Dear School Community: This year’s spring recess feels different from others. After facing many challenges and adapting to the unexpected, a break for students, staff and families is something to cherish. As we begin to see and experience more normalcy, you may become less vigilant about adhering to simple measures that keep you and your loved ones safe. ... READ MORE >
All families can receive free meals for children 18 and under on Thursday, 4/8/21 between 10AM - 12PM at Branford High School. Please let us know if you think you will come so that we can plan accordingly by filling out this quick survey if you have not already done so. An RSVP is appreciated but not required. Thank you! READ MORE >
Please see this important document from the Connecticut Department of Public Health and the Connecticut State Department of Education. READ MORE >
March 29, 2021 Dear Parents and Guardians, Each year, public schools in Connecticut are required by the state and federal governments to administer a number of mandated assessments to measure student progress towards the standards articulated in the Connecticut Core Standards and Next Generation Science Standards. While there were state and federal discussions... READ MORE >
Dear Parents & Guardians, Our first week of full in-person instruction for elementary students has been a success. With your support and the staff’s expertise, the children are adapting to full classrooms and are becoming reacquainted with peers. Starting on Monday, intermediate students are scheduled to transition, followed by high school students a... READ MORE >
BPS continues to serve free meals to all children 18 and under, both in school as well as at a remote learning pick-up site (BHS.) As a reminder, remote meals are intended for students who are not in school on a given day. These meals can be picked up between 11AM-12PM at BHS. (Please note the new time frame.)Free weekend meals for any child can be picked up at... READ MORE >
At its March 17, 2021 regular Board of Education meeting, the school board committed to providing a mechanism for parents to continue to address communication-related issues that can improve our District. The Board’s Communication Committee will be the vehicle for this mechanism. The public is, as always, welcome to participate. The next meeting of the... READ MORE >
March 12, 2021 Dear Parents/Guardians, At this week’s BOE joint Communication/Teaching & Learning Committee meeting the district presented a framework for a return to full in-person instruction. You can access the full presentation here. We anticipate commencing the transition on Monday, March 22, 2021 with our elementary students. Please review... READ MORE >
Branford Public Schools Temporary Option for Voluntary Remote Learning Contents Information for Families Status Change Forms Homeschooling 1. Information for Families That Connecticut State Department of Education requires districts to offer families the option for their child(ren) to engage in voluntary remote learning. While such students remain enrolled... READ MORE >
Students participating in the voluntary remote learning option may return to in-person attendance by completing the Return to District Model form. Parents/Guardians should complete one form per child. Requests to return to the district model may take up to ten (10) school days to process. Although the District will strive to keep the same placement/schedule as the... READ MORE >
Dear Parents and Guardians, Tomorrow night, the administration will present a framework to return to full in-person instruction. Up to this point, the hybrid model has permitted schools to remain open since September and we are fortunate no school has been forced into full remote learning. As the public health metrics change and trend downward, and the... READ MORE >
Dear Parents and Guardians, In recent weeks, I have spoken to many of you regarding the District’s hybrid model. You have expressed concern about your children’s education and the challenges of supporting their online learning effectively. Many of you have urged a return to in-person learning. Others of you have pointed out the disproportionate impact of... READ MORE >
The good news continues! All breakfasts and lunches continue to be free to all children 18 and under through the end of the 2021 school year. These are served both in the schools and through the takeout window at BHS Monday through Friday from 10AM-12PM. The videos linked below provide more information about the details of this free program. English... READ MORE >
ARE YOU 75 OR OLDER? DO YOU HAVE A FAMILY MEMBER OR FRIEND 75 OR OLDER? SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR A COVID VACCINE NOW. Online: https://dphsubmissions.ct.gov/OnlineVaccine Telephone: Those without internet access can call Connecticut’s COVID Vaccine Appointment Assistance Line at 877-918-2224. The line will take... READ MORE >
Linked here are the results of the budget survey. The survey was open to BPS families and the community. The results will be used to inform and develop the FY22 budget. We thank everyone who took the time to complete the survey. READ MORE >
Dear Parents and Guardians: As you may have heard, the CDC has released new quarantine guidelines. However, as of today, the CT Governor’s office has not announced any changes to the quarantine periods we currently follow. Therefore, the CT DPH quarantine periods, which are what the district follows, have not changed. Should the DPH make a change, we will be... READ MORE >
Dear Branford Public Schools Community: Happy Holidays! I hope your winter break is full of relaxation and good health. Like so much of 2020, this year’s holiday season is shaping up to be a first. As we prepare to take a long-deserved respite, I implore you to remain vigilant about following public health measures. During the winter break it is important... READ MORE >
Dear Parents/Guardians and Community Members: The purpose of this letter is to notify you of the most recent information on COVID (+) cases in the District. While we can expect additional positive cases this week, we have no known school transmission of the virus. If the public health department determines the virus is being transmitted in school, all... READ MORE >
Dear Parents and Guardians: Happy Thanksgiving! As you prepare for the long holiday weekend. I hope you take a moment to reflect on the amazing and unpredictable journey you have been on. The sacrifices you have made are significant and while your routine has been disrupted, frequently at times, you have persevered to make the best out of the tumult... READ MORE >
