Good Afternoon,
Please find my weekly update below.   Have a great weekend.

In partnership,
Iris White
Acting Superintendent of Schools

Read Across America Day:  
This past Monday, I and members of the BPS Central Office had the pleasure of guest reading at schools across the district for Read Across America Day.  The week-long event, which runs from March 2-6, 2025, celebrates the birthday of Dr. Seuss, the beloved author and illustrator.  Thank you to everyone who took the time to guest read to our students. Thank you for your commitment to literacy and nurturing a love of reading in our community.

CLA Audit Report and Presentation:  
During last Wednesday's Board of Education Meeting, CLA presented an executive summary of the significant findings and recommendations of the fall audit they conducted.  This audit was conducted at the request of the City Board of Finance to provide a review of BPS's financial processes.  Their assessment was focused on the administrative oversight, management, controls, and financial processes for the BPS, with an additional accounting analysis and review of budget data for fiscal years 2023 and 2024.  CLA's executive summary presentation and final audit report are attached. 

Immigration Enforcement:
I am writing to address questions from community members regarding the impact of recent changes to federal immigration enforcement policies on Bristol Public Schools (the “District”), if any. Above all else, I want to confirm that the District is committed to ensuring equal access to public education for all students, regardless of immigration status. This is consistent with our legal obligation under the 1982 U.S. Supreme Court decision Plyler v. Doe, which held that all students, irrespective of immigration status, have the right to attend public school. In line with that obligation, as well as recent guidance from the Connecticut State
Department of Education and state legislation in this area, the District will follow an established protocol aligned to District policy, state guidance, and applicable law in the event of any visit from immigration officials, which includes obtaining proper identification, determining the purpose for the visit, assessing any applicable legal documentation, and following established
security and safety plans.

Additionally, please note that the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) limits public schools' ability to disclose student information or records to a third party without prior written consent or proper legal authority, and the District will continue to comply with its obligations under FERPA.

If you have questions or require additional support, please contact The Office of the Superintendent. Families
are also welcome to review the Connecticut Family Preparedness Plan toolkit developed by the Governor’s Office, available at the following link in multiple languages:  https://portal.ct.gov/governor/immigration-resources-family-preparedness-plan?language=en_US.

National Maintenance Worker Appreciation Day:
Maintenance Worker Appreciation Day is March 7th. Thank you to everyone in the BPS Facilities and Maintenance Department for your hard work year-round to maintain our buildings. Thank you for your unwavering commitment, teamwork, and pride in your work. Your expertise keeps our buildings running smoothly and contributes to our mission's overall success.

Edgewood "Back to School":
We welcomed our Edgewood PreK Academy students and staff "back to school" this past Monday, March 3rd. Administration and staff warmly greeted students and families.  Please see some photos below.