BULLETIN BULLETINThe Connecticut Association of Schools The Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference Affiliated with the National Association of Secondary School Principals g Member National Federation of State High School Associations g Member National Middle School Association VOL. 79 / NO. 9 JUNE 2005
CONSTRUCTION OF NEW SCHOOL IN SMALL CHANGES YIELD BIG IMPROVEMENTS IN SRI LANKA IS UNDERWAY! CAS ANNUAL MEETING
n May 12, 2005, mem- ber school principals Oand assistant principals traveled to Portland, CT for the association's 53rd annual meet- ing. The administrators in attendance — predominantly from member high schools — adopted two changes to the CAS Constitution and two changes to the CIAC Bylaws (see page 12 for additional information). They also elect- ed a new slate of officers and Bob Carroll (left) and Brother's Brother Representative L. Hingston approved a nominal dues (center) present first check to the Ariyawansa School principal. increase for elementary, middle and high school members. Earlier this month, Assistant Executive Director Robert Carroll returned from a trip to Sri Lanka where he Attendance at the annual meet- got a first-hand look at the devastation caused by the ing has declined steadily in CAS President Don Gates convenes tsunami. While there, he participated in a ground-breaking recent years. In an attempt to 53rd Annual Meeting. ceremony for the new school which will be built with the reverse this trend, several funds raised through the CAS Tsunami Relief Effort. He changes were made to the meeting format this year. First, the meeting was also met with local educational leaders -- including the moved off-site. This year's event was held at the picturesque Saint Clements Minister of Education, Dr. Tara De Mel, and the president Castle on the scenic Connecticut River in Portland. Secondly, in lieu of an of Sri Lanka, Ms Chandrika Kumaratunge -- and reviewed afternoon meeting followed by an awards dinner, the business meeting and the architectural plans for the new school. awards ceremony were conducted within the confines of the school day. continued on page 6 continued on page 8
CAS-CIAC ENLISTS NEW PARTNER: THE U.S. ARMY By Michael Conde, CPT USAREC The United States Army Recruiting Army training focuses on the overall he/she is universally identified as the protec- Command has joined forces with the Con- development of our soldiers and equips them tors of our great nation serving not for the necticut Association of Schools in the whole- to better adapt to the demands of civilian life, fame nor for the acclaim, but because it is the some endeavor of affording our children ultimately giving them the cutting edge over right thing to do. every opportunity to better themselves both the competition. Centered within this train- The United States Army Recruiting scholastically and physically. Today marks a ing is a strong base of Army values which Command remains focused on its mission beginning, as the U. S. Army assumes the include selfless service, loyalty, duty, respect, to keep the doors of opportunity open to duties of sponsorship for the Connecticut personal courage, integrity, and honor. our youth. For example, the army has High School Track and Field events of 2005. Together these values develop the building implemented several programs to assist in Since its inception, the United States blocks of leadership. No other profession easing the burden of the ever-increasing Army has recognized the importance of allocates so much time and resources to costs of college tuition. These programs physical competition. It promotes physical developing those leadership traits necessary allow our soldiers to earn $37,000 through well-being and a healthy lifestyle, thus allow- for continued success. the Montgomery GI Bill, up to $70,000 for ing individuals to more readily handle the Today, our soldiers remain in high college through the Army College Fund, riggers of stress and to achieve excellence in demand because of their proven valor, leader- earn their degree while serving regardless every facet of life. It is for this reason that ship and unwavering work ethic. Not only of location, and even allow Connecticut the U.S. Army has forged an alliance with has the American soldier been identified as state veterans to attend college free of CAS. Time magazine's “Man of the Year,” but charge. 2 CAS Bulletin LEGAL MAILBAG ct news & notes By Attorney Thomas B. Mooney, Neag School of Education, University of Connecticut O Congratulations to David Erwin, superin- Editor’s Note: Legal Mailbag is a regular feature in the tendent of schools in Montville. He received CAS BULLETIN. We invite readers to submit short, law- the 2005 University of Connecticut Outstand- related questions of practical concern to school adminis- ing School Superintendent Alumni Award. trators. Each month we will select questions and publish The award was presented to him at the School answers. While these answers cannot be considered of Education Alumni Awards Dinner last formal legal advice, they may be of help to you and your month. colleagues. We may edit your questions, and we will not identify the authors. Please submit your questions to: O Candice Mills, a graduate student in psy-
O A total of 49.6 million children attended pub- O The results of a long term study into the next year, staff members at the University of lic and private school in 2003, beating the previ- parenting practices by researchers at the Oregon's Center for Education Policy Research ous high mark of 48.7 million -- set in 1970 University of Michigan shows that giving will recruit 2,500 college faculty members in the when the baby boom generation was in school. teens too little freedom can put them at risk seven subjects at about 100 schools across the According to a new report by the Census of engaging in risky behaviors in mid to late country to detail the material they're teaching to Bureau, the growth is largely due to all the chil- adolescence. Teens from very strict house- college freshmen. Researchers will then identify college courses in each of those subjects to dren born in the late 1940s to early 1960s, who holds are more likely to become friends with serve as a "best practices" teaching model for have since become parents themselves. Rising individuals who engage in risky behavior and AP high school classes. Eventually, plans call immigration played a part, too. Even if it isn't have more opportunities for unsupervised free for putting all 34 of AP's courses through the surprising, the record tally of students in the time. The results of a longitudinal study of "best practices" model, said University of Ore- first 12 grades poses steep challenges for 1,357 adolescents in Maryland revealed that gon Professor David Conley. Packer said schools: recruiting teachers, helping children the quality of teens' relationships with their changes spurred by the work done by Conley's who don't speak English, keeping class sizes parents in seventh grade predicted behavior team could come to AP courses by the 2008- manageable and coming up with enough finan- problems in the 11th grade. Participants who 2009 school year. cial aid for college students. The new school described relationships with their parents as enrollment report indicates that more than a warm and caring were less likely to become O A new study shows that children who are quarter of the U.S. population age friends with teens who engaged in risky behav- well liked and popular in school are more likely 3 or older -- appx. 75 million people -- was iors. Seventh graders who indicated that their to engage in unwanted behaviors such as van- in school nationwide in 2003. More than 17 parents were overbearing in their scope of dalism and theft. Researchers noted that the million were in high school, and almost another watchfulness over them during daily activities demands for being popular come along with cer- 17 million were in college or graduate school. were more likely to experience higher levels tain norms that children need to comply with in of unsupervised socializing in 8th grade. They order to maintain their status. Researchers O Parents in Australia have turned to lap-band were more likely to choose friends who tracked 185 seventh- and eighth-grade students for a year and used a series of tests to evaluate surgery to help control their children' obesity. engaged in risky behaviors. Lap-band surgery is a procedure in which a the students' popularity, self-esteem, ability to develop close friendships, relationships with clamp is fitted around the uppermost portion of O The College Board, which administers parents, behavioral problems and drug and alco- the stomach. Once the device is fitted inside the Advanced Placement courses and the SAT, is hol use. Overall, popular teens were more well- recipient the amount of food entering the stom- quietly mapping out changes to some of its flag- adjusted than less popular teens in a number of ach is significantly reduced. The user can tight- ship programs amid concerns that they cover too areas, including the overall social skills and en or loosen the band to increase or decrease the much content and don't allow for in-depth study. their relationships with their parents. However, amount of food which can enter the stomach. A team of researchers at the University of Ore- the popular teens also tended to show greater The surgical procedure lasts between 30 and 60 gon in Eugene is leading a re-examination of AP increases in drug use and delinquent behavior -- minutes. The effects of the procedure is similar courses in U.S. history, biology, chemistry, such as vandalism and shoplifting -- over the to having one's stomach stapled; however, there physics, European history, world history and year-long study. Researchers noted that most of is no removal of bodily tissue. Parent's of chil- environmental science. "We recognize that sim- the increases in deviant behavior by popular dren as young as 12 years old have already ply having a course that requires a teacher to teens in the study were relatively minor and that signed up their children for the procedure. There cover a lot of content is not the same as the popular teens didn't increase their levels of is currently a waiting list as long as two years best-level college course, in which teachers are major criminal activities. for parents wishing to have their children oper- facilitating in-depth study," said Trevor Packer, ated on. Advanced Placement executive director. Over O U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings has granted two of the Florida's