Weekly Message from the Superintendent

Dear Staff and Families,

On Saturday, John and I attended the ribbon cutting and volunteered at the new Filling in the Blanks Mobile Food Pantry.  SPS is a longtime partner of Filling in the Blanks, which works to fight childhood hunger by providing children in need with weekend meals.  Through the new mobile food pantry, families will have access to fresh fruits and vegetables and other food items on a regular basis.  Look for the mobile food pantry on the 3rd Saturday of every month from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. in the rear parking lot at Cloonan Middle School.

Stamford Coalition of Parents Expecting Success (SCOPES)

The Stamford Coalition of Parents Expecting Success (SCOPES) – a committee of the Parent Teacher Council of Stamford – is being relaunched in partnership with Stamford Public Schools. SCOPES is a parent support network and community resource on special education issues.

Please join us for the first SCOPES meeting on Wednesday, November 1 at 6:00 p.m. via zoom.

Dr. Michael Fernandes, Associate Superintendent for School Support, will moderate the discussion about special education and related services. Panelists are Meghan Osowiecki, Director of Special Education and Related Services for Stamford Public Schools, and Nicole Raucher, President of the SCOPES Parent Advisory Board.

Dual Language Immersion Program Information Session

Stamford Public Schools is exploring the possibility of offering a Dual Language Immersion Program (Spanish/English) beginning in Fall 2024.  To learn more, please join us for an information session on Thursday, November 2 at 6:30 p.m. via zoom.

Free Meals for ALL Students

Stamford Public Schools is participating in the Community Eligibility Program (CEP) for the 2023-24 school year, which means breakfast and lunch is FREE for ALL students.  Although families do not need to complete the Household Income Survey Application to receive free school meals, completing the application may help families get fee waivers for sports leagues and camps, internet and Wi-Fi service, AP, SAT, and ACT exams, and college applications.  The application is available in English and Spanish.

Emmet’s Book Drive

On Sunday, John and I attended the 3rd Annual Emmet’s Book Drive in memory of a former Stark student.  More than 20,000 books have been donated to Stamford elementary school classroom libraries since this program began.  Thank you to Emmet’s mom and dad, Lisa and Jeff, and the amazing volunteers who have created this wonderful legacy in Emmet’s memory. Our students are so excited to have more books to read and love!

Café Con La Super

Thank you to everyone who attended Café Con La Super this week!  Our Chief Academic Officer, Amy Beldotti, shared information about our many specialized high school programs and showed parents how to use the new curriculum dashboard.

The next Café con la Super is Monday, November 6 at 6:30 p.m.  The topic will be housing, and we will be joined by special guest Mayor Caroline Simmons and representatives from our community partners Building One Community and Jewish Family Services.

Opt-Out of Bus Service

We continue to offer families the opportunity to opt-out of bus service.  If your child qualifies for bus transportation but does NOT take the bus, please complete the Bus Transportation Opt-Out Form in PowerSchool.   Should your needs change later, you may contact your school Principal to reinstate your bus assignment.

Important November Dates

●         November 5: 2023 Veterans Day Parade (12:00 p.m.)

●         November 7: Election Day, no school students, staff professional development

●         November 10: Veterans Day, no school

●         November 15: K-5 and K-8 Magnet School Lottery application deadline (4:00 p.m.)

●         November 19: 2023 Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular (12:00 p.m.)

●         November 22: Early Release

●         November 23-24: Thanksgiving recess, no school

Stay Safe and Healthy!

Dr. Tamu Lucero

Superintendent

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