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UPDATE: BPS Strategic Planning 2025-2030
Dear BPS Families and Staff, Ten different focus groups with parents, families, booster club members, faculty, and staff, as well as two small group planning sessions with Board of Education commissioners, district administrators, and principals were conducted throughout September and are now complete. As you know, Bristol Public Schools will continue to engage in strategic planning for 2025-2030 over the next three months. In essence, strategic planning is the process of setting goals, deciding on actions to achieve those goals, and mobilizing the resources needed to take those actions. A strategic plan describes how goals will be achieved through the use of available resources. The strategic plan will be developed by ensuring all stakeholder voices are heard and shared. This process will identify our district’s strengths and areas of growth and refinements. The plan will include district priorities, key actions, and create intended outcomes for both student achievement and student access, as well as operational aspirations. As for the next step after the focus groups were completed, we invited you to participate in a ThoughtExchange centered on the below question to provide feedback in regard to our next strategic plan. What are the strengths of the academic, enrichment, arts, and athletic programs offered to BPS students? I am thrilled that 767 people participated and shared 332 thoughts that were rated 8,126 times ! This was one of the most engaging exchanges that we have had since launching ThoughtExchange in March 2021. If interested, please see the more detailed summary report attached. ThoughtExchange enables every individual to feel heard, while also identifying the values and perspectives that are most important to the entire group. ThoughtExchange will help us hear more voices with more inclusivity and better data in order to help us make better decisions. ThoughtExchange is anonymous. Your thoughts will be shared, but not your identity. Thank you for your participation and feedback.
Friday, Sep 29 2023
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Your September BPS Newsletter is here!
Dear BPS Family, It is officially fall and the weather already feels like the season is changing! Our students are thriving in the new school year and we are heading into family-teacher conferences in October. We will continue to release this monthly (September-June) digital district newsletter that will feature the many positive happenings of Bristol Public Schools. You will hear from us, and we want to hear from you, as we strive to deliver our scholars a well-rounded public education experience! National Hispanic Heritage Month During September 15-October 15, we are celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month and the contributions that the Hispanic and Latinx communities have made to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. This is also a dedicated time to celebrate the voices, contributions, and accomplishments of our Hispanic and Latinx students, families, and staff; however, we will continue to feature this work throughout the school year as well. Business Education Foundation Trivia Night Fundraiser The Bristol Business Education Foundation is hosting its annual Trivia Night Fundraiser on Friday, October 20, 2023, at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Bristol. Please click here to register today and for more information on purchasing tickets and/or becoming a sponsor. Students Participate in Summer Learning and Enrichment Over 700 students in grades PK-12 participated in summer learning and enrichment experiences and many received scholarships. We expanded our partnerships with Bristol Parks, Recreation, Youth & Community Services, the Boys & Girls Club of Bristol, the Barnes Memorial Nature Center, and Shephard Meadow Equestrian Center. Edgewood Pre-K Academy Grand Opening A Success In August, we celebrated the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of the Edgewood Pre-Kindergarten Academy. Hundreds of families, staff, and community members were able to tour the newly redesigned building. Thank you to Deputy Commissioner Elena Trueworthy (Connecticut Office of Early Childhood), Bristol Mayor Jeff Caggiano, Commissioner Lori Osenkowski (Bristol Board of Education), Amy Martino (Director of Special Services, Bristol Public Schools), and Donna Osuch (School Readiness Liaison, City of Bristol) for sharing your words at the ribbon cutting ceremony. A special thank you to the following people for making the opening of this academy possible; Amy Martino, Azra Redzic, Cynthia Rogers, Jillian Romann, Lisa Peek, Melina Coko, Ron Sadecki, Tara Landon, Teachers and Staff of Edgewood Pre-K Academy, the BPS Facilities Department, and the BPS Special Services Department. Over 2,000 People Attend Back-to-School Bash The first ever Back-to-School Bash was organized by our Office of Climate and Culture, who shared a special thank you below. Hate Has No Home in Our All Heart City We partnered with Mayor Jeff Caggiano and the City of Bristol to send a message that Hate Has No Home in Our All Heart City . You will see signs throughout the city in support of this message. As part of our district’s focus on inclusion and equity, it is important that we celebrate and respect each and every student, parent/guardian, administrator, teacher, and staff member every day. This message aligns with our Bristol Board of Education Core Values and is outlined in the below Bristol Public Schools Equity Statement. Equity in the Bristol Public Schools community ensures access and opportunity for ALL regardless of race, ability, religion, ethnicity, language, socioeconomic status, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Our equity focus empowers ALL to thrive by actively dismantling systems while challenging biases and barriers to success. Chief Academic Officer Carly Fortin Speaks at CSDE Presser In August, the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) released chronic absenteeism data from 2022-2023 along with results from the spring 2023 state assessments. The data shows that for the first time since the pandemic, attendance improved, and chronic absenteeism rates declined from 23.7 percent in 2021-2022 to 20 percent in 2022-2023, resulting in approximately 18,000 more students attending school regularly in 2022-2023. Improvements were evidenced in all grades and student groups. Additionally, improvements were made in both math and science scores. Chief Academic Officer Carly Fortin represented Bristol Public Schools as one of four district invitees from across the state to share our best practices and strategies as a district that has excelled in both reducing chronic absenteeism