Four-day School Week Trend Continues to Spread requested changes to its accountability plan First it was the French with the four-day work week, now the four-day school week movement is under the federal law. One of the changes per- permeating through America's schools. Out of economic necessity more than anything else are mits Florida to increase the number of students many U.S. schools moving to giving students a three day weekend every week. Currently Colorado required for a subgroup''s test scores to count for determining AYP from 30 youngsters to 15 per- and Wyoming lead the nation in numbers of schools with four day school weeks. In Colorado, 36 of cent of the total school population. The state 180 districts have gone to the 4-day week, 20 out of 48 districts in Wyoming and a small number in successfully argued that the size and diversity of Arizona, Louisiana, and Utah have made the transition. Altogether 20 school districts in eight states its schools made them more likely to miss at are currently considering implementing the four day school week. least one AYP target than was true in other states, if the state was forced to keep such a low According to research, schools with a four-day week noted: minimum threshold. The state also got permis- 1) increased student achievement and student-parent-teacher interaction (Hawaii, 1992) sion to revise its annual targets for the percent 2) fewer disruptions to instructional time on a 4-day week (CDE Report, 1994) of students who must score at the proficient 3) increased blocks of learning time improves academic performance (Education Week, 1997) level or higher on state reading and mathematics 4) savings of 13-20% in transportation costs, and 9% in operating expenses tests. 5) 15-50% reduction in staff absenteeism and 31% decrease in pupil (Education Week, 1997) O A report from the Yale Child Study Center 6) reduction in substitute teacher salaries indicates that children in preschool programs are 7) Increased student-teacher contact time much more likely to be expelled than older stu- 8) 57% of certified staff felt they were doing a better job of teaching because of longer instructional dents. The rate of expulsion for preschoolers and preparation time (1984) who attend state funded schools is 7 per 1000 9) high level of student on-task behaviors, less disruption of instructional time, sustained student students while it is 2.1 for every 1,000 students engagement (Idaho Study, 1993) in grades K-12. The study called "Prekinder- garteners Left Behind," examined preschool pro- (Source: Child Development Newswire) grams in 40 states. 4 CAS Bulletin REFLECTIONS ON BEING AN NHS MEMBER By Dr. Michael Buckley, Director, Connecticut Principals’ Center Editor’s Note: Printed here are the remarks Two decades later as a first year high school be said for that. You're here and they're not, given by Dr. Michael Buckley when he principal, I replicated the all-school assem- and work is going to take you to a lot of addressed the Connecticut Association of bly format for announcing and inducting my places that people with as much or more tal- National Honor Societies (CANHS) assembly first crop of new NHS members - not in a ent as you, but who are not willing to make at its 6th annual conference last month. romantic, clinging to the traditions of the the same effort as you, are not going to be. good old days sort of way, but because I had As a high school principal, I don't think I ood morning. I bring greetings begun to rethink the innate ability model. As said often enough how much I appreciated and congratulations from the a teacher, assistant principal, and middle the hard work of students such as you. You “GConnecticut Association of school principal, I had already seen too many show your peers what is possible. You delay Schools, the parent organization of the CT students with the same or greater ability as gratification. You encourage teachers. You Association of National Honor Societies. those ranked toward the top of their class who give back. You put others first. You can This is the fourth time that I've had the privi- had dropped away, not applied themselves, also relate to a different model of intelli- lege of extending a welcome at the start of made other choices. I thought that by gence, what Howard refers to as the efficacy your spring conference and each time it has acknowledging this in front of the entire stu- model. In this paradigm, it is understood encouraged me to reflect upon our organiza- dent body I would accomplish two things: that virtually all people are capable of bril- tion - I can say “our,” not just because I first, temper the elitism of the chosen few and, liance, that capabilities can be developed work for CAS but because I too was induct- second, encourage a work ethic in the unse- throughout life through effective effort. ed as a high school junior, at Portland High lected majority. Well, the results were pre- Intelligence is not fixed and immutable (the School here in Connecticut, at about the dictable (Remember, I was a first year high 1950's thing - some people are smart and same time your grandparents were in school. school principal!). Feedback from society some aren't); rather people can "get smart", members (polite and delivered after the fact actually become more intelligent via deliber- The essential question for me as I think through their advisor) was that I didn't make ate practice. You've learned that already. about you as members of NHS is, "What them feel special enough; feedback from separates you from your classmates?" Or some others in the audience was more imme- I hope you have a great conference. I hope more personally, "What separated me from diate and rude. Many of the advisors here you spend some time talking about ways that my non-inducted classmates?" Thinking who do their inductions as separate evening your chapters can influence the climate for about my selection, I remember two things events can relate to the latter experience. teaching and learning in your schools so that from that event: first, the "tapping" or more students can experience academic suc- announcement as well as the induction The key passage in my address to that cess similar to yours. Think what great occurred in an all school assembly during assembly was a quote from Roger Kahn's places your schools would be if all students the school day and, second, the row that classic study of the Brooklyn Dodgers, The worked as hard as you. I can't think of a bet- occurred on the faculty over the selection of Boys of Summer. Twenty years removed ter form of service.” a student from the business (translate non- from their glory days and last World Series college) track. You see, in the 1950's, long Championship, Kahn went out to chronicle before “No Child Left Behind,” there was no the hand life had dealt legends such as Jackie CAS OFFICERS: 2004-2005 debate over the fact that all students were not Robinson, Carl Furillo, Duke Snyder, and the President...... Donald Gates, Portland HS President-Elect...... Michael Rafferty, Old Saybrook MS created equal. Some, a minority, were rest. He described a conversation with the Vice President...... V. Everett Lyons, Bristol Eastern HS viewed as capable of thinking and doing steady outfielder George "Shotgun" Shuba in Vice President...Preston Shaw, Griswold MS, Griswold "mind work" and they were prepared for col- a farmhouse kitchen in Iowa one frigid Janu- Vice President....Gary Rosato, Mill Hill Sch., Southport lege; others, a majority, were deemed not ary evening. "But George," Kahn insisted, Treasurer...... Janet Garagliano, Wamogo Regional HS capable of such work, and they were des- "you were a natural." Shuba cut him off. CENTRAL OFFICE STAFF tined for field and factory. Schools in the "Natural? You think I was a natural? Let Michael Savage...... Executive Director 1950's were organized around what Jeff me show you." He took the author down Earle Bidwell...... Asst. Executive Director Michael Buckley...... Director, Principals’ Center Howard calls the innate ability model. In into the basement, reached up to a beam and Dennis Carrithers...... Asst. Executive Director this paradigm, important human characteris- dropped a ball of twine dangling from a Robert Carroll...... Asst. Executive Director tics such as intelligence and character are rope. He picked up a weighted bat and used Matt Fischer...... Director of Information Services believed to be innate endowments, fixed at it as a pointer to indicate the hash marks still J. Robert Ford...... Director of Development Paul Hoey...... Asst. Executive Director birth and distributed unequally among the visible on the cellar walls. Sets of ten with George Hall...... Asst. Director of Unified Sports® population. That was not questioned in the each slash representing sixty swings, hiero- Anthony Mosa...... Asst. Executive Director 1950's. There were ample blue collar jobs glyphics translating into 6oo swings a night Ann Malafronte...... Director of Unified Sports® Karen Packtor...... Editor, Asst. Exec Director and, regardless of which segment of the pop- at that knotted orb using a forty-two ounce ulation you were in, you could reasonably bat for 1,500 or more off-season evenings, THE BULLETIN aspire to a middle class existence, to a fair fighting off the day he'd no longer be able to Published monthly except July, August and Sept. by the share of the American dream. So a few of us catch up with the fastball. "Don't talk to me Connecticut Association of Schools at 30 Realty Dr, Cheshire, CT, 06410. Phone: 203-250-1111. Subscrip- - about a third of a graduating class of sixty - about being a natural," he scoffed. tions to the BULLETIN are a membership service; sub- worked harder at school and were rewarded scription costs are $5.00 for senior high schools; $1.00 for it; while the majority - the other forty or That's one of my favorite passages and it for middle level and elementary schools; $1.00 for asso- ciate and retired members. Third class postage paid at so in my class - were not asked to work hard helps me with a part of that question, "What New Haven, CT. Permit #561. POSTMASTER: Send and were not rewarded, at least in traditional sets you apart from non-NHS members in address changes to -- BULLETIN, 30 Realty Dr, ways. your school? You work hard. There's a lot to Cheshire, CT 06410. june 2005 5 GOVERNOR'S SCHOLARS RECOGNIZED AT LUNCHEON By Dennis C. Carrithers, Ph.D, Assistant Executive Director
