April 3, 2024 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Meeting

Rationale: 
1. Eileen Mary Edith Engels - Teacher - Westwood - 1966-1982 and South Side 1983-1998

Rationale: 
 

Rationale:   

In recognition of the good work that is being done on a daily basis, CABE established the Awards of Excellence for Educational Communications in 1975.  Effective communications with parents and taxpayers in a school district is a very significant part of the district's operation.  It is important for the community to be aware of the exciting activities and events taking place in our schools each day.

In 2016 the award was renamed in honor of longtime CABE staff member Bonnie B. Carney, who spent much of her 47 years at CABE focused on communications.

Becky Tyrrell, Associate Director of CABE and Board Chair for Plainville Public Schools will present the award.

Rationale: 

In March of 2024, Gina Gallo took a group of Bristol Students to Italy. Three students were awarded funding through the Italian American Council of Education and the Coccia Fund to defray the cost of the trip. The winning applications and job descriptions are listed below:

• Brittany Cantres Cruz was awarded $1000 as the "trip journalist," tasked with journaling and recording the week of travel and sharing with fellow travelers, administration, and the BOE

• Grace Higgins was awarded $800 as the trip photographer, tasked with capturing the week of travel through photography to be shared with fellow travelers, families, and the community.

• Mya Santiago was awarded $500 as the "social media blogger," tasked with taking over the @italianoaBCHS Instagram handle and posting daily updates so parents, staff, and friends could follow along.

One additional student, James Bellemare, did not receive funding for his trip but took on a special project under the guidance of Mr. Jonathan Horan. James borrowed a high-tech camera and was in charge of the school’s Fliker account. James captured every aspect of the trip through an artistic and creative approach to photography. He hopes to pursue a career in video and photography editing and this will become a piece of his portfolio. 

Rationale:  The Board of Education will vote to approve any Regular or Special Meeting Minutes:

1. March 6, 2024 - Regular Meeting Minutes
2. March 18, 2024 - Special Meeting Minutes
 

Rationale: 

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

Rationale: 
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
Isabel Paolina - Senior                              Rita Gao - Senior
Abigail Wasta - Junior *                            Peyton Troth - Junior *                                                        

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

1. Introduction and Welcome

Rationale: 

Dr. Carbone will report/update the Board on the following topics:

1. Update on Strategic Plan 2024-2030
2. Secondary Summer School/ESY
3. April Vacation Dates

Rationale: 
Mancuso, Karen - CHMS - Grade 7 Math Teacher effective June 30, 2024
Sarantides, Amy - EPH - Literacy Instructional Support Teacher effective June 30, 2024

Rationale: 
Carriere, Michelle - WB - Wellness Teacher effective June 19, 2024
DiCristofaro, Lynn - BCHS - Special Education Teacher effective June 19, 2024
Keegan, Christopher - CHMS - Social Studies Teacher effective June 19, 2023
Mark, Katherine - GH - Kindergarten Teacher effective June 19, 2024
O’Connell, Justin - NEMS - Special Education (GOAL) Teacher effective April 1, 2024
Petano, Cole - CHMS - Grade 8 ELA Teacher effective June 19, 2024
Pollock, Jillian - GH - Kindergarten Teacher effective June 19, 2024

Rationale: 
Abuhamed, Hoda - CHMS - Computer & Technology Education Teacher effective March 20, 2024
Bazarewsky, Olivia - CW - TESOL Teacher effective March 18, 2024
Maghini, Michele - CW - TESOL Teacher effective March 18, 2024

Rationale: 
Adinolfi, Rebecca - STAF - Grade 4 Teacher effective on April 1, 2024, through the end of the 23-24 school
year.
Bazarewsky, Olivia - EPH - TESOL Teacher effective May 13, 2024, through the end of the 23-24 school year
LaMarre, Marie - SSS - Grade 2 Teacher effective June 7, 2024, through the end of the 23-24 school year

Rationale: 
The PEP grant that is being applied for is a 4-year grant cycle that runs from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2028.  This is a federally funded grant that is intended to provide opportunities for the expansion and enhancement of existing educational programs and services for adults who lack the level of basic skills and literacy necessary to be effective parents, citizens, and employees.  The priority areas that we intend to bid to enhance the programming that is provided at Bristol Adult Education are (1) Family Literacy Services,  (2) Instructional Innovation, and (3) Transition, Career Navigation, and Support.

Rationale:   

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 shared with Commissioners 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

Rationale: 

Traditionally, the closing day of school, as well as the high school graduation date, has been set at the April Board meeting. 
Based on the summary of closing dates and upon completion of 181 school days, the last day of school for the 2023-2024 school year will be Tuesday, June 18, 2024.*

Promotional exercises at middle schools take place in the morning, on Tuesday, June 18, 2024.

High school graduations will be scheduled for the evening of Tuesday, June 18, 2024.

Summary of Closings to Date:

School Closed: 12/18, 1/10 (B Prep, BE, BC, BAIMS, CHMS, NEMS), 1/16, 2/13
Late Openings: 1/8, 1/10 (ID, EDGE PreK, MTV, STAF, SS, EPH, GH, WB), 1/17, 1/24, 2/14
Early Dismissal: 9/8

* This date is subject to change in the event additional emergency closing days are required between now and the conclusion of the academic year. 
 

Rationale: 

Mrs. Anya Rochester and Mrs. Nadia DeRoy and would like to provide students at Bristol Central and Bristol Eastern High Schools the opportunity to expand their classrooms by visiting Quebec City in late February of 2025. Students would experience a range of Quebecois traditions and cultural aspects in a few days, including making Maple syrup, exploring Old Quebec, and experiencing carnival. 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 in their use of a second language, qualities that stay with them throughout their academic, professional and personal lives. 

The dates of the proposed trip are from Thursday, February 13, 2025 - Sunday, February 16, 2025. Two school days would be taken in order to go on this trip. 

Rationale: 

The Board has requested an end-of-the-winter season report. Cera Galluzo, Athletic Director, will present the report including the following topics:

• Participant numbers, event numbers, accomplishments by sport

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

Rationale: 

The policy committee voted to forward Policy 4117.6 Exit Survey/Interview to the full board for consideration. The policy identifies that all BPS employees, upon separation, will be offered an opportunity for an exit survey/interview.

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

Rationale: 

Any communications/information regarding building projects:

1. Chippens Underground Storage Tank
2. BAIMS Building Update
3. NEMS Building Committee Report
4. ESSER/ARP Building Committee Update
5. Edgewood Project Update
6. Culinary Arts Project Updates
7. Athletic Fields and Site Improvements

Rationale: 

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.

Information:
1. Kidsight

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