and improving ELA, math, and science scores. The press conference was held at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford, CT. Northeast Middle School Construction Project It is exciting to share that after many years, analysis by the Board of Education, and feedback from our families, we can officially begin Phase II of the Reimagining BPS 2023 Plan. We received the commitment letter from the State of Connecticut to build a new, larger, contemporary Northeast Middle School. Phase II of the Reimagining BPS 2023 Plan This phase will begin when the Northeast Middle School Construction Project is complete; tentatively scheduled at the start of the 2025-2026 school year. During Phase II, the following aspects will occur: Northeast Middle School will open with a larger capacity; Greene-Hills School and West Bristol School will transition from K-8 schools to K-5 schools creating a uniform grade configuration across all schools (K-5, 6-8, 9-12); Additional K-5 students will shift into Greene-Hills School and West Bristol School, providing efficiency and parity across all elementary schools; Middle school students from Greene-Hills School and West Bristol School will be reassigned to either Chippens Hill Middle School or Northeast Middle School; Middle School attendance zones for Chippens Hill Middle School and Northeast Middle School will follow the high school boundaries for Bristol Central High School and Bristol Eastern High School to the greatest extent possible; and Additional changes to improve parity and enrollment balance will be made to elementary (Grades K-5) attendance zones across the City of Bristol. As you can see, the 2023-2024 school year is in full swing! Please be on the lookout next week for the 2022-2023 Bristol Public Schools Annual Report release, which highlights many of the accomplishments of our scholars and staff in the classroom, competition, and community throughout last school year. In partnership, Catherine M. Carbone, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools Achieve More in '24. Leave a Legacy. 2023-2024 School Year Motto STRATEGIC PLANNING BPS Strategic Planning 2025-2030 Focus groups with parents, families, and booster club members; focus groups with faculty and staff; and two small group planning sessions with Board of Education commissioners, district administrators, and principals were conducted throughout September and are now complete. As you know, Bristol Public Schools will continue to engage in strategic planning for 2025-2030 over the next three months. In essence, strategic planning is the process of setting goals, deciding on actions to achieve those goals, and mobilizing the resources needed to take those actions. A strategic plan describes how goals will be achieved through the use of available resources. The strategic plan will be developed by ensuring all stakeholder voices are heard and shared. This process will identify our district’s strengths and areas of growth and refinements. The plan will include district priorities, key actions, and create intended outcomes for both student achievement and student access, as well as operational aspirations. As for the next step after the focus groups were completed, we invited you to participate in a ThoughtExchange centered on the below question to provide feedback in regard to our next strategic plan. What are the strengths of the academic, enrichment, arts, and athletic programs offered to BPS students? I am thrilled that 767 people participated and shared 332 thoughts that were rated 8,126 times ! This was one of the most engaging exchanges that we have had since launching ThoughtExchange in March 2021. If interested, a more detailed summary report is attached to this newsletter. ThoughtExchange enables every individual to feel heard, while also identifying the values and perspectives that are most important to the entire group. ThoughtExchange will help us hear more voices with more inclusivity and better data in order to help us make better decisions. ThoughtExchange is anonymous. Your thoughts will be shared, but not your identity. Thank you for your participation and feedback. DONORSCHOOSE SPOTLIGHT Lights! Camera(s)! Action! at Bristol Arts and Innovation Magnet School This project provided cameras to support a new Acting for Film class. BAIMS students have the unique opportunity to learn the basics of camera and voice acting. Students can now perform in front of a camera and review the full effect of this body of work. These cameras provide students a simple, user-friendly way to work on projects during class and better prepare them for careers in film and television. This project was fully funded at $722 by 12 generous donors and matched by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. "We're so excited to take this journey with our students! We now have enough equipment to have all students learn filming and editing techniques and fully participate in our Acting for Film class! We appreciate your support of the brand new class and will be sure to send pictures of the kids at work!" - Mrs. DiPietro, Grades 9-12 Teacher at Bristol Arts and Innovation Magnet School For more information and to give to a project, please visit www.donorschoose.org/bristol . Calendars 2023-2024 School Year Calendar District Event Calendar Board of Education Calendar Employment Opportunities Seeking highly-qualified, talented, and diverse educators to join Bristol Public Schools. In the News 8.31.23 Bristol goes back to school 8.30.23 Bristol’s Teacher of the Year named 8.25.23 Superintendent Carbone updates families on school projects 8.15.23 Lori Osenkowski appointed to fill Bristol Board of Education vacancy Bristol Public Schools 129 Church Street, Bristol, CT 06010 Phone: 860-584-7000 | Fax: 860-584-7611
Friday, Sep 29 2023
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Information for COVID test kits
This message is being shared on behalf of our community partner, the Bristol Burlington Health District. Beginning Monday, September 25, 2023, every household in the U.S. can again place an order to receive four free COVID-19 rapid tests delivered directly to their home. Log on to: https://www.covid.gov/tests In addition to the federal government inviting U.S. households to order four free COVID-19 tests, there are numerous other options to get tested for free, such as via: free community- based testing sites, including pharmacies, across the country. Check with your local pharmacy to see if they are participating in this program The federal government is also distributing free at-home tests to schools, nursing homes, community health centers, rural health clinics, food banks, and other community locations to ensure communities have widespread access to tests. If you have any further question, please contact BBHD.
