CASconversations Connecticut Association of Schools

In episode 17, Rosie Vojtek sits down with Renata Bowers, the national-award-winning author of the Frieda B. book series. Through her Frieda B. picture books, Renata has developed an engaging method for utilizing the written story to inspire students to move toward meaningful, relevant academic and social success. Also joining this month’s conversation are Amy Yost and Andrea D’Aiuto, two elementary principals from the Shelton Public Schools, who are using the Freida B. books, the Frieda B. Whole Child Toolkit, and other curricula materials to promote social emotional learning in their schools.

Meet the CAS 2020 Assistant Principals of the Year - Todd Manuel, Trumbull High School; Anjanette Belmonte, Henry James Memorial School; and, Garrett Dukette, Ashford School. These award-winning administrators share strategies for relationship-building, empowering students, building positive school climate, and maintaining the critical balance between work and home. Don’t miss this dynamic conversation with these extraordinary educators!

Meet John Pulcastro, a supervisory intelligence analyst with the FBI who is an expert on violent extremists and mass casualty attackers. Agent Pulcastro shares tips and insights geared specifically toward school leaders and educators who, because of their close relationship with students, are in a position to identify warning signs and engage in interventions. “I guarantee you that the teachers and staff you have out there have prevented acts of violence that they have no concept they prevented,” says Agent Pulcastro in this riveting and information-rich conversation. Listen as he discusses behavioral indicators and prevention strategies that can help keep schools and students as safe as possible.

This month’s guests are three veteran Connecticut principals - Mike Litke from Naubuc School in Glastonbury, Scott Nozik from West Hill Elementary School in Rocky Hill, and Victoria Reed from Highland School in Wallingford - who are longtime members of the Connecticut Association of Schools (CAS) and the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). The trio share their experiences as members of both CAS and NAESP, discussing the personal and professional benefits they reap and the value of aligning themselves with others who want the best for their schools and their profession.

“Cybersecurity absolutely warrants the highest levels of attention and resource allocation,” says Doug Casey, executive director of the Connecticut Commission for Educational Technology, in what may be one of the most important podcasts we have produced here at CAS. Doug and fellow guests Ryan Kocsondy, director of the Connecticut Education Network, and Roberta Pratt, East Hartford Public Schools’ chief information officer, share experiences, resources and strategies to help school leaders navigate the often intimidating and murky waters of cybersecurity.

Past President Dr. Rosie Vojtek and CSDE Chief Performance Officer Ajit Gopalakrishnan explore the features and functions of EdSight, the state's education data portal, and talk about what school leaders need to know in order to use it effectively. Ajit provides an in depth look at the state's Early Indication Tool (EIT), which allows users to search, filter, export and analyze student data and uses statistical methods to identify students who may be at-risk of missing milestones and/or dropping out. Don't miss this informative and well-timed episode. Now that SBAC assessment data have been released, it addresses a very timely topic!