Bristol Eastern students participated in the French Quiz Bowl at UConn on Thursday, November 14th. Every November since 2000, UConn ECE hosts the annual French Immersion Day and Quiz Bowl Competition. Teams of 1-4 UConn ECE French students from across the state come together at the UConn Storrs Campus to participate in academic sessions with UConn French Department teaching assistants (TAs) in the morning, and compete in a Jeopardy-style quiz in the afternoon.   Academic sessions range from French literature, cinema, history, and culture to French cuisine and sports. Students from different districts compete in the afternoon quiz bowl, which  is conducted in French in its entirety. 

Our students competed against nine teams from across Connecticut, including schools from Glastonbury, Wilton, New Fairfield, and Milford, they demonstrated remarkable intensity and pride, ultimately earning second place. They truly represented Bristol Eastern with distinction!

Participating Students:
Arenas, Jayden
Avila,Chelse
Burke, Aaron *
Johnson, Charles *
Kelley, Kyle
LaMar, Samuel
Ledwochowski, Maya *
Matthews, Anna
Perzan,  Celina *

*(Official team members)

1. October 2, 2024 - Regular BoE Meeting Minutes
2. October 9, 2024 - Special BoE Meeting Minutes
3. November 6, 2024 - Regular BoE Meeting Minutes

Finance/ Operations	Policy	School, Family & Community Partnership	School Safety	Student Achievement & Outcomes	Labor Relations (Ad-Hoc)
Eric Carlson, Chair	Jill Fitzsimons-Bula, Chair	Maria Simmons, Chair	Lorianne Osenkowski, Chair	Jill Fitzsimons-Bula, Chair	Eric Carlson, Chair
Russell Anderson	Maria Simmons	Jill Fitzsimons-Bula	Russell Anderson	Kristen Giantonio	Dante Tagariello
Dante Tagariello	Lorianne Osenkowski	Jennifer Van Gorder	Maria Simmons	Maria Simmons	Maria Simmons
Alternates:
Jill Fitzsimons-Bula	Dante Tagariello	Kristen Giantonio	Eric Carlson	Lorianne Osenkowski

Student representatives from Bristol Central and Bristol Eastern will share activities, surveys, suggestions, and topics of interest in their respective schools.
Bristol Central                                         Bristol Eastern
Abigail Wasta - Senior                              Peyton Troth - Senior
Amelia Brown - Junior*                             Paige Ansah - Junior*         

Chair Pons will update the Board and the public on topics related to the Board of Education.

Iris White will report/update the Board on the following topics:

1. Redistricting
2. Carousel Museum Grade 3 Field Trip Partnership

The Carousel Museum partnered with BPS this Fall to offer a unique three-part program for all third-grade students in the district. This initiative blended science and art seamlessly to support the third-grade science curriculum. Students had the opportunity to visit The Carousel Museum to engage in three STEAM-based, hands-on activities focused on balance, centripetal force and stories told through carousel art. This exciting program and transportation was generously funded by the Stocker Family Foundation.

Gomes, Emily - ID - Principal

Cannata, Josephine - STAF - Music Teacher effective June 30, 2025
Chora, Maria - WB - Grade 4 Teacher effective August 1, 2025
Elliot, Lauri - BEHS - Chemistry Teacher effective June 30, 2025
Kecskes, Melinda - SS - Grade 4 Teacher effective June 30, 2025
Palmieri, Maureen - GH - Literacy Instructional Support Teacher effective June 30, 2025
Scanlon, Katherine - GH - Literacy Instructional Support Teacher effective June 30, 2025

Browne, Celia - WB - Grade 8 Science Teacher effective October 31, 2024
Lord, Chandler - WB - Special Education Teacher effective October 28, 2024
Ricci, Melanie - WB - Health Teacher effective October 4, 2024
Elkey, Rachel - EPH - Literacy Coach effective November 28, 2024
Hanley, Eileen - WB - Special Education Teacher effective November 23, 2024

Brunet, Trystan - HUB - Grade 2 Teacher effective December 2, 2024*
Poole, Abby - GH - Special Education Teacher effective December 2, 2024

