Weekly Message from the Superintendent

Dear Staff and Families,

Thank you to everyone who was able to join us on Tuesday night for the FY25 budget reallocation presentation to the Board of Education (BOE).  In case you missed it, you can view the presentation here and watch a recording of the meeting here.

The BOE will vote on the reallocation next Tuesday, May 14.  If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions about the reallocation recommendations, please email the BOE at BOEElected@StamfordCT.gov before Tuesday’s meeting.  

Congratulations to the Teacher of the Year and Spotlight Award Winners

Please join me in congratulating Stillmeadow kindergarten teacher Carolyn Tschinkel who was named the 2024-25 SPS Teacher of the Year!  Ms. Tschinkel joins Danielle Marenholz (WHS), Kenneth Martin (WHS) and Timothy Martin (WHS) as part of the 2024-25 Teacher of the Year cohort.  Another 26 educators from 13 schools are being recognized through the Spotlight on Teaching Program.  Click here to see the full list of honorees.

Big Picture Learning Academy Update

We continue to seek a viable long-term funding source for the Stamford Big Picture Learning Academy (SBPLA) that will enable us to bring this unique program to Stamford’s students without putting additional pressure on the SPS operating budget.  We recently received guidance from the State of Connecticut that has prompted us to delay opening SBPLA until Fall 2025. This will give us extra time to secure funding to make SBPLA a reality for Stamford’s students. Look for more updates soon. 

2024-25 and 2025-26 Calendar Update

During the April regular meeting, the BOE voted to amend the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school calendars.  Columbus Day and Veterans Day will become days off from school since keeping schools open will not be cost-neutral as originally anticipated.  The revised calendars can be found here.

Kindergarten Registration Event

Kindergarten registration for 2024-25 is in full swing.  Children who live in Stamford and turn five years old on or before September 1 are eligible to begin kindergarten in August.

Anyone who needs help with registration can stop by the Ferguson Library tomorrow, Saturday, May 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  In-person registration assistance will be available in English, Spanish and Haitian-Creole, with support for speakers of other world languages available via phone.  Please bring documents proving your identity, Stamford residency, and your child’s date of birth. 

Westhill AgScience Spring Plant Sale

The Stamford Regional Agriscience Program at Westhill is hosting its annual Spring Plant Sale tomorrow, Saturday, May 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.!  Stop by the Westhill AgScience Building (125 Roxbury Road) to purchase Mother’s Day gifts or vegetables, annuals, and perennials for your garden.  AgScience prepares students for college and careers in animal science, agribusiness, agricultural mechanics, aquaculture, biotechnology, food science, marine technology, natural resources, and plant science.

Reminder: Annual Physicals Required for Grades K, 7, and 10

Students entering kindergarten, 7th and 10th grades in August are required to have a recent annual physical (completed on or after September 1, 2023) on file with Stamford Public Schools. Please bring this form to your child’s medical appointment so it can be completed for the school nurse.  If your child does not have a healthcare provider they see regularly, click here for a list of providers that offer school entry physicals.

School Attendance is Critical for Success 

As we enter the last weeks of the school year, I want to remind everyone that regular school attendance is just as important now as it was back in September.  Please monitor your child’s attendance in PowerSchool to make sure they are not in danger of becoming chronically absent. Please click here for more information and helpful resources.

Stay Safe and Healthy!

 

Dr. Tamu Lucero

Superintendent

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