Weekly Message from the Superintendent

Dear Staff and Families,

This week is substitute appreciation week.  Please join me in thanking all of our hardworking daily, long-term, and building substitutes.  Our substitutes help keep children learning in the absence of their teachers, and we would not be able to meet the needs of our students without them!  Thank you for all you do!

Thanks, also, to our families, teachers, administrators, and staff for your flexibility and patience this week as we navigated the unseasonably warm temperatures. 

School Attendance is Critical for Success  

Attending school every day is very important for student academic success, sense of belonging, and routine.  The Connecticut State Department of Education defines chronic absence as missing 10 percent or more of the total number of days enrolled during the school year, whether absences are excused or not.

Please click on the following link for more information about the importance of attending school every day and resources that might be helpful to your family. 

Routines are the Recipe for a Successful Year

Parents and families play an important role in student success! If you have not done so already, now is the time to establish routines for homework, reading, meals and bedtime, and for setting limits on technology and screen time on school nights. Establishing routines at home contributes to success in school. Thank you for helping us ensure that your child has a successful school year.

Free Meals for All students!

Stamford Public Schools has been approved to provide all students with free, healthy meals (breakfast and lunch) during the 2023-24 school year!  Please note:

• Students will need to enter their pin number so we can track meals served.
• Families do not have to pay any money or fill out any forms.
• Students do not need to arrive early for breakfast.  Breakfast will be part of the school day.

Open School Nights

Please plan to join us at our upcoming open school nights. These events provide families with the opportunity to meet their child (ren)’s teachers, learn about classroom and academic expectations, and hear more about the curriculum.  The school principal or your child’s classroom/homeroom teacher will send more information about open school night at your child’s school. 

Please see the following for the dates for open school nights:

• Tuesday, September 19 – Middle School Open House
• Thursday, September 21 – High School Open House
• Thursday, September 28 – Elementary School Open House

New Kindergarten Age Requirements Information Session

The SPS Teaching and Learning Department is hosting another information session for families with questions about the new kindergarten age requirements and the process for requesting early admission to school.  The next session is Monday, September 11 at 7 p.m. via zoom

This session will be offered in English with simultaneous Spanish Interpretation.  Families that need interpretation in a language other than Spanish may request those services when they register for the meeting.

Magnet School Information Sessions

Dr. Lori Rhodes, Associate Superintendent for Access and Opportunity, is hosting information sessions for families interested in learning more about the SPS Magnet School Lottery Program. Families are encouraged to participate in one of two sessions as follows:

• Thursday, September 14 at 8:00 a.m. via zoom
• Thursday, September 14 at 6:00 p.m. via zoom

The sessions will be offered in English with simultaneous Spanish Interpretation.  More information about the magnet school program – including dates and times of the in-person information sessions at each magnet school – is available on our website.

Stay Safe and Healthy!

Dr. Tamu Lucero

Superintendent

Espanol

Creole