Superintendent's Weekly Update- June 7, 2026
Dear BPS Community:
At our most recent Board of Education meeting, we had the privilege of celebrating and recognizing several outstanding members of the Bristol Public Schools community. These individuals exemplify the dedication, professionalism, and commitment to excellence that make Bristol Public Schools such a special place for our students and families.
Please join me in congratulating the following staff members and thanking them for all they do on behalf of our students, families, and colleagues:
Bevin Parent, Mountain View School, 2027 Bristol Public Schools Teacher of the Year
Dana Martin, Northeast Middle School, 2027 Bristol Public Schools Paraeducator of the Year
Cristabla Alcide, Social Worker at Stafford Elementary School
Kristine DelValle, Custodian at Bristol Central High School
Tara Landon, Facilities and Operations Manager at Bristol Public School
Amber Loukoumis, Head Secretary at Mountain View Elementary School
Lisa Maldonado, LEAD Paraeducator at Stafford Elementary School
Andrew Wood, PE Teacher at Stafford Elementary School
This week's update, as it often does, focuses also on the achievements of our students, who continue to reach great heights because of our staff. Great things are happening in our schools!In partnership,
Iris White
Superintendent of Schools
Seal of Biliteracy:
Congratulations to the 120 Bristol Public Schools students who have qualified for the Connecticut Seal of Biliteracy this year! This is an increase from 102 students last year.
The Seal of Biliteracy recognizes students who have demonstrated a high level of proficiency in English and at least one additional language. This spring, 120 students earned this prestigious distinction, including four students who qualified in more than one language.
Our students demonstrated proficiency in Spanish, Latin, Italian, Polish, French, Portuguese, Russian, and Arabic through a combination of their academic studies and the rich linguistic experiences they bring from their homes and communities.
Their success highlights the incredible cultural and linguistic diversity that strengthens Bristol Public Schools. We are grateful to our world language educators, classroom teachers, families, and community members who have supported students throughout their educational journey.
Students who qualify will be awarded the Seal of Biliteracy upon graduation, a distinction that recognizes their achievement and signals to colleges and employers the valuable skills they have developed.
Please join me in congratulating these outstanding students on this remarkable accomplishment. We are proud of all they have achieved and excited to see the opportunities their multilingual skills will create in the future.
Congratulations to the outstanding Latin students at Bristol Central High School!
Sixty BCHS students recently participated in the 48th annual National Latin Exam, an internationally recognized assessment taken by more than 100,000 students from all 50 states and 26 countries. We are proud to share that 39 Bristol Central students earned national recognition for their exceptional performance.
Special congratulations go to Latin II student Chris Sosa, who earned a perfect score—an extraordinary achievement achieved by only a handful of students worldwide each year.
Under the guidance of Latin teacher Kelly Monahan-DiNoia, students demonstrated their knowledge of Latin grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, Roman history, mythology, literature, and daily life. Their success reflects not only academic excellence but also dedication, perseverance, and a deep appreciation for classical studies.
Bristol Central’s Latin program has a proud and meaningful legacy, and these students continue to build upon that tradition in remarkable ways. Please join me in congratulating our award-winning students and thanking retiring teacher Ms. Monahan-DiNoia for her many years of leadership and commitment to our students. Please see the list of students below. We are so proud of you!
