June 26, 2020
CAPSS Welcomes Business Partner
CAPSS Welcomes Antinozzi Associates, P.C. as Business Partner
Founded in 1956, Antinozzi Associates is celebrating over 60 years of Design Leadership in Architecture and Interior Design. Our firm has been a leader in institutional design with a focus on K-12 public school design, working with countless municipalities throughout Connecticut, and completing hundreds of school projects during this time.
The experience we have gained in educational design has allowed our team to learn new methodologies and bring new design thinking to each project in regard to developing 21st Century Learning Environments, implementing a collaborative design process to meet budget and schedule, and creating attractive (yet functional) school spaces.
Contact
F. Michael Ayles, FAIA
Principal, Business Development
(203) 551-2422
General News & Announcements
Attention CAPSS Retired Members
Our retired committee is very active and helpful with problems of practice for superintendents. If you are retiring and would like to remain a member of CAPSS or just stay in touch, please forward your name, address, telephone number, and personal email address to Dionisia Markopoulos at dmarkopoulos@capss.org.
Help Rising Seniors Plan for College and Earn Scholarships from Home
The disruption from school closings is hard to navigate, but like you, the College Board is committed to ensuring rising seniors don’t lose college planning momentum. The College Board Opportunity Scholarships program guides students through important steps in the college planning process at their own pace at home. When students take the first two steps—exploring colleges and practicing for the SAT® — they’ll qualify for $500 and $1,000 scholarships just by getting ready for college. And they don’t even have to get off the couch.
- Help Students Build a College List: This $500 scholarship closes on July 31st for the Class of 2021. Students can use their mobile phones or any other device to build a starter list of colleges using Big Future
- Support your students with SAT practice: Students become eligible for a $1,000 scholarship when they practice for at least 6 hours with Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy®
- For more information, please see this this resource from the College Board Opportunity Scholarships program to share with your staff. It’s important to encourage CT students to complete the first step: building a college list by July 31st so they do not miss out on a chance to win $40,000 for college. This resource for educators during COVID-19 helps explain how to support students in signing up for this college planning scholarship program and complete the first two steps: Build Your College List and Practice for the SAT!
In Connecticut, just 10% of the students in the Class of 2021 are signed up for the Opportunity Scholarship program. Since January, there have been 71 winners in Connecticut representing nearly 40 districts. The more students that sign up, the greater the chances that CT students will win money in the monthly national drawings. When students win, we notify both the student winners and their respective high school principal to ensure that students redeem their scholarship dollars. In our most recent drawing, the following districts had student winners: Bridgeport, Learn, New Canaan, New Haven, Newtown, Region 5, and South Windsor. Let’s get 100% of the Class of 2021 signed up.
The Fall SAT is in high demand
We are anticipating a high volume of SAT® test takers this fall due to the missed testing opportunities students faced in the spring. The August, September, and October test administrations in particular provide students with an opportunity to take the SAT before submitting their college applications. Many weekend test centers in Connecticut are nearing capacity and we need your help.
As we look to expand capacity to accommodate students impacted by test center closures this past spring, there are two options that can help. The first is to consider opening your school as a weekend SAT test center in the early fall (August 29th and/or September 26th and/or October 3rd SAT administrations). The first step in the process is filling out the SAT test center interest form: https://collegeboard.tfaforms.net/63. After completing the form, we will get back to you requesting additional information, such as estimated capacity and preferred test dates. The process is not complicated.
The other option that can help is for your school to offer fall SAT School Day. There are two dates for increased flexibility: September 23rd and October 14th. SAT School Day expands access because students do not have to worry about locating a weekend test center, testing will not disrupt weekend plans, and students test in familiar surroundings. Schools that are interested order their SAT School Day in the College Board test ordering system – the same online site where you order the PSAT/NMSQT®. As you know, the CSDE will pay the cost of one SAT test administration for Class of 2021 public school students this fall, either during a weekend administration or during an SAT School Day. Information about what is covered can be found in the Question and Answer document located on the CSDE webpage.
Whether you choose to become a weekend SAT test center and/or an SAT School Day site, you will be providing your students with access to a globally recognized college admission test that is accepted at all U.S colleges and can open doors to admissions, scholarships, and financial aid opportunities.
The anger was palpable in 1968. It will be with us as long as racism still infects us.
This opinion editorial by Dr. James Thompson, Superintendent of Bloomfield Public Schools, recently appeared in the Hartford Courant and may be of interest to all CAPSS' members.
