Weekly Message from the Superintendent

Superintendent's Weekly Message - April 2, 2026

Dear SPS Community:

The FY27 budget process continues next week with the Joint Board of Finance/Board of Representatives Public Budget Hearing on Wednesday, April 8 at 7 pm at Rippowam Middle School. This is the public’s opportunity to share their comments about the City of Stamford budget, which includes the Board of Education’s proposed budget. The public can sign up to speak in person beginning at 6:15 pm.

To learn more about the proposed budget, please refer to the FY27 Community Budget Guide (English / Spanish) and Budget Fact Sheet (English / Spanish).

Graduation & Moving Up Ceremony Dates

Earlier this week, we announced the dates and times for Class of 2026 high school graduation ceremonies and the dates for elementary and middle school moving up ceremonies:

Elementary Moving Up Ceremonies: Tuesday, June 16
Middle School Moving Up Ceremonies: Wednesday, June 17
Stamford High Graduation: Wednesday, June 17 at 2 pm (Boyle Stadium at SHS)
AITE Graduation: Wednesday, June 17 at 4 pm (Rippowam Middle School Auditorium)
Westhill Graduation: Wednesday, June 17 at 5 pm (J. Walter Kennedy Stadium at WHS)

High school graduation dates and times were coordinated in consultation with the high school principals, the City of Stamford, and the Stamford Police Department. In case of inclement weather, the Stamford High and Westhill graduation ceremonies will be moved to Thursday, June 18 at 2 pm and 5 pm, respectively.

Elementary and middle school principals will share moving up ceremony times and locations directly with their school communities.

Grade 11 NGSS Assessment is April 15

On Wednesday April 15, 11th grade students at AITE, Stamford High and Westhill will take the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) assessment.

Stamford High and Westhill students in grades 9, 10, and 12 will have a 3-hour delayed opening on April 15. SHS and WHS buses will make two runs on the morning of April 15 to accommodate both start times.

AITE will NOT have a delayed opening. All AITE students should report to school at the regular start time.

SBAC Testing for Grades 3-8 Begins April 15

Students in grades 3-8 will take the Smarter Balanced Assessments in English Language Arts and mathematics at their school this spring. The testing window is Wednesday, April 15 through Friday, May 15. Your child’s school principal or classroom teacher will share more information about the specific dates when SBAC testing will occur at your child’s school.

The SBAC assessments are aligned to Connecticut Core Standards and are used to measure academic achievement by district, school, and grade level.

AITE Drama Club Presents “The Cost of Family” April 16-17

AITE’s Drama Club will present its student-written and -directed performance of The Cost of Family on April 16th and 17th at 7 pm in the Media Center. This play was written by Ben Katz and is being directed by Ben Katz and Greenley Lasko.

Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. To reserve tickets in advance, email adomini@stamfordpublicschools.org.

Play & Learn Night for Fall 2026 Kindergarten Students

Play & Learn Night for Fall 2026 incoming kindergarten students and their families is happening later this month. Please note the event dates and times for each school:

Wednesday, April 22 at 5 pm: Strawberry Hill
Wednesday, April 22 at 5:30 pm: Davenport Ridge, Hart, Julia A. Stark, K.T. Murphy, Newfield, Northeast, Roxbury, Springdale, Stillmeadow, Toquam, and Westover
Tuesday, April 28 at 5 pm: Rogers International

This is a fun-filled evening where families can meet teachers and staff and learn more about kindergarten. Families should register to attend Play & Learn Night at the school their child will attend in Fall 2026. Families currently waitlisted at a magnet school should attend Play & Learn night at their zoned elementary school.

Reminder: Westhill to Host MAC Indoor Percussion Championships on April 11

Cheer on the Westhill Indoor Percussion and Winter Guard Teams on Saturday, April 11 as Westhill High School hosts the 2026 MAC Percussion Championships. The competition begins at 4:55 pm and features 17 high school percussion groups from throughout the region. Westhill Indoor Percussion is currently scheduled to perform at 6:18 pm, while the Westhill Winter Guard will perform at 8:30 pm. The evening concludes with Senior Recognition, Alumni Recognition, and the Championship Awards Ceremony. Admission is $20 for adults and $12 for children under 10 years of age. Proceeds from the event support the Westhill Band.