Superintendent's Weekly Update- October 18, 2026

Dear BPS Community:
Your voice is an important part of helping us make our schools the best they can be for every student!
I encourage all parents and guardians to take a few minutes to complete our 2026 Fall Guardian Survey. Your feedback helps us better understand what we are doing well and where we can improve.

Survey responses directly inform each school's School Climate Plan, helping us create safe, welcoming, supportive, and inclusive learning environments where every student feels connected, valued, and engaged.  If you have children attending different schools, please complete a separate survey for each school.

Thank you for being our partners in your child's education and for helping us continue learning our way to improvement. Together, we can make a meaningful difference for all Bristol students!

In last week's Superintendent's Update, I shared information about the City of Bristol's Vision Zero Plan, an important initiative focused on improving roadway safety and reducing, and ultimately eliminating, serious injuries and fatalities on our roads.
The City of Bristol, in partnership with the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG), is now seeking feedback from residents to help shape this plan.
I encourage all Bristol Public Schools families, staff, and community members to share their experiences and ideas!
As a school community, we know how important safe roads, sidewalks, intersections, and crossings are for our students and families. Whether your child walks, bikes, rides the bus, or is driven to school, your perspective can help identify areas of concern and opportunities to make our community safer.
Your voice matters! Please take a few minutes to complete the Vision Zero community survey using the QR code on the attached flyer.
To learn more about the initiative, visit: https://bit.ly/vzero-hubsite
Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback and for partnering with us to make Bristol a safer community for all. This is another example of how we are Better Together!

Better Together,
Iris White
Superintendent of Schools

Honoring the Beautiful Life and Memory of Maddie B. 💜
Friday, the Stafford School community came together for a beautiful and heartfelt tribute to a very special girl, Maddie B., with the dedication of a memorial bench in her honor.
Maddie was a beautiful girl who touched so many lives and whose presence is deeply missed by her family, friends, teachers, and the entire Stafford community. The gathering of students, staff, and Maddie's family,  was a touching reminder of the love that surrounds her and the lasting impact of her life.
The memorial bench will serve as a special place to remember Maddie, celebrate her life, and honor the joy and love she brought to those who knew her. The words inscribed on the bench, "Small wings, big heart. Ohana," beautifully capture the spirit of this tribute.
My heartfelt thanks to Principal Farrell, teacher Kristin Kautz, and the entire Stafford School community for the compassion, love, and care they have shown in embracing Maddie's memory and supporting her family. Your efforts are a beautiful example of what it means to be a caring school community.
To Maddie's family, please know that your beautiful girl will never be forgotten. Her memory will continue to live on in the hearts of so many. 💜



Bristol Recipient of 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) Grant Program:
I am thrilled to share that Bristol Public Schools has been awarded funding through the 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) Grant Program!
The Connecticut State Department of Education recently announced the recipients of this highly competitive federal grant, with only 25 programs selected for funding beginning in the 2026–27 school year from 55 applications statewide.
Bristol Public Schools was awarded funding for TWO cohorts, expanding opportunities for students at six of our schools!

• 2026–27 School Year: $226,781 in first-year funding to support after-school programming at Ellen P. Hubbell, Ivy Drive, and South Side Schools.
• 2027–28 School Year: An additional award of $249,210 to expand programming to Stafford, Mountain View, and Greene-Hills Schools, subject to continued federal funding.

These grants will help us provide students with meaningful learning experiences beyond the traditional school day, including academic support, enrichment activities, mentoring, and opportunities that promote student engagement, connection, and well-being.
High-quality after-school programs provide students with safe, supportive environments where they can strengthen academic skills, explore new interests, build relationships, and develop confidence.
I want to extend my sincere appreciation to the members of our Bristol Public Schools team who worked collaboratively to develop these successful grant applications. Securing competitive funding like this reflects our commitment to seeking additional resources that directly benefit our students and families.
This is another important investment in our vision of ensuring that all students are supported, connected, and engaged.
We look forward to sharing additional information with families at the participating schools as program details are finalized.

Department Spotlight: Bristol Adult Education  

Throughout Bristol Public Schools, our departments regularly publish newsletters to keep staff, families, and the community informed, connected, and engaged. These newsletters are an important way to share information about professional learning opportunities, instructional best practices, helpful strategies and resources, upcoming events, and student and staff spotlights.
This week, I would like to highlight Bristol Adult Education, under the leadership of Sarah Lupa.
Bristol Adult Education provides valuable opportunities for adult learners to continue their education, strengthen their skills, explore career pathways, and pursue personal and professional goals.
Their latest newsletter is a great example of how our departments are sharing resources and supporting continuous learning. Highlights include:

• Career Exploration: A free, hands-on manufacturing discovery program offered through CT State Community College Tunxis.
• Professional Learning: Training opportunities and creative instructional strategies for English as a Second Language (ESL) and Adult Basic Education (ABE) instructors.
• Citizenship Preparation: Resources to support adult learners preparing for the U.S. naturalization test.
• Continuing Education: New enrichment opportunities, including a creative Broken Jewelry Art workshop.
• Celebrating Student Success: Encouraging staff to share student success stories and recognize the accomplishments of adult learners.

I want to thank Sarah Lupa and the entire Bristol Adult Education team for their commitment to lifelong learning and for creating opportunities that help members of our community grow and succeed.
I encourage you to take a few minutes to explore their newsletter and learn more about the wonderful work happening in Adult Education. You can also visit their website at https://adulted.bristol.k12.ct.us/.

Supporting Our Schools AND Our Local Businesses!

Throughout the school year, our schools, PTOs, athletic teams, and student organizations partner with local businesses to host fundraisers that help support student activities, enrichment opportunities, and special events.

Please visit our School Fundraiser & Community Partnership Calendar for additional information, updates, and any special instructions to ensure your purchase supports the fundraiser.

A special thank-you to our local business partners for their generosity and willingness to collaborate with our schools. Your support helps create meaningful experiences and opportunities for our students beyond the classroom.

To our Bristol families and community members, I encourage you to consider supporting these businesses and fundraisers whenever possible. It's a wonderful way to make a difference for our students while also supporting our local economy.