Digital Equity Strategies for Learning Beyond the Classroom
The Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) and its Connecticut State Chapter, Connecticut Education Technology Leaders Association (CTETL), are pleased to collaborate with the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents (CAPSS) to support the work of current and aspiring superintendents and district leadership teams in leading all aspects of digital learning transformations.
EmpowerED Superintendent edWebinar – Monday, June 8, 2020 at 5:00 pm ET
“Digital Equity Strategies for Learning Beyond the Classroom” - Recording Now Available
On Monday, June 8, CoSN, AASA and edWeb co-hosted their monthly EmpowerED Superintendent webinar. The focus for the June 8 webinar was “Digital Equity Strategies for Learning Beyond the Classroom”. Even though this webinar topic and date had been on the schedule for nearly a year, the direct relevance to today’s learning environment was not lost on anyone. Over 3,000 people registered to participate in last Monday’s webinar. Dr. David Miyashiro, Superintendent, Cajon Valley School District, CA, Dr. Steven Webb, Superintendent, Vancouver Public Schools, WA and Dr. Donna Wright, Director of Schools, Wilson County Schools, TN, were the featured superintendent guest panelists. They engaged in a lively, interactive, informative conversation. The webinar participants responded enthusiastically to the effective strategies these three nationally recognized superintendents shared regarding their school districts’ approaches to solving the challenges around equity in general and digital inequity specifically. If you were not able to attend the live webinar broadcast, you can access the recording, for no charge, at this URL link: https://home.edweb.net/webinar/supers20200608/
“Smart Education Networks by Design: The CoSN SEND Initiative” – Next up on Monday, July 13 at 5:00 pm ET.
The next installment of the CoSN/AASA/edWeb EmpowerED Superintendent webinar is scheduled for Monday, July 13 at 5:00 pm ET. Now, more than ever, school networks must serve students and teachers both inside and outside the classroom, anywhere and anytime. Rapid change in the way teaching and learning is delivered is increasing the demand for greater network capacity and reliability. You will not want to miss this webinar when three school superintendents – including Connecticut’s own Dr. Mark Benigni, Superintendent Meriden Public Schools - share how their districts make high-stakes infrastructure investment decisions in the midst of constantly changing technology, teaching and learning priorities, and funding. Dr. Benigni will be joined by Dr. John Marcus, Superintendent Stoughton Public Schools, MA and Matthew Miller, Superintendent Lakota Local Schools, OH. Learn more and register for this free webinar at: https://home.edweb.net/webinar/supers20200713/
Digital Equity – AASA/CoSN Partner Resources Available to Download
The one-page document, Creating Equitable Opportunities for ALL Learners, provides education leaders with five essential strategies for achieving digital equity. CoSN’s Digital Equity Initiative web page has a number of additional resources, including access to the Digital Equity Toolkit, to support the work of school leaders in building meaningful community partnerships and creating tools to help district leaders achieve digital equity for all learners.
COVID-19 Resources for School Leaders
CoSN continues to provide school leaders with updated information on the "EdTech Guidance in the age of COVID-19” web page. School leaders have ready access to current resources that not only help school systems adapt to remote learning during COVID-19 but also ensure positive outcomes for all stakeholders
If your school or district would like more information about joining CoSN or getting more involved with CoSN, please contact Brian Calvary, CAE, CoSN Director of Membership and Chapters, at bcalvary@cosn.org.
Coronavirus Resources
CDC Publishes Guidelines for Reopening Schools - by Shipman & Goodwin
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) published in May 2020 its “interim guidance” for reopening various sectors of our communities, including schools. The guidance provides the CDC’s “recommendations to keep communities safe while resuming peer-to-peer learning and providing crucial support for parents and guardians returning to work.”
Interim Guidance on Scaling Up School Operations
The CDC’s interim guidance for schools is laid out in a series of three steps designed to inform a gradual “scaling up” of operations based on the “scope and nature of community mitigation.” For each step, the CDC provides recommendations and safety actions designed to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 as schools begin to reopen. The interim guidance does not specify how or when a school would advance from one step to another.
“Step 1 - Schools that are currently closed, remain closed. E-learning or distance learning opportunities should be provided for all students. Support provision of student services such as school meal programs, as feasible. Camps should be restricted to children of essential workers and for children who live in the local geographic area only.”
“Step 2 - Remain open with enhanced social distancing measures and for children who live in the local geographic area only.”
The interim guidance does not address how such restrictions would be applied in the context of magnet schools, inter-district programs or independent schools.
“Step 3 - Remain open with distancing measures. Restrict attendance to those from limited transmission areas (other Step 3 areas) only.”
