Dear BPS Community:
I hope that everyone had a wonderful Spring Break and is feeling positive and energized as we enter the final stretch before summer vacation!  I had the opportunity to visit both Ivy Drive and Hubbell Schools this week, where I observed hard-working staff and administrators, engaged and happy students, and a strong sense of community.  The highlights I share below are just a sample of the incredible work happening in our schools every day.

I look forward to celebrating all the great things still to come this school year. Let's commit to continuing to Thrive in '25!

With gratitude,

Iris White
Acting Superintendent of Schools

FEMA STEP Program: For the past 8 years, the Bristol Department of Emergency Management, in conjunction with Bristol Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members, has conducted the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Student Tools for Emergency Planning (STEP) Program for 5th-grade students in the city schools.  The STEP Program is a FEMA-generated program that educates students on emergency preparedness.  This approximately 90-minute program introduces students to emergency preparedness for themselves and their families using an interactive PowerPoint FEMA presentation.  Students also receive a student manual and a backpack that includes a flashlight, whistle, and a Mylar blanket. The STEP curriculum follows the guidance of the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and the Council of Chief State School Officers Common Core State Standards.  Over the last two months, the Bristol Emergency Management Department, in cooperation with its CERT members, presented this program to nearly 700 students at seven public schools, two parochial schools, and the Bristol Central High School (BCHS) Special Education class.  Please see pictures below from presentations at Hubbell and BCHS.

National School Principals Day, May 1, 2025:  National School Principals' Day is observed on May 1, 2025. It's a day to recognize and celebrate the dedication and leadership of school principals who balance the demands of administration with a deep commitment to student growth, academic excellence, and creating a safe and welcoming school environment. Please join me in extending your gratitude to the principals across our district. Let’s lift them up and celebrate all that they do!


Welcoming Schools Walkthrough: Bristol Public Schools was selected to participate in the Connecticut Welcoming Schools Initiative study.  The Welcoming Schools Initiative is a family engagement program designed to increase partnerships among families, schools, and the community.  It is designed to help schools improve their welcoming environment in four key areas: Physical Environment, School Practices and Policies, School Climate and Culture, and Communication Methods.  Please see the shoutout below for Principal Sonstrom and Northeast Middle School!  You can see other shoutouts on the CT Family School Partnerships Instagram Page.


Recharge Program: Today, I had the privilege of visiting the Recharge Program at Bristol Central High School. This district program includes alternative classes for high school students that aim to engage students and help them recover credits. The program, which has a strict attendance policy and requires students to sign a contract outlining expectations, aims to increase student engagement and attendance among the selected students.  Students are currently taking a "Chemistry of Art" class, taught by Mr. Ethan Brown and Ms. Sharon Williams who are doing a wonderful job.  A warm thank you to Mrs. Jammy Davies, Director of the Recharge Program and special education teacher at Learning Center 3, for her hard work and commitment to the students.  

I want to give a special thank you to Denise Nickerson, a Senior at BE, and Saniya Squire, a Senior at BE, for taking a picture with me and their experiment.  Please enjoy additional photos below.

               

Bristol Youth and Prevention Leaders Award Ceremony: Parks, Recreation, Youth, and Community Services and Bristol Elimiating Substance Use Together (BEST), will hold its upcoming Youth and Prevention Leaders Award Ceremony on Tuesday, May 7th, 2025, at 6:00 PM, held at Muzzy Field.  This special evening will spotlight and celebrate the young people and substance prevention leaders who are going above and beyond to uplift and serve our Bristol community. These individuals exemplify a long-standing goal to tap into the energy, enthusiasm, and creativity of young people and establish an ongoing system of outstanding volunteer service to their neighbors and community for the next generation.  Congratulations to Bristol Eastern High School's Mental Health Advocates Club, one of the recipients of this year's awards.  Kudos to Zoe Mendal and the students!


Please join me for a great cause:  Several months ago, the Bristol Sports Hall of Fame received a significant donation from a former Bristol Eastern athlete who has had a very successful career as a Boston developer.  The donor, Jay Calnan, made this donation to start a scholarship fund to help Bristol student-athletes in need further their post-secondary education.  The Bristol Sports Hall of Fame is currently working with the Main Street Community Foundation to establish a scholarship fund starting in 2026, which will be endowed and help Bristol students.  Jay Calnan has a great story to share, and the Hall of Fame wanted him to come back to town to speak about achieving success and leaving a legacy.  Donovan Clingan,  a Bristol Central state champion who won two national championships at UConn and now plays for the Portland Trail Blazers, will also speak.  
All profits will be shared among three local charities: The Boys & Girls Club of Bristol, The Main Street Community Foundations' the Women & Girls Fund, and the Men & Boys Fund.