The next session of the 2016-17 Principals’ Leadership Series (PLS) will feature Nitza Diaz-Candelo of SERC who will examine culturally relevant and responsive family engagement practices. Join us from 8:30-11:30 AM on March 14th to learn strategies for creating a school community that values the perspectives of families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Registration closes today!

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What does Connecticut’s growth model look like and what does it mean for your school? Come to CAS on March 23rd and find out! Join us from 4:00-6:00 p.m. for a short presentation by Ajit Gopalakrishnan, Chief Performance Officer at the Connecticut State Department of Education. He will provide a brief overview of Connecticut's Smarter Balanced Growth Model; review the results on EdSight; and discuss inclusion of growth in the Next Generation Accountability System.

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The University of Connecticut’s Neag School of Education invites you to participate in its May 12th special education summit at the UConn School of Law campus in Hartford. Titled "2017 Special Education in Connecticut Summit: Issues and Solutions in the Wake of CCJEF v. Rell" and co-sponsored by Neag and the Klebanoff Institute, this daylong conference will be dedicated to exploring special education issues raised in the wake of September’s landmark CCJEF v. Rell court ruling. The summit will bring together professionals in special education, school finance, and law; expert witnesses; advocates of persons with disabilities; school administrators; and other experts from across the region for a series of insightful panel discussions. All three event panels will be moderated by reporters from WNPR. Space is limited — register online today. Find more information, including a detailed summit agenda, panelist bios and more, at http://casci.ac/1919.

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The Board of Directors of the Connecticut Association of Schools seeks a qualified person to fill the position of Associate Executive Director for the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) to begin employment on July 1, 2017. The person selected shall have proven administrative experience and leadership at the high school level and thorough knowledge of high school interscholastic sports.

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CAS is pleased to collaborate with CABE and CAPSS to offer a full-day workshop on "Supporting Students and Staff in an Age of Anxiety." On March 31st, Attorney Edwin Colon from the Center for Children’s Advocacy will present critical information on Immigration and Cust. Enforcement (ICE) policies impacting schools and students. In addition, representatives from the ADL and the Connecticut School Counselor Association will discuss research regarding student anxiety and provide helpful strategies for addressing anxiety-related behaviors in schools.

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CAS was deeply saddened to learn that Gina Vance, cherished professional colleague and friend, passed away earlier this week following a series of heroic and protracted medical battles. Gina officially retired from school administration in 2011 yet remained firmly connected to CAS and to public education, maintaining an energy and dedication that belied her debilitating health issues. As former assistant executive director Regina Birdsell said, “Gina was an inspiration wherever she went. As a member of the CAS Elementary Principals’ Board, she was a friend, a role model and a tireless advocate for children. Her enthusiasm was infectious. We are all saddened that she is no longer with us...but she leaves a legacy and programs that will always have her stamp. She will always remain in our hearts.” Click here to read Gina's obituary.

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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 28th at the Aqua Turf. 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. This annual award recognizes a high-performing school office assistant who demonstrates excellent leadership, ongoing commitment to staff and students, and meaningful contributions to the overall school experience. Please consider making a nomination!

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The 33rd Annual Athletic Directors Conference will be held on March 23 & 24, 2017, at the Sheraton Hartford South, Rocky Hill. Workshops will cover critical topics in athletic administration and the CIAC staff will be on hand to review CIAC rules and regulations. In addition, State Police Lieutenant Paul Vance will discuss public relations issues facing schools today; and, Mike Papale, president/founder of “In a Heartbeat” Foundation and a sudden cardiac arrest survivor, will speak about making the most out of life.

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The Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, in partnership with the Seedlings Foundation, is excited to offer school leaders a chance to enhance their emotional intelligence skills and learn how to create system-wide structures to infuse Social and Emotional Learning (SEL). Seedlings is a 3-day leadership development institute for superintendents, directors, and network heads designed to increase their knowledge of SEL as a pathway to becoming stronger leaders of change in their education community. The 2017 Seedlings Institute will take place July 10-12, 2017, at Yale University. Click here for details and application information.

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