Superintendent's Weekly Update- September 27, 2026

Dear BPS Community:
Last weekend brought the heartbreaking news of the passing of Aidan Collins, a 2024 graduate of Bristol Eastern High School. Aidan was a beloved member of the BEHS Lancer family; a student, athlete, friend, and classmate whose loss is deeply felt by so many. We continue to hold Aidan’s family, friends, former classmates, teachers, and coaches in our thoughts during this incredibly difficult time.

I also want to recognize the Bristol Eastern administrative team and staff, who have led their school community with compassion, care, and strength in the days following this tragedy. Supporting students and one another through such a profound loss is never easy, and I am grateful for the thoughtful way they have come together to care for the Lancer community.  We continue to keep all who knew and loved Aidan close in our hearts.

This past Friday, our schools also came together to celebrate Be Like Dolly Day, and I want to thank all of our staff, students, and families who participated. A special thank you to the students in our Destinations Class, who left positive messages throughout the Board of Education building. Those thoughtful notes brightened the day of our Central Office staff members, and we greatly appreciated the care with which they were created and shared.

It was wonderful to see the many creative ways our schools celebrated the qualities Dolly Parton represents—kindness, generosity, hard work, positivity, authenticity, and determination.  As one of our staff members reminded me, Dolly also demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to literacy and the love of reading. Through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, millions of books have made their way into the hands and homes of young children, helping families build a love of reading from the very beginning. The idea behind this work is simple but powerful: every child deserves the opportunity to experience the wonder of a good book.
As educators, we know that literacy opens doors. A book can spark curiosity, build confidence, inspire imagination, and introduce a child to people, places, and possibilities far beyond their own experience. Perhaps most importantly, reading together creates connections between children and the people who care for them.

Dolly’s investment in literacy is a wonderful reminder that generosity is not simply about what we give—it is also about the opportunities we create for others.
I hope our Bristol families will take some time this weekend to pick up a favorite book, read together, and enjoy the simple pleasure of a great story.

Thank you to our teachers, library media specialists, families, and community partners who work every day to nurture a love of reading in our children and help ensure that every student is supported, connected, and engaged.  Please go to our district Facebook page to view photos from our Be Like Dolly Day.

Better Together,
Iris White
Superintendent of Schools



Welcome to New Board of Education Commissioners-Mr. Thomas Hick
Please join me in welcoming Mr. Thomas Hick as the newest member of the Bristol Board of Education. Mr. Hick was unanimously approved by the Bristol City Council last Tuesday evening to fill the seat previously held by Commissioner Lori Osenkowski.
During his remarks following his appointment, Mr. Hick emphasized his commitment to making decisions based on what is right for the children of Bristol. That student-centered focus is at the heart of the work we do each day in Bristol Public Schools.
Mr. Hick brings valuable experience in public service, having served on several citywide committees, including the Economic and Community Development Commission and the Energy Commission, among other roles.
During a Special Meeting of the Board of Education last Wednesday evening, Mr. Hick was appointed to serve on the School Safety Committee and the Finance and Operations Committee, as an alternate on the Policy Committee, and as the Board’s liaison to Ivy Drive School.
Welcome to the Bristol Board of Education, Mr. Hick. I look forward to working with you in service to our students, families, staff, and the entire Bristol community.




Unified High School Soccer Kickoff
This past Wednesday, I had the pleasure of attending the 22nd Annual ESPN Unified High School Soccer Kickoff. It was wonderful to see the joy on our students’ faces as they competed, encouraged one another, and simply enjoyed being together.  Unified Sports represents so much of what we want for every student in Bristol Public Schools—a sense of belonging, connection, and the opportunity to participate and shine. Watching our students on the field was a wonderful reminder of the power of sports to bring people together.
A special thank you to the Bristol Central Rams football team, who took time before their practice to cheer on the Unified athletes. That simple act of encouragement demonstrated school spirit at its very best. 

National Custodians Day-Friday, October 2, 2026
This year, National Custodians Day will be celebrated on Friday, October 2, 2026, and I want to take this opportunity to recognize and thank the outstanding custodians who serve Bristol Public Schools each and every day.  Our custodians do so much more than care for our buildings. They are an essential part of our school communities. They arrive early, stay late, respond when something needs immediate attention, prepare our schools for special events, and work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that our students and staff have clean, safe, and welcoming places to learn and work.
Just as importantly, our custodians build relationships with our students. They know our children, take pride in their schools, and contribute every day to creating environments where students feel supported, connected, and engaged.  We see you, we appreciate you, and we are grateful for all that you do.  Please join me on October 2 in thanking the custodians in our schools and letting them know how much their work means to the Bristol Public Schools community.



Bristol Central National Honor Society (NHS) Earns National Recognition
Congratulations to the Bristol Central High School National Honor Society for earning the NHS Chapter of Distinction Award, a national recognition honoring chapters that demonstrate outstanding leadership, service, and commitment to their school and community. Our BCHS NHS students truly live the values represented by this recognition. They provide peer tutoring, manage the Ram Locker, assist with school events, partner with residents at Ingraham Manor, and support students and families at South Side Elementary School, among many other acts of service.
Congratulations to our NHS students and Chapter Advisor Mrs. Reichler on this well-deserved national honor!

Learning with the Prudence Crandall Center
This Friday morning, I also had the pleasure of sitting in on a presentation from our partners at the Prudence Crandall Center.  The presentation provided students with meaningful, age-appropriate information focused on healthy relationships, personal well-being, and making informed choices. I especially enjoyed seeing our students engaged in the conversation, listening carefully, and asking thoughtful questions.

This work is part of a broader partnership that will bring Prudence Crandall Center educators into Bristol Central, Bristol Eastern, and Bristol Preparatory Academy over several days this fall. These classroom-based sessions complement our wellness curriculum while connecting students with another trusted community resource that can support their growth and development.

Thank you to the Prudence Crandall Center team for their continued partnership and to our BPS staff members who thoughtfully coordinated these opportunities for our students.