Superintendent's Weekly Update- September 14, 2026

Dear BPS Community:

The Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) has released the latest statewide student assessment and attendance results. These results are now publicly available through EdSight, Connecticut’s public education data portal: https://public-edsight.ct.gov/.  As a district, we believe strongly in transparency and in sharing both our progress and the areas where continued improvement is needed. Our team has been reviewing the newly released data carefully, not simply to look at a single score or year, but to understand trends in student achievement, growth, and attendance across our schools.

Overall, Bristol’s results provide several reasons for encouragement. Literacy achievement remains stable across our schools, while several schools have demonstrated meaningful growth. West Bristol School and Bristol Eastern High School showed particularly strong gains in literacy, with both reaching their highest levels of literacy achievement since 2019. All of our elementary schools and Northeast Middle School performed above the state Performance Index in literacy, and Bristol continues to compare favorably with other Alliance Districts.

Student growth is also an important part of the story. Several of our elementary schools—including West Bristol, Hubbell, Ivy Drive, and Mountain View—demonstrated strong growth, and more students at Hubbell and Ivy Drive met their individual growth targets than the statewide average.

We are also reviewing our mathematics, science, English learner, SAT, and attendance results to identify strengths and opportunities for improvement. Attendance remains especially important because students must be present, connected, and engaged to benefit from the learning opportunities available to them fully.

Over the coming weeks, CSDE will release additional student outcome measures, and our district will continue to share and discuss these results publicly. Upcoming data will include additional information related to graduation, college and career readiness, and other accountability measures as they become available.

Throughout this school year, we will also provide the Board of Education and our community with regular presentations on student achievement and outcomes, including LAS Links, AP, PSAT/SAT, attendance and discipline, Smarter Balanced achievement and growth, freshman on-track rates, and other measures of student success. 

Data is most valuable when we use it to improve. We will celebrate where our students and schools are making progress, be transparent about where we need to improve, and continue learning our way to improvement.  

Thank you to our students, educators, staff, families, and community partners for the work that went into these results and for your continued commitment to Bristol Public Schools.

Better Together,
Iris White
Superintendent of Schools

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month:

Each year, from September 15 through October 15, we recognize Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the histories, cultures, achievements, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans to our nation and our communities.
The observance began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week and was expanded to a month-long celebration in 1988. The September 15 start date is significant because it marks the anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile also celebrate their independence days during this period, on September 16 and September 18, respectively.

This year's theme, “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together,” provides an opportunity to recognize not only the generations of Hispanic Americans who have helped shape our country, but also the students, families, educators, leaders, innovators, and community members who continue that legacy today. The theme reminds us that progress is built through innovation, resilience, courage, and our collective commitment to one another.

Here in Bristol Public Schools, Hispanic Heritage Month is also an opportunity for our students to learn more about the people, stories, traditions, and accomplishments that are an important part of both American history and our community. It is a chance for our Hispanic and Latino students and families to see their heritage celebrated and for all of our students to deepen their understanding and appreciation of the diverse experiences and perspectives that strengthen our schools.

Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, I encourage our BPS community to celebrate, learn, listen, and recognize the many contributions of our Hispanic and Latino students, families, staff, and community members.



Happy National IT Professionals Day:
Tomorrow, Tuesday, September 15th, is National IT Professionals Day. I want to extend my sincere appreciation to the incredible IT professionals who support Bristol Public Schools each and every day. Our IT professionals are truly some of the behind-the-scenes heroes who help our schools and offices run smoothly. Much of their work happens quietly, but their impact can be felt across our entire district.  Whether they are supporting student and staff devices, maintaining our networks and systems, strengthening cybersecurity, troubleshooting classroom technology, or simply answering the call when someone needs help, our IT team is always working to keep us connected and moving forward. Technology touches nearly every aspect of teaching, learning, communication, and district operations, and we are fortunate to have a talented and dedicated team supporting this important work.  We see you, we appreciate you, and we are grateful for all that you do.


National Arts in Education Week!:

Better Together: Strengthening Community Partnerships
Over the past several weeks, members of our Bristol Public Schools team have had the opportunity to meet with community partners to discuss ways we can continue to support and enhance the work happening across our schools—both academically and socially and emotionally.  We know that educating our students extends beyond the walls of our classrooms. Strong community partnerships provide additional opportunities, resources, experiences, and supports that help our students and families thrive.
Recent conversations have included our continued partnership with the United Way, including our work together on the Student Homelessness Prevention Project and early planning for Read Across America Day in March. Both efforts reflect our shared commitment to ensuring students and families feel supported and connected while also fostering a love of reading and learning.
I had a first meeting with Bristol Hospital to explore opportunities for ​collaboration.

These partnerships directly support our district priorities of developing and supporting the whole child, strengthening family and community engagement, and ensuring our students are future-ready and globally prepared.  I am grateful to our community partners for continuing to invest their time, expertise, and resources in Bristol's children. When our schools and community work together, we create more opportunities for every student to feel supported, connected, and engaged.