CT’s 2005 Governor’s Scholars CT Attorney General Richard Blumenthal hirty of Connecticut's top students Big Y Director of Data Base Marketing were honored at the Ninth Annual Harry Kimball cited Big Y's history of con- TGovernor's Scholars Luncheon at The tributing to its communities, particularly with Aqua Turf Club on May 25th, the culminating regard to support for education. In addressing event in the Governor's Scholars program this the scholars, he stated, "We are proud and year. Cosponsored by the Connecticut Asso- honored to be able to partner with CAS in ciation of Schools (CAS) and Big Y World recognizing the top high school scholars in Class Markets, the purpose of the program is Connecticut. Like us, these students have to recognize academically talented high shown that through hard work and dedication school students in schools throughout the they can achieve great things in their schools state and present thirty students for special and communities." recognition to the governor of Connecticut. Associate Commissioner of Education CAS President Don Gates welcomed the George Coleman represented the Connecticut scholars and their families on behalf of the Department of Education. He offered con- 1088 member schools of the association. He gratulations to the scholars and to their par- delineated the process by which students were ents and teachers present who have influ- selected. All principals of CAS member high enced the students to excel. He read a poem schools are given annually the opportunity to that stressed the challenge for each student to nominate one junior who ranks in the top two shape his or her lives much as a sculptor percent of his/her class. An essay on an would shape a piece of rock into a work of assigned topic has to be completed. Members art. of the CAS Governor's Scholars Committee, Governor's Scholars Committee Chair professional educators from throughout Con- Laura Ferrante Fernandes, assistant principal necticut, judge the completed applications and at Masuk High School in Monroe, quoted Associate Commissioner of Education assign a composite score to each based on William Arthur Ward in asking scholars to George Coleman class rank, PSAT or SAT scores, GPA, and the remember that, "Greatness is not found in student essay. possessions, power, position, or prestige. It is The University of Connecticut awards an Attorney General Richard Blumenthal discovered in goodness, humility, service, and Achievement Scholarship valued at one half was the keynote speaker at the luncheon. He character." of full tuition for four years to all Governor's emphasized the importance of the Governor's Each scholar received a plaque from Scholars who are admitted and enrolled. Scholars to value their opportunity for free- Associate Commissioner Coleman designat- Brian Shactman, morning news anchor at dom of expression and to appreciate their ing him/her a Connecticut 2005 Governor's the media partner of CAS, NBC 30, served as high schools that emphasize learning for the Scholar, a letter from Governor Rell, and a emcee and Mrs. Lorraine Ferrero of Windsor complete person. He reminded the audience check from Big Y for $300.00. Thirty-one of High School was chair of the luncheon. in view of the Memorial Day weekend ahead Connecticut's colleges and universities also A list of this year's Governor's Scholars that everyone should honor those who made support this program by making gratis college can be found on the CAS web site at our freedoms possible. level courses available to the thirty scholars. www.casciac.org. 6 CAS Bulletin Sri Lanka, continued from page 1 CAS IDENTIFIES EXEMPLARY TECHNOLOGY Connecticut's funds will support the rebuilding of the Ariyawansa SITES Kanista School in the town of Beruwala, Sri Lanka, located on the southeastern coast. The project will be constructed in three phases and by Mike Buckley, Director, Connecticut Principals' Center will consist of a total of three two-story buildings. Male students will The Principals' Center's Technology Committee has designated three occupy one building; female students the second building; and the third schools as Exemplary Technology Sites: Greenwich High School; Reed building will house a computer lab and an auditorium. As each building Intermediate School, Newtown; and Frenchtown Elementary School, is constructed, the heavily damaged one-story buildings on the site will Trumbull. Selection was based on evidence of the successful infusion of be demolished. They are still being used but they were heavily damaged technology into the classroom to the benefit of student achievement and by the tsunami. The entire construction project will be completed in 6-9 on the schools willingness to share their success with visiting teams from months. other districts. The review committee was impressed with the extent of In September, all schools participating in the CAS Tsunami Relief each school's commitment to the integration of technology in the classroom. Effort will have the opportunity to enter a contest to name each of the buildings of the new school! O Greenwich High School's state of the art music and art lab utilizes Visit www.casciac.org/tsunami_relief_ update to follow Dr. Car- twenty-one G4 Macintosh computers that allow students to explore the roll on his trip to Sri Lanka and to view the architectural plan for the horizons of computer art and music technology. In art, students use com- new school! (See related items below) puters, camcorders, digital cameras and tablets to create their work. Vari- ous software packages including Photoshop, Dreamweaver, iMovie and iDVD allow students to create images that are unique and distinctive. Sri Lankans Express Gratitude Through Poetry Teaching music with the use of keyboards and computers is the trend in Printed below is an emotional poem written by the principal, contemporary music pedagogy. Greenwich High School electronic music teachers and students of the Ariyawansa School. students learn by creating their own music with synthesizers that automati- cally transpose their work into a computer where it can be manipulated We heard the wild call of the running tide, and enhanced. As a result of this lab, computer art and electronic music We saw how the monstrous water destroyed our land. courses are some of the most popular elective courses at the high school. Both programs accept students of all levels, from the novice with no previ- We felt the sloshing water waves flung and we thought, ous art or experience on an instrument to the advanced artist or musician. It was a sin we committed. O Newtown's Reed Intermediate School students create Microsoft Pub- It sprayed dirty scars on our white uniforms, lisher newspaper and magazine reports, PowerPoint presentations, Excel It tore our most beloved treasure, our bundle of books. charts and data, use Adobe Photoshop Elements for photo editing, digital It let us drink stinking water, instead of mild, for the New Year. artwork, and animations. Students create their own web pages, use appro- Running tide, why did you become so cruel, priate Internet resources, and can access interactive, online keyboarding mounting high up in the sky? practice from home. Each classroom has a teacher station, presentation camera, ceiling LCD projector, VCR, useful software, DVD and CD capa- We welcome you warmly, those who visit here today. bilities. Teachers use the Internet, intranet, network, and interactive File- Maker. Reed has two computer labs, wireless laptops, and a student com- Distinguished foreign and honorable visitors. puter in each room, a Media Center, a useful and informative web site, as Offering your kind hand to us at this needy hour. well as individual teacher web pages. We’ll keep you in our hearts forever and ever. O Frenchtown Elementary School has infused technology throughout. The large plasma TV in the lobby showcases student presentations (poetry, More CT Schools “Step up to the Plate” prose, drawings, photos, and videos) including live broadcast, student-pro- Contributions to the CAS Tsunami Relief Effort continue to roll in! duced shows which can also be accessed on the Webster interactive white- Since last month's issue, in which we published a list of all of the boards in every classroom. Travel down hallways and witness music stu- schools that had contributed to the fund, we have received several addi- dents experiencing computer assisted synthesizer lessons, kindergarten tional donations, including a $21,800 donation from the East Haven students learning letters by following an animated bee, 2nd grade students Public Schools! All tolled, CAS has collected over $300,000 from working on literacy at the interactive whiteboard, or 4th graders interact- more than 300 of our state's schools - a prodigious accomplishment ing with any of the five computer stations at the back of each room. Simi- indeed! The success of this effort speaks volumes about the goodwill lar integration exists in every classroom, in computer labs, or wherever and humanitarianism of the students of our state. Many thanks to the students are using laptops. Students and parents can access collaborative following schools/districts: teaching resources on the school's website where lessons taught in school can be demonstrated, practiced, enriched, and transferred at home. Andover Elementary School, Andover Mansfield Middle School, Storrs Sayles Elementary School, Baltic Westbrook Public Schools Additionally, the following schools have received mini-grants to support Cromwell Middle School, Cromwell Windsor Public Schools the development of skills for school leaders to assist in the infusion of Stadley Rough School, Danbury Frisbie School, Wolcott technology into the classroom: Sunset Ridge School, East Hartford Wolcott High School • Oak Hill Elementary School, Wallingford Thomas O'Connell Elem. School, E. Hartford • Hampton Elementary School East Haven Public Schools • Sandy Hook Elementary School Grasso Southeastern Technical High School, Groton • Bolton Center School RHAM High School, Hebron • Catherine McGee Middle School, Berlin Farm Hill Elementary School, Middletown • Enrico Fermi High School, Enfield Moody School, Middletown • Trumbull High School Masuk High School, Monroe • Greenwich High School Edgewood Magnet School, New Haven These awards were supported by funds from the Bill and Melinda Gates Old Saybrook Middle School, Old Saybrook Foundation. june 2005 7 NCLB'S "HIGHLY QUALIFIED TEACHER" REQUIREMENT Are you an organ by The Principals' Center's Critical Issues Committee donor? During the past school year, the Principals' Cen- ing options provided under NCLB (e.g. hold a In July of last year, organ ter's Critical Issues Committee has focused on the major in the core academic subject