Dear BPS Community:

At the December meeting, the Board of Education approved my Superintendent Goals for this school year.  At each Board of Education meeting, I am providing updates on progress toward achieving these goals, which are listed below:

Superintendent Goals for 2025–2026: A Focus on Students, Staff, and Community
For the 2025–2026 school year, the Superintendent has established measurable goals centered on creating positive learning environments, elevating student and staff voice, strengthening communication, and ensuring responsible stewardship of district resources. Key priorities include:

• Positive School Climate & Student Well-Being
Develop and implement a districtwide Climate Mission Statement and expand mental health supports to meet better students’ social, emotional, and behavioral needs.
• Student Voice & Leadership
Strengthen student engagement in school and district decision-making through Student Voice initiatives, student representatives, and the launch of a Superintendent Student Advisory Council.
• Staff Engagement & Collaboration
Create meaningful opportunities for staff to share feedback through focus groups and advisory structures, ensuring staff voices help shape district initiatives.
• Communication & Community Engagement
Improve transparency and connection through consistent ParentSquare updates, social media communication, town halls, and expanded partnerships with local organizations.
• Fiscal Responsibility & Sustainability
Work collaboratively with city leadership to maintain a balanced, transparent budget, increase grant funding, and implement cost-effective strategies that maximize resources for students.
• Data-Driven Decision Making
Use student achievement, attendance, and discipline data to guide school improvement efforts and share progress regularly with the Board of Education and the community.
• Policy Review & Governance
Conduct a comprehensive update of Board of Education policies to ensure legal compliance, best practices, and strong governance. 

In partnership,
Iris White
Superintendent of Schools

National School Counseling Week: February 2-6, 2026:
National School Counseling Week 2026, sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), is celebrated from February 2–6, 2026. The 2026 theme is “School Counselors Amplify Student Success,” highlighting the vital role counselors play in supporting students’ academic, social, emotional, and career development. Thank you to our school counselors for your compassion, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to student well-being. Your work makes a lasting difference in the lives of our students and strengthens our entire school community.


Black History Month:
February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate the history, culture, and contributions of Black individuals and to center the voices and experiences of our students.

Black History Month began in 1926 as Negro History Week, created by historian Dr. Carter G. Woodson to ensure that the achievements and stories of Black Americans were taught and recognized in schools. The week was placed in February to honor the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, and it later grew into the month-long celebration we recognize today.
Throughout February, students across our district will engage in learning experiences that highlight Black leaders, innovators, artists, and change-makers—past and present. These lessons encourage curiosity, critical thinking, and meaningful dialogue, while helping students see themselves reflected in what they learn and imagine their own potential to make a difference.




Board of Education Budget Workshop #2:

BOARD OF EDUCATION

BUDGET WORKSHOP #2

Tuesday, February 3, 2026
6:00 P.M.-8:00 P.M.

In- Person (BOE Auditorium) & Virtual Zoom

The Bristol Board of Education will hold a Budget Workshop in preparation for the 2026-27 Board of Education Budget on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.in the Board of Education Auditorium, located at 129 Church Street, and via the Zoom Meeting Platform. Please log in to the meeting with the following link:

Budget Workshop #2

Bristol Board of Education - February 3, 2026 - Budget Workshop Meeting 

Meeting ID: 947 2599 6847

Passcode: 862253

Please follow the link for instructions on how to set up your account: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qdf74Wc7AylkuHC_lKkQLW6cXnyTtW5I/view?usp=sharing

This page will be used to share important updates, upcoming events, celebrations, and highlights from across the district. It’s another way for us to stay connected and keep families informed about what’s happening in our schools.

We invite you to follow us on Facebook at the link below and join the conversation as we continue to celebrate our students, staff, and community: https://www.facebook.com/share/1KyHMoZgJW/?mibextid=wwXIfr.  Thank you for your continued support of Bristol Public Schools.