Attention middle school principals! Please be aware of an important change in the criteria for the Middle Level Scholar Leader Award. While, historically, schools were required to select one girl and one boy for recognition, they can now choose two students of the same gender. The annual CAS Middle Level Scholar-Leader Banquet is scheduled for Monday, June 4, 2018, at 5:00 p.m. at the Aqua Turf in Plantsville. Register now!

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The State Student Advisory Council on Education is pleased to invite schools to participate in “CT SEES,” a student-led awareness program to make the state’s schools safer and more inclusive. During the month of April, school and student leaders are encouraged to organize a “CT SEES” week in their own district. The week will include a series of activities which emphasize kindness, encourage positive school climate and promote school safety.  Participants can share the success of their “CT Sees” events through a Twitter challenge and the top schools will be invited to attend a round table discussion at the CAS headquarters in May! Please join this vital awareness campaign!

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Congratulations to Jason Bitgood, principal of East Lyme Middle School and this year’s recipient of the William Cieslukowski Outstanding First Year Middle School Principal Award! Jason was selected for his strong instructional and managerial leadership skills and his unerring focus on the needs of his students and staff.

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CAS is pleased to announce that Burr Elementary School in Higganum has been selected as the CT Elementary School of the Year for 2018-2019. Upon being notified of the award, BES Principal Eric Larson stated, “This great honor is reflective of the incredible staff and the supporting families that are within the Burr community.”

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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 full-day program is designed to support the daily work of school secretaries and administrative assistants and spotlight their important role in the success of the school. This year’s conference features an impressive lineup of speakers. Attorneys Tom Mooney and Gwen Zittoun from Shipman & Goodwin will cover new laws and updates on legal issues critical to every administrative assistant’s work. New this year is Scott Driscoll, founder of Internet Safety Concepts, who will provide important tips on the safe use of technology.

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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Could your anti-bullying program use a make-over? Have an idea for a new school climate initiative? Funding is available for members looking to expand or start a school-based activity or project that fosters positive learning outcomes for students. 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 support new or existing initiatives that lead to enriched educational experiences and/or improved learning environments. The deadline for proposals has been extended to April 25th. Apply now!

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On April 4th, the CT Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (CALAS) will hold a full membership meeting at the CAS office in Cheshire. Now in its third year of operation, CALAS is dedicated to developing and advancing Hispanic/Latino school leaders and improving the educational experiences of Latino students in Connecticut. All existing 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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Registration is open for the Sixth Annual High School Robotics Championship which will take place at Fitch Senior High School in Groton on Saturday, May 12, 2018. Schools that are currently partnering with Connecticut FIRST are eligible to vie for the coveted title of state robotics champions!

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CAS is working with the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence (YCEI) to offer regional, mini-day professional development seminars focused on social and emotional learning (SEL). The first forum, rescheduled twice due to weather, will now be held on Wednesday, May 2nd. Don’t miss this chance to engage in an exploration of new dimensions of SEL. Examine best practices and learn new content and delivery change levers that can help you support your students’ comprehensive development. You’ll gain ideas for weaving social, emotional and academic development into the fabric of your school/classroom! This two-hour seminar will be held from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the CAS Office. Register now!

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Each year, the National Federation of State High School Associations selects a national Spirit of Sport Award winner and, for the second time in four years, that honoree hails from a Connecticut high school! Congratulations to Marissa Walker, a student at Waterford High School and the 2018 recipient of this prestigious national award. Read her amazing story of perseverance and achievement.

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The CT State Department of Education's Performance Office has announced the following recent additions to EdSight, the state’s education data repository: 

• The 2017-18 public school enrollment data are now available. The total statewide enrollment of 535,025 in 2017-18 represents a decrease of 3,868 students from 2016-17.

• The 2017-18 special education prevalence data are now available. The overall prevalence rate has increased to 14.5% in 2017-18 from 13.9% in 2016-17. Within special education, prevalence rates show that students with Learning Disabilities (including Dyslexia) represent 36.0% of all students with disabilities in 2017-18, followed by students with Other Health Impairments (including ADD/ADHD) representing 21.1% of all students with disabilities.

• The 2017-18 Time with Nondisabled Peers data are now available. Data show that 68.6% of all students with disabilities spent 79.1-100% of time with nondisabled peers in 2017-18. Disaggregation of these data by primary disability shows that students with speech/language impairments are the most included (86.6% of students with speech/language impairments spent 79.1-100% of their time with nondisabled peers). Approximately 25 percent of students with intellectual disabilities spent 79.1-100% of time with nondisabled peers.

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The Connecticut Supreme Court Historical Society invites all high school students in the state to participate in its annual Law Day event and contest. Students have until April 6, 2018, to submit (i) an essay or poetry piece, (ii) a multi-media piece or (iii) an art piece to the Society on this year’s Law Day theme of the separation of powers under the United States Constitution. The winners in each category will receive $500 and will be recognized at the Connecticut Supreme Court on May 1, 2018. Further information, including the contest rules and entry forms, is available at https://www.jud.ct.gov/HistoricalSociety.

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The Better Business Bureau of Connecticut is offering two scholarships for high school students graduating in 2019 who exemplify ethical behavior, service to others and academic achievement. One scholarship is earmarked specifically for a child of a military family. Applications can be submitted online or via mail/email and are due on July 20th. Questions? Contact Jackie MacKnight, Director Marketing & Community Relations, jmacknight@ct.bbb.org.

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