Good Afternoon,
I hope everyone is having a good week.  Please see my Weekly Update below.  This update will also be posted on our website.
Please note that all Bristol Public Schools and Programs will be closed this Monday, February 17th, and Tuesday, February 18th, in observance of President's Day and break. Classes will resume on Wednesday, February 19th. Wishing everyone a great long weekend!

Legislative Efforts:  
Last Friday, Representatives Joe Hoxha and Cara Pavalock-D'Amato met with Director of Finance and Operations Lynn Boisvert, Assistant Director of Finance Jodi Bond, and myself to review the Superintendents Budget Proposal and collaborate on how to advocate for increased funding for our schools. We are thankful to Bristol's legislative delegation for their efforts on behalf of our community.  I will be participating in the following meetings, focus groups, and hearings to speak directly to lawmakers and education officials to advocate for more funding for our schools, with more events to follow in the coming weeks:

-Alliance Superintendents Special Education Working Group, Thursday, February 13, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. to meet and plan the next steps for a meeting with the Special Education Legislative Group.
-Appropriations Committee Public Hearing, Thursday, February 20th, beginning at 3:00
-Hartford Area Superintendents Association (HASA) meeting with Legislative Education Committee, March 4th, 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.

Kindergarten Registration:

We are excited to invite you to register your child for kindergarten!  In order to enter kindergarten, your child must be five years old on or before September 1, 2025. Bristol Public Schools makes it easy for you to register through its Central Registration Office at 129 Church Street in Bristol or online by using this link, Kindergarten Registration - Bristol Public Schools.

 Kindergarten Registration letter
 waiver process letter
Spanish Parent Letter Kindergarten Registration
SpanishKindergarten Waiver Process 2025-26

Personnel Appointment:



I am pleased to announce that the Board of Education appointed Mrs. Erika J. Coleman as Principal of Ivy Drive School last week.  Mrs. Coleman was appointed Interim Principal of Ivy last fall.  While serving as Interim, Mrs. Coleman managed daily building operations to maintain continuity and stability and ensure that school operations ran smoothly during the interim period. She has spent her entire career serving the Bristol community in various educational and administrative roles, including Assistant Principal at Greene-Hills and West Bristol, District Assessment Coordinator, Supervisor of Elementary and Pre-K-5 Literacy, and K-8 District Literacy Coordinator.  In each of these roles, Mrs. Coleman has been praised for her data-driven decision-making skills, budget management and resource allocation, staff supervision,  and curriculum development and implementation knowledge.  She serves on multiple professional committees, including the District Continuous Improvement Team and District Culture and Climate Committee, and she has previously served as a Bristol Public Schools TEAM Mentor.  Mrs. Coleman is committed to promoting a culture of high expectations, continuous professional growth, and a shared vision for success.  Her approach to leadership is rooted in active listening, problem-solving, and an unwavering dedication to the well-being of all students. 

Mrs. Coleman holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art History and Graphic Communication, a Minor in Art History and K-12 Art Education, and an M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction. She also holds Administrative 092 Certification and Connecticut Professional 102 in Remedial Reading.

CALAS Scholarship: The Connecticut Association of Latino Administrators and Supervisors (CALAS) is now accepting applications for their annual scholarship. The deadline for Scholarship Applications is Saturday, March 1, 2025. Nominations are only open to individuals from school districts represented in the CALAS membership, which includes Bristol.  Below are the links with additional information and applications for each scholarship:

High School: $1000
College: $1250
Educator: $1500


In partnership,

Iris White
Acting Superintendent of Schools