CENTER NEWS

EARLY CHILDHOOD COMMITTEE LOOKS AT KEY ISSUES

The CAS Early Childhood Committee met on November 27th to examine and reflect on early childhood education and support issues. Members were excited to hear updates from Harriet Feldlaufer from the Office of Early Childhood and Andrea Brinnel from the Connecticut State Department of Education. The meeting closed with a discussion relative to “purposeful play” and building executive functioning in children from age three to age eight. Keep an eye on the CAS website for more information on these two topics.

ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS SCREEN “RESILIENCE”

Twenty assistant principals traveled to CAS last week for the Assistant Principals’ Leadership and Advocacy Association meeting. CAS Executive Director Glenn Lungarini kicked off the meeting with important association updates, briefing APs on the proposed student classroom safety legislation and on the CAS-CSDE partnership to develop an anti-vaping program for students. Glenn also touched on and shared strategies for using an AP’s limited time effectively. The group then viewed "Resilience," a documentary highlighting recent research relative to childhood traumatic experiences and their impact on student performance and long-term wellness. The meeting concluded with a rich discussion of “burning issues, concerns, and problems of practice” which resulted in a list of topics that will become the foci of future meetings and/or workshops. The group will meet again on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, from 4:00 - 6:00 pm. Please join us!

THOMASTON CENTER SCHOOL RECEIVES CLIMATE AWARD

The CAS Center for Leadership and Innovation recently presented Thomaston Center School in Thomaston, CT, with its Exemplary School Climate Award. As part of the award application process, a school-based team completed a self-assessment rubric after which a group from CAS visited the school. During their time at TCS, the visiting committee members met with administrators, students, parents, and community representatives. Each group confirmed the extraordinary efforts of the staff in building and sustaining a positive and productive atmosphere for teaching and learning. The Exemplary School Climate Award Program is open to all CAS member schools. Click here for more information.

FOR SCHOOL LEADERS

VAPING AND OUR STUDENTS | JAN 8 | 8:00-11:30 AM

On January 8, 2019, CLI will host a workshop with Dr. Suchitra Krishnan-Sarin, Professor of Psychiatry at the Yale University School of Medicine, and Gregory Carver, Program Coordinator for the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. The workshop will address the following topics:

• What e-cigarettes are and what different types of devices are available;
• The appeal of these devices to youth;
• The short and long term risks of these devices;
• How device retailers are complying with the law; and,
• How to prevent access to these devices by individuals under the age of 18.

Register now.

PRINCIPAL WORKSHOP SERIES: A FOCUS ON MATHEMATICS | JAN 16 & FEB 4 | 8:30-11:30 AM

Due to popular demand, the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE), in partnership with CAS, is pleased to offer additional dates for the Principals’ Workshop Series: A Focus on Mathematics. This three-session series is designed to allow principals to examine the implementation challenges of the Connecticut Core Standards for Mathematics and learn how to address these challenges in their buildings. Download a flyer for details and registration information.

DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS WORKSHOP | JAN. 23 | 8-11:30 AM

Do you have the requisite skills and strategies to communicate clearly and directly with your staff when accountability is at stake? Whether you reply “yes” or “no,” you could benefit from attending the upcoming workshop, “Difficult Conversations: Keys to Effective Changes,” on January 23 here at CAS. In this workshop, Jeff House will share strategies that school leaders must “lean into” when staff members violate norms or fail to meet expectations. The workshop’s objective is to boost skills and confidence and provide a blueprint for how to prepare other leaders in your school or district to manage accountability conversations effectively. Registration can be found at the following link: https://casci.ac/4109. There is no charge for CAS member schools.

“UNSOCIAL MEDIA” WORKSHOP | JAN. 30 | 8:00-11:30 AM

Cyberbullying and sexting are among the many social media-related issues that remain a top concern for school leaders and increasingly “eat into" their work day. CAS is offering a workshop on January 30 to help school leaders deal with "unsocial media." Attorneys from Pullman & Comley will answer questions such as: What control do school officials have over social media as used by staff? To what extent can school officials discipline students for inappropriate communications, even when they occur off school grounds and outside the school day? Can school officials “search” student electronic devices? Registration is open.

RAISING A TOUCHSCREEN GENERATION | FEB 12 | 8-11:30 AM

Are you concerned or confused about the role technology should play in our children’s daily lives and how technology is influencing the civility in our culture? Join us for a morning workshop on February 12 as cognitive psychologist Dr. Alicia Farrell answers two important questions: How does technology affect the early-childhood brain and inter-/intrapersonal development? How much technology is too much? There is no cost to attend. Click here to register. 

INFO SESSION ON ALTERNATE ROUTE TO CERTIFICATION FOR SPECIAL ED | FEB. 12 | 4:30-5:30 PM

On February 12, CREC is hosting an open house information session on the Advanced Alternate Route to Certification (AARC) Program for Special Education. This 14-month program allows certified teachers to earn a cross endorsement in comprehensive special education (Certificate 165). This a great way for principals to help members of their teaching staff "add value" to their professional career while at the same time bolstering their school's future staffing needs. Also, with many districts dealing with reduced enrollments, the attainment of such a cross-endorsement could provide staffing options and solutions that otherwise would not be possible. Click here to find our more.

BRISTOL SEEKS RETIRED ELEMENTARY ADMINS FOR SHORT-TERM BUILDING COVERAGE

Bristol Public Schools is looking to develop a pool of recently-retired elementary level administrators to fill short-term coverage needs at its elementary schools. Interested candidates should possess a current 092 certificate and have elementary level leadership experience. If you know of a recently-retired elementary colleague who would like to serve in a position usually of a few days in duration, please contact Sam Galloway, Director of Human Resources, at 860-584-7022.

FOR STUDENT LEADERS

LAST CALL TO REGISTER FOR STUDENT LEADERSHIP CONFERENCES

Registration for the popular elementary and middle level student leadership conferences will close this Friday, December 7th. There are still a few spots open, so act quickly. These annual events provide interactive learning and growth opportunities that foster leadership skills, productive thinking, decision-making, communication, and creative problem solving.

Elementary students can 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.

Middle school students have two options: Sacred Heart University in Fairfield on January 4 and Trinity College in Hartford on January 16.

Click here to register for an elementary leadership conference.
Click here to register for a middle level leadership conference.

All conferences offer an impressive line-up of breakout presentations and hands-on activities. Don't let your students miss out!

CALL FOR PRESENTERS!

Do you have leadership experiences and ideas that could positively impact how middle level students work with others and develop as thinking leaders?  If so, please consider sharing your expertise at one of our upcoming middle level leadership conferences. We are looking for presenters for break-out sessions on the following topics:
• Building a climate of acceptance
• Making a difference at school
• Taking risks and rising to the occasion
• Social networking.
Please volunteer to be a part of our conference lineup!

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