area(s), hold a donation took on a more per- myriad of issues associated with the "highly qual- master's degree in the core academic subject sonal meaning for members ified teacher" provision of No Child Left Behind area(s) or demonstrate competency through the of the North Dakota Associa- (NCLB). Our primary interest in doing this is to district's HOUSSE process). tion of Elementary School support teaching and learning and having an Prin-cipals. Alexa Kersting, Alexa Kersting excellent teacher in every classroom in Connecti- To be determined "highly qualified," a teacher cut. The “highly qualified” provision of NCLB must use the HOUSSE plan if he/she has not daughter of Loren and Monica does nothing in and of itself to improve teaching passed a state subject matter test, or holds an Kersting, passed away while waiting for a lung and learning. While effective teachers need a undergraduate or graduate major (or its equiva- transplant. Loren is an elementary principal in basic knowledge of content, more importantly lent), or holds advanced certification (e.g. West Fargo, ND. Despite the fact that Alexa they need a range of strategies for teaching content National Board Certification) in all of the core was at the top of the organ donation list for this to a diverse group of learners. At the elementary academic content area(s) that he/she teaches. region for several months, the opportunity never level the emphasis is wrongly placed on content Because each district's teacher evaluation and came. This tragedy is a sad but important when the need is for better pedagogy to reach all professional development guidelines: (1) were reminder about the importance of being an children. With regard to special education teach- reviewed and critiqued using the state depart- organ donor. ers affected by the law, there is also a greater need ment's peer review process; and (2) includes for emphasis on pedagogy over content. The subject matter knowledge assessment, Con- teachers affected by this provision have already necticut's teacher evaluation plans have been · Evaluations must be conducted by persons demonstrated sufficient knowledge of content approved by the U.S. Department of Educa- appropriately qualified to conduct them through the evaluation process. The committee is tion as Connecticut's official HOUSSE plan. (holders of the #092 - Intermediate Admin- pleased with the response of the Connecticut State To ensure that this statewide plan is standardized istrators certificate). It is recommended that Department of Education to the "highly qualified" across districts throughout the state, it is critical elementary teachers be evaluated by an ele- requirement of NCLB. What follows is a summa- that individual districts evaluate a teacher's sub- mentary principal with knowledge in elemen- ry of this response. ject matter competency in the core academic con- tary curricula. It is recommended that mid- tent area(s), based upon the Common Core of dle school and high school teachers be evalu- Beginning in school year 2006-2007, all public Teaching (CCT), using both the foundational ated by an administrator with subject matter school teachers teaching a core academic subject skills and competencies and the discipline-based knowledge in the core academic content area must be "highly qualified." As defined in professional standards. areas they are evaluating; OR by a collabora- the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), core acad- tive team made up of: (1) department chairs emic subjects include English; Reading/language Teachers Hired Prior to July 1, 2006 "highly qualified" in each of the core acade- arts; civics and government; history; geography; The CSDE provides the following guidance con- mic content areas the teacher is teaching; and economics; mathematics; science; the arts cerning the implementation of the HOUSSE plan, (2) an appropriate administrator. (music, fine arts, dance and theater); and World otherwise known as the district's teacher evalua- Languages. tion plan: Teachers Hired On or After July 1, 2006 · All teachers who need to use the HOUSSE All teachers hired on or after July 1, 2006, must To be considered "highly qualified," individuals plan to be considered "highly qualified" must be "highly qualified" in the content area(s) they who are currently employed must: be evaluated between January 2002 and June will teach prior to being hired. Therefore, they 1. hold full state certification; and 30, 2006; the evaluation must involve the must: (1) hold an undergraduate or graduate 2. hold a bachelor's degree; and determination that a teacher is competent in major in the core academic content area(s) they 3. demonstrate competency in the core acade- all of the core academic content area(s) that are being hired to teach; OR (2) have a master's mic subject area(s) they teach using one of he/she is presently teaching. Evaluators degree or an advanced certification (such as the following four methods: should use the national and state discipline National Board Certification) in one or more of · hold a major in the core academic subject specific curriculum standards (and accompa- the core academic content area(s) they will teach; area(s) that they teach; or nying support materials) and the CCT foun- OR (3) have successfully passed a state standard- · hold a master's degree in the core academic dational skills and competencies. The dis- ized content knowledge test in the core academic subject area(s) they teach; or trict has an obligation to evaluate all content area(s); OR (4) have previously been · has successfully completed the Praxis II teachers to which this requirement applies determined "highly qualified" via the sending exam in the core academic subject area(s) between January 2002 and June 30, 2006. district's HOUSSE plan. that they teach; or · The written evaluation must specifically iden- · has successfully demonstrated competency tify that an individual has been determined to IDEA has provided some flexibility for special in the core academic subject area(s) using be "highly qualified" in specified core acade- education teachers hired subsequent to July 1, the district's High Objective Uniform State mic content area(s) which they teach. This 2006. In order to hire a special education teacher Standard of Evaluation (HOUSSE). determination of "highly qualified" must be who will be a primary teacher of core academic portable; an individual teacher's evaluation content knowledge either in a resource room or The recently reauthorized IDEA law included must be made available to be taken to another self-contained classroom, that person must be special education teachers as teachers of core district as demonstration of his/her achieved "highly qualified" in one of following core acad- academic content. They, too, must demonstrate "highly qualified" status. It is recommended emic content areas prior to being hired: reading/ competency in the core academic subjects that that, as part of the evaluation, a certificate language arts/English, mathematics or science. they teach to one or more students. Special edu- indicating the individual's "highly qualified" Special education teachers then have up to two cation teachers who teach one or more core acad- status be produced, signed by the evaluator, years to become "highly qualified" in the addi- emic subject area(s) who have not successfully placed in the teacher's employment file, and a tional core academic subjects they will be teach- passed the CONNECT or Praxis II exam in each copy given to the individual being evaluated. ing; districts may choose to use the district's of the content areas they teach, must demonstrate It is the decision of the receiving district to HOUSSE process for special education teachers competency in the core academic subject area(s) accept or reject the sending district's determi- to become "highly qualified" in additional con- that they teach through one of the three remain- nation of "highly qualified." tent areas. Annual Meeting, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S Congratulations to the following individu- continued from page 1 REPORT als who have been newly appointed to Executive Director Mike Savage reiter- board and officer positions within the Thirdly, Duane Cashin, founder and ated some of the highlights touched on association. president of a successful local manufac- 55 by President Gates, expressing particu- turing company, “kicked off” the meet- lar gratification with CAS' impending CAS Board of Directors: ing with a short, inspirational keynote partnership with UCONN. "CAS' • Donald Macrino, Waterford H.S. speech. Duane thanked participants for involvement in the UCAPP will bring • Carole Alvaro, M.S. of Plainville the work they do and praised them for us considerable prestige in that we will • Harry Gagliardi, Anna Lopresti School 3 their fortitude in doing it “at the most 3 be connected to a certification body challenging time in the history of educa- rd with tremendous credibility. Further- CIAC Board of Control: rd tion.” And, finally, both the business more, this partnership will provide CAS • Joseph Bacewicz, Tolland High School meeting and the awards ceremony were with the opportunity to be in the main- scaled back in an effort to shorten the CAHSP Board of Directors: stream of the development of school overall length of the program. The • Fran Kennedy, Stafford High School leaders." changes implemented this year -- which • Rita McDougald-Campbell, Foran H.S. Mike focused many of his remarks were in keeping with the suggestions on the hard work and talent of the cen- made by member school principals in CAMSP Board of Directors: aa tral office staff. "I have had the privi- • Jody Goeler, Avon Middle School - CHAIR our fall annual meeting survey -- result- lege to lead a staff full of energy and ed in a more engaging and worthwhile • Jeffrey Schumann, Kellogg M.S. ideas, a staff which always want to • Joseph Scheideler, Canton M.S. program. nn improve that which exists and assume • Ann Cox, AP, Seymour Middle School new challenges that will benefit our • Troy Monroe, Keigwin Middle School PRESIDENT’S REPORT schools and our school leaders," he • Susan Dumas, Mystic Middle School CAS President Don Gates, principal of praised. He expressed great pride in the • David Russell, John Winthrop Jr. High nn Portland High School, began his presi- progress the association has made in the dent's report by praising the hundreds of u area of technology and touted the orga- CAESP Board of Directors: u loyal CAS members who devote count- • Gina Vance, Gideon Welles School - CHAIR nization's