The interim guidance provides recommendations that are specific to each “step.” For example, there are very specific recommendations regarding such matters as the spacing and direction of desks, mixing of student groups, food service operations, restrictions on visitors to schools and numerous other educational functions. Additionally, there are many measures that are universally applicable to all steps. Those measures include: promoting healthy hygiene practices; intensifying cleaning, disinfection and ventilation; limiting sharing materials; training all staff; checking for signs and symptoms of COVID-19; and planning for when a staff member, student, or visitor becomes sick.
With regard to face coverings in particular, the interim guidance recognizes that “face coverings may be challenging for students (especially younger students) to wear in all-day settings such as school.” The guidance goes on to recommend that “face coverings should be worn by staff and encouraged in students (particularly older students) if feasible and are most essential in times when physical distancing is difficult.”
Additionally, the CDC explains that the following should be maintained during each step:
- Establish and maintain communication with local and State authorities to determine current mitigation levels in your community.
- Protect and support staff and students who are at higher risk for severe illness, such as by providing options for telework and virtual learning.
- Follow CDC’s Guidance for Schools and Childcare Programs.
- Provide teachers and staff from higher transmission areas (earlier Step areas) telework and other options as feasible to eliminate travel to schools and camps in lower transmission (later Step) areas and vice versa.
- Encourage any other external community organizations that use the facilities also follow this guidance.
Next Steps
The CDC interim guidance is one piece in an evolving puzzle related to the reopening of schools. The Governor and the Commissioner of Education are engaged in addressing the multitude of considerations associated with the reopening of schools. For example, on June 1, 2020, the Governor issued the document, Rules for operating Summer School during COVID-19. It authorized Superintendents to begin in-person summer school classes on July 6, 2020 only if (1) locations comply with the requirements set forth within the document and with the CDC Decision Tool (available here); and (2) plans have been reviewed with Local Directors of Public Health and school medical advisors, if applicable. Independent schools and other non-public schools are encouraged to follow the same schedule and guidance. The guidance concerning school reopening is continuously changing. Schools should continue to monitor any Executive Orders released by Governor Lamont and guidance from the State Department of Education and relevant state agencies, as they relate to the reopening of schools. Schools should also continue to monitor the CDC and State websites for guidance regarding the same.
Please continue to monitor Shipman & Goodwin’s site for issues related to school law at ctschoollaw.com or our Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource Center for updates concerning COVID-19. If you have specific questions about this guidance, please contact any member of Shipman & Goodwin’s School Law Group.
10 Social and Emotional Learning Strategies for Responding to COVID-19
This is the first in a series of blog posts based on HMH’s recent report titled The Connected Learning Era: Mitigating the COVID-19 Learning Loss.
This is an unprecedented time for education and the world. All of us are living history, and our children and youth will be defined in part by their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. While we prepare for their return to school for the 2020-21 academic year, we don’t know precisely where or how we will get started. But what we know for sure is that the well-being of students and the social justice issues being raised are the top concerns of educators and communities...
Your Feelings Matter. Hear Others’ Stories. Share Your Own.
Many of us are deeply affected by the anxiety and uncertainty of the coronavirus crisis. We can’t accelerate a resolution to this pandemic but there is something you can do: share your experience.
Our friends at the Child Mind Institute have launched CrisisLogger.org to assess the impact of the coronavirus crisis on mental health and provide parents, educators, health workers, students and others with a way to express their feelings that will also help other families.
Here’s how it works:
- Share your fears, frustrations, and hopes in the form of an audio clip or video
- You can share this publicly or you can choose to make them private
- Answer a few questions to learn more about your situation.
- The Child Mind Institute will analyze this information to generate recommendations for better resources to support you and others
We hope that you'll take a few minutes to participate and help researchers develop better mental health resources for children and families, and the educators who work with them. Your feelings during Covid-19 really do matter!
The Weather Channel - New Educational Programming for Kids
The Weather Channel television network is now airing new educational content for families with children currently staying at home due to school closures. The coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic has forced families across the country to transition to at-home learning, and the network is well-equipped to provide kids with a daily dose of science while their schools and classrooms are closed.
The Weather Channel is now dedicating time during each hour of live programming at :50 past the hour to share educational content. Scientific explanations on everything from how raindrops and rainbows form, to why thunder happens, how to stay safe in all kinds of weather, and more. More info can be found here.
