Weekly Message from the Superintendent

Dear Staff and Families,

Last week I had the distinct honor of serving as the guest speaker at a Hart Magnet School all school assembly celebrating the “Start with Hello” initiatives.  It was great to see all of the students, staff and families gathered together to remind us of ways to be kind and considerate to one another with something as simple as taking a moment to say “Hello”!

Our schools continue to implement engaging and unique ways to celebrate together and acknowledge the many ways that we are able to care and support each other.

Open School Night

Thank you to all of the families that joined our school communities for open school night.  The initial feedback from staff was how nice it was to have families back in schools and classrooms.  Family members with whom I have spoken said it was nice to have this opportunity to visit the spaces and the school staff that their children spend a considerable amount of time with during the week.

I want to sincerely thank the administrators, teachers, staff, and parent leaders who work so hard to make evenings like this a success.

Turn of River Community 

Thank you to Turn of River who made the best out of an unforeseen situation.  Last week, minutes before Open School Night, the school lost power due to a power line cut accidentally while trimming trees on Vine Street.

The school community pivoted and transitioned family and staff to the outside courtyard.  All reports noted that they loved this impromptu change to the traditional and more formal presentation usually held in the past.  In fact, this may inform how we host future events!  Way to go TOR!

SPS Magnet Lottery 

The SPS Magnet School lottery application is now open for the 2023-24 school year.  Magnet schools help us manage enrollment across the district while offering educational choice through unique programs and theme-based instruction.  SPS has four local magnet schools (Hart, Toquam, Westover, and Scofield) that enroll students from Stamford, and three Interdistrict magnet schools (Rogers International School, Strawberry Hill School, and AITE) that enroll 75 percent of their students from Stamford and 25 percent from surrounding communities.

If you think one of our magnet schools would be a good fit for your child, I urge you to attend an information session to learn more about the unique programs offered at each school. Complete information about our magnet school program – including application deadlines, lottery draw dates and acceptance deadlines – is available here.

Reducing Chronic Absenteeism

Last week the BOE approved my Superintendent Goals.  One of my goals focuses on improving attendance.  Do you know that according to Attendance Works “Research shows that missing 10 percent of the school year, or about 18 days in most school districts, negatively affects a student’s academic performance?  That is just two days a month and that is known as chronic absence.”  To read more, go to this link. 

Please know that each of our buildings has an attendance committee, all with the goal of reducing chronic absenteeism.  Let us continue to work together to support students in attending school daily.  Here is a link to other Attendance Works resources that supports the notion that “when students improve their attendance rates, they improve their academic prospects and chances for graduating.”

Flu Shots and COVID-19 Vaccinations

Flu kickoff season begins today, Friday, September 30, 2022.  The Stamford Health Department will offer Flu shots every Wednesday at 137 Henry Street from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Please mark your calendar for an extended hours clinic for SPS staff to obtain the flu vaccine at 137 Henry Street on Wednesday, October 19, 2022 from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Just a quick reminder that the City of Stamford continues to offer COVID-19 vaccine clinics, please click on the following link for dates, times, and locations:  COVID-19 Vaccine Information | Stamford, CT (stamfordct.gov). 

Custodian Appreciation Day

October 2 is Custodian Appreciation Day.  I want to take this opportunity to sincerely thank our Custodial staff for their hard work and dedication to our buildings and grounds.  Student and staff learning environments are a key component of an effective educational system!

Stay Safe and Healthy!

Dr. Tamu Lucero

Superintendent of Schools

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