CAS is working with the Digital Citizenship Task Force which is seeking to provide recommendations to the legislature on how schools could help in developing student skill sets around digital citizenship. To assist in this work, CAS is looking to identify how many school districts currently have curriculum in place addressing digital citizenship. Please fill out a quick, two-question survey to let us know whether or not your school has a digital citizenship curriculum and, if so, if you feel your curriculum is a model that other schools could use to build theirs.

Dr. Rosie Vojtek sits down with CSDE Chief Performance Officer Ajit Gopalakrishnan to explore the features and functions of EdSight, the state's education data portal, and talk about what school leaders need to know in order to use it effectively. Ajit also provides an in depth look at the state's Early Indication Tool, which uses statistical methods to identify students who may be at-risk of missing milestones and/or dropping out. Don't miss this informative and well-timed episode. Now that SBAC assessment data have been released, it covers a very timely topic!

The deadline for nominations for the 2019 CAS Assistant Principal of the Year Award is this Friday. If you know or work with an exceptional assistant principal, please consider nominating him or her for this prestigious award. Click below for more information.

The nomination process has been streamlined and now involves completing a brief online form. If you know an individual who would be worthy of induction, please take the time to nominate him or her. The deadline for consideration for the 2019 Hall of Honor class is Monday, Oct. 1.

Registration for the always popular elementary student leadership conference is now open. This annual event features unique, interactive lessons in communication, problem solving, decision-making and productive thinking. Choose from four college sites: Sacred Heart University in Fairfield on January 3; Naugatuck Community College in Waterbury on January 8; Asnuntuck Community College in Enfield on January 10; and, Three-Rivers Community College in Norwich on January 11. Each conference offers an impressive line-up of breakout presentations and hands-on activities. These events fill up quickly, so register soon!

On October 12th, the Center for Leadership and Innovation is offering a full-day workshop featuring restorative justice expert Joe Brummer. Joe will share innovative strategies that move away from punitive measures towards healing, accountability and change. Participants will develop their implementation skills and leave with a schoolwide action plan to bring restorative justice concepts to their school community. Participants will also be offered two morning follow-up sessions on January 14 and March 26, 2019.

The CT State Department of Education – in partnership with CAS and SERC – is sponsoring a community of practice series specifically targeted to the interests and needs of alternative education program/school administrators. The five-session series provides a forum for discussing needs, sharing ideas and building networking opportunities within this cohort of leaders. The first session will be held on Thursday, September 27th, and will focus on improving attendance at alternative schools and programs. The series is offered at no charge. There is still time to register for Thursday's session!

The 20th annual elementary arts banquet will be held on February 4 and 5, 2019, at the Aqua Turf in Plantsville. This annual two-night recognition event is designed to recognize elementary students who have demonstrated outstanding artistic ability in performing or visual arts as well as citizenship and cooperative skills. Each elementary school is invited to select two students to be honored. Registration will open soon.

As a follow-up to CAS’ popular PSAT and SAT presentations, members of the college board will be returning to CAS for a series of workshops being offered November through December. Each workshop is designed for a specific target audience, and registration fees are based on the workshop content, full/half day sessions and CAS membership status. Click here for workshop dates and details.

Key decisions are being made right now about FY 2019 funding levels for programs like Title II and Title IV of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), and we need to make our voices heard. Will you take a moment to help amplify the message of principals, school leaders, and educators across America by sending a message to Congress? It just takes a couple clicks of your mouse.

On October 19th, CAS is hosting a NELMS-sponsored workshop with Kim Campbell, national education consultant, author and acclaimed presenter. Middle level educators are invited to join Kim as she explores ways to improve rigor, engage students and better understand the brain development of adolescent learners. CAS members are invited to register at the NELMS member rate even if they are not current members of NELMS.

Fitch High School in Groton is hosting a school climate conference on October 4th from 9:00-12:30. Sponsored by Jostens Renaissance^®, the event is open to administrators, guidance counselors, teachers, and student leaders. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Phillip Campbell, former teacher, athletic director and principal, who will share strategies for revolutionizing school climate and culture in the 21st century. Click here for more information.

The Mohegan Tribe is inviting applications for the annual Mohegan Tribe Challenge Grant Program to be awarded for the spring 2019 semester. The grant program is designed to expand and advance the Native American curriculum in Connecticut’s schools. The grant includes $1,000 for the funding of educational materials for classroom and other expenses related to curriculum implementation, a field trip including lunch and reimbursement for the cost of the bus, and a one-day instructional program taught by a Mohegan Tribe representative. The deadline for applications is November 14, 2018. If you have any questions, please call Tricia Priebe at 203-464-3793.