Dear Parents/Guardians and Community Members: The purpose of this letter is to notify you of the most recent information on COVID (+) cases in the District. While we can expect additional positive cases this week, we have no known school transmission of the virus. If the public health department determines the virus is being transmitted in school, all... READ MORE >
Dear Parents/Guardians and Community Members: In recent days we have experienced an increase in reported COVID (+) cases. Today the District was notified that a member of the John B. Sliney School community has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total number of COVID (+) cases to 24 since school reopened. The affected person was last in... READ MORE >
Dear Parents/Guardians and Community Members: In recent days we have experienced an increase in reported COVID (+) cases. Today the District was notified that a member of the Mary T. Murphy School community has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total number of COVID (+) cases to 23 since school reopened. The affected person was last... READ MORE >
Dear Parents/Guardians and Community Members: We continue to experience an increase in reported COVID (+) cases. The District was notified that four more members of the school community, two at Walsh Intermediate School, one at Mary T. Murphy School and one at John B. Sliney School, have tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total number of... READ MORE >
Dear Parents/Guardians and Community Members: We continue to experience an increase in reported COVID (+) cases. The District was notified that two more members of the school community, one at Mary T. Murphy School and one at Branford High School, tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total number of COVID (+) cases to date to 18. The... READ MORE >
November 13, 2020 Dear Parents/Guardians and Community Members: We continue to experience an increase in reported COVID (+) cases. Today the District was notified that a member of the Walsh Intermediate School community has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total number of COVID (+) cases to 16. The affected person was last in school on... READ MORE >
Dear Parents/Guardians and Community Members: In recent days we have experienced an increase in reported COVID (+) cases. Today the District was notified that a member of the Walsh Intermediate School community has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total number of COVID (+) cases to 15. The affected person was last in school on... READ MORE >
Dear Parents/Guardians and Community Members: We are experiencing an increase in reported COVID (+) cases. Over the weekend the District was notified that two more members of the school community, one at Branford High School and one at Mary T. Murphy Elementary School, have tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total number of COVID (+)... READ MORE >
Dear Parents/Guardians and Community Members: In recent days we have experienced an increase in reported COVID (+) cases. The District was notified that two more members of the school community, one at Branford High School and one at Mary R. Tisko Elementary School, have tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total number of COVID (+) cases... READ MORE >
November 4, 2020 Dear Parents/Guardians and Community Members: In recent days we have experienced an increase in reported COVID (+) cases. Today, the District was notified that a member of the Walsh Intermediate School community tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total number of COVID (+) cases to 10. The affected person has been... READ MORE >
Dear Parents/Guardians and Community Members: Over the weekend we were notified that a member of the Branford High School community tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total number of COVID(+) cases to 9 as of today. The affected person has been instructed to remain on home isolation for 10 days. Anyone who is considered a “close... READ MORE >
Dear Parents and Community Members: The District was notified this morning that another member of the school community tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total number of COVID(+) cases to 8 as of today. The affected person has been instructed to remain on home isolation for 10 days. Anyone who is considered a “close contact” with this... READ MORE >
Dear Parents and Community Members: In the past two days, the District was notified that three members of the school community tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). These cases, one at Mary T. Murphy and two at Walsh Intermediate School, were unrelated. The affected persons have been instructed to remain on home isolation for 10 days. Anyone who is... READ MORE >
Dear Parents/Guardians, With the winter months approaching, it is critical that we all play our part by monitoring our own and our children’s health. Please keep a child who is not feeling well at home. If your child is experiencing any of the symptoms listed below, please contact your medical provider. Fever (100.4° Fahrenheit or higher) Chills or... READ MORE >
Free meals are available to all children in our community who are 18 and under. Whether your child is learning in school, learning remotely, or if you know a child who does not attend our schools, free breakfast and lunch is available either at school or at the pick-up window at the high school. Please remember that each student may take a maximum of one... READ MORE >
Dear Parents and Community Members: Today, the District was notified that two members of the school community tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). These cases, one at Mary T. Murphy and one at Branford High School, were unrelated. The affected persons were last in school on Thursday, October 15, 2020 and Friday, October 16, 2020, respectively. They... READ MORE >
Dear Parents and Community Members: Late yesterday afternoon, John B. Sliney School was notified that a member of the school community tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). The affected person was last in school on Tuesday, October 6th, and has been instructed to remain on home isolation for 10 days. Anyone who is considered a “close contact” with this... READ MORE >