improved relations with the less hours to the association each year. • Renata Lantos, Bielefield School - state legislature. n In his comments, President Gates VICE CHAIR n Mike also lauded the work of the reviewed some of the highlights of the • Jay Brennan, Paul E. Chatfield School association's leaders. "This past year aa2004-2005 year, including the CAS • Mark Profitt, Lawrence School under the able leadership of President Tsunami Relief Effort, the first-ever • Victoria Reed, Highland School Gates, CIAC chairman Bill Barney, l congressional roundtable, and the asso- • Bridget Braney, Orchard Hill Elem. l SABC chairwoman Janet Garagliano, ciation's partnership with UCONN to • RoseAnne O'Brien Vojtek, Ivy Drive School and CAHSP, CAMSP, and CAESP administer the internship phase of the • Dale Bernardoni, McKinley School Chairs Bob Pitocco, Preston Shaw and • Linda Cahill, Valley View School UCAPP degree program. Lou Pear, respectively, we have been • Loraine Giannini, Elmer Thienes-Mary President Gates also shared his able to advance the goals of our three Hall School thoughts on what he perceived to be mm year plan and have continued to devel- some of the association's future chal- op new strategies and programs to serve SABC: lenges, the most significant one being e the needs of our members," said Mike. • Kirk Murad, Principal, Grasso RVTS e the paucity of future school leaders. "In all cases we have never strayed • John Lineen, Lincoln Middle School "It is projected that with anticipated from our overall mission - that of pro- • Sam Galloway, Carmen Arace Inter. retirements, we will not have the man- • Lou Pear, Myrtle Stevens/Mosher Schools e viding exemplary programs and ser- e power necessary to effectively lead • Altressa Cox-Blackwell, Hazardville vices that promote excellence in the our schools," said Gates. "As admin- Memorial education of all children." (To view Mike istrators, step up to the plate, identify • Scott Leslie, RHAM High School Savage's report in its entirety, visit talent from within and do all within • Susan Homrok, AP, Simsbury H.S. www.casciac.org/pdfs/executive_direc- tt your power to develop leadership," he tors_report_05.pdf) challenged. President Gates also Many thanks to the following outgoing board members who complete their terms i emphasized the importance of engaging NEW BUSINESS i on June 30th of this year. Those in atten- in aggressive efforts to attract new mem- The membership unanimously adopted dance at the meeting were presented with bers to the organization. "CAS as an two changes to the CAS Constitution, n organization must also step up to the distinguished service plaques in honor of n the most significant of which introduces their years of service to the association. plate and focus on ways to attract and a new class of membership called They will surely be called upon to serve in engage new members as volunteers for "Associate Institutional Membership." another capacity! our organization," he stated. "I appeal Visit http://www.casciac.org/pdfs/ ggto each of you today to set a goal to CAS_Constitution_changes_2005.pdf to CAS Board of Directors: invite and engage a new administrator download the changes adopted by the from within your school district to • Eileen Kouba, Ellington High School membership. • Thomas Heffernan, East Granby M.S. become active in our association." (To Following the adoption of the view President Gates' report in its entirety, • Adam Burrows, Center School bylaw changes, the membership elected visit www.casciac.org/ a new slate of officers and board mem- pdfs/presidents_report_05.pdf.) CIAC Board of Control: !! bers for the 2005-2006 school year. • Michael S. Griffin, Northwest Catholic H.S. CAMSP Board of Directors: • Carole Alvaro, Middle School of Plainville • John Lineen, Lincoln Middle School • Rochelle Schwartz, Northeast Middle School • Vaughn Ramseur, Roosevelt Middle School • Thomas Heffernan, East Granby M.S.
CAESP Board of Directors: • Katharine Bishop, Daisy Ingraham School • Gary Rosato, Mill Hill School • Paula P. Erickson, O'Connell School • Judith Brockelman, Huckleberry Elementary
Eligibility Review Board: • Salvatore Randazzo, Cheshire High School Mike Savage presents executive director’s CIAC Chair Bill Barney presents distinguished service report to membership plaque to retiring Cheshire H.S. Principal Sal Randazzo SABC: • Richard Cavallaro, Wilcox Technical School • Arlene Salvati, Hamden High School
2005-2006 BUDGET In a final order of business, the membership approved a budget which called for an $130 dues increase for high schools, a $25 dues increase for middle schools and a $15 dues increase for elementary schools.
AWARD PRESENTATIONS During the awards luncheon, Dr. Jerry Auclair, principal of Darien High School and chair of the CAS Awards and Recognition Committee, Jerry Auclair presents CAS Citation to Assistant Executive Director Tony Mosa chats with presented Letters of Commendation to four Dr. David Perry CIAC Board Member Jackie Sullivan during break individuals who have made outstanding contri- butions to CAS and to the member schools it serves.
Recipients of Letters of Commendation: • Lou Pear, Principal, Myrtle Stevens and Mosher Schools, Rocky Hill • Jody Goeler, Principal, Avon Middle School • Sally Biggs, Associate Principal, South Windsor High School • Tom Murray, Senior Graduation-Exhibition Coordinator, Branford High School
Three individuals were selected to receive the prestigious CAS Citation: Katharine Bishop, principal of Daisy Ingraham School in West- CAESP Chair Lou Pear presents plaques to outgoing board members (l to r): Judy Brockelman, brook; Thomas Heffernan, principal of East Kit Bishop and Gary Rosato Granby Middle School; and Dr. David Perry, principal of North Branford High School. The CAS Citation, the association's highest honor, is awarded only to those members who have made extraordinary and long-term contribu- tions to the organization.
Many thanks to our event sponsor, Lifetouch Inc.!
Middle level members conduct their individual membership meeting 10 CAS Bulletin middle school news Arts in the Middle Attracts Talented Area Artists By Earle Bidwell, Assistant Executive Director oung artists from twenty Con- Middle for two years, he has taken necticut Middle Schools over the top spot in leading students in Yattended the fourth annual Arts creating original works using the vast in the Middle Conference at the Hart- resources of the computer lab. ford Art School on the campus of the Nina Goodale (drawing) is a grad- University of Hartford in May. The uate of the University of Hartford Art conference, designed to offer middle School with a degree in fine arts. She level students a high caliber artistic has taught youth programs for10 years challenge was led by ten talented and has done numerous programs for artists from the greater Connecticut the Farmington Valley Fine Arts Cen- community. In addition, their art ter. She is a free-lance mural artist and teachers also attend as students and has her own studio in Hartford. learned new techniques side-by-side A self-taught cartoonist and with their students. humorous illustrator, Rick Stromoski The artists, who led their students (cartooning) has produced work for in creating two finished art works dur- national magazines, children's and ing the daylong session, were as fol- humor books, newspapers (including lows: the Hartford Courant), licensed prod- Christopher J. O'Herron (portraits) ucts, national advertising and network is a graduate of Syracuse University television. He has been nominated for Students work with pastels with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in his illustration work by the National Illustration. A Simsbury native, Chris Cartoonists Society 12 times and was is living and working as a portrait awarded the Reuben division award for artist and an oil painter in the Canton best greeting cards in 1995 and 1998 area. Chris is a charter member of the and for magazine gag cartoons in "Arts in the Middle" faculty. 1999. He is president of the National Paul Hoffman (plein air) is an Cartoonists Society. East Hampton, Connecticut resident. Diann Cook (acrylic & mixed He is a member of the Connecticut media) attended Central Connecticut Plein Air Painters Society (CPAPS). State University obtaining a degree in In March 2002, he began teaching oil Graphics and Illustration and a Masters painting for beginning and intermedi- in Art Education. She is an entrepre- ate students in West Hartford. Paul neur with her own Youth Art Compa- began working with charities -- includ- ny, JAM (Junior Art Makers). Her ing the Hartford Area Habitat for work has been exhibited in many dif- Humanity, Lupus Foundation of Amer- ferent venues throughout Connecticut ica, Connecticut Chapter and The and in private collections. Working Lands Alliance -- late in Barbara Scavotto-Earley (wire 2000, combining art sales with envi- sculpture)of Enfield, CT distributes ronmental and social causes. her passion for creativity among her Students draw likeness of professional model Kate Callahan An accomplished artist in students of all ages and her sculptures acrylics, watercolors and pencil, Scott of all sizes. Her dawning explorations Rhoades (aboriginal art) became in planar and linear steel are preceded acquainted with Aboriginal art during a by decades of clay and mixed media sabbatical to Australia in 1990. Scott sculpture. Currently, steel rods are has also distinguished himself as a her medium for drawing in space, teacher, specializing in integrating art creating volume with the barest of with other subjects. He has collaborat- linear elements. Through postures ed on CT History Day projects, has and gestures, Barbara composes opti- been acclaimed by the Connecticut mistic, often humorous commentaries Educator's Computer Association and on humanity and everyday life. She was recently recognized as the grand earned her teaching degree at Southern prize winner by the International Read- Connecticut State University and ing Association at a gala event in San studied in graduate programs at Antonio. Scott is on the faculty of Wesleyan University and University Capt. Nathan Hale Middle School in of California. Coventry. John Sadler (Watercolor) has been Kevin Sepe (computer arts) is a an art teacher for 24 years at Ellington graduate student at the Hartford Art Middle School. He has a BS in Art School. After assisting in Arts in the continued on page 11 Barbara Scavatto-Early demonstrates wire-bending techniques june 2005 11 elementary school news
