Dear BPS Community:

Deputy Superintendent Hawk and I would like to thank our administrators, educators, and staff for the warm smiles and welcomes we received during our visits to schools and classrooms this past week.  Our schools remain vibrant places of learning, and the camaraderie among staff and students was evident throughout our visits. We will continue our regular visits to schools and look forward to our continued work together.  Photos from our visits are attached to this message.   Have a great week!

In partnership,
Iris White
Superintendent of Schools

Hispanic Heritage Month: National Hispanic Heritage Month is annually observed from September 15 to October 15 in the United States to recognize the contributions and influence of Hispanic culture on the nation's achievements, culture, and history.  The observance began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon B. Johnson.  Later, on September 14, 1988, President George H.W. Bush became the first president to declare September 15 to October 15 as National Hispanic Heritage Month.  The reasoning behind choosing these specific days is that they coincide with the Independence Day celebrations of several Latin American countries.  
Bristol Public Schools joins the Nation in paying tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society.  


September is Attendance Awareness Month: September marks Attendance Awareness Month, and I want to take this opportunity to highlight the importance of consistent school attendance to your child’s academic success and overall well-being.  Attending school every day is essential for building good habits. Being in school every day allows a student to: 
Be part of a community
Learn and grow with friends
Build connections with teachers and other trusted adults. 
Regular attendance should be the goal. How many absences are too many? Missing even two days of school a month disrupts routines and creates a habit of missing school, which is also referred to as chronic absenteeism. 

Let’s work together to ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed—starting with showing up, every day, ready to learn.


Guangdong Educator Visit: On Wednesday, October 22, 2025, a delegation of 25 teachers from Guangdong Province, China, will visit Bristol Public Schools.  This visit is being arranged through the Connecticut Association of Schools.  Guangdong Province selects 25 teachers each year to visit schools in Connecticut and observe our teaching methods. The day will begin with a welcome and an overview of the school system.  Most of the day involves teachers visiting classes. The delegation represents teachers from across the K-12 spectrum and all subject areas.  Thank you to Everett Lyons for making this connection and recommending BPS as a site to visit. More information to follow.

Coffee with the Superintendent: The first Coffee with the Superintendent will take place on Friday, September 26, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. at the Board of Education Building Auditorium, located at 129 Church Street.  To accommodate parent schedules, these monthly events will be held at various times and locations throughout the city.  Please look for the schedule in the coming weeks.  I look forward to connecting with many of you very soon.