Browne, Celia - WB - Grade 8 Team Leader

Abucewicz, Danielle - BCHS - Bell City Choir and Madrigals effective August 29, 2024
Cirillo, Jason - BEHS - National Honor Society effective August 29, 2024
MacDonald, Theresa - BAIMS - Musical effective August 29, 2024
Machol, Kerilyn - BCHS - Freshman Class Co-Advisor effective August 29, 2024
McElwee, Rebecca - BEHS - National Honor Society Co-Advisor effective August 29, 2024
Reichler, Elizabeth - BCHS - Freshman Class Co-Advisor effective August 29, 2024
Carroll, Lisa - BAIMS - .5 Head Drama effective August 29, 2024
Maust, Andrew - CHMS - .5 Head Drama effective August 29, 2024
Nyerick, Joanne - BCHS - Co-Assistant Drama Advisor effective November 7, 2024

Lachance, Derrick - WB - Instructional Resource Coordinator and Science Curriculum Coordinator

LaChance, Derrick - WB - AVID Coordinator
Wininger, Erin - BAIMS - Recruiting Coordinator
Lizotte, Amanda - WB - Science Curriculum Coordinator
Vitale, Dayna - WB - Instructional Resource Coordinator

Mamuya, LaShay - BAIMS - Gr. 6-8 Math Teacher effective March 25, 2025, through the end of the 24-25 school year.

Attached is a list of certified personnel who have reached continuing contract status (tenure) during the period of September 1, 2023 through September 1, 2024.

Teachers trained to serve as TEAM (Teacher Education and Mentoring) mentors and cooperating teachers provide assistance and support to student teachers and beginning teachers in the district. Cooperating teachers are those teachers who are trained to work with student teachers. Mentors must be assigned to first-year teachers to provide mentoring and support to newly certified teachers.  This program is required by the State Department of Education. Principals recruit teachers to apply to be TEAM mentor/cooperating teachers; the applications are reviewed by the TEAM Coordinating Committee. The following teachers were approved by the TEAM Coordinating Committee and are recommended to be TEAM Mentors/Cooperating teachers.  Approved teachers must attend a three-day training program and update their training every three years.
 

Teacher	Assignment
Jennie Brady	BEHS, English
Jeremy Sloate	NEMS, Physical Education
Michelle Bartucca	MTV, Grade 2
Rebecca Kohan	WB, Grade 5

The FRCs are providing 3 separate 12-week leadership groups targeted to girls in one selected grade level at each FRC school, using the evidence-based "Stand Up! Speak Out" curricula. The selected grade level and student invitations to participate are based on recommendations from the school guidance staff, administrators and grade-level teachers. Funding includes a follow-up activity from last year’s pilot group graduates.

The Raising Readers Grant, funded by the Stocker Foundation, provides 36 sessions of biweekly after school tutoring first grade children struggling with reading and math skills. Parents also participate in a 6-week literacy-focused parent education component and receive a brand-new children's book each week to share at home with their child. Total awarded $29,161, primarily for salaries for FRC staff and teachers.  Program is offered at Greene-hills, West Bristol and South Side Schools.

The FRCs were awarded a grant to fund 2 separate initiatives: 1. Kith & Kin Support Services, Play & learn Groups, Support & Training of Licensed Home Day Care Providers (HDCP), Road to Reading, a literacy program offered to School Readiness Providers. ($5000) 2. Offer 4 parenting education classes to the community for parents of toddlers and preschoolers with information on child development, discipline, toilet learning, and kindergarten readiness information, in both English and Spanish. ($3000).

SDE/Parent Trust Fund: The UConn People Empowering People Communities program will provide parent education, leadership and community involvement training for 8-12 parents, using the UCONN People Empowering People curricula. Total awarded $20, 645, for a combination of salaries, supplies and required staff training.

The WatchDOGS program encourages male parents/guardians to become involved in their child’s education and supports the development of stronger parenting skills. Fathers meet at least monthly at each site, co-
facilitated by a male administrator (Scott Gaudet, David Huber, and Matthew Madruga) and Ken Garay (through a partnership with Bristol Adult Education), who also serves as a bilingual translator for Spanish-
speaking fathers when needed. Last year the program was launched at both West Bristol and South Side Schools; this year, funding will be used to support program costs at all 3 sites.

