The CT State Department of Education has announced that funding is now available to help Connecticut school districts recruit, hire, develop, support and retain a racially, ethnically and culturally diverse teaching and administrative workforce. The CSDE has released an RFP inviting local education agencies to develop multi-pronged, multi-year plans to increase the representation of Black and Latino educators in their local schools and districts. The deadline for submissions is March 6, 2015.

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There’s only four weeks left in this year’s Student Voices in Education contest and we want your students’ voices to be heard! This is a great opportunity for middle and high school students to share their ideas for improving education while honing their writing and/or production skills. The 3rd Annual Student Voices in Education Contest, sponsored by CAPSS and CAS, challenges middle and high school students across the state to develop creative videos and compelling essays (high school division only) that articulate their ideas for improving education in Connecticut. We know your students have great ideas for improving their education – it’s time for them to put them on paper or bring them to life in a short video! The video contest, in particular, is a great opportunity for students to collaborate with their peers and harness the power of teamwork! Prizes will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in each division. The deadline for entries is March 2, 2015, so don’t delay. 

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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. Registration closes on February 13th!

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The 20th Annual High School Arts Awards Banquet, for seniors who excel in either the performing or visual arts, will be held on Monday, April 6, 2015, at the Aqua Turf in Plantsville. Each CAS member high school is encouraged to honor two grade 12 students. This year's keynote speaker will be Jerry Kristafer of 88.9 WJMJ's morning show. Should you have an honoree who is interested in singing the National Anthem at the banquet, please contact Noreen Liberopoulos at 203-250-1111.

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The CAS Student Activities Division announces “The Summit 2015: A Leadership Conference for Young Men of Color.” This unique event, designed to awaken leadership skills and inspire high school students to reach for their highest level of achievement, will be held on March 16th at Trinity College in Hartford. The keynote presentation will be delivered by A'Ric Jackson, a popular, nationally acclaimed speaker whose mission is to teach, inspire, and encourage students to pursue their goals and dreams.

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A two-day workshop to acquaint school leaders with the provisions of the SEED Administrator Evaluation Model will be held at the CAS Central Office on March 9 and 10, 2015. A snow date of March 13th, will, hopefully, handle any inclement weather. The sessions will run from 8:00 am to 3:30 p.m. and there is no cost to attend.

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The deadline for “Battle of the Fans” entries is just one week away! The contest is designed to encourage positive fan behavior from students and to highlight the great things schools are doing to promote sportsmanship and supportive fan conduct. Students are invited to create and submit a 3-minute video which captures fans in action and spotlights their school’s commitment to sportsmanship and school spirit.

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Do you have an outstanding classroom teacher? If so, please consider submitting a nomination 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 demonstrate excellence in education, leadership in the profession, and involvement with students, staff, and parents. Nominations may be made by any present or former member of the school staff or by district central office personnel.

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The Connecticut Association of National Honor Societies (CANHS), sponsored by CAS, has launched a state-wide fundraising initiative to support the Connecticut Veterans Home located in Rocky Hill, CT. Each member NHS and NJHS chapter in Connecticut is asked to participate. The goal is to raise a minimum of $5000, collectively, which will be used to provide various goods and services - such as medical care, legal counsel, tax assistance, employment guidance, etc – to homeless and needy veterans. If each member chapter raises a minimum of $50, the CANHS can easily reach its goal. Click here for more information. 

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Mark your calendars! The CANHS annual spring conference will be held on May 22nd at the Crowne Plaza in Cromwell. Ed Gerety, known for capturing his audience and engaging students with high-energy programs that leave a lasting impression, will be the keynote speaker and facilitator of this educational and interactive event focused on leadership training. Chapters are encouraged to register early for this historically sold-out event. For further information please contact Don Gates, CANHS Executive Director, at donaldgates712@yahoo.com or 860-301-5460; or, David Maloney, CAS Assistant Executive Director, at dmaloney@casciac.org or 205-250-1111.

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The 45th National Athletic Directors Conference was held this past December in National Harbor, Maryland. Forty-three of the state’s athletic administrators were in attendance to witness and celebrate Connecticut’s own Trish Witkin (Glastonbury High School) take over as the new president of the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association.

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Mike Foran, former Connecticut and National High School Principal of the Year, is leading the newly opened New Britain High School Satellite Careers Academy, an alternative school for students who are “on the wrong end of the achievement gap.” In an article published in the January 2015 issue of “Principal Leadership,” Foran talks about his experiences in planning and building the 152-student school around the belief that the vast majority of students not currently achieving success in a traditional high school environment have the desire and potential to succeed if provided the support necessary to overcome challenges holding them back.

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Connecticut educators are meeting the challenge of implementing several new concurrent initiatives, including CT Core Standards, aligned assessments, and educator evaluation and support. While change is inherently complex, if implemented effectively, it can lead to enhanced educator practice and sustained student growth. "Moving from Compliance to Coherence: Enhancing Professional Learning and Growth" will be held on February 26, 2015, at the Crowne Plaza in Cromwell. Sponsored by the CT State Department of Education, the conference will allow participants to share best practices and engage in collaborative conversations about supporting and building coherence across and within a system.

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