ACES facilitates regional and content specific curriculum councils. District leaders and department heads in Science, Math, Language Arts, and Technology convene to share needs and explore best practices throughout the school year.

Click below for more information about each council.

Regional Curriculum Council

Assistant Superintendents and Curriculum Directors from each district in the ACES region participate in monthly networking meetings at the ACES Staff Development Administration building on Skiff Street in Hamden. The purpose of the monthly meetings is to provide a forum for discussion about needs among ACES’ twenty-five districts relative to professional development for teachers and administrators, curriculum, teaching, learning, and assessment, technology integration, standardized testing requirements, school improvement processes and tools, and grant opportunities. CSDE consultants attend meetings on a rotational basis to update Curriculum Council members of new initiatives and their implementation. For additional information about the ACES Regional Curriculum Council, contact the Professional Development/School Improvement Unit at (203) 407-4453.

Principals Council

ACES PDSI has formed a Principals Council for the purpose of collectively exploring the new CSDE CT Common Core of Leading. This document has been published by the Department as a guide to professional development for leaders. The CCL interfaces with the leadership framework and standards and provides an excellent structure for administrators as they explore their own growth as leaders. During these meetings we will provide opportunities for principals, assistant principals and other administrative leaders within districts to reflect on their own leadership applications and hear from other practitioners throughout our region (and perhaps beyond) about their practice. ACES PDSI is committed to creating strong network opportunities for our districts as we believe that quality partnerships are key to the success of our schools.

Language Arts Council

ACES Language Arts Council is an opportunity for K – 12 district and school leaders in English language arts to discuss current issues in the field (such as SRBI and literacy in the content areas). The Council provides opportunities for networking, professional development, and interfacing with representatives from the CSDE. Quarterly meetings are held at ACES’ Staff Development building on Skiff St. For more information about, or to join, Language Arts Council, contact Leslie Abbatiello.

Math Council

ACES Math Council is a forum for school and district math leaders to discuss current issues in mathematics education. The Math Council meets at the Staff Development/Administration building on Skiff Street in Hamden. To become a member of the ACES Mathematics Council, contact Emily Freel.

Science Literacy Council

District and school science leaders meet monthly at the ACES Staff Development/Administration building on Skiff Street in Hamden for networking and discussion about district needs in the area of Science Literacy. Topics are suggested by council members. CSDE and other outside consultants attend meetings several times during the year to keep the group apprised of new initiatives. Previous topics have included: A Look at the New Science Framework, Preparing for Science on the CMTs, How and When to Use Curriculum Embedded Tasks. For more information, or to join the Science Literacy Council, contact Janine Fiorillo.

Technology Council

The ACES technology council is a forum for districts to discuss the technology related issues affecting their school districts. Participation in the council includes teachers, technology and instructional staff, building and district level coordinators, principals, and assistant superintendents. All meetings are held from 9:00-11:00 am in the ACES SDA building on Skiff Street in Hamden. For more information or to request a topic for an upcoming meeting, please contact Howard Gunther or Robin Metaj.

Members may also wish to participate in the TECHNET listserv. Please contact Mary Lou Woods to be added to the listserv.

Social Studies Council

The ACES Social Studies Council is a group of department chairs, Directors of Curriculum and Instruction, Associate Superintendents, and classroom teachers who meet four times a year to discuss issues relevant to this important content area. The members exchange ideas in relationship to curriculum, course design, and implementation of effective teaching strategies that foster increased student achievement. For more information, or to become a member, please contact Joan Hillo.