The WORKS program (Working Parents: Options, Resources & Key Supports) connects families participating in afterschool programs at Greene-hills, South Side and West Bristol Schools with needed resources and supports, as these families often have difficulty connecting with schools taff during the day due to their work schedules. The program helps remove barriers for families to be able to meet their families individualized needs, as well as to advocate for themselves and others. 

Bristol FRCs are committed to supporting early childhood literacy development in our schools, including the new Edgewood pre-K Academy. Barnes Foundation funding will allow an FRC staff member to visit every pre-K classroom, read a story to the class including a corresponding music and movement activity, and provide each student with a new, high quality children’s book of their choice. FRC Staff will also provide the Traveling Storytime program for all Kindergarten classrooms at Greene-Hills, South Side and West Bristol Schools.

 

Members of the public are invited to comment to the Board on any topic related to school business. Items requiring consideration by the Board must be approved as an agenda item by a 2/3ds vote of the Board members present.  Such items may be referred for further study and not necessarily acted upon at this meeting.

Anyone wishing to address the Board should adhere to the following procedures:

Before a Remote Meeting - Submitted Public Comment must be received by 4:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting.

1. Send your comments to: susaneverett@bristolk12.org
2. Be sure to put PUBLIC COMMENT - BOE in the subject line.
3. Include your name and address.
4. Direct your comments to the Board Chair.
5. Your comments will be distributed to all Board Members and placed on file.
6. All comments should be written in an appropriate manner, comments regarding personnel or confidential student information shall not be discussed under public comment.
7. Any comments not adhering to the guidelines will not be read at the meeting.

During a Meeting

1. Everyone is requested to address the Chair for recognition.
2. Each speaker must state his/her name and address.
3. All speakers must observe rules of common etiquette.  Personalities are not to be injected. Anyone violating this rule will be denied the floor. Unless waived by the Chairperson or a majority of the Board,
4. Each speaker shall limit his/her remarks to three (3) minutes.
5. A speaker will not be recognized for a second time on the same topic.
6. The public may speak as agenda topics come up for discussion or information.  Anyone digressing from the topic will be ruled out of order.
7. Written statements and materials may be made available, in advance of comments, for distribution to Board members.
8. Speakers shall state their positions on the subject being discussed.
9. Board members will not respond directly to comments during the Board meeting. The Superintendent will direct the question to the appropriate staff member for follow-up

Ms. Nadia DeRoy would like to provide her French students the opportunity to travel to France in the spring of 2026. 

Students from Bristol Eastern would travel to Normandy, Paris, and Nice during April vacation of 2026. During that time, the students would immerse themselves in the language and culture of France by visiting D-Day Beaches, the Louvre, the Notre Dame Cathedral, and the beaches of Nice. Full details can be found in the attached itinerary.

In addition to gaining greater cultural sensitivity, global citizenship, and an international perspective on their studies, students return home feeling more confident and independent—qualities that stay with them throughout their academic, professional and personal lives. 

The Mountain View PTO seeks approval to donate approximately $20,000 of playground equipment.

Platinum Car Wash in Bristol made a monetary donation of $2,500 to BAIMS. This was one of four donations to local organizations. The other three organizations were the Bristol Boys and Girls Club, The Imagine Nation Museum, and the Get Up Stage Company. This donation was not solicited and will be used to support arts integration projects and programs at BAIMS.

Boy Scout Ryan Bogli from Troop 425, Bristol CT seeks approval to build a Gaga Ball Pit for West Bristol School as his Eagle Scout Project.

In accordance with Section 1-21 of the Connecticut General Statutes and in keeping with Board of Education policy, a schedule of Board of Education meeting dates for the 2025 calendar year is required by the Town and City Clerk. The meeting will be held on the first Wednesday of every month (except January, July and September) at 7:00 p.m. virtually or in the Auditorium of the Board of Education Administration Building,  located at 129 Church Street, Bristol, Connecticut.

The Board has requested an end of the fall season report. The following topics will be presented:
- accomplishments by sport, individual student-athlete recognition

Amy Martino Director of Special Services will update the Board regarding Special Services programs and topics.

