Weekly Message from the Superintendent

Dear Families and Staff,

Last week, I had the honor of attending the Connecticut Teacher of the Year Awards Ceremony with Carolyn Tschinkel, the 2024-25 Stamford Public Schools Teacher of the Year. Ms. Tschinkel is a 33-year teaching veteran who is currently a kindergarten teacher at Stillmeadow. More than 1,000 people—including Governor Ned Lamont and Commissioner of Education Charlene Russell Tucker—attended the event to honor teachers of the year from throughout Connecticut. 

The Connecticut Teacher of the Year Program, which began in 1952, is an annual program recognizing  teacher excellence. The program is sponsored by the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) in partnership with the Connecticut Teacher of the Year Council. 

Congratulations again to our teacher of the year, Carolyn Tschinkel.

Vote for Stamford High to Win a $40K Library Makeover!

Stamford High School is one of three finalists nationwide in the KI Furniture classroom furniture giveaway and they need your votes to win! 

More than 500 teachers from across the U.S. submitted learning space designs for a chance to win $40K worth of classroom furniture for their schools. Module Downer, the Fine Arts Department Head at Stamford High, created and submitted the SHS library makeover design. 

SHS is one of three finalists in the Library Category, competing against schools from Missouri and California. Voting closes on Sunday, November 17.  

Please support this effort to upgrade the Stamford High library space. 

Cafe con la Super is Monday, November 18

Please join us in person at the Stamford Government Center on Monday, November 18 at 6:30 pm for Cafe con la Super, our monthly Spanish language community conversation. This month, we will be sharing what families need to know about vaping, which is one of the most common forms of substance use among teens and young adults. Our guest presenters will be Ingrid Gillespie, Director of Prevention for Liberation Programs, and SPS Associate Superintendent for Middle Schools Matt Laskowski. This meeting is open to the entire school community. Interpretation into English is provided. Please register to let us know you will attend. 

Don’t Miss Macbeth and 12 Angry Jurors

This is the final weekend to catch Stamford High’s Strawberry Hill Players in Macbeth. Click here to purchase tickets.

The Westhill High School Northstar Playmakers will present 12 Angry Jurors on Friday, November 22 at 7:30 pm; Saturday, November 23 at 2 pm and 7:30 pm; and Sunday, November 24 at 2 pm. All performances are in the Westhill Main Auditorium. Tickets are on sale now. 

Stamford All-School Musical Opens December 7

Come aboard the S.S. American as the cast and crew of the 17th Annual Stamford All-School Musical present the delightful romantic musical comedy, Anything Goes. This year’s cast and crew features 58 SPS students representing AITE, Cloonan, Dolan, Rippowam, Rogers, Scofield, Stamford High School, Strawberry Hill, and Westhill High School.

Anything Goes will run from December 7 through December 15 at the newly upgraded Rippowam Middle School auditorium. Tickets are on sale now or may be purchased at the school box office one hour prior to curtain. 

Thank You School Psychologists! 

In recognition of National School Psychology Week (NSPW), I would like to take a moment to send a heartfelt thank you to the 39 state-certified school psychologists who support our students each and every day.  National School Psychology Week celebrates the contributions of school psychologists and the important role they play in schools and communities. Our school psychologists are an integral part of our school community, and they play a critical role in helping our students thrive in school, at home, and in life. On behalf of everyone at Stamford Public Schools, thank you! 

Stay Safe & Healthy!

Dr. Tamu Lucero
Superintendent

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