Every school in Connecticut is blessed with parents and other volunteers who contribute to its success. Here's a chance to honor these individuals! Join us on March 4th at the Aqua Turf for the 15th Annual Volunteer Recognition Banquet. This event is designed to provide principals with a forum for giving public recognition to those volunteers who have made their schools better places to work and learn. Register now!! 
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On January 26, 2015, CAS will host a workshop on the changes in the SAT and PSAT/NMSQT that will be in place beginning next October. The College Board’s Alan Bernstein will be on hand to explain how the redesigned tests will be closely linked to rigorous college readiness standards, such as the Common Core State Standards. He will also explain what these changes will mean for parents, teachers, and students.  MORE

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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 positive experiences for your students? If so, please consider submitting a nomination for the CAS Distinguished Friend of Education Award. The winners will be honored at the March 4th Volunteer Recognition Banquet along with hundreds of school volunteers from around the state.
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The Principal of the Year Award Program 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. The program is designed to honor outstanding principals who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership, a passion for educational excellence, a commitment to their students and staff, and service to their communities. If you know or work with an outstanding school administrator and would like to nominate him or her for the Principal of the Year Award, click here for further information.

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The CAS Division of Student Activities is pleased to announce a unique, one-day training for high school student leaders and teacher advisers designed to prepare them to help students who are experiencing mental health challenges. The workshop, offered in partnership with the Rushford Center and Institute of Living, will be held at the CAS Office on February 5th. Participants will:

• grow in their knowledge of signs, symptoms and risk factors of mental illnesses and addictions.
• identify multiple types of professional and self-help resources for individuals with a mental illness or addiction.
• increase their confidence in helping and likelihood to help an individual in distress.
• show increased mental wellness themselves.
• be introduced to common mental health challenges for youth.
• learn a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations.
• cover topics including despondency, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders.
• increase their awareness of mental health disorders and available resources which should decrease incidents of bullying and disruptive behaviors impacting school climate.

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Register now for the Elementary Arts Banquet coming in February! This festive event recognizes 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. 
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Eight CIAC gridiron champions were crowned last weekend, bringing to a close a very successful fall sports season. Among the many highlights was Tolland High School’s history-making Class M X-C title. The Eagles became the first girls cross country team to have the top five finishers in a Connecticut class meet. 
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On December 11th, the energy in the Newington High School auditorium was palpable as one hundred fifty students joined forces to tackle some tough issues, including cyber-bullying, racial stereotyping, and sexual identity. The workshop, co-sponsored by CAS and the Anti-Defamation League, was designed to allow students to learn from other students how to use social media to build a climate of respect and caring in their schools. “Had the best time at ADL presentation! I learned so much and I will remember this for the rest of my life!!,” tweeted one participant. “Today I learned that I'm not alone. And that I'm not the only one that wants to make a difference in my school community,” added another. Follow the excitement at #amplifyrespect.

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The Connecticut State Department of Education has designed a brief 20-item survey to gather information regarding the implementation of Connecticut's Framework for Scientific Research-Based Interventions statewide. The survey focuses on what is happening in schools and districts regarding SRBI, particularly: current levels of implementation in academic and behavioral areas; and needs for supports, training, and/or guidance to foster fidelity of implementation. Responses to the needs assessment will be used to influence the department’s planning for future support services. Educators and leaders in all of the state’s preK-12 public schools are encouraged to complete the survey. 
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