The grades 3-5 Science curriculum was last updated in 2020. The goals of the revision were to adjust lessons to better fit our 6 week science and social studies cycles, increase the ease of use for teachers and update resources. Some of the updated resources include: the addition of  learning targets and success criteria that are aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards, added Universal Design for Learning teacher actions, and supports for Multilingual learners. 

This is a curriculum revision to American Music Studies that updates the materials studied and collaborates with UCONN as an ECE class.  This was presented to the Student Achievement Committee on 11/20/24 and passed to move to the full board for approval.

This is a curriculum revision to Music Theory 1 and Music Theory 2 that updates the materials studied and collaborates with UCONN as an ECE class.  This was presented to the Student Achievement Committee on 11/20/24 and passed to move to the full board for approval.

This advanced course offers students hands-on experience in real-world marketing concepts. Students will develop a deep understanding of marketing strategies, including sales techniques, merchandising principles, promotional strategies, social media marketing, pricing, and profit analysis. Students will be able to apply their theoretical learning through the operation of a school-based enterprise. Students enrolled in this course will have the opportunity to earn a school-based enterprise certification. This course equips students with practical skills and knowledge essential for pursuing careers in Marketing, Business Management, Entrepreneurship, and Retail Operations while fostering creativity, teamwork, and leadership.

 

Career Concentration Area	Pathways
Business Communications	Marketing

PLTW Cybersecurity is a full-year course implemented in 10th grade or above. The design of the course exposes high school students to the ever-growing and far-reaching field of cybersecurity. Students accomplish this through problem-based learning, where students role-play and train as cybersecurity experts. PLTW Cybersecurity gives students a broad exposure to the many aspects of digital and information security,

while encouraging socially responsible choices and ethical behavior. It inspires algorithmic thinking, computational thinking, and especially, "outside-the-box" thinking. Students explore the many educational and career paths available to cybersecurity experts, as well as other careers that comprise the field of information security. 

 

Career Concentration Area	Pathways
Engineering & Technical Sciences	Information Technology

This course provides an introduction to creating, editing, and analyzing 3D models. It develops foundational skills to work with, and navigate the digital 3D modeling workspace to create 3D objects and integrates math and literacy. The basic elements of the 3D development of modeling, texturing, lighting, animating, and rendering are explored. Along with building foundational skills in 3D modeling, students work toward the advanced skills of creating 3D models with moveable parts. This expands on students' knowledge from prior courses with regards to drafting 3D parts in TinkerCAD and/or SketchUp. New technology of Autodesk Fusion 360 is introduced.

 

Career Concentration Area	Pathways
Engineering & Technical Sciences	Manufacturing Creative Construction

This is a CABE model Bylaw 9325.1 recommended to be adopted by the Bristol Board of Education with modifying #1 to read as - A minimum of five members of the Board of Education shall constitute a quorum at any regular or special meeting of the Board. In the absence of a quorum, the Board may take no action except to adjourn to another date. A majority of the votes of those present shall be required to pass or defeat any motion. This was reviewed in the Policy Meeting on August 28, 2024. Bylaw 9325.1 was approved to be moved to the full board for approval.

Bylaw 9340 was reviewed in the Policy Meeting on October 23, 2024. Bylaw 9340 was reviewed, approved to be kept as is, and moved to the full board for approval.

The School, Family, and Community Partnership Committee Goal was reviewed and approved in the October 23, 2024, SFCP meeting. It is being moved to the full board for approval.

The School, Family and Community Partnership Strategic Action Plan was reviewed and approved in the October 23, 2024, SFCP meeting. It is being moved to the full board for approval.

The Board will discuss any new business proper to come before the Board.

Commissioners will report to the Board on any groups/organizations in which they serve as Board of Education Liaisons and information pertinent to the Board.

1. Discussion concerning records of collective bargaining strategy with respect to negotiations with AFSCME 818 Supervisory Contract (proposed for executive session).

2. Discussion concerning records of collective bargaining strategy with respect to negotiations with AFSCME 2267 Contract (proposed for executive session).

The Board of Education should reconvene into Public Session to take votes on matters discussed in Executive Session.

There being no other business to come before the Board, the meeting should be adjourned.