in Connecticut and nationally to an outstanding CAS member middle level school that represents the best in the profession. The school chosen will receive recognition in the media, in CAS publications and at a CAS sponsored ceremony in their community. Eligibility The following criteria will be used to determine the recipient of this award. 1. The school must be a member of CAS and exhibit the following "Best Practices."
2. Previous winners may not apply for a period of five years and must clearly show significant change from the previous application. Finalists {schools receiving site visits} must wait until the third school year following the visit before re-applying. Schools not selected as finalists are welcome to re-apply at any time. 3. Each of the eight criteria listed above must be individually addressed in narrative form. The total response must not exceed 10 pages (12 point font/single spaced). 4. A copy of the strategic school profile must accompany the application (not included in the ten page application maximum). 5. A copy of the student/parent handbook must also accompany the application (not counted in the ten page application maximum) 6. The application will be judged solely on the printed application and requested documents. Please do not reference or send additional materials Click here for an application. EXEMPLARY TEAMING PRACTICES RECOGNITIONThe Professional Studies Committee of the Connecticut Association of Schools is accepting applications for "exemplary teaming practice" status.According to the National Middle School Association's This We Believe, Successful Schools for Young Adolescents, "The interdisciplinary team of two to four teachers working with a common group of students is the signature component of high-performing schools, literally the heart of the school from which other desirable programs and experiences evolve." The schools receiving recognition completed a rigorous self-assessment examining twenty-seven areas of school practice such as curriculum integration, collaborative decision-making, parent or community involvement and flexible grouping and scheduling. A team from CAS then visited the schools to verify and validate the assessment. Schools found to have exemplary teaming practices are awarded a CAS Certificate and a three-year exemplary practices designation. As a service to other schools wishing to improve their teaming practices, award winners welcome inquiries and visitors:
Schools meeting initial criteria will be visited by members of the CAS Professional Studies Committee to validate their findings. EXEMPLARY SCHOOL CLIMATE PRACTICES RECOGNITIONThe Professional Studies Committee of the Connecticut Association of Schools is accepting applications for "exemplary school climate practices" status.Middle level educators have long recognized the importance of positive climate in achieving success for all students. While described in many different ways, climate is in fact imbedded in almost all aspects of school life in schools that succeed. Schools seeking recognition will be asked to complete a self-assessment. The assessment looks at indicators in five broad categories:
CAS schools recognized for exemplary climate practices are:
Thomas R. Flanagan Student Activity Memorial Grant
Thomas Flanagan was the long-term principal of Waterford High School, whose untimely death in June of 1979 brought sadness to all who had come to know and love this good man. |
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