CAPSS' NEWS
zSpace’s evidence-based augmented/virtual reality (AR/VR) learning solution provides innovative hands-on, experiential learning to improve achievement in STEM, CTE and Career Readiness. Over 3,800 school districts, technical centers, community colleges and universities use zSpace to provide equitable access to instruction for millions of learners preparing for success in college and careers.
Contact
Ashley Lupinacci
Account Executive
alupinacci@zspace.com
(203) 530-6087
Connecticut Behavioral Health, LLC (CBH) has been a provider of school-based behavioral health and ABA services for over 20 years to school districts across the state. Our Clinical Psychologists, Clinicians, Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), and RBTs work with school district personnel to develop research based district-wide behavioral health and ABA programs as well as provide behavioral support to students to keep them in their home-schools. CBH Clinical and Behavioral consultants are highly trained in psychological and behavioral assessment, plan development, and data collection so as to continually monitor progress of student programming and make data informed changes. Our 20 years of experience in providing both direct service and training across the state to school districts, and remaining in school districts year upon year, speaks to the high quality of services that CBH staff bring to each district they support.
Contact
Dr. Ryan Loss
Executive Director
203-271-1430
Amira Learning has developed the first intelligent reading assistant that listens to students as they read out loud, assesses mastery, ensures comprehension, and delivers personalized tutoring to accelerate reading mastery. The company was founded by a team of former engineers and executives from Pearson, IBM, ACT, and Renaissance and built from a foundation of 20 years of research from Carnegie Mellon University. Amira Learning's mission is to help close the 43 million-person literacy gap in America by creating personalized and engaging reading experiences for children.
Contact:
Mack Moyer
Account Executive
mack.moyer@amiralearning.com
(443) 735-5323
Unpacking Stereotypes, Building Empathy, and Creating Change
The Misconceptions of the Angry Black Woman training is an engaging and thought-provoking exploration of the stereotypes and realities surrounding the Angry Black Woman narrative. This training series seeks to unpack the historical roots, societal impact, and contemporary implications of this harmful stereotype, while fostering understanding, empathy, and allyship among participants.
Register by February 6, 2025.
CAPSS has released ELEVATE • FUND • IMPROVE, CAPSS Priorities for Connecticut Public Education: Looking Forward and the 2025 Legislative Proposals.
Ten highly regarded Connecticut superintendents will serve on panels to share the challenges and rewards of the superintendency. Learn about Central Connecticut State University's Superintendent Certificate Program. Click for details regarding the virtual information sessions to be held on February 19 and March 6.
TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2025 | 4:30PM TO 7:30PM
LOCATION: HARTFORD HEALTHCARE AMPHITHEATER
500 BROAD ST, BRIDGEPORT, CT 06604
ATTENTION HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Meet Admissions Counselors & Representatives from over 195 Colleges, Universities, and Businesses from across the country and abroad!
The Aspiring Educators Diversity Scholarship Program:
Application deadline is February 1, 2025
Good afternoon CT School Superintendents,
The Connecticut Association of School Personnel Administrators is pleased to announce our second annual Awards and Recognition nomination window is now open! We invite you to nominate a member, or members, of your HR staff who have contributed to the success of your district.
Nominations are due by March 1, 2025.
The awards available for nominees are:
CASPA: Connecticut Personnel Administrator of the Year Award
The CASPA Personnel Administrator of the Year Award is given to an active member of CASPA who has at the local, state, national, and/or international level, distinguished themselves in personnel administration; is involved and a contributing participant in personnel functions and/or programs; whose contributions have had a significant impact on public education; is a skilled manager of change and is creative in their approach to personnel administration; approached personnel administrative work with a sense of humor and sense of respect for their fellow person. The nominee must be an active CASPA member and currently serving in a personnel administrative position. The rubric is attached below. Click here to complete the Nomination Form.
Connecticut HR Specialist/Support Staff of the Year Award
The Human Resources Specialist/Support Staff Award is given to an individual whose contributions have had significant impact on the efficiency of the human resources office and to the field of human resources; who has at the local, state/province, national, and/or international level distinguished themselves through leadership service; and is a collaborative, contributing participant in personnel functions and/or programs. Active CASPA membership is not required. The nominee shall not serve in a managerial or supervisory capacity to be eligible for the award. The rubric is attached below. Click here to complete the Nomination Form.
For more information please contact CASPA Recognition Committee Co-Chairs:
Kim Schulte, kschulte@torrington.org
Nicole Damiata, damiata.nc@easthartford.org
Thank you for your consideration.
Welcome 2 Reality LLC is a media literacy agency dedicated to providing psychoeducational opportunities to adolescents, parents, educators, social workers, and professionals nationwide.
Our team brings over 60 years of collective experience in education and social work, specializing in areas such as education, children, families, staff and administration. We offer training and professional development on topics, but not limited to:
In addition to training, we provide:
Our advocacy efforts have contributed to significant legislative achievements in Connecticut, including:
At Welcome 2 Reality, LLC, we are committed to empowering communities through education, advocacy, and meaningful engagement.
Contact:
Qur-an Webb
Director of Operations
qw@welcome2reality.us
203-529-5121
Since 1984, PARS has worked exclusively with school districts and other public agencies to design and implement retirement solutions that address specific organizational and budgetary needs. We are the national leader in customized, locally controlled voluntary separation incentives and administer one of the largest OPEB trust programs in New England.
Contact
Kathryn Cannie
Senior Manager, Eastern Region
(617) 549-6555
The CBIA Foundation for Economic Growth and Opportunity is partnering with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and regional chambers of commerce across Connecticut again this year to host a civics competition.
The 2024-2025 National Civics Bee encourages young Americans in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades to engage in civics and contribute to their communities.
CAPSS has released the final report on the work that was done with our ESSER advisors and school districts using the ARP Plan, ESSER dollars, entitled Recovery, Innovation, and Transformation - How Connecticut Applied American Rescue Plan (ARP) Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Funds.
UConn’s Office of Early College Programs is excited to announce the application window for New UConn Early College Experience (ECE) Instructors is now open through January 31st. This is a great opportunity for teachers to join the Husky family, become affiliated with one of the top ranked public universities in the nation and join a community of educators and leaders who support over 19,000 students annually with access to meaningful college coursework & credit. With over 100 unique course offerings for the 2025-26 academic year, partner schools can leverage UConn coursework to support district priorities, career pathways and create opportunities for students to gain access to and preparation for, post-secondary success.
National School Counseling Week 2025, sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) and the Connecticut School Counselor Association (CSCA) will be celebrated from Feb. 3–7, 2025, to focus public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems and how students are different as a result of what school counselors do. National School Counseling Week highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.
The special week honoring school counselors provides recognition for school counselors who implement comprehensive school counseling programs, a vital part of the educational process for all students as they meet the challenges of the 21st century.
School counselors are actively engaged in helping students examine their abilities, strengths, interests and talents; for working in a partnership with parents as they encounter the challenges of raising children in today’s world; for focusing on positive ways to enhance students’ academic, career and social/emotional development; and working with teachers and other educators to provide an educational system where students can realize their potential and set healthy, realistic and optimistic aspirations for themselves. School counselors are certified, experienced educators with a master’s degree in school counseling. The combination of their training and experience makes them an integral part of the total educational program.
