CAPSS' NEWS

Evolv Technology logo

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 logo

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 logo

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.

https://www.overyondr.com/

Contact:
Shannon Godfrey
VP of Partnerships
shannon@overyondr.com
802-777-0336

Zeal Education Group logo

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.

https://www.zeal-ed.com/

Contact
Jeff Melendez
Founder and CEO
jeff@zeal-ed.com
(203) 885-6011

Cambridge_new logo

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

Cartwheel logo

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

College Board logo

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.

www.collegeboard.org

Contact:
Michelle Cosner
Director
K12 State and District Partnerships
(212) 713-8226

FranklinCovey logo

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/

Contact
Ashley Lupinacci
Client Partner
ashley.lupinacci@franklincovey.com
(203) 530-6087

Connecticut Behavioral Health, LLC logo

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.

www.ctbehavioralhealth.com

Contact
Dr. Ryan Loss
Executive Director
203-271-1430

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.

econergy.net

Contact
Gennifer Geer
Partnerships Coordinator
gennifer@econergy.net
224-337-6728

Just Right Reader logo

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.

justrightreader.com

Contact:
Tracy Purdy
Director of Learning
tracy@justrightreader.com
877-415-7372


PARS_Public Agency Retirement Services_logo

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.

www.pars.org

Contact
Kathryn Cannie
Senior Manager, Eastern Region
(617) 549-6555

Hanwha Vision logo

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

Edmentum logo

Edmentum is committed to making it easier for educators to individualize learning for every student through research-based digital curriculum, interim assessments, and educational consulting. We are committed to delivering rigorous, research-based curricula that is aligned to the most up-to-date state or national standards and designed to engage all students.

www.edmentum.com

Contact:
Don Luby
Partnership Manager - Northeast
Don.Luby@Edmentum.com
617-899-4022

Imagine Learning logo

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

Contact
Erin Connolly
Account Executive (CT, RI)
erin.connolly@imaginelearning.com
860-990-0239

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is a learning technology company committed to delivering connected solutions that engage learners, empower educators and improve student outcomes. As a leading provider of K–12 core curriculum, supplemental and intervention solutions and professional learning services, HMH partners with educators and school districts to uncover solutions that unlock students' potential and extend teachers' capabilities. HMH serves more than 50 million students and 3 million educators in 150 countries.  For more information, visit www.hmhco.com/CT

Follow HMH on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

Contact:
Elaine Pipito
East Regional Vice President
Elaine.Pipito@hmhco.com

Uconn logo

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.

https://oecp.uconn.edu

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

Defined Learning logo

Defined Learning is a K-12 online project-based learning platform that provides teachers with the educational and assessment tools needed to implement high-quality PBL. Our hands-on projects are based on real-world situations in careers to help learners discover their passions and choose a pathway to a promising future.

www.definedlearning.com

Contact
Brannan Kenny
Vice President of Partnerships
brannan_kenny@definedlearning.com

Effective School Solutions logo

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.

www.adelbrook.org

Contact
Dale R. Hoyt, Ed.D
Vice President for Education
dhoyt@adelbrook.org

New England Science & Sailing logo

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.

https://nessf.org/

Contact
Kasey Commander
Director of Marketing & Communications
(860) 535-9362

rethinkEd logo

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
(201) 398-6953

Renaissance logo 2023

As a global leader in assessment, reading, and math solutions for pre-K–12 schools and districts, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. Renaissance solutions reach more than 40 percent of US schools and more than half a million students in other regions across the world.

The Renaissance portfolio includes Star Assessments, for reliable, accurate insights into K–12 student learning; myIGDIs, for accurate assessment of early learning; myON, to increase students’ access to high-quality reading materials; Accelerated Reader, to support independent reading practice; Freckle, for teacher-led differentiated instruction; Schoolzilla, to give educators actionable insights into trends in student attendance and achievement; Lalilo, to develop critical foundational skills; and Nearpod, for teacher-facilitated instructional delivery.