RECORD ATTENDANCE AT CAESP SPRING CONFERENCE Avoid the Caffeine! Dr. Douglas Reeves, expert on standards-based assessment, draws First-graders shouldn't be allowed to drink caf- feinated colas during school because just a few educators from all levels ounces can make them rowdy and inhibit con- centration, according to a study released last n May 16, 2005, the Connecti- month at the American Psychiatric Associa- cut Association of Elementary tion's 158th annual meeting in Atlanta. Dr. Alan OSchool Principals hosted its R. Hirsch, a psychiatrist and neurologist who annual spring conference at the Farm- runs the Smell & Taste Treatment and ington Marriott. This year's event, Research Foundation in Chicago, and col- which featured popular speaker and leagues conducted a study of 20 Chicago-area researcher Dr. Douglas Reeves, drew a first-graders (10 children of each gender). All record crowd, with over three hundred students were given either a caffeine-free cola participants! or a caffeinated cola over three weeks, during Dr. Reeves presented two morning which their behavior was rated by teachers workshops which focused on improving who didn't know what they were drinking. The student achievement through standards- children didn't know either. Behavioral prob- based assessment. Between workshops, lems were rated as 432 percent worse on days participants had plenty time to browse when the first-graders consumed caffeinated the many exhibition booths. colas than when they drank caffeine-free soda. Following a gourmet lunch and "Drinking an average of less than one can of remarks from Commissioner of Edu- caffeinated cola causes significant worsening cation Betty Sternberg, Dr. Rosemarie of behavior amongst first-graders," Hirsch said. Young, president of NAESP, talked Therefore, disruption to the learning process about "resiliency in the principalship." should be added to the list of reasons to Acknowledging that the job of the prin- restrict consumption of caffeinated beverages. Adam Burrows (left), principal of Center School cipal is demanding, complex and never- in Old Lyme, with Bill McDermott (right), ending, she offered strategies and tech- Arts, continued from page 10 recently retired principal of Eastbury School niques for surviving and even thriving Education from Plymouth State College and in Glastonbury in the position! also attended Florida Institute of Technology and the Art Institute of Boston. "Jake" is a former wilderness school instructor and now sails extensively in Maine and on Long Island and Block Island sounds where his nautical watercolors reach fruition. Kenya Darcel Washington, (self por- traits)" is a creator, creating poetic sermons and spiritual self-portraits. She is an educator as well as a student educating in various are- nas from public and alternative schools in Connecticut and New York to prisons for men and women, as well as in museums, churches and mosques. Kenya is currently a student pur- suing a master's degree at the Hartford Semi- nary. A highlight of the day was an opportunity to view the almost three hundred art works created by the student artists. More valuable was the new knowledge and techniques they were able to take back to their schools and stu- dios thanks to the skills of the presenters. The Connecticut Association of Schools is indebted to The Hartford Art School for making their fine facility available to the pro- gram, to the Greater Hartford Arts Council for a Neighborhood Arts and Heritage Grant and to the ColArt Group, the leading supplier of colour and associated art material products Left to right: Dr. Rosemarie Young, NAESP President; Dr. Betty Sternberg, Commissioner of across the world, including products such as Education; Dr. Robert Carroll, CAS Assistant Executive Director brushes and surfaces which are designed for use by artists of all abilities. 12 CAS Bulletin ciac news briefs
WEBSITE UPDATE By Matt Fischer, Director of Information Services A couple of updates on the new on-line schedul- ing system: 1) The ability to import schedule information from ScheduleStar has been added to the import options listed on the eligibility center main page. 2) The pulldown menus for selecting opponents on the schedule entry pages now include all of your league schools, along with the option to select a non-league school. Choosing the non-league option will produce a pop-up window with the full range of selection options (non-league schools, non-member schools, out-of-state schools, tournament/ invitational event). 3) A "day of the week" field has been added on the schedule entry pages. You cannot type anything in that field; however when you enter or change the date for a game it will automatically change the day of the week. 4) The schedules produced in calendar view now Pictured above are the members of the 1929 Hartford Public Boys Outdoor Track team, show games for any co-op team your school who scored 39 points to win the first-ever CIAC Interscholastic Track and Field Meet held at participates in, even if you are not the host Yale Field on May 18, 1929. Hillhouse was the runner-up with 34 points. Front row (left to school for the team. right): David Goldberg, Francis Colgan, Donald Bertram, George Scully; second row: Sam Thank you to all the schools that have provided Clark, William Lane, Larry Amann, Miller, Francis Breen, Vincent Datri; third row: Ed Roane, suggestions allowing us to further refine the sys- John T. Harrison, Thomas Reeves; top row: R. Andrews tem for everyone's benefit.
O The National Association of Sports Public reduction in men's sports and whether they ball seasons during nontraditional times of the Address Announcers (NASPAA), the profes- should be allowed to sue federal officials. year. Justices set aside the lower court's ruling sional association for sports public address The case involved claims that the government for the female athletes. That decision found a announcers, has selected Alan Longley, The was forcing colleges to discriminate against violation of the Constitution's equal protection Voice of the Milford Foran High School Lions male athletes because of a requirement that the clause and ordered the Michigan High School in Milford, as the 2004-2005 NASPAA Con- ratio of male and female athletes be similar to Athletic Association to revamp its scheduling necticut High School Announcer of the Year. the overall student population. ''If unchecked, so that girls' teams played during their typical Selections were based on a variety of criteria the gender quota . . . will continue to cause sport seasons - just like the boys' teams. The including years of experience, number of sports sweeping injustices and discrimination in col- Supreme Court asked the Cincinnati-based 6th being announced, as well as sportsmanship, leges nationwide and is already being applied to U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to take a second competency and professionalism. Longley has public high schools,'' justices were told in a look at the case in light of the high court's rul- been announcing for 4 years. He was nominat- brief filed by the Eagle Forum Education & ing last month in Rancho Palos Verdes v. ed by Robert Tait CAA, Foran High School's Legal Defense Fund. Over the past two Abrams, which bars certain lawsuits when a Athletic Director. "Announcing is about more decades, the number of wrestling teams at different portion of federal law provides a than just having a good voice," commented NCAA schools has dropped from 363 to 222, remedy. The Michigan High School Athletic Brad Rumble, NASPAA Executive Director. according to NCAA leaders. Title IX has been Association said the lawsuit should have been "It's about passion, commitment and profession- blamed for part of the decline. In addition to brought under the Title IX gender equity law, alism—qualities inherent in the really good men's wrestling team cuts, schools have dropped a question that the 6th Circuit did not address. announcers, like Alan Longley." outdoor track, swimming programs and ice The case stems from a 1998 lawsuit filed by hockey, the court was told. A divided panel of Diane Madsen and Jay Roberts-Eveland, both O The Supreme Court has refused to consider the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Grand Rapids, Mich.-area mothers of female reinstating a lawsuit that accuses federal offi- Columbia Circuit said the lawsuit should have athletes, in conjunction with the legal group cials of discriminating against male athletes in been filed against individual colleges that elimi- Communities for Equity. They challenged enforcing equal opportunities for women. Jus- nated men's sports, not the federal government. Michigan's practice of scheduling high school tices rejected an appeal from the National (Source: Associated Press) girls' basketball in the fall and volleyball in Wrestling Coaches Association and other groups the winter, the opposite of when colleges play that have been fighting federal policies under O Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court directed those sports. They said the timing is unfair the anti-discrimination law known as Title IX. a lower court to reconsider whether Michigan because it limits the Michigan girls' exposure At issue for the court was whether the chal- high schools discriminated against female ath- and hurts their chances of winning college lengers showed that the law directly caused a letes by scheduling their basketball and volley- athletic scholarships. june 2005 13 . . . more ciac news
