A two-day workshop for evaluators of educational leaders will be held at the CAS Central Office on February 2nd and 3rd. This training will cover the basic components of the CSDE model and provide time for rich discussion on the practical aspects of implementing the CT Educator Evaluation and Support System. There is no cost to attend. Interested school leaders can register at http://casci.ac/1154.

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Are there members of your faculty who have the potential to be strong school leaders? If so, please pass along this flyer detailing three upcoming information sessions about the University of Connecticut Administrator Preparation Program (UCAPP). The Neag School of Education and CAS have collaborated to develop this nationally recognized program that combines rigorous course work with a robust internship experience to prepare candidates for successful school building and central office level leadership. The combined resources of the university and CAS, the personal attention that each student receives, and the caliber of the classroom learning experience set the UCAPP program apart from all other preparation institutions in Connecticut. We hope that you will encourage your most promising teachers to consider the UCAPP program as the next step in their career ladder.

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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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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 deadline for nominations is January 28th.  MORE

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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.

Don't let your students miss out on this opportunity to gain knowledge and skills that will benefit them, their peers and the school community as a whole. The deadline for registering is January 30th.
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Registration is now open for "Moving from Compliance to Coherence: Enhancing Professional Learning and Growth" to be held on February 26, 2015, at the Crowne Plaza in Cromwell. Sponsored by the CT State Department of Education, the conference will focus on best practices in educator evaluation and professional learning. Districts are encouraged to send teams that represent various positions and perspectives. Participants will: 

• engage in collaborative conversations with a focus on how to build coherence among and between district/school priorities and new initiatives; 
• reflect on current district/school efforts and plan ahead for implementing 2015-16 educator evaluation and support systems; and,
• explore practical resources and tools to support the work of educator evaluation and professional learning in their district/school.

Click here for details and registration information.

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The state department of education is now accepting submissions from Connecticut middle and high schools for the statewide Challenge to Educational Citizenship Awards. Any student-organized activity that represents a “good deed” is eligible for submission. Projects submitted for consideration should demonstrate good citizenship, a commitment to others, civic awareness, leadership, responsibility and teamwork and should provide opportunities for students to help others. If you have a program or activity in your school that you feel might be worthy of this award, click here for more information.

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