“School counselors work with all students to remove barriers to learning by addressing students’ academic concerns, career options and social/emotional skills,” said Jill Cook, ASCA executive director. “School counseling programs help to increase student achievement and provide a much-needed resource for students, parents, teachers and administrators. School counselors are integral to student success.”
More than 100,000 school counselors nationwide will be participating in the week’s festivities. Many schools will be hosting special events and activities to call attention to the countless benefits of a comprehensive school counseling program. Please take a moment to thank the school counselor in your town.
UConn’s Neag School of Education is recruiting a new cohort of educational leaders for the Executive Leadership Program 2025-2025 cohort. The Executive Leadership Program prepares educational leaders for district leadership positions with a primary emphasis on preparing for the position of superintendent of schools. Neag School’s ELP program has more than 70 graduates serving as district leaders and 60+ now serving as Connecticut superintendents. We are seeking candidates with excellent district leadership potential. According to our Class of 2024, 100% of our graduates attest to its effectiveness in meeting national standards, preparing for administrative roles, and earning respect among Connecticut educators. Our information sessions are coming up soon.
CAPSS is proud to announce that Superintendent Christine L. Carver, Ed. D., has been named the 2025 Connecticut Superintendent of the Year. This prestigious recognition highlights her exceptional leadership, commitment to academic excellence, and innovative approach to education.
Dr. Carver was recognized at the CABE/CAPSS Convention on Friday, November 15, 2024, at the Mystic Marriott in Groton, Connecticut. She was joined by superintendents from across the state, members of local boards of education, colleagues from various organizations, and family members.
“Dr. Carver has been a strong advocate for students and teachers through her leadership roles in CAPSS,” said Maureen Brummett, President of CAPSS. “Chris is most deserving of this prestigious award, and on behalf of CAPSS, we are grateful for her many contributions that have had such a positive impact.”
Dr. Carver has been at the helm of Bethel Public Schools since August 2014, where she has implemented transformative strategies that have significantly enhanced student learning and community engagement. Under her leadership, the district has developed a comprehensive five-year strategic plan that emphasizes 21st-century skills, including creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration.
Notable accomplishments during Dr. Carver's tenure include the successful implementation of a standards-based grading system for grades Pre-K to 8, the introduction of a STEM vision for the district, and the establishment of Career Pathways at Bethel High School. Her commitment to improving student outcomes is evident in the significant gains in mathematics achievement and the development of a comprehensive system of intervention for students facing academic and social-emotional challenges.
Dr. Carver is also recognized for her collaborative efforts with local businesses and community leaders, fostering partnerships that prepare students for a globally competitive workforce. Her leadership has been characterized by transparency, fiscal efficiency, and a dedication to engaging parents and community members in the educational process.
As a respected leader in Connecticut’s educational community, Dr. Carver has served in various capacities within professional organizations, including past president of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents (CAPSS) and a member of the American Association of School Administrators. Her influence extends to higher education, where she teaches as an adjunct professor at several universities.
For more information about Dr. Christine L. Carver and her work in Bethel Public Schools, please visit https://www.bethel.k12.ct.us.
About Bethel Public Schools
Bethel Public Schools is dedicated to fostering a supportive learning environment that ensures every student achieves academic success and personal growth. With a focus on innovation, collaboration, and community engagement, Bethel Public Schools prepares students to thrive in an ever-changing world.
Over the last several years in education there have been disruptive innovations such as BuildingThinking Classrooms, new findings about effective educational leadership, and a pandemic-fueled focuson equitable instructional practices. Taken together, these have substantial and far-reachingimplications for the work of central office, building leadership, coaches and teacher leaders. In order tosupport instructional leaders in navigating this new landscape, Partners for Educational Leadership areoffering Next Level Instructional Leadership. This engaging and thought-provoking professionallearning experience takes the most powerful and practical new ideas we have incorporated into our workover the last three years and combines them into a workshop for educational leaders committed to beingon the leading edge of strategy for instructional improvement. Over the course of two days, participantswill engage in several activities that challenge them to think about:
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.
Report on Experiences and Lessons Learned During the CoSN 2024 International Education Delegation to Spain
CoSN recently released a comprehensive report about the CoSN 2024 International Education Delegation’s visit to Spain. During the group’s visit to Spain they had the opportunity to gain an understanding of Spain’s educational environment through visits to historical and contemporary schools as well as by participating in informative presentations and meeting with several of Spain’s educational leaders.
Keith Krueger, CEO of CoSN, shared the following reflection about the delegation’s visit to Spain on the CoSN website:
“To lead innovation in K-12 education, it’s essential to stay ahead of emerging trends and strategies. These new resources will empower North American EdTech leaders by showcasing how Spain and the European Union are driving advancements in AI and other key innovations…We hope this inspires meaningful dialogue, deeper understanding and informed action.”
Three themes were key in the delegation’s focus during their site visits in Spain:
CoSN is pleased to share insights from delegation’s visit to Spain in a special CoSN report. The topics covered in the report include:
You are welcome to access and download the CoSN Briefs on any or all of the four topics listed above on the “Global Lessons From the CoSN International Education Delegations” web page at: https://www.cosn.org/global-lessons/. You will also find links to reports from previous CoSN International Education Delegation visits (CoSN Delegation to Norway and Finland & CoSN Delegation to Ontario, Canada) on that same web page.
CoSN/AASA EmpowerED Superintendents edLeader Panel Series
CoSN, AASA, and edWeb.net co-host an online edLeader Panel broadcast series, sponsored by ClassLink, to help superintendents, district and school leaders and teachers connect and collaborate. Participants can join the live event or view recordings and podcast versions starting a day or two after the live broadcast.
The most recent CoSN/AASA edLeader panel broadcast aired on Monday, November 11, 2024. The topic was “Leading and Leveraging Artificial Intelligence Tools Within K-12 School Districts”. Three leading-edge superintendents were featured on the panel: Dr. Peter J. Aiken, Superintendent of Central York School District, Pennsylvania, Dr. Karen Cheser, Superintendent of Durango School District 9-R, Colorado and Dr. Jason Harris, Superintendent of Columbia School District, Mississippi. Each superintendent shared how they continue to lead the effective uses of AI within multiple school functions, including school operations, as well as in teaching and learning, while also dealing with the challenges that AI can present. Pete Just, CoSN Project Director for Generative Artificial Intelligence, also joined the panel. You are welcome sign up for free to view the recording, listen to the podcast and/or access an article with an overview of the presentation at: https://home.edweb.net/webinar/supers20241111/.
CoSN 2025 Conference
The CoSN 2025 Conference is going to take place in Seattle, Washington from March 31 through April 2, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency Seattle. You can learn more about CoSN 2025, view the list of Pre-Conference Events and the CoSN 2025 “Schedule at a Glance” agenda, as well as register for the CoSN 2025 Conference at: https://www.cosn.org/cosn2025/.
CoSN Membership:
If you, your school or district would like more information about joining CoSN or getting more involved with CoSN, please contact membership@cosn.org.
A leading player in education law and municipal labor relations in Connecticut, Berchem Moses PC has more than 40 years of experience defending the interests of public, private, and charter schools throughout the state. We represent approximately 30 boards of education in various roles and capacities, including labor and employment, general counsel, and student matters, including special education. We help clients prevent crises and minimize expenses by problem-solving, training staff, and continually updating decision-makers on changes in the law and trends in the education community. Berchem Moses PC handles the full expanse of legal questions and issues that arise within the school environment.
Contact:
Michelle Laubin
Senior Partner
mlaubin@berchemmoses.com
(203) 783-1200
HMH is an adaptive learning company that helps educators create growth for every student. Our integrated curriculum, assessment and professional learning solutions use data to paint a full picture of every learner and recommend how to best support their needs. By partnering with educators, we create lasting momentum so that all students can reach their full potential. HMH serves more than 50 million students and 4 million educators in 150 countries.
Contact:
Gail Kinch
Administrator
847-424-3420
Hanwha Vision offers a comprehensive line of security and video surveillance solutions which include IP cameras that support up to 8K resolution, a video management system, video and audio analytics, multi-sensor technology and device integration with a host of 3rd party application providers. Our intelligent surveillance solutions are used globally, securing people, property and data across a range of industries including retail, transportation, education, banking, healthcare, hospitality, airports and more.
https://hanwhavisionamerica.com/
Contact:
Paul DuBois
Education Business Development Manager
p.dubois@hanwha.com
(850) 445-2586
Connecticut Operation Lifesaver is reaching out to the Connecticut Association of Public-School Superintendents for a meeting to showcase the CT Department of Transportation railroad safety program. Operation Lifesaver is thee national non-profit rail safety education effort dedicated to reducing tragic train incidents where persons are killed or injured while walking on railroad tracks or not obeying the signals at crossings. This is a public service program offered through the State of Connecticut, Department of Transportation and there is no cost associated with being part of it. Many schools have their physical education department show this to their students and some districts have had teachers formally trained to be presenters. We have been to school districts across Connecticut and are able to conduct in-person presentations upon request. We offer school(s) our materials (videos, brochures, and coloring books – there is no charge). We have been endorsed by the Connecticut State Department of Education. Please see the video links below for the program. We have found it easier to present in elementary schools as their schedules are flexible.
Critical Response Group (CRG) is the nation’s leader in critical incident mapping data, founded on the belief that effective maps allow everyone to speak a common language during an emergency. CRG uses best practices from military special operations to develop interior and exterior maps of schools, verified for accuracy via an on-site walkthrough, with site-specific labeling of key features and rooms. These maps are then shared with first responder and public safety agencies, made available on the software systems already in use at schools and across the safety ecosystem. Accurate location information saves precious time - when it matters most.
Contact
Austin Sprague
Chief Operating Officer
asprague@crgplans.com
916-425-1207
Varsity Tutors is a Live Learning Platform that seamlessly connects learners to experts in more than 3,000 subjects. Since 2007, we've been investing in online learning technology, have built new-to-the-world capabilities, and have assembled some of the most talented tutors, educators, and instructors across the U.S. to help deliver that mission. Through one-on-one instruction, small group classes, large format group classes, and adaptive self-study, the company has created a live learning destination to meet the needs of all students. Our mission is to help people learn and our vision is to seamlessly connect experts and learners in any subject, anywhere, anytime.
Contact
Courtney Schwartz
Director of Educational Partnerships
courtney.schwartz@varsitytutors.com
914-439-0958
WGU is a private, non-profit, accredited, and online institution offering certificates, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in K-12 Education, Healthcare, Business, and Information Technology. WGU’s School of Education delivers the education and training current, and aspiring educators needs for initial and advanced teacher licensure in all 50 states. WGU’s Online Teaching Degrees and Education Programs include an offering of Bachelor and Master degrees as well as an endorsement in areas such as Elementary Education, Special Education, STEM areas in both middle and secondary grades as well as English Language Learning.
Contact
Melissa Ruggiero
Strategic Partnership Manager
melissa.ruggiero@wgu.edu
603-400-6689
UConn's Office of Early College Programs (OECP) provides students with meaningful academic engagement to enrich their experience in high school and support their transition into college. OECP offers educational opportunities at the high school (Early College Experience), in University classrooms (Dual Enrollment), and through on-campus residential summer programs (Pre-College Summer and First Summer). OECP’s largest program, UConn Early College Experience (ECE), established in 1955, is the nation's longest running concurrent enrollment program and is accredited by The National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships. UConn ECE allows high school students to take UConn courses at their high schools for both high school and college credit. UConn ECE supports approximately 14,000 Connecticut high school students in over 180 partner high school schools with teachers who have been certified by the University of Connecticut to teach UConn courses. Every course taken through UConn ECE is equivalent to the same course at the University of Connecticut. Students benefit by taking college courses in a setting that is both familiar and conducive to learning, and moreover prepares them academically and culturally for the world that awaits them.
Contact:
Christopher Todd
Executive Director, Office of Early College Programs & Early College Experience (OECP)
UConn's Office of Early College Programs (OECP)
860-486-8828
Discovery Education’s engaging, effective, and easy-to-use solutions help every Connecticut school district accelerate student growth, scale teacher impact, and motivate learning every day. Industry-leading educational content, digital-first curriculum, personalized learning programs, and time-saving instructional tools enhance teaching and learning to enhance instruction and accelerate achievement.
Contact:
Brian Lepire
Sr. Regional Marketing Manager
blepire@discoveryed.com
508-335-9944
CREC’s Cooperative Purchasing program offers competitively bid contract awards for over 70 vendor partners. Cooperative purchasing is at the heart of what our agency is about – helping you do more with and for less. We competitively bid our contracts on a state and national level to alleviate the burden of bidding for you, and to secure deep discounts by aggregating spend. $85M was purchased through our program in 2023. Our online marketplace allows you to view contract information and shop online. The MarketPlace is free to use, and registration is simple. Try us out!
Contact:
Cara Hart
Cooperative Purchasing Manager
chart@crec.org
860-803-3882
Imagine Learning provides digital-first PreK–12 solutions for core instruction, supplemental and intervention, online courses, and virtual instruction. Our mission is to ignite learning breakthroughs with forward-thinking solutions at the intersection of people, curricula, and technology. We serve over 15 million students — partnering with over half of districts nationwide. Imagine Edgenuity™ is our flagship courseware solution, complemented by Imagine Instructional Services’ virtual teachers. Our core portfolio includes Imagine Learning Twig Science®, Illustrative Mathematics®, and EL Education®. Additionally, a robust supplemental and intervention suite provides personalized instruction for English Language Arts, Spanish Language Arts, math, computer science, and more.
Learn more: imaginelearning.com.
Contacts:
Erin Connolly
Account Executive (CT, RI)
erin.connolly@imaginelearning.com
860-990-0239
Claritza Colon
Sales Associate
Claritza.colon@imaginelearning.com
860-488-7849
Since 2009, the mission of ESS has been to provide high quality and cost-effective in-district clinical programming for students with emotional and behavioral challenges. ESS has pioneered a new model of in-school intervention, organized around a Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) framework. We introduce mental health best practices and innovative clinical programs into the traditional school day, providing each student with comprehensive support tailored to their needs. ESS currently partners with over 90 districts across 9 states, including a number of CT districts.
www.effectiveschoolsolutions.com/
Contact
Amy Conklin
Director of District Partnerships
aconklin@effectiveschoolsolutions.com
(860) 970-2402
Ädelbrook Academies in Cromwell and Manchester are private special education programs approved by the State Department of Education to serve students with autism, developmental and behavioral disabilities, and other learning disabilities from pre-Kindergarten through grade 12.
Ädelbrook’s Transitional Academy in Middletown serves students ages 18–22 that focuses on life-long learning, life skills, and employment proficiencies through meaningful work experiences and community engagement. The program includes work experience opportunities at Ädelbrook’s educational retail store, The Bark-ery.
Our primary objective is to create a momentum of success for our young people so they will continue to advance when they return to public schools or move on to post-secondary programs. Our goal is to provide each student with a positive, individualized, and highly engaging educational experience.
Contact
Dale R. Hoyt, Ed.D
Vice President for Education
dhoyt@adelbrook.org
As energy-savings consultants, Energia® provides Owner’s Representative services, overseeing the entire Energy Performance Contract process for municipal agencies. From scope evaluation and project implementation, to construction oversight and result validation, Energia ensures a seamless process, guaranteeing substantial savings.
Contact
Renee Fassano
Business Development Manager
rfassano@energiasaves.com
631-360-0006 x403
Rethink Ed is a pioneering EdTech leader that believes lifelong learning brings out the best in everyone. Through innovative, technology-based platforms, Rethink Ed delivers professional development, academic instruction and data-informed assessments that simplify the school day, focusing on special education, social and emotional learning, and mental health, strengthen whole-child education, and inspire success in all learners. See how Rethink Ed is transforming education at www.rethinked.com.
Contact:
John Henyecz
Senior Account Executive
john.henyecz@rethinked.com
(201) 398-6953
I'm so pleased to announce a new series from CAPSS, "The What, Whys, and Hows of Effective Communication" facilitated by Peggy Bud. Peggy is a Communication Coach, Author, and TEDx Speaker (Redefining the Parent-Teacher Relationship). Using her 30+ years in public education as a speech-language pathologist and school administrator, she helps clients bridge the communication divide. She coaches business and school leaders helping them hone their verbal, non-verbal, and listening skills. She assists stakeholders in navigating the education process; facilitating conversations between parents and educators to forge a partnership that puts the child at the center of the conversation.
As the co-author of Navigating Special Education: The Power of Building Positive Parent-Educator Partnership, Peggy created a communication framework that ensures everyone has a voice at a meeting. She serves on various boards, and her clients come from various industries: education, medical, legal, financial, insurance, engineering, marketing, and media.
This is a 5-part series on ZOOM. Each session has a different topic (See attached flyer for more details.). The sessions will run from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm on the following dates:
September 10, 2024
October 10, 2024
November 13, 2024
December 10, 2024
January 14, 2025
Registration to this series is limited to better support its interactive components. To register, please use the link below.
I hope to see you there!
Fran
Cambridge, a part of the University of Cambridge, is the world’s largest provider of K-12 curriculum, professional development, and assessments. Offering over 100 subjects, schools have the flexibility to offer this program alongside other curriculum. We have expertise working with English Language Learners and students of varying backgrounds and academic abilities who find success in our core academics, advanced and pre-advanced levels, as well as CTE courses. Cambridge International is another alternative to AP, IB, and dual enrollment where students can earn college credits for advanced course work. Please contact us to learn more: Alan.Bernstein@cambridge.org
Learn more: https://cambridgeinternational.org/usa
Contact:
Alan Bernstein
Senior School Development Manager, North USA
alan.bernstein@cambridge.org
(646) 946-6791
BetterLesson connects K-12 educators with comprehensive professional learning solutions that support implementation and instruction of green-rated curricula for student centered classrooms. Through research-based professional development centered on student outcomes, educators gain the necessary skills to create meaningful student-centered learning experiences that meet all students’ needs. Our comprehensive learning plans incorporate in-person, virtual, group, and self-directed learning experiences throughout the full school year, creating scaffolds of support aligned with how adult learners actually learn. By intentionally aligning professional learning to strategic goals, we enable districts to unlock the full potential of every educator, and thus, every student.
Contact:
Suki Shergill
Director of Partnerships
suki.shergill@betterlesson.com
860-878-0047
New England Science & Sailing is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization that uses sailing, marine science, powerboating, and ocean adventure sports as experiential learning platforms to increase K-12 academic outcomes. NESS educators teach in classrooms and on the water, using over 100 proprietary lesson plans tied to school standards, including the Next Generation Science Standards, Ocean Literacy Principles, and Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning standards. NESS is the sole school partner program accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
Contact
Kasey Commander
Director of Marketing & Communications
(860) 535-9362
Your commitment never falters. Neither will ours.
We have always known our children's success comes down to you. Together we can help empower you and your employees to pursue their vision of retirement - from big outdoor adventures to ones a little closer to home.
Equitable is not only the No.1 leader in providing retirement solutions to CT educators, but we also are a leader in providing educational content on the public student loan forgiveness program, woman-in-leadership seminars, financial wellness programs, and in providing non-product comprehensive financial education.
Equitable advisors are Certified Retirement Education Specialists (CRES) by the National Tax-Deferred Savings Association (NTSA), a sister organization of the American Retirement Association (ARA).
Contact:
Michael Linehan
Sr. Vice President
Group Retirement, Tax-Exempt Markets
(860) 921-3825
Founded in 1969, Curriculum Associates, LLC designs research-based print and online instructional materials, screens and assessments, and data management tools. The company's products and outstanding customer service provide teachers and administrators with the resources necessary for teaching diverse student populations and fostering learning for all students.
Learn more at www.curriculumassociates.com.
Contact:
Lisa Cattaruzza
Educational Sales Consultant
LCattaruzza@cainc.com
(203) 848-8435
WHAT: Stars of Honor Academic Program! (Check out the youtube link!)
Participating elementary schools will have a chance to select their top “Stars of Honor” in grades K-5 to receive free tickets for the students and their families to attend a designated college sporting event at UConn. At their special game, students will receive a certificate to commemorate their achievement, have opportunities to take fun photographs, and will also be invited to stand in their seats to receive an ovation from the crowd as everyone celebrates their selection as Stars of Honor.
Website: https://www.starsofhonor.com
WHEN: At your earliest convenience, please email Trevor Taylor at trevor@starsofhonor.com to register your school to participate. When sending the email, please be sure to provide:
Stars of Honor will then follow up with your school’s point of contact directly to provide them with a designated number of winning students to select from each grade from K-5. Stars of Honor will also send the school an award notification flyer that informs parents that their child has been recognized as a Star of Honor and provides them with directions on how to RSVP for their free tickets to the game.
All your school needs to do is email Trevor to confirm that you will participate, then give the Stars of Honor award notification flyer to the designated number of students selected as Stars of Honor in grades K-5.
Please feel free to reach out to me at trevor@starsofhonor.com or at 919-559-8632 if you have any questions.
The UConn Department of Social and Critical Inquiry's Asian American Studies Curriculum Lab is a public facing teaching and research academic center and a leader in state and local advocacy on Asian American affairs and Ethnic Studies education, particularly around PK-12 curriculum design, teacher professional development, and school-community partnerships.
https://asianamerican.uconn.edu/
Contact:
Jason Chang
Associate Professor/Director
jason.o.chang@uconn.edu
860-786-8016
Eastern DataComm is a full-service safety and communications firm with over 200 years of combined experience. Our story begins in 1988 when we opened our doors for business in Hackensack, New Jersey. Our focus since then has been singular - to help school districts, businesses, and municipalities keep their communities connected and protected. Over the past 30+ years, we’ve established ourselves as experts in the areas of:
Collectively, we have the answers to your technology questions. Turn to our team of experienced advisors and technicians for customized solutions that improve the way you communicate and how you safeguard your community.
Eastern DataComm solutions are ESCNJ, NASPO (WSCA), Sourcewell, and PEPPM certified.
Contact:
Gina Marie Kleinhans
Marketing Director
email: gkleinhans@easterndatacomm.com
(201) 457-3311
The CT Alliance of YMCAs is comprised of 21 YMCAs including 36 branches and over 193 program sites. Each YMCA is volunteer led. The Alliance is a powerful advocate for the needs of children, families, and individuals in communities throughout Connecticut.
As a charitable organization, YMCAs across Connecticut exist to strengthen communities. The work the Y does every day with thousands of men, women and children ensures everyone — regardless of age, gender, income or background — has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive!
Contact
Chris Pallato
CEO
Connecticut Alliance of YMCAs
(860) 670-3261
Evolv Technology is at the cutting edge of weapons detection, our Evolv Express® uses advanced sensor technology and artificial intelligence to distinguish between weapons and everyday items. It improves security by reliably detecting threats and enables a directed search, leading to a more dignified and respectful screening process that empowers security professionals and enhances the student, faculty and visitor experience.
https://www.evolvtechnology.com/products/evolv-express
Contact:
Alexandra Grullon
Account Executive
agrullon@evolvtechnology.com
646-287-4631
Open Up Resources is a nonprofit increasing equity in education by making excellent, top-rated curricula freely available to districts as open educational re-sources. We partner with expert curriculum authors to develop the very best curricula and deliver essential implementation support to districts, from professional development to printing. Districts spend more than $5 billion annually on curricula, yet they struggle from a dearth of high-quality, standards-aligned content.
https://www.openupresources.org/
Contact:
Nicole Rizzo
Regional Development Manager
nicole.rizzo@openup.org
203.928.0422
Yondr works directly with school leaders, districts and states to turn schools into focused, engaging, and safe spaces for students and educators. Our team plays a pivotal role in making this vision a reality through fostering meaningful partnerships and supporting change in their current student cell phone policies and practices through the use of our patented products. Going phone-free helps students learn without distraction, improve their social and emotional well-being, and give them a much-deserved break from social media.
Contact:
Shannon Godfrey
VP of Partnerships
shannon@overyondr.com
802-777-0336
Zeal Education Group is a full-service consulting firm that is fueled by a diverse, nationwide team of superintendents, commissioners, principals, and thought-leaders who are committed to providing fresh solutions to education-industry challenges. We offer customized security audits, strategic planning, financial audits, executive coaching, team building, special education audits, professional development and much more.
Contact
Jeff Melendez
Founder and CEO
jeff@zeal-ed.com
(203) 885-6011
Cartwheel is the trusted mental health partner to schools, delivering rapid access to care for students and helping schools build stronger mental health programs that catch kids before they fall. Our evidence-based mental health program is designed around the entire school community. Our licensed therapists and child psychiatrists are diverse, culturally sensitive, and committed to affordable care for everyone—including uninsured families and those covered by Medicaid. Kids shouldn't just aspire to get out of bed and drag themselves to class. They should be able to experience joy. They deserve to envision and build a life they're excited to live.
https://www.cartwheelcare.org/
Contact
Maggie Andrulis
School Partnerships Manager
maggie@cartwheelcare.org
(443) 286-6661
Dear School Superintendent,
Please consider taking this brief survey and sharing it with your school community. We are using a ThoughtExchange this year for our needs assessment to be as open as possible to your school safety concerns. Please use this link to access the survey which takes approximately 5 minutes to complete.
https://tejoin.com/scroll/845233927
Your feedback is vital for our service to you and your school community.
Sincerely,
Amery E. Bernhardt, D.M., CEM
Director of the Connecticut Center for School Safety and Crisis Preparation
Western Connecticut State University
The CollegeBoard is a mission-driven not-for-profit organization that connects students to college success and opportunity.
Founded in 1900, the CollegeBoard was created to expand access to higher education. Today, the membership association is made up of over 6,000 of the world's leading educational institutions and is dedicated to promoting excellence and equity in education.
Contact:
Michelle Cosner
Director
K12 State and District Partnerships
(212) 713-8226
For nearly three decades, FranklinCovey Education has been a trusted provider of educational leadership development, school systems change management, and career and life readiness solutions. As an evidence-based PK-12 model, Leader in Me enables the creation of a strong learning environment with neuroscience-backed wellness skills and actionable academic and personal support for students in the classroom and staff in the building.
https://www.franklincovey.com/
ContactCarl Salerno, Client Partner
carl.salerno@franklincovey.com
(610) 209-3012
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.
Data Privacy Week – January 21-27, 2024
As we continue our journey into 2024, CoSN is placing a special emphasis on the critical need to assure that data privacy is a priority in all K-12 schools across the nation. Data Privacy Week, which runs from January 21 through January 27, 2024, provides an opportunity for school leaders to turn their attention to the issue of protecting students’ personal information. CoSN is pleased to offer multiple resources including blogs, toolkits, workshops, courses, and a special webinar to support school districts’ efforts regarding data privacy, not only during Data Privacy Week, but throughout he year. You are invited to access these free resources on student data privacy at https://www.cosn.org/student-data-privacy/. Some specific examples of the resources found on the CoSN Student Data Privacy website include:
Trusted Learning Environment Seal
The CoSN Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) Seal program is a unique privacy framework designed to support school system leaders in building effective privacy policies and programs within a culture of trust and transparency.
The TLE website can be accessed at https://www.cosn.org/trusted-learning-environment/ and provides school leaders with a wide variety of materials to support their leadership work regarding student data privacy including:
EmpowerED Superintendent edLeader Panel Series
CoSN, AASA, and edWeb.net co-host an online edLeader Panel broadcast series, sponsored by ClassLink, to help superintendents connect and collaborate. Registration is free and participants can join the live event or view recordings and podcast versions starting a day or two after the live broadcast.
The upcoming February 12, 2024 (5:00 pm Eastern Time) edLeader Panel broadcast on the topic of Leading Learning That Truly Meets the Needs of Each Student. In this edLeader Panel Dr. Jill Louters, Superintendent, New Rockford-Sheyenne School District, ND, Mr. Randy Squier, Superintendent, Coxsackie-Athens Central School District, NY, and Dr. Jason Van Heukelum, Superintendent, Winchester Public Schools, VA, share the strategies their districts implement to assure that the teachers and staff have the knowledge and skills to leverage what technology can provide to enable each student to be a successful learner. Learn more about the upcoming broadcast and access the free registration link at: https://home.edweb.net/webinar/supers20240212/.
If you missed the January 8, 2024, edLeader Panel broadcast on of Proactive Leadership Regarding Cybersecurity in School Systems which featured Dr. Peter Aiken, Superintendent Central York School District, Dr. Gustavo Balderas, Superintendent of Schools, Beaverton, Oregon, and Connecticut’s own Dr. Mark Benigni, Superintendent Meriden Public Schools, Connecticut, you are welcome to access the video recording and/or the podcast version at https://home.edweb.net/webinar/supers20240108/.
CoSN 2024 Annual Conference, “Leading for Innovation: At Warp Speed”
Registration is now open for the CoSN 2024 Annual Conference, scheduled for April 8-10, 2024, in Miami, Florida. For conference and hotel information and registration links, see https://www.cosn.org/cosn2024/.
CoSN Membership: If you, your school or district would like more information about joining CoSN or getting more involved with CoSN, please contact membership@cosn.org.
Econergy is an energy services and renewable energy development company working across the US. We're currently helping school districts apply for the EPA Clean School Bus Grant, and you're invited to apply! As innovators in the energy industry, we offer tailored solutions that leverage renewable options to help school districts reduce energy costs and put that money back into their operating budgets. We help school districts decrease electricity costs, and our biggest savings come through transitioning to clean energy with solar energy systems and electric buses. Finally, none of our solutions have up-front costs to schools, and we commit to only pursuing projects that have net savings to school districts.
Contact
Gennifer Geer
Partnerships Coordinator
gennifer@econergy.net
224-337-6728
Hello! We are reaching out to you from the Center on Reinventing Public Education, for our Think Forward New England work to help make sense of our research findings with parents and community members who care about education in the region.
This facilitated conversation that will probe on the following questions and ideas:
After completing this survey we will reach out to confirm the time and date. We may not be able to accommodate every participant but will do our best! The virtual meeting will take place in late January or early February and is expected to last for 60 minutes. Participants will receive a $50 gift card for taking part.
The discussion will be recorded for note-taking purposes, but we will maintain parents’ anonymity in any publication and the video will not be shared. The key themes will be synthesized and disseminated widely among district leaders, community groups, and policymakers in the region. Thank you for your time!
Just Right Reader's Science of Reading decodables engage students in authentic phonics practice in the classroom and at home with Classroom Libraries and Take-Home Decodable Packs in English and Spanish. Over 700+ titles align to all phonics curriculums. They are filled with colorful illustrations and diverse characters in relatable stories. Each decodable comes with tools to support classroom implementation and small group instruction. This includes fun video lessons to extend phonics instruction into the home. From pre-emergent through developing readers in upper elementary, Just Right Reader decodables accelerate every student’s journey to confident reading.
Contact:
Tracy Purdy
Director of Learning
tracy@justrightreader.com
877-415-7372
The Connecticut Association of Public Schools Superintendents (CAPSS) is pleased to announce that Dr. Joseph Macary, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools for the Town of Vernon, Connecticut, has been honored as the 2024 Connecticut Superintendent of the Year.
Please join Fran Rabinowitz and the CAPSS staff in congratulating Joe for this esteemed recognition.
UR Community Cares offers students Community Service Opportunities across Connecticut in 2 different ways.
Individual Volunteering - High School students (age 15-17 need supervision) can volunteer to support local residents who are aging and need help at home. Volunteers sign up at www.URCommunityCares.org, we email them a parental consent form for their parent/guardian to fill out and they choose the category they would like to assist with, it could be helping someone with new technology, raking leaves/gardening, being a friendly visitor to play a game, and/or organize living spaces. Students decide the schedule, they can go after school or on the weekends, and they pick the day/times in their online portal.
Group Volunteering - Students can go as a class with teacher supervision and perform yard clean-ups. The teacher would sign up as a partner on our website to see all the opportunities.
If students need community service for graduation, for a service project, or due to an arrest/court order/etc. Contact Michelle, President 860-430-4557, or email michellepuzzo@urcommunitycares.org to discuss how your school can get involved or with any questions.
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.
White House Cybersecurity Summit for K-12 Schools
On Tuesday, August 8, 2023, the Biden-Harris Administration announced new efforts to strengthen Cybersecurity in America’s K-12 school systems during an event held at the White House. First Lady Jill Biden was joined by Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas in welcoming school administrators, educators and private sector companies to the event to discuss best practices and new resources available to strengthen cybersecurity throughout our nation’s school systems. Keith Krueger, CoSN CEO, and Diane Doersch, CoSN Board Chair, joined the other participants at the White House for this critically important conversation.
During the August 8 White House Cybersecurity Summit several new and continuing federal initiatives were shared that aim to meet the growing challenges involved in assuring that cybersecurity is both a top priority and a successful endeavor for all school districts. To learn more about the current administration initiatives and read an overview of the August 8 White House Cybersecurity Summit for K-12 Schools visit this website: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/08/07/biden-harris-administration-launches-new-efforts-to-strengthen-americas-k-12-schools-cybersecurity/
If you were not able to view the live stream of the August 8, 2023, Whitehouse Cybersecurity Summit for K-12 Schools, you can access the full recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaH9oJdbQZk
CoSN has a wide range of resources on leading Cybersecurity Initiatives that are readily accessible at: https://www.cosn.org/edtech-topics/cybersecurity/
Roadmap to Innovation: CoSN Driving K-12 Innovation Newsletter
CoSN’s Driving K-12 Innovation project management team is now producing a new free monthly newsletter called the Roadmap to Innovation Newsletter. Subscribers receive the Driving K-12 Innovation Advisory Board's tips, advice, and resources in order to impact global education changemaking efforts. To sign up for this free CoSN Driving K-12 Innovation monthly publication click the “Subscribe” button found at this link: Roadmap to Innovation Newsletter Registration
CoSN/AASA EmpowerED Superintendents edLeader Panel Series: Season 6 Premier
The CoSN/AASA EmpowerED Superintendents edLeader Panel Series begins its sixth season on Monday, September 11, 2023, at 5:00 pm ET, with “Leading Learning in the 2023-2024 School Year: Challenges and Opportunities”. The featured guest panelists are Dr. Carol Kelley, Superintendent of Schools, Princeton Public Schools (NJ), and Chair of CoSN/AASA EmpowerED Superintendents Advisory Panel; Dr. Aaron Spence, Superintendent, Loudoun County Public Schools (VA), and Co-Chair of CoSN/AASA EmpowerED Superintendents Advisory Panel; and Dr. David R. Schuler, Executive Director, AASA, The School Superintendents Association. The series is co-hosted by AASA and CoSN in partnership with edWeb.net and is once again graciously sponsored by ClassLink. Free registration for the September 11 broadcast – as well as access to previous broadcasts - is available at https://home.edweb.net/supers/.
CoSN Membership
If you, your school or district would like more information about joining CoSN or getting more involved with CoSN, please contact membership@cosn.org.
Trusted Capital Group (TCG), a HUB International Company provides valuable investment, retirement, and financial education solutions. We are experts at meeting the unique needs of school district leaders facing a growing workforce, shrinking budgets and stringent state standards. Our services include:
Superintendent Wellness Programs - Specialized contract consulting and financial planning for school district leaders.
School District Financial Wellness Programs - We offer education tools with access to financial coaches to assist your employees combined with a robust financial virtual education consultation assistance.
Additional Services:
457(b) Retirement Solutions
403(b) Plan Administration
401(a) Teacher/Employee Recruitment & Retention Plan
FICA Alternative Plan Services
Contact
Randy Feid
Vice President, Business Development
781-364-4996
• FICA Alternative Plan Services
Shipman & Goodwin LLP has more than 135 attorneys in offices throughout Connecticut and New York. The firm is recognized nationally for the depth and breadth of our education practice. Our school law attorneys represent over 125 public school districts and educational entities. Our online resource, www.ctschoollaw.com is dedicated to presenting the latest developments in school law.
Contact:
Thomas B. Mooney, Esq.
