BPS Bulletin
April 26, 2024
Greetings, Bloomfield Community:
It’s hard to believe that we are just a couple of days away from Thanksgiving, 2025, a time for reflection, for community and for sharing the things we are grateful for. Over the course of the last eleven months as superintendent of the Bloomfield Public Schools, I have observed so many strong examples of our dedicated staff, committed Board of Education, tireless parent volunteers, collaborative Town agencies, and supportive business and university partners, all working on behalf of the students and families we serve. As a school district, we are in the midst of some transformative changes that will greatly improve our ability to meet ALL state compliance measures and to ensure our students have access to high quality learning experiences, Pre-K-12. I am certain that once the district makes the shifts in our systems, supports and mindsets, student access, engagement and achievement levels will significantly improve. While much of the work the district is undertaking cannot be seen by the general public, we are monitoring this work through our four (4) district priorities:
- Building & Sustaining Effective Teams
- Student Outcomes
- Family & Community Engagement, and
- Efficient Operations
In this newsletter I will share a few highlights from each of our schools that I am grateful for and that I believe will positively impact our students.
This school continues to offer our Pre-K students amazing opportunities to learn and grow through the inquiry model, both on their campus and through their partnership with Auer Farm. Under the leadership of Ms. Samantha Straker, they maintain strong parental engagement, strong student attendance data, an effective Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) model and weekly communication with their families. The student and family centered experiences being offered at this school, such as their Hispanic Heritage Celebration, is indicative of their core beliefs around inclusivity, culturally responsive pedagogy and child development. I am grateful for the work that the Wintonbury Staff do on behalf of our youngest learners!
The Laurel Staff has embraced the soft launch of Responsive Classroom by ensuring Morning Meeting is in place in all classrooms. Under Ms. Jennifer Dwyer’s leadership, Laurel is working collaboratively toward creating a learning environment that is as predictable and joyful as possible for its Pre-K-2 learners. They recently pulled off another successful Career Day, which included a school wide parade, demonstrating that it is never too soon to dream about your future plans. Families are kept up to speed with what’s happening at Laurel Literacy Academy through a weekly newsletter. I am grateful for the work that Laurel staff do on behalf of our young learners!
Under Mr. Paul Guzzo’s leadership, the Metacomet team has also embraced the soft launch of Responsive Classroom and continues to naturally incorporate families into the work of developing a joyful learning environment through multiple evening events such as Trunk of Treats and STEAM Night. They have been proactive in trying to prepare for the current 4th graders to remain at Metacomet for 5th grade*. They are actively embracing elementary science instruction, including within their new STEAM Exploration course. In addition to their hard work linked to their school day responsibilities, I am grateful for the commitment that the Metacomet staff recently showed to the community at large by raising more than $1,000 and 120 food items for Bloomfield’s Food Bank. I am grateful for the generosity and hard work of the Metacomet Staff!
*Grade 4 Families can expect a letter on this topic in early December.
Like their K-8 counterparts, CAIS has also embraced the soft launch of Responsive Classroom through the Morning Meeting process and has connected this work to some of their longstanding Social Emotional Learning (SEL) practices. Their monthly student recognition assemblies are grounded in a school wide theme and incorporate the students’ families. In addition to reflecting on the previous month’s theme and setting future goals, CAIS students continue to participate in community service projects such as designing cards for local veterans and beautifying their campus. The CAIS Principal, Ms. Diana Bunting, is working with the CAMS Interim Principal, Ms. Anjanee Wright, to begin combining the two schools. This work is necessary given next year’s plans for 5th graders to remain at Metacomet and for Carmen Arace Middle School to serve grades 6-8. I am grateful for the work the CAIS Staff are doing to support our students’ wellness and to develop the adaptive skills that will help them to be contributing members of our community!
First, I want to acknowledge that the district has received the resignation of Dr. Trevor Ellis, longstanding principal of CAMS. As I have already shared with the staff, we are grateful for Dr. Ellis’ 16-year commitment to Bloomfield students, staff and families, and wish him well in the future. In addition to the CAMS staff adjusting to a change in leadership, they have also embraced the soft launch of Responsive Classroom through the middle school’s Advisory Meeting model. Under Ms. Wright’s leadership, middle school students are exploring a monthly SEL theme. This month, for example, CAMS students will learn about the impact of digital screens on a students’ mental health. CAMS is also celebrating a student, staff member and teacher from both the 7th & 8th grades each month. I am grateful for the resilience of the CAMS Staff, for the middle school focus on SEL and for their monthly celebrations of students and staff!
As most are aware, GEMS will be closing its doors at the end of the 2025-2026 school year. Principal Laura Curley-Colon is leading the way for the GEMS Staff to remain focused on making certain their 7th-12th grade students get what they need in this final year in terms of academics and social/emotional supports. They are working closely with the Regional School Choice Office to ensure a smooth transition, while regularly celebrating GEMS students for attendance and academic achievements. They are also planning their final “global experience” for their students- a spring trip to Puerto Rico, which could potentially include Bloomfield High School students. I am grateful for the student-centered focus that the GEMS Staff have maintained during the school’s final year!
Bloomfield High School was recently showcased on WFSB’s Game of the Week. This exciting news coverage helped to showcase so many of the amazing programs that exist at Bloomfield High. Our students did an exceptional job during the news clips of highlighting the many BHS opportunities provided through the Athletics and Music Departments, Student Council and our Vo-Ag Program. Under Jesse White’s leadership, the BHS staff is working hard to redefine what our flagship school stands for. Their focus on academics and school culture is evident in the shift to eliminate cell phone use in their classrooms and to proactively utilize the new Dean of Students position, as well as the reinstated Department Heads. I am grateful for the BHS Staff and for all they are doing to help redefine Bloomfield High School!
In closing, I would like to express my gratitude to the Board of Education members for their continued support, collaboration and oversight. I am quite grateful for the opportunity to reimagine the Bloomfield Public Schools and ensure that our students, Pre-K-12, have access to the kinds of experiences and resources that guarantee results.
Happy Thanksgiving!