Have you participated in this year's online annual meeting yet? This involves nothing more than reviewing and voting on several documents, including the proposed 2018-2019 budget. To cast your e-ballots, go to http://www.casciac.org/am1718/ and log into the secure, members-only area of our website using your school number and login ID. You can ask questions and/or post comments prior to submitting your votes. Online voting will be open until midnight on June 30th. We need twenty-eight more voters to reach our quorum requirement. Please help!

On Friday, June 8th, the State Student Advisory Council on Education (SSACE) hosted the Statewide Town Hall on School Safety. High school student leaders from around the state, joined by concerned community members and passionate educators, took part in this event. Distinguished panelists included:

• U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal; 
• State Senator Toni Boucher; 
• Commissioner of Education Dr. Dianna Wentzell; 
• CAS Executive Director Dr. Karissa Niehoff; 
• CABE Executive Director Robert Rader; 
• CABE General Counsel Patrice McCarthy; 
• Stratford Superintendent Dr. Janet Robinson; 
• Hall High School Psychologist Enam Khan; and, 
• Internet Safety Concepts President Scott Driscoll. 

The town hall included meaningful dialogue about current school procedures, mental health, school climate, state legislation, federal legislation, and ways engaged students, educators, and community members can take action. CT-Network filmed the entire event, so it is available for your viewing!

In lieu of our annual CAS Summer Leadership Institute which was impacted by Mother Nature, we are moving this event to mid-September to continue our leadership work in the area of social-emotional support. A new institute format and pricing structure should bring this experience within financial reach of our member school administrators. Supporting our students in the area of social-emotional health is one of the topics most requested by our membership. Join us on September 21st as we examine the impact of leadership in this vital area.

High school principals are invited to nominate a student to be considered for service as a member of the State Student Advisory Council on Education (SSACE). The council gives Connecticut students a voice in education planning and provides educational decision-makers with high school students’ perspectives on key issues. Please consider nominating one of your students. Applications must be submitted by June 22, 2018.

Connecticut places fourth among the 50 states in Education Week’s latest report card on school funding. “Quality Counts 2018: School Finance Report & Rankings” grades states in two key areas of school finance: overall K-12 spending and equity of distribution. Connecticut received an overall score of 87.8 out of 100 (B+) compared to a national score of 74.4 (C) and earned an 85.9 (B) and an 89.7 (A-) in equity and spending, respectively.

NASSP and NHS will host the Connecticut State Summit on September 20, 2018, at the Crown Plaza in Stamford. This unique, one-day program offers hands-on experiential leadership development and is open only to NHS and NJHS members. The day is designed to cultivate empowerment, build leadership skills and spark conversations aimed at real results. IT'S MORE THAN LISTENING! IT'S DOING! Check out the link below to see the list of fantastic presenters, topics covered and conference details!

The CSDE has just opened registration for the 2018-19 ReadConn professional learning opportunity! ReadConn is a free learning series with a heightened focus on improving reading outcomes for students with disabilities. The content is designed specifically to support both K-3 special education teachers and K-3 general education teachers who serve students with disabilities. Click here for an informational flyer. Questions can be directed to Joanne White at Joanne.White@ct.gov or (860) 713-6751.

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.