CAS is pleased to welcome three new part-time staff members to our student activities division! As of last month, Russell Crist from Farmington High School and Christopher Tomlin from Woodland Regional High School are the new co-directors of the Connecticut Association of Student Councils (CASC); and, Dr. Nadine Mills from E.C. Goodwin Technical High School is leading the Connecticut Association of National Honor Societies (CANHS). Meet these outstanding educators!

On Thursday, October 25th, CAS toasted the state's top school administrators at a recognition dinner at Saint Clements Castle in Portland. Honored this year were the 2018 Assistant Principals of the Year – Joseph Macrino, Oswegatchie Elementary School; Darlene Wallin, John Read Middle School; and, Joseph Masi, Northwestern Regional High School - and the 2018 Principals of the Year – Troy Hopkins, Ashford School; Dianne Vumback, Lincoln Middle School; and, Bill Silva, Farmington High School.

Congratulations to the following Connecticut schools which were named 2018 National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education:

• Haddam-Killingworth High School, Higganum (Region 17)
• West School, New Canaan
• Saint Mary’s School, Simsbury
• University of Hartford Magnet School, West Hartford
• Forest School, West Haven

The National Blue Ribbon Program distinguishes schools in two categories — Exemplary High Performing and Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing. Haddam-Killingworth High School, West School and Saint Mary’s School were identified in the High Performing category; and, Forest School and University of Hartford Magnet School were recognized for their work toward closing Connecticut’s achievement gap.

Nominations are now being accepted for the CAS First-Year Principal Awards for 2019-2020. 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 March 1, 2019.

CAS is now accepting nominations for the 2019-20 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.

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 1, 2019.

On November 20, the Connecticut Education Network is hosting a talk on the all-important topic of student data privacy. Join Gwen Zittoun of Shipman & Goodwin LLP and Doug Casey of the CT Commission for Educational Technology for an engaging, interactive discussion on K – 12 data privacy in CT. They will cover relevant federal and Connecticut laws protecting student data privacy, especially PA 16-189, as well as recent updates to this law. Participants will leave with a solid understanding of district reporting requirements as well as a list of tools and resources the state offers to help streamline compliance efforts.

The first session of the CT Commission for Educational Technology’s year-long Webinar series on the ISTE standards will be held on November 20 from 4:00-5:00 PM. This online session will provide an insightful introduction to the student, educator, and leader competencies by ISTE’s standards director. Presenters will share examples of the standards in action, advocacy tools to support adoption, and great free resources to make digital learning a reality in CT’s schools and districts. Register at http://casci.ac/4012.

The Connecticut Middle School Debate League (CTMSDL) kicked off the 2018-19 year with a scrimmage at Smith Middle School on October 27th. One hundred fifty-six middle school debaters, nineteen high school debaters, and coaches and parents from eighteen schools braved the elements and traveled to Glastonbury for the opening event. Twenty-one teams of experienced debaters and thirty-six teams of newcomers did a fabulous job debating both sides of the motion: This House would include e-sports in the Olympics.