CIAC HOSTS WORKSHOP ON SPORTS-RELATED CIAC MEMBERSHIP ADOPTS CONCUSSIONS TWO BYLAW CHANGES By Tony Mosa, Assistant Executive Director The CIAC membership adopted two concussion management bylaw changes at its annual meeting on workshop co-sponsored May 12, 2005. The first change affects Arti- Aby the CIAC and the cle XI of the CIAC bylaws, better known as Connecticut State Medical Soci- the Cooperative Team Regulation. The new ety Committee on Aspects of regulation encompasses several changes Sports was conducted on June including: 1st at the CIAC office. Over 70 1. The addition of language relative to the medical professionals, including number of athletes allowed on two- and family and orthopedic physi- three-team cooperative teams (NOTE: cians, athletic trainers, school This language does NOT change the and community nurses, and ath- CIAC's existing practices and procedures letic directors participated in the governing cooperative teams. It simply workshop. articulates those practices in the bylaws, Dr. Michael Lee, chair of whereas previously they were only refer- the Connecticut State Medical enced in the Q&A section of the CIAC Society Committee on Aspects Handbook.); of Sport, noted that the manage- 2. A change in the "Decision Making ment of concussion has become Power" provision to allow athletic an increasingly important con- directors and coaches serving on the cern for the sports medicine CIAC Cooperative Team Committee to clinician and endorsed ImPACT have full voting privileges; and, as a friendly computer based tool Dr. Lee from the Connecticut State Medical Society 3. Some minor language revisions. designed to aid in the proper diag- addresses a group of over 70 practitioners. nosis and treatment of concussion. The reasons for these changes are as follows: He noted an unusual increase of concussions in young athletes this year, and expressed a need 1. To reconcile the language of the CIAC to develop uniform treatment strategies in dealing with these athletes. Bylaws with the interpretations set forth Dr. Lee introduced Dr. Michael Collins, assistant director, University of Pittsburgh Medical in the Q&A section of the CIAC Hand- Center Sports Concussion Program. Dr. Collins is a co-developer of the ImPACT program. book (the limits placed on two and three- This program measures aspect of brain function affected by concussion such as memory pro- team coops were addressed in the Q&A cessing speed and reaction time. ImPACT also helps to assure when the athlete is ready to section of the CIAC Handbook but not in return to play. Dr. Collins instructed the participants on the proper administration of the the bylaws themselves.) ImPACT program, and introduced various case studies for critical review. The program was 2. To grant full voting privileges to athletic conducted from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. ImPACT has been officially endorsed by the CIAC directors and coaches serving on the Board. Approximately 35 member schools are utilizing the program at this time. Additional Cooperative Team Committee. These schools will be adding the program next year. individuals are the ones who are working at the grass-roots level and, as such, have first-hand knowledge and well-informed CALIFORNIA PASSES ANTI-STEROID REGULATIONS opinions that are critical to making decisions affecting cooperative team On May 6 the California Interscholastic statewide competition. sponsorships. Federation (CIF) became the first high school The CIF`s new regulations take effect this sports organization in the country to enact fall, and have three major parts: The second change affects Article XII, anti-steroid regulations. The vote among the 1. Certification -- Each coach must obtain Section 1.1.A. of the CIAC bylaws, more 129 members of the Federated Council was certification, which includes training on harm- commonly known as the Out of Season unanimous. ful effects on teens of steroids and perfor- Regulation. The revision allows an athlete "It`s a great first step, a great day for Cali- mance-enhancing supplements. Of some participating in any CIAC-sponsored sport fornia, though we still have a ways to go," 65,000 high school coaches in California, the opportunity, if selected by the national said Roger Blake, the CIF assistant executive 14,303 have already passed the eight-hour governing body regulating the sport, to director -- and PVWH national faculty mem- course. Coaches have until the end of 2008 to participate in an NGB-sponsored national ber -- who has played a lead role for the orga- earn the certificate. The fee for the certificate or international competition during the nization on steroid issues. "The easy part was had been $100, but now that this proposal has sports season. The purpose of the revision today. We have a lot of hard work in front of passed, it will drop to $65. "We`ll be like is to provide an athlete competing in a us." Costco," Blake said. However, some school sport not governed by the International Under the rules, when an athlete uses officials have still complained about this extra Olympic Committee (e.g. lacrosse) with steroids, the district will mete out punishment. cost, especially in districts that are reducing the opportunity to participate in a tourna- But if it fails to follow its own rules, the CIF athletic programs overall. ment or event which serves as a try-out for can impose sanctions like a ban from continued on page 14 continued on page 14 14 CAS Bulletin . . . more ciac news
COACHES’ CORNER. . . Staph Infections (MRSA) in Athletes Physicians, trainers, coaches and athletes need to be aware of this serious O NF ICE HOCKEY RULES CHANGES: problem. Athletes with suspicious lesions should be referred for treatment The National Federation (NFHS) Ice Hockey Rules Com- mittee Rule has approved four changes pertaining to player as rapidly as possible. equipment and penalties. Among the revisions, the Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) infections have been dimensions of the goalkeeper's blocker and catching glove increasing rapidly in athletic training rooms across the United States. Ini- have been modified to be consistent with the measure- tially it was just a problem in hospitals, but now it is spreading rapidly into ments of other governing bodies. Rule 3-3-c now states, the community. "The protective padding attached to the back or forming a part of the goalkeeper's blocker glove shall not exceed 9 Transmission between teammates and to competitors has been increasingly inches in width at any point, nor shall it exceed 17 inches reported with severity ranging from minor skin involvement to systemic in length." "This rule change will make the NFHS require- infection requiring hospitalization. Failure of proper hygienic practices ment in line with or less restrictive than other governing among athletes with open sores and contamination of playing surfaces and bodies, such as USA Hockey and the NCAA," said Ray equipment have been implicated as a causative factors in the transmission of Streicher, chairman of the NFHS Ice Hockey Rules Com- MRSA. Many protocols for prevention have been offered. At this time, the mittee. "It will make it easier for players to buy the correct best overall strategy is insistence on strict hygienic practices designed to gloves." Rule 4-3-d was added as an extension of the five- limit surface colonization. The treatment for an established infection is inci- penalty rule passed in 2004, which stated that "any player sion and drainage of the lesion (with cultures obtained), use of topical who incurs five penalties, any combination of minors, majors or misconducts in the same game, shall be antibiotics and antibacterial soaps, and judicious use of oral antibiotics. assessed a game misconduct penalty." Now, any player Among competitors, all wounds should be covered to prevent transmission who incurs two major penalties in the same game will be to other athletes and athletes should be held from competition when this is not possible. assessed a game misconduct penalty and subsequently - Michael A. Lee, M.D., Editor will be removed from the game. Players who do not comply with Rule 3-4-a, which deals with protective equipment, will (Reprinted from the March 2005 issue of SPORTSMed, published by the CT now be assessed a misconduct penalty. The remaining State Medical Society) rules changes can be found at www.casciac.org/pdfs/ice_hockey_rules_changes.pdf. Bylaws, continued from page 13 O CHEERLEADING NEWS: an international competition in which the athlete would be representing the Unit- New England Athletic Association Sponsors ed States. This change is being made in an effort to ensure that opportunities for Cheerleading Tournament - participating in "outside contests" during the regular school sports season are The New England Council of Secondary Principals' Associ- applied consistently to ALL CIAC-sponsored sports. Currently, these opportuni- ation has recently announced the sponsorship of the first ties are only available to athletes participating in sports recognized by the U.S. New England Cheerleading Championship event. The Olympic Committee. competition is scheduled to take place on March 18, 2006, To view the full text of the CIAC Bylaw revisions, please visit www.casciac.org/ at Whittmore Center, University of New Hampshire, and will include four divisions, plus a co-ed division from all New CIAC_bylaw_changes_2005.pdf. England states. The top three teams from each state tour- nament division and the top two from the co-ed division Steroid Regulations, continued from page 13 will qualify for the competition. National Federation rules 2. Contract -- Parents, players and school officials must sign a contract ban- will govern the event. Connecticut cheerleading committee ning steroid use. "We need to make sure that the parents are on board," Mr. members Chairperson Jackie Sullivan, Director Sherrie Blake told the Contra Costa Times. "They need to understand and recognize Zembrzuski, Michele Cordeau and Beth Sarnacki partici- what to look for and what the symptoms are, what to watch for. Nobody pated in the New England committee that established the gives [parents] a manual. That`s one of the things we`ve set out to do." tournament. Complete tournament information will be 3. Regulation of supplements -- Coaches and other school staff must not available to all schools in the fall. sell, distribute, or promote to students performance-enhancing dietary supple- CIAC Tournament - ments that promote "muscle-building." Coaches have expressed concern The following tournament changes were made by the about this provision, worrying that they might inadvertently violate it. Mr. cheerleading committee at their May meeting. Blake told the San Francisco Chronicle that the CIF will give them a list the • A maximum of 20 cheerleaders will be permitted to NCAA adopted in 2000. Permissible supplements include carbohydrate/elec- participate at CIAC games and at the state tournament. trolyte drinks, energy bars, carbohydrate boosters, and vitamins and minerals. This is an increase from the present 18 and was Mr. Blake is fully aware that this step alone won`t likely dispel the problem. changed to accommodate the New England Champi- "This is not a short-term fix," he said. "This is a nationwide issue that is onships which permit 20. going to take a concerted effort nationally. If any of us thinks this is going to • The time of the dance portion of the cheer routine was change overnight, then we`re absolutely wrong and naive." increased from 75 seconds to 90 seconds. The maximum (Sources: Contra Costa Times, 5/7; Associated Press, 5/7; San Francisco performance time of 2.5 minutes remains in place. Chronicle, 5/7) june 2005 15 caad news
2005-06 CAAD Officers News & Notes . . .
