Weekly Message from the Superintendent

Dear Staff and Families,

For many of us, our K-12 school experience evokes positive memories.  We might remember a kind and patient teacher. Or a favorite class. Or joy and excitement shared with teammates, a performance group, or club.

The perception of our school experience is rooted in what researchers call “school climate,” which is the collective experience of students, staff, and families at a particular school. 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. In other words, when everyone feels welcome, safe, and valued in school, it positively impacts both teaching and learning.

On Monday, March 20, Stamford Public Schools will open its annual School Climate Survey for staff, students, and families. The School Climate Survey helps us understand where schools are succeeding in creating a positive climate, where there are areas for improvement, and what best practices should be replicated at other schools.

Families will receive an announcement via School Messenger on Monday morning with the School Climate Survey link. The Survey will be available in English, Spanish, Haitian-Creole, and Ukrainian. Click here for more information and the FAQ.

Your participation in this process is critical to its success. I urge parents/caregivers to complete a survey for each child you have in Stamford Public Schools. Your feedback will help us make improvements to our schools to ensure everyone feels welcome, safe, and valued.

Thank you to the SPS Office of Family and Community Engagement and our partners at Stamford Public Education Foundation for their work in bringing this survey to our school community.    

Parent Pop-Up: Early Grade Literacy / K-5 Reading Curriculum

The Right to Read Connecticut legislation focuses on the Science of Reading and requires all school districts to select one of seven reading curriculum models.

Please join us on Monday, March 20 at 7 p.m. for a Parent Pop-Up about Early Grade Literacy.  Associate Superintendent Amy Beldotti will share information about the Right to Read legislation and the selection of a literacy curriculum for all SPS elementary schools.

We have spent the last several months vetting the state-approved programs aligned to the Science of Reading and we look forward to sharing our progress and hearing your feedback. Click here to join the meeting.

Opt-Out of School Bus Transportation

Although the majority of SPS students qualify for bus transportation, we know that many of our bus-eligible students travel to/from school by car.  If your child qualifies for bus transportation but does NOT take the bus, you may opt-out of bus service for the remainder of the 2022-23 school year by completing the Bus Transportation Opt-Out Form in PowerSchool.

Completing the Bus Transportation Opt-Out Form will enable our bus transportation vendor, First Student, to reassess bus routes to improve on-time performance.  Should your needs change after completing the form, you may contact your school Principal to reinstate your child’s bus rider status.

Play and Learn Nights Continue Next Week

Our series of Play and Learn Nights for children ages 0-5 and their parents continues next week as follows: 

●        Tuesday, March 21: Davenport Ridge Elementary School

●        Wednesday, March 22: Northeast Elementary School

●        Thursday, March 23: Hart Elementary School and Westover Elementary School

These events are highly recommended for children entering kindergarten in August.  All events begin at 6 p.m. The complete schedule is available here.

Parent Teacher Conferences: March 22-24

SPS will follow an early release schedule next Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday for Parent Teacher Conferences.  I encourage all parents to take advantage of the opportunity to meet one-on-one with their child’s teachers to hear about their academic progress.  Your building principal or classroom teacher can provide details on how to schedule conferences.

Stay Safe and Healthy!

Dr. Tamu Lucero

Superintendent

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