Weekly Message from the Superintendent

Dear Staff and Families,

Thank you to Hart Magnet School for the invitation to celebrate Carolyn Lowe’s retirement. 

The students and teachers at each grade level and staff from Hart and around the district took this final opportunity to celebrate Ms. Lowe’s hard work and longtime devotion to their amazing school community.  Carolyn, please know that you will truly be missed.

National School Social Workers Week

This is National School Social Workers Week; please join me in recognizing and thanking our social workers for all they do every day to support students, families and staff.  I want you to know that your hard work, time, and efforts are appreciated.

National School Breakfast Week

It is also National School Breakfast week!  Please remind your students that the free meal program remains available at all schools.  The goal of this program is to ensure that all students have access to a healthy breakfast and lunch daily.

SPS School Climate Survey Opens March 20

School climate affects every aspect of the school experience.  Research has shown that a positive school climate correlates to higher attendance rates, test scores, promotion rates, and graduation rates.  When everyone feels welcome, safe, and valued in school, it positively impacts both teaching and learning.  

The SPS School Climate Survey opens on Monday, March 20.  The deadline for students and parents/caregivers to complete the survey is Friday, March 31 while the staff deadline is Friday, April 14.  Look for more information next week.

We are Hiring 

The early hiring process has begun in Stamford Public School District.  If you know anyone who is interested in learning more about job opportunities, please click the following link.

Budget Update

The Board of Education voted on the 2023-24 (FY24) operating and grant budgets on Thursday, February 23.  Presentations are scheduled for Monday, March 20 with the Board of Finance and Thursday, March 30 with the Board of Representatives Fiscal Committee.  Please stay tuned for more information and links to the meetings.

Help Us Reimagine Our Media Centers

Three years ago, Stamford City boards cut $12.5 million from the Stamford Public Schools FY21 budget in response to the COVID pandemic, leaving us with difficult decisions about how to preserve crucial programs and personnel. As a result of these budget cuts, we made the decision to transition our Media Specialists to Technology Integration Support Specialists to support remote learning and one-to-one devices for all SPS students.

As we look forward, we have an opportunity to reimagine our media centers for the future. Please join me on Thursday, March 16 at 7 p.m. via zoom to share your ideas about our media centers. This meeting will be presented with simultaneous interpretation in Spanish. 

Play and Learn Nights for Ages 0-5

Stamford Public Schools invites parents and children ages birth to 5 to join us for Play and Learn Nights at our elementary schools. These events are highly recommended for children entering kindergarten in August. Play and Learn nights take place next week on Wednesday, March 15 at Roxbury and on Thursday, March 16 at Rogers, Strawberry Hill, and Stillmeadow.  All events run from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.   The complete schedule is available here.

2023-2024 Kindergarten Registration

Kindergarten registration for the 2023-24 school year is open now. Children who live in Stamford and turn five years old on or before January 1, 2024, are eligible to begin kindergarten in August.

Early registration enables us to better manage enrollment and staffing for the upcoming year, so please encourage anyone with a kindergarten-eligible child to register as soon as possible. Click here for more information.

Long-Term Facilities Meeting at K.T. Murphy    

Families in the Lockwood Avenue, Cove, and Shippan Neighborhoods are invited to join me on Monday, March 13 at 6:30 pm to discuss the proposed new K-4 and 5-8 schools. You can join the meeting in person at K.T. Murphy Elementary School or watch via zoom. This event will be presented with Spanish interpretation.

Stay Safe and Healthy!

Dr. Tamu Lucero

Superintendent

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