If so, why not nominate him/her for the CAS Principal of the Year Award? The award was established in 1984 to bring recognition to high-achieving school principals and to increase public awareness of the critical role that principals play in the education of our youth. One award is given at each level: elementary, middle and high school. The deadline for submitting nominations is January 18, 2019.

On February 28, the CT Association of Student Councils (CASC) will host a free workshop to engage advisors in discussions about how to support student leaders in new and inspirational ways. Join Russell Crist and Christopher Tomlin, co-executive directors of CASC, as they work to build a community of support for student councils across Connecticut. Advisors from all levels are welcome!

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 expanded 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 23rd.

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. 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.  

Now in its twenty-third year, the Governor's Scholars Awards Program honors the top scholars in Connecticut. CAS high school principals are invited to nominate one junior who ranks in the top five percent of his or her class. The online nomination portal will be open until February 4, 2019.

Registration is now open for esports Season One featuring three games: Rocket League, SMITE and League of Legends. Schools are able to build as many teams as they’d like, creating a truly inclusive activity. The inaugural season will begin the week of February 25th and end in April, with playoffs taking place in May 2019. The last day for schools to register is February 8th.

On January 22, 2019, the CT Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (CALAS) will hold a full membership meeting at the CAS office in Cheshire. CALAS is dedicated to developing and advancing Hispanic/Latino school leaders and improving the educational experiences of Latino students in Connecticut. All existing CALAS members as well as educators interested in joining are encouraged to attend and should register in advance. A light dinner will be provided.

The CAS Heart of the Arts Award recognizes students, adults or groups involved in high school performing or visual arts programs who exemplify the core values of education-based activities – i.e., integrity, citizenship, courage, good character. If you know someone who has demonstrated exemplary ‘heart,’ has exceeded normal expectations in assisting others within the school community, or has overcome adversity or a challenging circumstance, please consider submitting a nomination. The deadline is January 25th.

The Bohdan Kolinsky Memorial Sports Journalism Scholarship, presented by the Connecticut Sports Writers' Alliance, honors the memory of Bohdan Kolinsky, longtime school sports editor of the Hartford Courant, who died in 2003. The scholarship provides a one-time award of $3,000 to a high school senior from Connecticut who is admitted to an accredited four-year college for study leading to a career in sports journalism (print and broadcast). The application deadline is midnight on Friday, February 22, 2019.

The 55th Annual Scholastic Chess Championships for students in grades 1-12 will be held on Saturday, February 23, 2019, at the Travelers' cafeteria in Hartford. Students attending ANY Connecticut school (as well as home-schooled students) are invited to participate. Register now!