Connecticut Association Of Schools

As the principal of an elementary school, I try to be kind to all of my employees. But now the union that represents the paraeducators in my building is giving me a hard time. Here’s my story. One of the paraeducators in my school wants to become a teacher, and she is taking courses to get her bachelor’s degree. Last January, she told me that she needs to leave early on Thurs...

I love reading your mail bag. I am a school administrative assistant, and I have a question for you. We recently had a 3rd grade field trip, and one parent chaperone showed up reeking of marijuana and was clearly under the influence. The principal’s response was: “It’s legal now.” Should she have been allowed to chaperone? Thank you in advance.

As a middle school assistant principal in a district with a great number and variety of challenging student behaviors, I am constantly working to maintain a safe and positive educational environment. When students are issued an out-of-school suspension during the school day, we often need them to be picked up by a parent, because in some cases the student continues disrupting...

As a high school administrator, we regularly encounter situations involving seniors who have recently turned 18. The other day, a student went to the nurse complaining of stomach pain. The nurse contacted his mother, who stated that she did not want him dismissed and wanted him to remain in school. The student then came to see me, explained the situation, and stated that beca...