Weekly Message from the Superintendent

Dear Staff and Families,

This past week marked the final weekend of the farmer’s market for the season.  I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge and thank Dena Booker from the Office of Family and Community Engagement for spearheading SPS participation.  A special shout-out to the Parent Facilitators who joined us this season including Mirza Martinez-Pinto from Rogers International, Giselle Robalino from Westhill, Noemi Berkoff from Roxbury, Lisbeth Rodriguez from Westover, as well as support provided by Mike Meyer, Audrey Way, and Lucas Romero.

Each week the Farmers Market provided an opportunity for us to speak with members of the community, former, current, and future SPS families, students, and staff.   Thank you to all that stopped by our table to ask questions, share an idea or an experience, or simply say “hello”.  

Thank you to the Stamford Downtown Special Service District who hosts this seasonal weekly opportunity for the Stamford community to have access to fresh fruit, vegetables, flowers as well as other homemade bread, baked goods, salsas, candles, and dog treats.  We look forward to joining again next summer.

High School Info Sessions for Grade 8 Families

Stamford Public Schools offers numerous options for students interested in specialized high school programs.  These include the Agriscience and Junior ROTC programs at Westhill High School, the Early College Studies and International Baccalaureate programs at Stamford High School, and The Academy of Information Technology & Engineering inter-district magnet high school.  Students can apply for these programs regardless of their district high school.  Grade 8 families interested in learning more about these programs should join us on Wednesday, November 9 at 6:00 p.m. via zoom here (Meeting ID: 89630234831 / Passcode: 305445).

School Calendar Panel Discussion

Please mark your calendar for a calendar Community conversation panel hosted in collaboration with PT Council.  The panel discussion is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 17 and will include various community members that will discuss the pros and cons for attending or not attending school on a particular holiday.  Detailed information will be available next week on the SPS website and in The Weekly on Friday, November 11.   

SPS Quarterly

We are excited to announce the release this week of “The SPS Quarterly”, a new community SPS newsletter.  The SPS Quarterly was an idea shared by community leader Joyce Griffin during a Superintendent Community conversation hosted by Cradle to Career (C2C) last spring at Bethel AME Baptist Church.  We will distribute this communication to all of our community partners, local boards, and faith based organizations.  In addition to translating The SPS Quarterly into Spanish and Haitian Creole, we are excited to announce it will also be translated into Ukrainian.

Winter Coat Drive

Each year members of the Special Education Department sponsor a coat drive.  The coat drive is scheduled to end on Friday, December 9, 2022.  If you have a new or gently used coat, please feel free to drop it off in a labeled large box in the lobby of Government Center or call (203) 977-4841 for more information.  

School Psychology Week

The week of November 7-11 is National School Psychology Week.  Please join me in acknowledging and thanking our amazing school psychologists for all the important work they do to support students, staff, and families.  School psychologists provide support and interventions to students, consult with staff and families to improve support strategies, and collaborate with community providers to coordinate needed services.  Thank you for all you do! 

Veterans Day Parade

Please join us on Sunday, November 6 at noon for the Stamford Veterans Day parade.  The parade is scheduled to kick off on Bedford Street near the police station and end at Veterans Park.

Look for bands from Northeast, Springdale/Hart, Cloonan, TOR, Rippowam, SHS, WHS and the SHS Madrigals! 

Thank you to all of the school bands and families that will join us to honor our Veterans.

Daylight Saving Time 2022

Please remember to turn your clocks back this weekend.  At 2 a.m. Sunday morning, we will "fall back" one hour, please enjoy your extra hour of sleep.

Public Safety officials also use the end of daylight saving time as a reminder to change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.  

Stay Safe and Healthy! 

Dr. Tamu Lucero

Superintendent of Schools

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