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Superintendent's Weekly Update- November 30, 2025
Posted Date: 11/30/25 (09:00 PM)
Dear BPS Community,
I hope each of you enjoyed a happy Thanksgiving and a wonderful holiday weekend filled with rest, family, and friends.
On the day before Thanksgiving, many of our schools hosted fun and engaging activities, including Ivy Drive’s annual Turkey Derby. Congratulations to our 4th Grade Winner—what a moment of pure, unbridled joy!
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended the Battle for the Bell Game and contributed to our fundraiser for the Salvation Army and to our food collection for families in need. Student leaders from the Student-Athlete Leadership Council and the National Honor Society at both schools stood outside to collect donations, and together we raised $385 for the Salvation Army—$285 from Bristol Eastern and $100 from Bristol Central—a special acknowledgement to the Bristol Eastern Student Council for their $100 contribution. We are incredibly proud of the generosity, empathy, and civic commitment demonstrated by our students.
I’m also pleased to share a note of appreciation from Gloria Dei Church, recognizing our district-wide food drive on November 14:
Hello Iris,Gratitude continues with acknowledgment of Special Education Teacher Appreciation Day on Tuesday, December 2. Our dedicated special education teachers and paraeducators work diligently to provide instruction and support to meet the individual needs of students with disabilities. Please join me in thanking them for their dedication.
I want to let you know how much I appreciate your support with the food collection for the Gloria Dei Food and Diaper Distribution! We are all overwhelmed with gratitude for the generosity you and the whole school system have shown us! I am personally very grateful for you and the staff, teachers, students, and families who have helped us meet this critical need in the community.
Together, we are making a difference, and we all really appreciate the support!
In partnership,
Iris White
Superintendent of Schools
Scheduled Budget Workshops
We will soon begin our public budget workshop sessions. These workshops provide opportunities for our community to hear discussions around district priorities, resource allocation, and our efforts to support high-quality instruction and student success.Budget Workshop #1 — Superintendent’s Proposed Budget
Saturday, January 24, 2026
9:00–11:00 a.m.
Bristol City Hall — Council Chambers
Budget Workshop #2
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
6:00–8:00 p.m.
Board of Education Auditorium
Both meetings will be open to the public. For those wishing to participate remotely, a Zoom link will be shared in advance on the BPS district website and via ParentSquare.
Your engagement is critical as we work together to design a fiscally responsible and student-centered budget that advances academic growth, operational stability, and equitable access for all students.
CAS College and Career Exploration Night
(Flyer Attached)This event supports high school students and families as they explore post–high school pathways, including four-year colleges, trades, and career programs. Attendees will also hear inspiring “Pathways to Success” stories from professionals with diverse educational and career journeys. Presentations will be available in both English and Spanish.
For questions, please contact Marissa Cardona at mcardona@casciac.org
When: Monday, February 23, 2026 | 5:00–8:00 p.m.
Where: CCSU Alumni Hall, 1615 Stanley Street, New Britain, CT 06051
Alliance District Loan Subsidy (ADLS) Program
(Flyer Attached)To help recruit and retain educators and counselors in Alliance Districts, the Connecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority (CHESLA) and the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) have launched the ADLS Program. The program provides an interest-rate subsidy for Alliance District Refinance Loans to eligible educators—including teachers, paraeducators, school counselors, school psychologists, and speech–language pathologists—who are serving in Alliance District schools. Teachers must maintain a current CT Educator Certification.
Coffee with the Superintendent
Our next Coffee with the Superintendent will be held in collaboration with the Boys & Girls Club:Wednesday, December 10, 2025
3:00–5:00 p.m.
Cambridge Park — 117 Davis Drive, Bristol
All families and community members are welcome to participate.
RAPID-CT Survey — Parents of Children Ages 6 and Under
Your voice matters. The RAPID-CT Survey—developed by the Connecticut Project, CT Data Collaborative, and Stanford University—remains open until December 8. This survey focuses on parent and child well-being and basic needs.Survey link: https://tinyurl.com/rapid-cnec
For more information on how results inform statewide decision-making, please see recent reporting from CT Insider (September 12, 2025) and FOX61 (September 18, 2025).
Over half of CT parents struggle to afford basic needs, survey finds - CT Insider, September 12, 2025
CT researchers: over half of parents with young children struggle to afford basics | fox61.com - Fox 61, September 18, 2025
Good Luck to the Bristol Bulldogs D10 Squad
The Bristol Bulldogs D10 Squad is made up of girls who are all students in our district. They recently were awarded the opportunity to travel to Florida for the National Cheer Competition. They placed 3rd out of 6 teams at the regional competition, earning them a bid to Nationals. They are traveling this Tuesday, December 2. They are exceptional scholars and athletes, and they hope to make Bristol proud.