CAS is hosting its annual spring membership reception on May 9th from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Please join us for a casual cocktail reception to celebrate the end of another successful school year and to honor those individuals who have contributed so generously to our work. This year, six administrators will be recognized for their extraordinary service to the association. Congratulations to Laurie Boske, Jon Capone, Rich Dellinger, Victoria Reed, Deane Renda and Beth Smith!

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The next session of the 2017 CCSS Leadership Community of Practice series will be held on Wednesday and there is still time to register! Literature and research overwhelmingly show that the foundation for all school reform initiatives over the last decade is building a positive climate and culture. Presenter Dave Maloney, CAS Assistant Executive Director, will share evidence of this at “School Climate and the Common Core.” This morning workshop will include continental breakfast and a participant sharing session. Please join us!

The last session of the 2017 CCSS series will be held on Tuesday, May 2nd, and it's one not to miss! Presenters Brian Frazier, Fine Arts Coordinator for the Stratford Public Schools, and Professor Dee Hansen of the Hartt School will offer an in-depth look at the CCSS for the Fine Arts and discuss how the arts increase student learning in all disciplines. The session is offered without charge to school and district leaders and includes continental breakfast. Register now!

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On May 5th, Pullman & Comley’s School Law Practice will host a Special Education Legal Issues Forum at the CAS Office in Cheshire. This dynamic session is held annually to advise school leaders on current legal developments affecting special education. This year's forum will address such topics as: the recent Supreme Court ruling on FAPE standard; OCR guidance on discipline; seclusion and restraint; charter schools and Section 504; and pending special ed-related legislation.

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The Connecticut Association of National Honor Societies’ (CANHS) annual conference will take place at Trinity College in Hartford on May 26, 2017. This empowering event is packed with hands-on leadership development activities focused on service, integrity and passion. This year’s conference will feature the ever-popular Aric Jackson. A charismatic and passionate communicator, Aric truly electrifies an audience.

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The last Principals' Leadership Series (PLS) session of the year will be held on May 10th and will address the all-important topic of equity. Presenter Dr. Deirdra Preis from Fairfield Warde High School will discuss achievement gaps as they exist not only in low-income districts but in some of CT's highest-achieving and highly resourced schools. Participants can learn how to have the difficult conversations and make the changes in practice needed to ensure that all students are accessing resources and achieving their potential. This morning workshop will be held at the CAS office in Cheshire and is open at no charge to all CAS members.

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District and school leadership teams are invited to a workshop on Wednesday, May 3rd, to discuss the what and why of mastery-based learning (MBL) and how it can help schools improve. This full-day professional development program will focus on the core elements of MBL and allow time for self (school)-assessment in the key areas of teaching and learning, organizational design, and school leadership.

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Have you finally reached that seemingly elusive milestone? If so, please let us know! All retiring principals and assistant principals receive life memberships in CAS. If you plan to retire this year, or if you know of any principal or assistant principal who is so planning, please go to www.casciac.org/retiringadmins and fill in the requested fields. This task should take no more than a minute of your time.

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The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) is accepting applications for Equity in Mathematics grants. This grant program is designed to support efforts to incorporate middle school classroom materials or lessons that will improve the achievement of student groups that have previous records of underachievement. For 2018-19, grants of up to $8,000 will be awarded to persons currently teaching mathematics in grades 6-8. The award is for individual classroom teachers or small groups of teachers collaborating in one grade or across grade levels.

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Each year, the Connecticut Economic Resource Center publishes a report about the economic health of Connecticut. The report includes comparisons to other states in areas of talent, innovation, industries, resources and quality of life. The 2017 edition, which was published last month, shows that Connecticut ranks #5 for quality of life in the U.S. Among its peer states, Connecticut ranked:

• 1ST in personal income per capita; 
• 2ND in median family income;
• 3RD in overall health of its residents; 
• 4TH in number of doctors per capita;
• 5TH in number of dentists per capita; and, 
• 7TH lowest in rate of property crime.

The full report, which provides a rich array of statistics about Connecticut’s workforce, economy and industry, is available for download.

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