Gold Medal and PERFECT PAPER-
Chris Sosa in Latin II
Gold Medal – Summā Cum Laude (Highest Honors)
Latin II: Chris Sosa and Sofia Gamarra-Ochoa
Latin I: Gabriella Castillo and Isabella DiMatteo
Silver Medal – Maximā Cum Laude
Latin IV: Lily Kirk, Christopher Mika, Josue Perez-Meneses, Jackson Ray, and Matthew Wilson
Latin III: Arianna Caron, Masahiro (Silas) Robinson, and Jayden Urena
Latin II: Xavier Alix-Colon, Allyana Andrew, Jayla Boxley-Hale, Azyriah Davies, Emalyn Kirk, Bailey LIcki, Trystyn Merrill,
Gianni Perez, Patience Wilson, and Serena Wilson
Latin I: Annalee Andrew, Sarah Nash, Charlette Plante, Karolina Serwinski, and Harold White
Third Place – Magnā Cum Laude & Cum Laude
Latin IV: Cole Krueger and Jadon Little
Latin III: Lucas Alvarado and Caden Tampellini
Latin II: Ameer Almatallqah, Koval, Alex (Peyton) Koval, Nayeli Murray, Ella Nagle, William Phan, and Sam Prosser
Latin I: Jonathan Benoit, Samuel Kovitch, Ella Pratt, and Kage Tompkins
Bristol Eastern Honors 2026:
Congratulations to the outstanding Latin students at Bristol Eastern High School on an exceptional year of achievement! On June 3, Bristol Eastern's Latin program celebrated the many accomplishments earned by students throughout the 2025-2026 school year. These talented scholars distinguished themselves through their academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to classical studies.
Throughout the year, Bristol Eastern students earned recognition on the National Latin Exam, the Connecticut Latin Exam, the Classical Association of New England Motto Contest, and numerous competitions at Connecticut State Latin and Greek Day. Their success reflects countless hours of study, intellectual curiosity, and dedication to learning.
Beyond the classroom, these students represented Bristol Public Schools with pride and professionalism at the Bristol Education Foundation Trivia Bee, participated in enriching educational experiences at the Wadsworth Atheneum, and showcased their talents alongside students from across the state at Connecticut State Latin and Greek Day.
These accomplishments are a testament not only to the hard work of our students, but also to the dedication of our educators who inspire a love of language, history, culture, and lifelong learning.
Please join me in congratulating Bristol Eastern's Latin students on an extraordinary year. We are incredibly proud of all they have achieved and grateful for the positive way they represent Bristol Public Schools in our community and beyond.
Well done, Lancers!
Education Pathway Signing Day:
Congratulations to the Bristol Central High School seniors who were recognized during this year's Education Pathway Signing Day and Recognition Ceremony!
On June 3, Bristol Central celebrated 12th-grade students who have demonstrated their commitment to the field of education by either earning at least two full credits in the Education Pathway or formally committing to a post-secondary education pathway.
These students have chosen to pursue a profession that has the power to shape lives, strengthen communities, and inspire future generations. Their dedication, leadership, and passion for learning reflect the qualities that make exceptional educators.
A special thank you to Alyson Silva, Education Pathway and Family & Consumer Science Teacher, for her dedication to developing and inspiring the next generation of educators. Her leadership, guidance, and commitment to students have helped create meaningful opportunities for young people to explore careers in education and prepare for future success.
Please join me in congratulating these outstanding students on this important milestone. We are proud of their accomplishments and look forward to watching them continue to learn, lead, and inspire. Congratulations to all of our Education Pathway students!
Congratulations to Chippens Hill Middle School and Greene-Hills School:
Congratulations to the outstanding Bristol Public Schools students whose local history projects were selected as award winners by the Bristol America 250 Commission!
This year, more than 65 projects were submitted, showcasing the incredible talent, creativity, research skills, and historical curiosity of students across our community. We are especially proud of the students from Chippens Hill Middle School and Greene-Hills School, whose projects were recognized among the contest's top entries. Their work explored fascinating people, places, and events from Connecticut's rich history, including Prudence Crandall, Marian Anderson, Yung Wing, the Farmington Canal, William Gillette, Lake Compounce, and many more.
These award-winning projects demonstrate the power of student inquiry and the importance of understanding the stories that have shaped our state and nation. Through their research and presentations, these students have helped preserve and share our local history while developing skills that will serve them well in the future.
Please join me in congratulating all of the student award winners, their teachers, and their families on this outstanding achievement. We also extend our appreciation to the Bristol America 250 Commission for creating this opportunity for students to engage with history in meaningful and memorable ways.
Award winners will be recognized at the Celebrating America 250: Bristol event on Sunday, June 14, at 2:45 p.m. We look forward to celebrating their accomplishments and the important role they play in honoring Bristol's past while inspiring its future.
Congratulations to all!
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Thank you for your continued support of Bristol Public Schools.