Segment examples include:
Soap Experiment with Mark Elliot: Facebook / Twitter / YouTube
Tornado Watch vs. Warning: Facebook / Twitter / YouTube
CONTACT
Sarit Schneider Babboni
101 Marietta St NW, Floor 29, Atlanta, GA
O: 404.334.3545| C: 678.986.0704
JASON Learning Online Curricula FREE to School Districts Impacted by Coronavirus
As school districts across the country are closing or preparing to close as a step toward slowing the spread of COVID-19, JASON Learning offers help for administrators, teachers, students,and parents in their efforts to rapidly transition to remote instruction. We realize that this is a challenging task, made even more so by the circumstances that make it necessary.
JASON’s multidisciplinary curriculum contains a built-in STEM framework for students to learn 21st century skills. As a mission-driven nonprofit, JASON is prepared to do everything in our power to assist by providing our resources and expertise to districts across the country to help ensure that effective STEM teaching and learning continues while schools are closed.
JASON is offering any school district facing closures due to the effects of COVID-19coronavirus free online access to our digital platform and STEM curricula. Access will be made available through the end of April.
JASON will also provide a free series of online webinars to provide additional support to educators using JASON resources to conduct STEM learning activities and effectively manage their students remotely.
To activate district-wide access to JASON’s digital platform, please complete the short online form below. This will allow JASON to quickly configure automatic, “single sign-on” access for all teachers and students in your district, allowing for fast, seamless logins for anyone who wishes to take advantage of our online curriculum.
https://forms.gle/xMdCHTomrkU1M1N56
Our digital library includes hundreds of award-winning online and hands-on activities in science,math, and technology for K-12 students, and our multidisciplinary approach integrates reading and writing skills into every lesson. Videos, articles, games, simulations, and projects can keep students actively engaged. Many hands-on activities are designed to require only basic, easily accessible materials.
Once access is configured for a district, educators and students can easily login using their existing district accounts (Google, Microsoft, etc). Educators can even assign and share JASONr esources directly to their existing Google Classrooms.
JASON takes data privacy very seriously — we do not sell or distribute the personal information of your students or staff. Please see our signed data privacy policy on our website.
COVID-19 Free Social Emotional Toolkit from Rethink Ed
March 13, 2020
Rethink Ed is Committed to Supporting Social-Emotional Wellness During School Closures
Fear and anxiety about the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has led to increased stress levels in both children and adults. School closure, abrupt changes in routine and a heightened sense of uncertainty can also have a detrimental effect on the social, emotional and mental wellbeing of students, educators and school staff. As educators work diligently to prepare and implement virtual academic learning plans, it is equally important to have a contingency plan and resources in place for social emotional learning as well. As our nation faces unprecedented school closings due to COVID-19, Rethink Ed is committed to keeping our students learning and providing schools with resources and tools that extend beyond the classroom.
Rethink Ed will provide districts that are planning closures for preventative health measures with a tool kit that will include webinars, whitepapers, tips and strategies for supporting your entire community during this time of uncertainty. We will offer free access to our online Social Emotional Learning Suite through the remainder of the school year. Please contact us for details.
While this is a difficult time, it is important for us all to continue to focus on our physical, mental, and social emotional health and to work on strategies for helping ourselves and others build resilience and community support.
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is the foundation for managing emotions, having healthy relationships, understanding and empathizing with others, being responsible and safe, and learning to cope with difficult situations and manage our stress, emotions, anxiety, and fear during this unprecedented situation.
Rethink Ed SEL is a comprehensive K-12 online platform that provides many opportunities for students of all ages and abilities, teachers, administrative staff, and parents to develop their social emotional skills. We provide on-demand professional development videos, grade level videos and curriculum that promotes well-being, connectedness and success for all students and adults. We are committed to supporting you as you navigate through this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Diana Frezza
Senior Vice President
diana.frezza@rethinked.com
49 West 27th St., 8th Floor
New York, NY 10001
Discovery Education’s Comprehensive Response to the Worldwide Coronavirus Outbreak
Connecticut Superintendents and Educational Leaders-
Like educators everywhere, we are concerned about the coronavirus’ potential impact on student learning and it is our mission to help affected schools maintain normalcy and continuity during this difficult time. I encourage you to learn about Discovery Education’s Comprehensive Response to the Worldwide Coronavirus Outbreak and our response to Covid-19.
Below I’ve provided some important offers and resources to support your schools. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly if you have any questions or wish to connect virtually next week.
Discovery Education is a company whose mission is to prepare learners for future success by connecting them to the world outside the classroom. We will continue to monitor this event closely and look for ways to help educators everywhere prepare students for success, no matter where they are.
Sincerely-
John David Son
Senior Manager | Education Partnerships
Discovery Education
M. 270.210.0084
Follow me on Twitter
NOTICES
We are grateful for the support of our partners:
