Please join us on Thursday, June 4th, for an in-depth look at the elements of effective pre-K-3 programs. This forum will introduce principals and school leaders to the Competencies for Effective Principal Practice published by the National Association of Elementary School Principals. Participants will review the competencies, discuss implementation strategies, and focus on developing a personalized plan for their school.

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Is a parent threatening to sue for educational malpractice because of the implementation of the new SBAC tests? Has a student asserted her First Amendment rights after she was banned from distributing Taliban recruitment flyers? If you are a school administrator with a potentially prickly legal situation or with concerns about the legalities of a new policy or program, we invite you to submit a question to our “Legal Mailbag” column. The column, written by famed education lawyer Thomas Mooney, features answers to law-related questions of practical concern to school leaders. While these answers cannot be considered formal legal advice, they may be of help to you and your colleagues. Please send questions to: legalmailbag@casciac.org.

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In conjunction with National Administrative Professionals Week, CAS will host its annual conference for school secretaries and administrative assistants on April 24th at the Aqua Turf in Plantsville. The conference will feature two unique presentations designed to enrich the important role that secretaries play in our schools. Additionally, the CAS Administrative Assistant of the Year Award will be presented at the conference. Please consider making a nomination - the deadline is March 31st.

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The 14th Annual Arts in the Middle Conference will be held on May 19, 2015, at the University of Hartford’s Art School. This hands-on conference provides middle level art students with opportunities to participate in high quality workshops involving both traditional and non-traditional artistic media. While primarily for students, art teachers are encouraged to sign up for workshops and participate as learners. Working artists lead all of the sessions.

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CAS, in conjunction with ReVision Learning, is offering a free workshop to CAS members: DISC Leadership: Leveraging Understanding of Self and Others for Improved Performance. Workshop participants will receive an analysis of their leadership styles by completing the short online DISC survey. Using their analyses, participants will delve into the dimensions of their leadership and communication patterns and examine how they interact with others. This workshop is sponsored by the CT State Department of Education. Materials and meals will be included at no cost.

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Mark your calendars! The 2015 Summer Leadership Institute will take place on June 25 and 26 at the Heritage Inn in Southbury. This year’s program will focus on ways to create conditions in schools and school districts that set the stage for K-12 students not only to learn important facts and skills, but, also, to build the dispositions necessary to engage in intellectual discovery in ways that reflect their unique needs and interests.

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The Connecticut Student Activities Conference is pleased to host “Improving Frosh Orientation,” a half-day workshop on April 8th from 8:30 – 12:00 p.m., at the CAS office in Cheshire. Three high school teams will share their approaches to dramatically changing their freshman orientation programs with positive results! Learn ways to improve your students’ critical transition from grade 8 to grade 9.

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K-3 teachers in schools and districts across the state are required to participate in the Foundations of Reading Survey developed and administered in accordance with Section 10-145r of the Connecticut General Statutes. The survey is being administered at the local level during two administration windows: January 20, 2015, through May 15, 2015, and August 17, 2015, through September 11, 2015. In response to questions that have arisen during the first administration window, the CT State Department of Education has developed a one-page informational overview document designed to address the most frequently asked questions about the survey.

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Fred Balsamo, executive director of the Connecticut Association of Athletic Directors, recently authored an article touting the benefits of employing athletic trainers in school districts. As Mr. Balsamo explains, schools can minimize the risk of injuries and provide proper medical intervention by having athletic trainers on staff. His article, originally published in the March 2015 edition of Connecticut Medicine Magazine, cites studies and statistics showing that schools that employ athletic trainers have fewer injuries and are able to diagnose concussions more accurately and immediately.

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Jostens, a long-time friend of education and a loyal supporter of CAS-CIAC, has entered into an exciting partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). Jostens will provide support for such vital programs as the Principal of the Year Awards as well as new leadership development initiatives for students. Jostens is the leading provider of publications, class rings and consumer goods serving the K-12 and college market.

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