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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The CT Council for Education Reform (CCER) and CAS are co-sponsoring a spring conference titled “Engaging the Disengaged Learner.” Middle and high school principals and their leadership teams are invited to join us on May 2nd at the Sheraton Hartford South in Rocky Hill to hear two acclaimed keynote speakers: Eric Sheninger, best-selling author, award-winning principal, digital leadership pioneer, and senior fellow with the International Center for Leadership in Education (ICLE); and, Dr. Douglas Reeves, distinguished author and international expert on school reform. There will also be breakout sessions on inquiry-driven project-based learning, wrap around services, work-based partnerships, and positive school climate. Don't miss this powerful conference!

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Over the past few weeks, there have been several cyberattacks on Connecticut municipalities and boards of education. On the municipal side, internet thieves have intercepted wire transfer instructions in two Connecticut municipalities resulting in the theft of significant sums. Most recently, an outsider accessed a superintendent’s email and requested W-2 information for the school district’s employees. While local police, IRS and FBI are investigating the matter, it is believed this information was stolen with the intent of filing false tax returns for the affected employees. For tips to avoid falling prey to this targeted phishing scam, read this timely article published by Berchem, Moses and Devlin, P.C.

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Last week, the Connecticut State Department of Education published the list of certification areas that have been designated as shortage areas for the 2017-2018 school year. It’s interesting to note that Intermediate Administrator (092) did not make this year’s top ten list.

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The CAS-CIAC Endowment and Flanagan Grant Program, made possible by the generosity of sponsors whose dollars have helped us build a stable endowment fund, provides grant money to member schools to fund new or existing initiatives that lead to enriched educational experiences and/or improved learning environments. Member schools are eligible for grants of up to $5,000. Some examples of activities or programs that would be considered for funding include:

• leadership training for student leaders;
• anti-bullying programs;
• multi-cultural programs;
• academic competitions;
• programs about self-esteem, nutrition, and/or character development; and,
• school climate initiatives.

The deadline for proposals is April 7th.

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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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Planning on retirement this coming spring? Want to stay involved professionally but not in a full-time capacity? Consider registering with CAS as a potential interim administrator. The process is easy. Simply send an electronic copy of your resumé to Ev Lyons (elyons@casciac.org), and it will be forwarded to districts who contact CAS looking for interim prospects. Once CAS sends its bank of available resumés to an interested district, the district takes over and contacts individuals directly. So, if retirement is looming and you are not quite ready to pass the day in your Lazy Boy, consider an interim position and contact CAS!

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Notre Dame High School in West Haven has been selected as the winner of the 2016-17 CAS-CIAC Battle of the Fans contest! Members of the Notre Dame-West Haven student section will be honored during halftime at one of the state championship b-ball games at Mohegan Sun this weekend. Click here to view its winning video.

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Last week, the Connecticut Council for Education Reform (CCER) released the findings of a study conducted by the Neag School of Education at the University of Connecticut. The study, "Focus: How Long-term Planning Processes Can Improve State-Led Turnaround in Connecticut," looks at the impact of the Alliance District program and provides insights into how effective planning and monitoring of performance data can lead to improved results. In releasing the findings, CCER Executive Director Jeffrey Villar noted, “The study also suggests that disruptions in leadership—both at the state-level and in our districts—can impact effective implementation and detract from improvement efforts.”

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