Tuesday, Sep 26 2023
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REMINDER: BPS District Closed on September 25 for Yo...
Dear BPS Families and Staff, As a reminder, all BPS schools and programs will be closed for the Yom Kippur holiday on Monday, September 25, 2023. All BPS schools and programs will resume on Tuesday, September 26, 2023. Have a great weekend! In partnership, Catherine M. Carbone, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools
Friday, Sep 22 2023
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REMINDER: BPS Strategic Planning 2025-2030
Dear BPS Families and Staff, We invite you to participate in this ThoughtExchange to provide feedback in regard to our next strategic plan: https://tejoin.com/scroll/527840062 Over 550 people have participated so far and we want to hear from everyone! Quick Tips: The Exchange is anonymous. Your thoughts will be shared with others, but not your identity. Please be respectful; thoughts that include identifying information, or that are rude or hurtful, will be removed. Please try to rate at least 20-30 thoughts and come back often to rate new thoughts and discover the results at any time. In partnership, Catherine M. Carbone, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools
Friday, Sep 22 2023
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Community Update from Bristol Police Department
Dear BPS Families and Staff, Please read the below community update from the Bristol Police Department: The Bristol Police Department is currently investigating two hate crime incidents. The first incident was posted to Bristol Talks and may have occurred over the weekend, and it consisted of a racial slur written in chalk along the sidewalk in Rockwell Park. The second incident was discovered yesterday, Monday, September 18, 2023, and consisted of swastikas being spray painted on a "No Smoking" sign located by the Felice Rd. entrance to Northeast Middle School, and a stop sign located at Deer Park Rd. and Shagbark Rd. We are asking for the public's assistance with providing any information that may lead to the identification of the suspect or suspects responsible for these crimes. We are asking for anyone who may have cameras in the area to review and report suspicious activity. The Bristol Police Department is committed to making our community safe for all of our citizens, and we will vigorously investigate any crimes of hate and racism using all possible investigative tools and resources. We will work with our state and federal law enforcement partners to find those responsible. Anyone with information about these incidents should contact our lead investigator, Detective Dudzikowski at 860-314-4569. You may also leave anonymous tips at 860-585-8477 (TIPS) or email at: BPDcrimewatch@bristolct.gov ###
Tuesday, Sep 19 2023
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REMINDER: BPS Strategic Planning 2025-2030
Dear BPS Families and Staff, We invite you to participate in this ThoughtExchange to provide feedback in regard to our next strategic plan: https://tejoin.com/scroll/527840062 Over 400 people have participated so far and we want to hear from everyone! Quick Tips: The Exchange is anonymous. Your thoughts will be shared with others, but not your identity. Please be respectful; thoughts that include identifying information, or that are rude or hurtful, will be removed. Please try to rate at least 20-30 thoughts and come back often to rate new thoughts and discover the results at any time. In partnership, Catherine M. Carbone, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools
Monday, Sep 18 2023
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BPS District Closed on September 25 for Yom Kippur
Dear BPS Families and Staff, As a reminder, all BPS schools and programs will be closed for the Yom Kippur holiday on Monday, September 25, 2023. All BPS schools and programs will resume on Tuesday, September 26, 2023. In partnership, Catherine M. Carbone, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools
Monday, Sep 18 2023
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Connecticut Parent Leadership Summit
Dear BPS Families, Please see the attached flier for the Connecticut Parent Leadership Summit on September 30, 2023, at Goodwin University. The Connecticut Parent Leadership Summit (CTPLS) is an annual event designed by parents for parents and parent-leader allies from across the state. It is an opportunity for parents to come together to network while they learn. Parent leaders will present the amazing things they are doing to improve the lives of families and children with partners in their communities and statewide. In partnership, Catherine M. Carbone, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools
Monday, Sep 18 2023