Partner
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Fran Rabinowitz, Executive Director, Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents, frabinowitz@capss.org, 860- 236-8640 ext. 160
Hartford, Conn., November 18, 2022 – Old Saybrook Public Schools Superintendent Jan Perruccio, a ten-year veteran in the Superintendency, a consummate advocate for equity and student voice, and a leader in public education, has been named Connecticut’s 2022 Superintendent of the Year by the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE) and the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents (CAPSS) at their 2022 annual conference.
“This has been a challenging year to be a superintendent and was a year like no other. As such, we present a Connecticut Superintendent of the Year who represents all of us, who carries the banner for all of us. Jan Perruccio will make all of us proud as she exemplifies the work that we do and the role from which we do it”, said Frances Rabinowitz, Executive Director of CAPSS.
Jan Perruccio stated, “I am honored and proud to receive this recognition and I accept it on behalf of all superintendents across the State of Connecticut. I know how important the leadership we provide can be to a school district and the students we serve, and I couldn’t be more pleased to represent our role and profession.”
In January 2021 the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents (CAPSS) put forth a Blueprint to Transform Connecticut’s Public Schools. It is a comprehensive and long-term vision for continuous improvement. In this update we share again the 30 recommendations of the Blueprint as well as a commentary on what has changed in the last year and what should be Connecticut’s priorities for the next few years.
Dalio Education is launching Teachers of Connecticut, a new platform that gives teachers a channel to share their stories, have their voices heard, and raise awareness around their experiences and ideas.
Over the next few weeks Dalio will be sharing stories from educators throughout the state on the dedicated website, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, where you will find inspiring teacher stories, images, news clips, and more, including videos from WTNH News Channel 8, which will be featuring the platform beginning with a segment this Wednesday, August 18th.
We hope that you will join us in elevating these wonderful educators who are shaping the leaders of tomorrow by following and reposting the content, and please encourage your networks to do the same!
In partnership,
Fran Rabinowitz
The Connecticut State Department of Education, Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents, Connecticut Association of Boards of Education, Connecticut Association of Schools, American Federation of Teachers Connecticut, and Connecticut Education Association are committed to the Connecticut State Board of Education’s goal of improving the academic lives of Connecticut’s increasingly diverse student body. This includes sustaining equitable and welcoming learning environments in which all students feel valued, respected, and safe to learn and grow.
This diversity, which represents a multitude of backgrounds and identities encompassing race, gender, gender identity or expression, religion, nationality, status of citizenship, and sexual orientation, is a strength to be celebrated. In response to challenges to our public education system, and to continue the mission of advancing opportunity for all, it is our shared priority to affirm, value, and leverage this diversity as an asset embodied and mirrored in teaching and learning.
Education must continue evolving to remain relevant to, and reflective of, students’ social, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds to assist in the development of their lifelong respect and compassion for themselves, their classmates, their communities, and the world around them. Engaging in inquiry-based learning that broadens students’ appreciation of perspectives beyond their own results in stronger motivation, open-mindedness, and critical thinking skills.
We want our students to graduate as responsible, well-rounded, and productive citizens who are ready to engage with others and thrive in our interconnected, diverse global society. Our students are best served when empowered with the tools to understand and investigate the countless lived experiences that exist in the world around them.
To ensure the well-being of and positive life outcomes for Connecticut’s students, we pledge ourselves to carrying out the following:
We believe and fully support fostering inclusive and culturally responsive educational environments that welcome, respect, and acknowledge the individual identities of all members of a school community as a cornerstone of preparing each and every student to succeed in college, career, and civic life.
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Joint Statement from Education Commissioner, CAPSS Executive Director and CABE Executive Director on Importance of Strong Board-Superintendent Relationship to the Safe and Effective Delivery of Education this Fall
The COVID-19 crisis has forced us to adapt and innovate in our classrooms and schools in ways none of us ever thought likely, or even possible. Connecticut’s PK-12 leaders find themselves addressing an unprecedented educational emergency under ever-changing conditions. In this rapidly evolving landscape, leadership matters now more than ever.
As we prepare to return to schools this week and in the coming weeks, doing so safely is and always will be our top priority. At the same time, each and every single decision must be made using the lenses of public safety, and equity and access. While this decision-making is an imperfect science, we all share the same sense of urgency to serve all of our students.
A strong board-superintendent relationship has a direct correlation to the success of a district. In these unprecedented times with COVID-19, it is more essential than ever that Boards and Superintendents work together on behalf of their students and the community. It is imperative that Board members and their superintendents be accountable in their respective roles, lead by example, and be of one voice when decisions are made. These leadership actions are key to developing and implementing sound policy tied to the pandemic as well as the best possible solutions for individual school communities.
The state’s reopening plan, “Adapt, Advance, Achieve”, acknowledges the challenges Boards of Education and superintendents face recognizing that there is no one perfect solution that applies to every community in Connecticut. In fact, the diversity of our state is why “Adapt, Advance, Achieve” gives districts the flexibility to make decisions in relation to this pandemic based upon their unique conditions and leaders’ beliefs on what is best for the communities they serve.
As we embrace the uncertainty in education in our state and country due to COVID-19, please know that you have partners at CSDE, CAPSS and CABE committed to supporting and guiding you during this journey forward into uncharted waters. Take consolation in the fact that we are all in this together. By sustaining the degree of collaboration and partnership that brought us to this point, coupled with a deep commitment to serve all students across the State, we will prevail in these uncertain times and come through stronger on the other side.
Sincerely,
Miguel A. Cardona, Ed.D.
Commissioner of Education
Frances M. Rabinowitz
Executive Director, CAPSS
Robert Rader
Executive Director, CABE
Thanks to a unified movement across CT, starting this fall, all early childhood through high school, including afterschool program, staff will have the opportunity to take a course on managing emotions during difficult times from Yale at no charge thanks to generous support from Dalio Education. Social and Emotional Learning in Times of Uncertainty and Stress: Research-Based Strategies is a 10-hour online course to support school staff in managing the unprecedented emotions of the new school year to provide the best learning environment for students. Join the thousands of CT school staff who have already pre-registered for the course, and get ready to learn from leading experts in the fields of psychology, education, and research at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence.
Learn more at www.ycei.org/selcourse
August 14, 2020
(Hartford, Conn.) – Today, a new social and emotional learning (SEL) course was announced to help staff in Connecticut’s schools as they navigate unprecedented times of uncertainty and stress, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and racial, political, and socioeconomic divides.
Developed by the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, in collaboration with the Connecticut State Department of Education, American Federation of Teachers Connecticut, Connecticut Education Association, Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents, and Dalio Education, Social and Emotional Learning in Times of Uncertainty and Stress: Research-Based Strategies will provide Connecticut school staff with the knowledge, skills and strategies to understand and manage their emotions and those of their students.
The 10-hour online course is being offered to all Connecticut school staff, including teachers, paraprofessionals, counselors, principals, and non-teaching staff in preK-12 schools for free, thanks to the generosity of Dalio Education. Upon completion, school staff will earn a certification from the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence.
John King Jr., President and CEO of the Education Trust and former U.S. Secretary of Education, is facilitating a roundtable discussion about this innovative new effort. Participants provided the following comments:
Governor Lamont: “Addressing the trauma and disengagement experienced by so many students and teachers over the spring semester requires that our school communities are supported with the most effective instructional and behavioral practices and interventions. Study after study shows us that healthy social-emotional development leads directly to an improvement in student academic success and behavioral outcomes to the benefit of both the student and the staff working with them. This course, developed by some of the best in the field of SEL, is a great opportunity for educators and staff to add to the knowledge, skills, and strategies they will need to reengage all students this fall.”
