School leaders at all levels will soon be receiving a packet of materials for CAS’ newly-created award, Recognition for Creativity and Innovation. This award is designed to give principals the opportunity to recognize innovative practices and programs which enhance the quality of the educational experience within their buildings. The packet will contain five certificates of recognition as well as a rubric to help with the selection process. Recipients will be chosen at the local level and at the discretion of the principal. If additional certificates are needed, CAS will provide them. We hope that principals will take advantage of this opportunity to spotlight creative teachers and promote innovative practices that are making a difference in their schools. Please contact Ev Lyons, elyons@casciac.org, with any questions.

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On October 24th, the CT Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (CALAS) will hold a full membership meeting at the CAS office in Cheshire. Deputy Commissioner Ellen Cohn will be in attendance to discuss ESSA and its implications for ELs. All existing CALAS members and educators interested in joining are encouraged to attend. There is no charge for participation and a light dinner will be provided.

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Governor Dannel P. Malloy yesterday released his fourth balanced budget proposal for the FY18-FY19 biennium. Built off the administration’s last compromise budget, this new budget eliminates numerous tax increases, cuts additional spending, and pares down implementer language to focus only on structural relief for the state and municipalities and language that is actually necessary to implement the biennial budget. This proposal includes an updated ECS formula that maintains focus on school districts most in need of assistance, but which phases in more gradually in order to ease the impact on Connecticut municipalities.

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CAS is once again partnering with Brother’s Brother Foundation (BBF) in a matching funds program to support schools in areas hit by the recent hurricanes. We have the ability to send $600,000 to schools in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, St. Croix and the British Virgin Islands. If every CAS member school donates just $353 to this effort, CAS will collect a total of $300,000. When matched dollar for dollar by Brother’s Brother, our support can reach a mighty $600,000 - and possibly more if CAS exceeds the $300,000 challenge! Now that BBF has offered to increase its support, we have extended our donation deadline to November 17, 2017. Please be a part of this incredible statewide fundraising effort. CAS and BBF can make a tremendous difference!

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Looking to jump start 2018 with some dynamic leadership training? Register your students for one of our two middle level student leadership conferences coming in January. Middle level students are invited to join us at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield or Trinity College in Hartford to learn new skills, challenge old ideas and prepare to rise to a new level of leadership in their schools and communities!

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The Learning Counsel, a research institute focused on providing context for the shift in education to digital curriculum, will host its annual Connecticut Digital Curriculum Sustainability Discussion on October 19th. There is still time to register! The forum will run from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the CAS office in Cheshire and is open at no cost to all administrators and teachers. Breakfast and lunch will be served. Attendees will hear from education leaders on the state of the national education market; best-practices for digital transformation; winning strategies from state to state; and, what superhero schools are making happen and how.

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Registration for the always popular elementary student leadership conferences is now open. These annual events feature unique, interactive lessons in communication, problem solving, decision-making and productive thinking. Choose from four college sites: Sacred Heart University in Fairfield on January 4; Naugatuck Community College in Waterbury on January 8; Asnuntuck Community College in Enfield on January 10; and, Three-Rivers Community College in Norwich on January 11. Each conference offers an impressive line-up of breakout presentations and hands-on activities. These events fill up quickly, so register now!

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The 11th Annual CIAC Sportsmanship Conference will be held on Thursday, November 16, 2017, at the Aqua Turf in Plantsville, CT. The keynote speaker will be Eddie Slowikowski, an NCAA All-American track star who ran the mile in 3 minutes and 58 seconds. Eddie will take students on a roller coaster of inspiration, emotion and introspection as he explores the areas of empowerment and leadership. Students will also participate in interactive workshops, address real world challenges and network with athletic leaders from across the state.

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On October 27th, Pullman & Comley’s School Law Practice will host a Special Education Legal Issues Forum at the CAS Office in Cheshire. This dynamic session will provide an in-depth look at current special education law and the latest issues affecting special education administrators. Specific topics that will be addressed include:

• 2017 Legislative Update
• The High Price of Not Staying Put: Doe v. East Lyme Board of Education and M.R. & J.R. v. Ridley School District
• Your Lives Just Got Harder: IEP Transition and Methodology Requirements in R.E.B. v. State of Hawaii Dept. Of Education;
• OCR Revises Investigation Guidelines
• Betsy Devos and Special Education
• The New Mediation System & the New Hearing Officers

Please RSVP by calling 203.330.2059 or sending an email to forum@pullcom.com with your school district and the names and emails of all who wish to attend. Click here for a complete workshop agenda.

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The Driscoll Cares 2017 Literacy Project is a community service initiative started by Logan Driscoll, a senior at Guilford High School. Logan is mobilizing NHS chapters and student councils throughout Connecticut to collect 100,000 children’s books for disadvantaged children. These books will be distributed to children’s hospitals and literacy organizations throughout the state. Help Logan make his mission to collect 100,000 books a reality!

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The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation is accepting mini-grant applications from public schools and public libraries anywhere in the United States and its territories. The program awards grants of up to $500 to help educators create special activities outside the standard curriculum that foster creative expression, cooperation and community. Projects funded in the past include murals, pen pal groups, quilts, theater productions, newspapers and other publications, intergenerational activities, and programs that bring disparate communities together.

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