For more information, visit Renaissance.com.

Contact:
Amanda Pottinger
Marketing Manager
(561) 962-5314

HUB-Trusted Capital Group logo

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

www.tcgservices.com

Contact
Randy Feid
Vice President, Business Development
781-364-4996

• FICA Alternative Plan Services

YMCA logo

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!

www.ct-ri-ymca.org

Contact
Chris Pallato
CEO
Connecticut Alliance of YMCAs
(860) 670-3261

Equitable logo

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).

www.equitable.com/educators

Contact:
Michael Linehan
Sr. Vice President
Group Retirement, Tax-Exempt Markets
(860) 921-3825

Oak Hill Schools offer a 12-month community-based education program, serving students with moderate to severe disabilities ages 3 to 21 including autism, emotional disabilities, behavioral challenges, as well as students with multiple disabilities placed by public school districts. Each student receives a specialized program emphasizing in academic, social/emotional, daily living skills, motor development, communication, community participation, and self-advocacy.  Secondary school students develop functional academic transition skills, including employment, post-secondary education, training, independent living, and self-help skills within community-based jobs and instruction.  Instructional methodology is evidence based, follows best practices, and skills are taught within meaningful and functional activities.

Contact:
Ana Wittig
Chief Administrator
Ana.Wittig@oakhillCT.org
(860) 769-3860

Shipman logo 2023

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.

www.shipmangoodwin.com

Contact:
Thomas B. Mooney, Esq.
Partner

Bark logo

Bark for Schools is an online safety solution that helps keep students safe online and in real life by monitoring school-issued accounts for potential dangers and mental health concerns. As one of the fastest-growing companies in ed tech, Bark is trusted by more than 3,000 schools and districts across the U.S. to help protect students.

https://bark.us/

Contact
Andrea Bucci
Regional Sales Manager
andrea.bucci@bark.us

Eastern DataComm logo

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:

  • Lockdown and emergency notification
  • Video surveillance
  • Access control
  • VoIP phone systems (Premise, Hosted, & Hybrid)
  • Bell and clock controllers
  • Paging systems
  • Data networking (LAN and WAN)
  • Wireless networking and structured wiring

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.

easterndatacomm.com

Contact:
Gina Marie Kleinhans
Marketing Director
email: gkleinhans@easterndatacomm.com
(201) 457-3311

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.”

read the complete press release

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.

read the Update

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:

  • Building a culturally sustaining and responsive education system that fosters our children’s cultural awareness and development.
  • Cultivating authentic relationships with all members of a school community, including culturally diverse families, via two-way, reciprocal conversations around the development of curriculum, instructional methods, and expectations for student learning.
  • Supporting the State Board of Education’s 2020 Position Statement on Culturally Responsive Education – updated from 2011 – which strongly encourages public school districts to adopt policies that demonstrate their commitment to all students because we know there is a greater impact on student outcomes when we meet them with culturally and socially relevant content that resonates.
  • Aligning and providing resources, guidance, and support to districts to continue developing and implementing policies, procedures, and relevant curricula that affirm their students’ identity and their sense of belonging.

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.

###

To address historical inequities in Connecticut’s public education system and provide all students with equal educational experiences, CAPSS has released the CAPSS Blueprint to Transform Connecticut’s Public Schools, which includes 30 recommendations the organization deems critical to Connecticut public education over the next 15 years and beyond.

The CAPSS Blueprint’s recommendations touch on every financial, educational and operational aspect of schooling, with the aim of equitable funding, economies of scale, and resources for all school districts.

VIEW/DOWNLOAD CAPSS BLUEPRINT HERE

9-1-20
CAPSS CSDE and CABE logos

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.

CT Course Flyer

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.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Theresa Gilbert
tgilbert@globalstrategygroup.com
202.525.3696

Yale School of Medicine - site link to article

“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