Marc Brackett, Founder and Director, Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and author, Permission to Feel: “Research shows that where there is an emotionally skilled adult present, students focus more, disrupt less, and perform better academically. These adults also have lower levels of stress and burnout, fewer intentions to leave the profession, greater job satisfaction, and more engaging classrooms.”
Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers: “We are living at a time with no modern precedent: we are in the midst of a health pandemic, an economic recession, and a long overdue reckoning with racism. People are scared, frustrated, and anxious. We need to be able to manage the compounded stress and trauma everyone is experiencing, and this course is a tool do that. The more we can equip our teachers to handle what we’re inevitably going to see in the classroom—in person or remotely—the more we will be able to manage our way through these global crises.”
Lily Eskelsen García, President of the National Education Association: “We know that the best learning happens with relationships that make learning challenging, engaging, and meaningful. The current pandemic crisis has brought into stark relief the inequities many students face, including the need for social and emotional skills that are critical to being a good student and a good citizen. We’re so thankful that the Dalio Foundation is launching this invaluable resource that will help our educators meet their students’ needs regardless of where they learn.”
Barbara Dalio, Founder and Director of Dalio Education: “One of the most important skills to develop during these very stressful times is social emotional learning. We are thrilled to make Connecticut the first state in the country to offer this free to all its teachers, paraprofessionals, principals, and school staff. We especially appreciate the support of Governor Lamont, Commissioner Cardona, Randi Weingarten, Lily Eskelsen Garcia, and all of our Connecticut partners.”
Miguel Cardona, Connecticut Commissioner of Education: “Our readiness this fall to tackle Connecticut’s educational emergency revolves around having in place the social emotional learning and mental health supports necessary to create compassionate academic spaces anytime, anywhere. Given the intensity of the trauma, anxiety, and isolation related to the pandemic, our department has prioritized assisting school communities with embedding the most effective social emotional and well-being practices into every aspect of teaching and learning. This professional development course will reinforce efforts to provide all students with equitable access to opportunities to thrive inside and outside of the classroom.”
Jan Hochadel, President of the American Federation of Teachers Connecticut: “Our teachers, paraeducators, and support personnel need resources and tools to help address the stress and anxiety of an unprecedented ‘back to school’ season. Helping them with their own ‘self-care’ empowers them to be more responsive to their students. We’re particularly concerned in this uncertain time about the healthy emotion regulation of children with special needs and those struggling with poverty. Their caregivers are often not able to work from home, making engagement in distance learning a greater challenge. Tragically, that also has made them more susceptible to COVID-19 infection. Bottom line — equipping our educators with strategies and support for dealing with their own emotions, as well as those of their students is a ‘win-win.’”
Jeff Leake, President of the Connecticut Education Association: “Strong student-teacher relationships are vital to students' success in school. Those relationships as well as trauma-informed practices will be more critical than ever this fall, as our teachers welcome back students who have faced significant challenges at home, many of them related to the pandemic. The partnership with the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence will provide our dedicated teachers with the skills, resources, and knowledge to identify and address student trauma, ensuring students receive all the support they need.”
Fran Rabinowitz, Executive Director, Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents: “Social and emotional learning is the foundation of a positive district culture in which all students and school staff flourish. It is more important now in these challenging COVID times than it ever has been.”
Jason Adler, School Counselor at Waterford High School and President of the Waterford Federation of Classroom Teachers, AFT Local 2038: “We need to support the social emotional learning of educators so that they may, in turn, create an emotionally supportive environment for their students. A social-emotionally literate teacher is far more capable of creating a safe and nurturing space for their students. This solace is desperately needed by our children in today's world. It will provide them the stability necessary to learn and build their own social emotional resiliency. Education is not (and may never) go back to what it was pre-COVID. This new program is a golden opportunity for teachers and students to make great strides together in this brave new world.”
Erin Daly, Third Grade Teacher, Danbury Public Schools and President of NEA Danbury: “Our dedicated educators understand the importance of a comprehensive approach to addressing student trauma and promoting social-emotional learning, especially in districts like Danbury where the need is high and the budgets for student support services have been decimated. We know that when students return to school they will have greater needs and trauma caused by the pandemic, and will require additional resources and assistance from school counselors, social workers and teachers. This professional learning program will provide educators with the training they need to integrate social emotional learning and trauma-informed instruction into the classroom and promote the well-being of their students.”
For additional information about the course, please visit www.ycei.org/selcourse.
# # #
MEDIA CONTACT:
Theresa Gilbert
tgilbert@globalstrategygroup.com
202.525.3696
“Public education is our greatest pathway to opportunity in America…”
— Former First Lady Michelle Obama
The Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents (CAPSS) stands with our nation in anger and grief over the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery. These three lives, needlessly ended, are the most recent manifestations of historic and systemic racism that permeates our society, our institutions and our laws perpetuating discrimination against people of color.
These events represent yet another blow to communities of color, which are disproportionately suffering and dying from the COVID-19 pandemic. Blacks and Latinos represent the majority of those employed in front-line retail, restaurants, transportation, delivery and hospitality sectors who have lost employment. Without income, they are now challenged to pay their bills, put food on their tables, and support their children’s education through distance learning while often not having the technology and support required for online learning.
We at CAPSS condemn all acts of violence, overt and covert, against Black and Latino communities. We also condemn the systems in place that promote and sustain discrimination against people of color. As an educational organization, we have a moral imperative to fight for justice for all people regardless of race, ethnicity, country of origin, religion, gender, gender identification, or intellectual ability. We also have an obligation to address within our schools any hostile environments, discriminatory attitudes and biased actions against students and families of color, knowing such actions limit their opportunities for success and cause them to distrust our schools.
Education is the strongest weapon we have to address the racial and economic disparities that have plagued our nation since its inception. Connecticut’s public school teachers must work every day to uphold ideals of equality, fairness, justice and democracy. It is essential to provide our students – every student – with the skills, knowledge and dispositions to succeed. This requires that every student is reading by grade three, because this is the most important predictor of success.
To achieve these goals, we must be vigilant in ensuring that the needs of each and every student is met. We must work tirelessly to create environments in which every student can grow and thrive emotionally, socially and academically.
As we head into a new school year, we will be challenged to help students and parents cope with upheaval, economic uncertainty and fear for their future. We must remain sensitive to the tremendous stress our students and families have experienced over the past few months.
While progress has been made in addressing the conditions, attitudes and environments that foment inequity, more has to be done to address the devastating impact of COVID-19 and civil rights abuses on economic inequality and mental health.
Historical inequities – and the resulting societal wounds laid bare in 2020 – will not be solved immediately or easily.
Governor Lamont, the state department of education, our school districts, educators and community leaders have been important collaborators with CAPSS in addressing these issues. This model of collaboration promises to help our state address and eliminate the roadblocks that perpetuate racial, social and educational disparities.
CAPSS’ October 2019 statement on schools’ role in addressing racial injustice:
Statement Regarding Issues Around Racial Intolerance
Resources to help families during Covid-19:
Dealing with Covid-19 Resources For Supporting Families