Officers: P CAAD Conference On The Move in 2006 President John Shukie, CAA N.W. Catholic High School, W. Hartford The 2006 CAAD Conference will most likely President-elect Chip Dorwin, CAA Guilford High School be moved to the Marriott in Rocky Hill. Secretary Ray DeAngelis O'Brien Tech. School, Ansonia Stayed tuned for more information coming Treasurer Ken Marcucio, CAA Derby High School from Fred Balsamo soon. Past President Paul Mengold, CAA Amity Reg. High School, Woodbridge Exec. Secretary Paul Maskery, CAA P Boys' Lacrosse Looking To Expand Tournament Representatives: At the April 27 meeting of CAAD, Tony District #1 Maureen Rogers East Hartford High School Mosa, Bill Condon (Conard's boys' lacrosse Trish Witkin Enfield High School coach), and other members of the boys' John Krot Killingly High School lacrosse committee, presented a detailed District #2 Jim O'Neil, CAA Waterford High School report on a proposed expansion of the CIAC Jay Cottone Wethersfield High School tournament from two to three divisions. Dan Scavone, CAA Woodland Reg. High School, Beacon Falls More information will be forthcoming. District #3 Susan Murphy Platt Tech. School, Milford Bob Tait, CAA Foran High School, Milford P Newsworthy and/or Notes of Interest to Joe Canzanella, CAA New Haven Public Schools CAAD Members District #4 Dorothy Franco-Reed Newington High School Anyone who would like to contribute to Matt Perachi Shepaug Valley High School, Washington the CAAD newsletter is asked to contact John Lawless Nonnewaug High School, Woodbury Jeff Sunblade at Avon High School ([email protected]). Articles, Consultants: editorials, and programs of interest would Awards David Johnson, CAA Bunnell High School, Stratford all be greatly appreciated. CIAC Rep. Joseph Tonelli, CAA Notre Dame High School, West Haven Constitution Patrick Burke Old Saybrook High School Convention Fred Balsamo, CAA East Haven High School LTC Education Pamela Goodpaster, CAA Joel Barlow High School, Redding Newsletter Jeff Sunblade Avon High School Retired AD’s Professional Dev. Fred Balsamo, CAA East Haven High School Officials Paula Fitzgerald, CAA Westbrook High School Corner Retired AD's Edward Tyburski By Ed Tyburski Seasons Limitations John Novakowski, CAA Bristol Public Schools Sports Consultants Barbara Startup, CAA Glastonbury High School O LIFE MEMBERSHIPS – At the Public Relations Judy Samaha, CAA Sheehan High School, Wallingford annual CAAD breakfast on May 18, 2005, the following four athletic direc- CAAD MEETING DATES tors received their gold life membership cards: 2005-06 • Thomas Allan - Rockville H.S., Vernon August 25 Board of Control 5:00 p.m. President Shukie's • Leo Bravakis - Windsor Locks H.S. • Vin Iovino - New Canaan H.S. September 14 Board of Control 12:00 p.m. CIAC Office • Dorothy Johnson - Granby October 5 General Meeting 4:00 p.m. TBA Memorial High School NIAAA LTC Training 12:00 p.m. • Jim Muska - Windsor Locks H.S. November 2 Board of Control 12:00 p.m. CIAC Office O MILESTONE – Dick Gagliardi has December 14-18 National Conference Orlando, Florida announced his retirement after 47 January 4 Board of Control 12:00 p.m. CIAC Office years in education. Dick served as ath- March 1 Board of Control 12:00 p.m. TBA letic director at Sacred Heart Academy in Hamden, CT, for eleven (11) years. March 23-24 CAAD Conference TBA He was also the ice hockey coach at April 26 Board of Control 12:00 p.m. CIAC Office Yale for 13 years and the football and May 17 General Meeting 8:00 a.m. TBA ice hockey coach at Hamden High NIAAA LTC Training 9:00 a.m. School for 16 years. 16 CAS Bulletin . . . more caad news C.A.A.D. BOOK BAG INVESTORS IN CT YOUTH SWIMMING TO ANTARCTICA plus miles. In by Lynne Cox (Harcourt) sports, courage is often linked to athletes I have always enjoyed swimming. Family legend who overcome hardships or pain to win a big has it that my dad threw me in the ocean off the game or make a come back after a debilitating Outer Banks of North Carolina before I could injury. What kind of courage does it take to i Baden Sports i walk and I came up swimming. I grew up in swim in shark infested waters or waters below 42 Madison (CT) and the summers of my youth degrees, or oceans that even skilled seamen dare i Big Y Supermarkets i were spent swimming at East Wharf Beach. As a not sail? She really did swim in the Bering i Bob’s Discount Furniture i somewhat-grown-adult, I lifeguarded at Nauset Strait! i Coca Cola i Beach on Cape Cod. On overcast days some of the guards and I would run the two and one-half However, this book is more than an expose of i CT Lighting Centers i swimming adventures and records broken. It is a miles up the beach to Nauset inlet and swim back i CT Sun i to the main beach-just for fun. So, it was obvious unique insight into the human spirit and the com- to me why the title of this book caught my eye in petitive drive in all of us. Surely, Lynne Cox's i Horace Mann i a pile of books at my favorite bookstore. I even spirit and drive are extraordinary, but we can all i IGA Supermarkets i learn and benefit from her examples. What dri- got to read it on Arashi Beach in Aruba during i Konica i April vacation. It made me want to swim to ves a world class athlete to her record shattering Venezuela, but my wife dissuaded me. extremes? In the concluding chapter, she gives a i Kukulski Bros i poignant answer. During a presentation to a i Liberty Mutual i Swimming to Antarctica is such a neat book, on group of elementary students, she is asked by one i Martin Screen Printing i so many different levels, that it's a must book to young boy, "If you had a goal and worked very, include on your summer reading list. (You do all very hard toward it, but you didn't accomplish it, i McDonald's i would you still be happy?" She replied, "I would read in the summer, don't you?) I'll spare you the i NBC-30 i literary reasons why it's a must read and stick to have been happy that I tried to reach my goal, but the athletic reasons why. Lynne Cox is an extra- if I didn't succeed, I would want to go back and i Rawlings i ordinary athlete. At the young age of sixteen, she figure out what I thought I needed to do to i Spalding i accomplish it, and then try again." How many achieved her loftiest goal: setting the record for i Sports Image i swimming the English Channel. That swim people would stop after the first attempt? How would be just the beginning of an athletic career many would have the courage to go back into the i Subway i that would take her around the world and into water and try and try again? i Teachers’ Insurance Plan i some of the most unbelievable waters on the So, the next time you think the water is too cold, i U.S. Army i planet. For the non-swimmer, five hundred yards think again. Swimming is more than a metaphor in the Y.M.C.A. pool seems unattainable. Now i U.S. Marines i for life (and sports). imagine the athletic focus, the training, and the i Verizon Wireless i athletisism it takes to swim across the English Review by Jeff Sunblade, Director of Student i Westfield Corporation i Channel, not once, but twice, for a total of forty Activities, Avon H.S.
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