Superintendent's Weekly Update- September 20, 2026

Dear BPS Community,

As we head into another week, I want to take a moment to recognize several celebrations, accomplishments, and opportunities that reflect what makes Bristol such a special community. From honoring an important religious observance to celebrating kindness and service to elevating student voice, this week reminds us of our commitment to ensuring that every student is supported, connected, and engaged.

Better Together,
Iris White
Superintendent of Schools

Yom Kippur:

To our students, staff, families, and community members who observe Yom Kippur, I wish you a meaningful and peaceful observance.  Bristol Public Schools will be closed on Monday, September 21, in observance of Yom Kippur. We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Tuesday.

Be Like Dolly Day — September 25:

On Friday, September 25 — 9/25, 9 to 5! — Bristol Public Schools will celebrate Be Like Dolly Day, inspired by the life and example of Dolly Parton.  Dolly has long represented qualities that we hope to nurture in our young people: kindness, generosity, hard work, positivity, authenticity, and determination. Despite extraordinary success, she never forgot where she came from. She has consistently used her success to help others, particularly children and families with fewer opportunities, while treating people from all walks of life with dignity and respect.  Perhaps most importantly, Dolly reminds us that achievement and character should go hand in hand. She never seemed to measure a person's worth by what they had or where they came from. That spirit of compassion and humility exemplifies the character we want to instill in our students.
Each school will have the opportunity to celebrate in a way that works for its community, and we are developing a brief, grade-appropriate social-emotional learning activity to help students explore these character traits and consider how to demonstrate them in their own lives. I look forward to seeing the creative ways our schools celebrate. Let's all try to be a little more like Dolly!

Bristol Public Schools Recognized for Community Partnership:

I am also incredibly pleased to share that Bristol Public Schools has been selected as a finalist for the Outstanding Community Partner Award for United Way's West Central region.  Our partnership with United Way continues to grow, including our work this year around the Ending Student Homelessness initiative, Read Across America Day, and other efforts to support Bristol children and families.

This recognition belongs to the many BPS staff members and community partners who understand that supporting students extends well beyond the walls of our classrooms. We are grateful for our partnership with United Way and proud that Bristol Public Schools' engagement is being recognized.  The awards will be announced at the West Central Region Community Breakfast on Wednesday, September 30th from 7:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m. at Luna's.  Erika Treannie, Director of Climate, Culture and Family Engagement, and Cecilia Garay, District Support Specialist and Bilingual Family Liaison, who have been recognized for their exceptional work on the Ending Student Homelessness Initiative, will join me at the breakfast.


                                                              United Way Panel Celebrating Black Philanthropy Month

Congratulations to Our New Board of Education Student Representatives:

One of the things I am most proud of is the continued growth of student voice in Bristol Public Schools. After an impressive application and interview process, I am excited to congratulate our 2026–27 Board of Education Student Representatives:

• Bristol Central High School: Junior Isabella Ferrer and Senior Ann-Marie Beauchemin
• Bristol Eastern High School: Junior Jean Zendel Yema and Senior Erin Martin

Throughout the process, these young people demonstrated poise, professionalism, empathy, and determination, and I am very proud that they have stepped forward to represent their fellow students.  I also want to thank every student who applied. Selecting just four students was extremely difficult because the applicants' quality was exceptional. In fact, I was so impressed by the students who were not selected that I will invite them to participate in my Superintendent's Student Advisory Council, which will begin meeting next month. Additional information will be shared with school administrators soon.

Student voice matters. If we want to know whether our students truly feel supported, connected, and engaged, we need to create meaningful opportunities not only to hear from them, but to listen to them.

Thank You, Commissioner Lori Osenkowski:

Finally, I want to extend my sincere appreciation to Lori Osenkowski, who recently resigned from the Bristol Board of Education and served as Chair of the Board's School Safety Committee.  Serving on a Board of Education requires a tremendous commitment of time and energy. It means attending meetings, reading materials, asking difficult questions, listening to the community, and making decisions on behalf of thousands of children and families. That service is entirely voluntary, and it deserves our gratitude.
Thank you, Lori, for your service to Bristol Public Schools and our community. We wish you all the best.  Mayor Ellen Zoppo-Sassu is expected to present her recommendation to fill the vacancy at this Tuesday evening's Special City Council meeting at 6:30 p.m.