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In This Issue - January 30, 2018

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CAS HOSTS WORKSHOP ON WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP

Join us on March 7th for a unique opportunity to hear and discuss the path to leadership of four successful women leaders in Connecticut’s education community. Their style of leadership, mentors and motivators along the way as well as impediments or issues faced on their journeys will be addressed. There will be time for Q/A as well as small break-out sessions to discuss ways in which schools can grow and develop leadership in young women. The esteemed panelists are: Dr. Karissa Niehoff, Executive Director of CAS-CIAC; Dr. Gladis Kersaint, Dean of UCONN’s Neag School of Education; Dr. Penelope Lisi, Professor in CCSU’s Department of Educational Leadership, Policy and Instructional Technology; and Dr. Suzi D’Annolfo, Retired Administrator and Past Milken National Educator Award Recipient.
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ANNOUNCING THE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT LEADERSHIP UN-CONFERENCE!

CAS invites student leaders, along with their advisors, to attend the High School Student Leadership Un-Conference on March 2-3, 2018. This is not a traditional leadership conference! This is advanced training for established and emerging leaders featuring inspirational author, speaker and youth mover, Brandon Lee White. Born unable to speak, Brandon shares his journey from outcast to school president and how leadership and personal ownership made it possible. Register your students now!
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LAST CALL FOR GOVERNOR’S SCHOLARS NOMINATIONS

Attention high school principals! The deadline to submit a nomination for the Governor’s Scholars Award is this Friday, February 2nd. Now in its twenty-second year, the Governor's Scholars Awards Program honors the top scholars in Connecticut. Each CAS member high school is invited to nominate one high-achieving junior for consideration for this prestigious award. The online nomination portal will close on Friday at 3:00 p.m.
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CELEBRATE YOUR SECRETARY DURING ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS WEEK

In conjunction with National Administrative Professionals Week, CAS will host the 2018 Administrative Assistants’ Conference on Friday, April 27th, at the Aqua Turf in Plantsville. This one-day program is designed to support the daily work of school secretaries and administrative assistants and spotlight their important role in the success of every school. Keynote speaker Attorney Tom Mooney will provide updates on a number of critical legal issues including school safety, electronic communication devices, and student records retention.

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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REGISTRATION FOR SEL WORKSHOP CLOSES TODAY!

Don’t miss Thursday’s workshop on exploring new dimensions of social and emotional learning (SEL). Presenters from the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence will share best practices and weigh in on the content and delivery change levers that will help you support your students’ comprehensive development. You’ll gain ideas for weaving social, emotional and academic growth into the fabric of your school/classroom. This two-hour seminar will be held on February 1st from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the CAS Office. Register now!
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TALENT OFFICE RELEASES FAQ DOCUMENT ON TEAM PROGRAM CHANGES

Last November, the state department of education announced changes to its Teacher Education and Mentoring (TEAM) Program that resulted from the elimination of state funds to support program implementation. The CSDE Talent Office has tracked questions received from districts over the past several months and developed an FAQ document to provide answers to the most commonly asked questions related to TEAM program changes.
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ARE YOU PROUD OF YOUR MIDDLE SCHOOL?

Then LET US HEAR about it! Share the wonderful programs and happenings at your school and what makes YOURS an outstanding school! Consider applying for the CAS Middle School of the Year Award today! Click below to download the application and award criteria. We are extending the deadline to February 19th, so apply soon!
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CSDE LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE

Beginning February 17th, online visitors looking for information from the Connecticut State Department of Education website will need to go to a new address: http://portal.ct.gov/sde. The new site, part of the state’s modernized, mobile-friendly web-based information platform, will feature enhanced navigation and search functions as well as a consolidated calendar for viewing and registering for CSDE-sponsored professional development and public meetings.
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MIDDLE SCHOOL DEBATE IS FLOURISHING - GET YOUR STUDENTS INVOLVED!

On Saturday, January 27, 2018, one hundred sixty-two middle school debaters from sixteen schools traveled to Smith Middle School in Glastonbury to debate the motion: This House would eliminate executive pardons and commutations. The proposition side prevailed in 48% of the debates. If your students aren’t already involved in middle school debate, join now and help them maximize their cognitive development and hone their critical thinking skills. The next tourney will be held on Saturday, April 21, 2018, at Eastern Middle School in Greenwich.
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CARRIGAN INTERMEDIATE'S WINDFALL RECEIVES NATIONAL COVERAGE

May V. Carrigan Intermediate School in West Haven had an amazing day last week and the excitement was broadcast on ABC's Good Morning America! At 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, GMA went live in front of an auditorium packed with students to unveil a surprise from Donors Choose, a charitable organization which channels public donations to needy classrooms across the country. Twenty Carrigan teachers had sought funding for school projects from Donors Choose and instead of just one project being subsidized, all of their projects were funded! Timing was everything for this school as Donors Choose had decided to bankroll all of the requests to celebrate its one millionth project funded! In addition, the school received a $25,000 check to cover purchases for other classroom and school projects. Watch the video capturing this amazing unveiling!
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LEGAL MAILBAG

The Legal Mailbag column is written by Attorney Thomas Mooney of the University of Connecticut's Neag School of Education. Readers are invited to submit short, law-related questions of practical concern to school administrators. One question and its answer will be published in this column each week. Questions may be edited; authors will not be identified; and answers cannot be considered formal legal advice. Please submit questions to: legalmailbag@casciac.org

Dear Legal Mailbag:
I am the principal of a middle school and, recently, the parent of a seventh-grade student here called me to complain about a teacher. I am fortunate to work in a civilized community, and such complaints are fairly rare. I admit that I was annoyed with the complaint, given that one’s grades in middle school are not a factor in college admissions. But to be safe, I asked her to come in and talk personally with me about her concerns.
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CAS MISSION

Providing exemplary programs and services that promote excellence in the education of all children

Contact Information
30 Realty Drive
Cheshire, CT  06410
Phone: 203-250-1111
Fax: 203-250-1345
Website: www.casciac.org
Hours: 8am - 5pm, M-F

 

Connecticut Association of Schools | 30 Realty Drive, Cheshire, CT 06410 | P: 203-250-1111 F: 203-250-1345