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M.L. Honors and Awards Committee
Minutes from meeting of 11/14/2005
Connecticut Association of SchoolsMiddle level Honors and Awards Committee
November 14, 2005
Minutes
In attendance were: Rochelle Schwartz, Ralph Mayo, Henry Coe and Earle Bidwell
1. School of the Year
a. Old Saybrook Celebration: Rochelle reported on a very successful celebration in Old Saybrook that included a school assembly combined with a kick-off of the “month of the Young Adolescent” celebration followed by a PTO sponsored cocktail party at Saybrook Point.
b. Implications for the Future: It was concluded that this format should be offered to future winners of the award.
c. Timeline: Because of the shift of CMTs to March, the deadline for School of the Year applications has been moved back to February 28th. This will necessitate mailing the applications to the beginning of January.
2. Teacher of the Year
a. Review of Documents: After some discussion, it was concluded that the initial invitation to apply needed to be updated and made more attractive and user-friendly. Several adjustments were suggested. Earle Bidwell will make the adjustments before sending out the applications.
b. Review Procedure: The procedure was reviewed and found to be sound.
c. Publicity and Timeline: Like the SOY, the deadline has been moved back to February 28th. Both documents will be mailed in early January, an article will be put on the CAS website and an article will be put in the December “CAS Bulletin.” Committee members will help to publicize the awards in their regional groups such as Project Learn, the Hartford Area Principals and CES.
3. NELMS Spotlight Schools: It was reported that CAS will be partnering with NELMS on the Spotlight Schools Awards in Connecticut. While it was acknowledged that awards are good advocacy tools and should be supported, there ws some concern that publicizing these awards might compete with our own School of the Year Award. There is a need to be sensitive to the timing and wording of the CAS support.
4. Assistant Executive Director’s Report: Earle Bidwell reported on a student teacher initiative with Southern Connecticut State University and the upcoming CAS Winter Conference on January 27, 2006 in Hartford.
5. The next meeting is scheduled for December 12, 2005.
Addendum: Some recent developments have resulted in altering the timeline suggested above and a modest restructuring of some committee functions. Thanks to the efforts of Janice Grecco and other CAS support staff, it will be possible to get the TOY and SOY documents mailed in November! Consequently, the documents have been revised and will be mailed on or about November 18th. Schedule conflicts and health issues have temporarily reduced the visiting committee for SOY and the interview committee for TOY. Rochelle and Earle have identified a veteran principal who will be asked to fill in for the former, and two teachers who will be asked to serve in the latter capacity. Earle will contact the three educators.
There will not be a need for a December meeting. Enjoy the holiday season!!!