Dear Parents/Guardians: With the first full week of October arriving, I want to provide our school community a brief update. I also wish to acknowledge we all want to return to some fashion of normalcy. It is hard to be patient when one is surrounded by uncertainty and information overload. At this point, we have experienced one COVID + case in the... READ MORE >
Dear Parents and Community Members: This morning, Branford High School was notified that a member of our school community has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). The affected person was last in school on Tuesday, September 22nd, and has been instructed to remain on home isolation for 10 days. Anyone who is considered a “close contact” with this person... READ MORE >
Dear Parents and Guardians, This year is shaping up to be like none other and it is imperative that we approach the start of school with a realistic expectation. I appreciate your tireless effort during the changes we have had to make due to COVID 19. As we move into the first full week of school you can expect to experience some delays during arrival and... READ MORE >
Dear Families and members of the Branford Public Schools community: Recently the Board Chair and one other member of the Board of Education (BOE) resigned from their positions on the Board. As Vice Chair of the BOE, I want to reassure you on behalf of the Board that this development will not impede our ability to carry out our duties. We have policies and... READ MORE >
Dear parents and guardians: As we continue our school reopening planning, the District prepared a brief presentation titled Branford Public Schools Reopening School 2020-2021. Viewing this short presentation may answer some of your questions and help you to formulate others to ask during tomorrow’s BOE-sponsored Reopening Town Hall. We have also prepared the... READ MORE >
Dear Parents/Guardians: Since my last email on August 7, 2020, the hybrid reopening structure has been refined to the point we can share the framework with you. Please note the information you are being provided today will be part of the District’s reopening presentation that will be sent to you on the 18th of August and discussed in the BoE Town Hall on August... READ MORE >
August 7, 2020 Dear Parents/Guardians: I hope you are well and thank you for understanding the complexities associated with reopening school in the fall. Since March 13, 2020, your life and that of your children have been disrupted in unimaginable ways. You have made major changes in your life with each one a sacrifice. Unfortunately, there are no easy answers... READ MORE >
Reopening Communication #2 Dear Parents/Guardians: My communication of July 17, 2020 had important information regarding school reopening. Since that communication, the District responded and met the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) requirement to populate a template on how the District’s three reopening models meet the requirements set by... READ MORE >
Reopening Communication #1 Dear Parents/Guardians: The CSDE recently released their plan to reopen CT schools in the fall. That document can be accessed at the CSDE website or by clicking here. School districts must develop reopening plans that address three scenarios: full in-person schooling due to minimal community spread of COVID-19, blended learning... READ MORE >
A Message from the BOE/Superintendent of Schools: In the wake of tragic national events and the subsequent protests against racism and for social justice, our attention as leaders, rightfully so, is focused on leading a complex school system towards a more just and inclusive tomorrow. The Branford Public Schools district leadership team acknowledges that... READ MORE >
May 22, 2020 Dear Parents/Guardians: Throughout the school closure your exceptional acts for your family have been inspirational. Supporting your child emotionally, socially, and educationally during the pandemic is difficult and even more so, when you consider the other things you manage. You are remarkable! Over time, the current situation will change but... READ MORE >
Click here to see the results of the parent survey about BPS Flex Learning. READ MORE >
May 12, 2020 Dear Parents/Guardians: I hope this email finds you well. As you heard last week, Governor Lamont, through executive order, announced schools would remain closed for the remainder of the year. Hearing this news certainly creates additional feelings and emotions about the remaining weeks of schools. As we look to conclude the school year,... READ MORE >
May 1, 2020 Dear Parents and Guardians: As we complete another week of BPS Flex Learning, thank you for your commitment as partners in the education of your child during this remarkable time in our history. In our quest to continuously improve, we particularly appreciate the feedback many of you have provided on the flex learning satisfaction survey. The link... READ MORE >
April 23, 2020Dear Parents and Guardians: I hope this communication finds you and your family safe and healthy. Your personal and family journey adjusting to the COVID-19 environment must be taxing on many levels. We are committed to working with you to alleviate some of the strain you are feeling by providing educational opportunities through BPS Flex Learning. ... READ MORE >
April 8, 2020 Dear Parents and Guardians, Although it has only been a few days since the last letter from the District, it has been a busy few days. This update is being provided before the long weekend so that you can plan accordingly. On Monday, April 6, 2020, the Branford Board of Education voted to allow the school calendar to be adjusted to reflect our... READ MORE >
Important Update from the Superintendent of Schools READ MORE >
Parent Information about BPS Flex Learning READ MORE >
Important Update Regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) - March 20, 2020 READ MORE >
Important Update Regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) - March 19, 2020 READ MORE >
Important Update Regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) - March 18, 2020 READ MORE >
Important Update Regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) - March 17, 2020 READ MORE >
Important Update Regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) - March 16, 2020 READ MORE >
Important Update Regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) - March 13, 2020 READ MORE >
Important Update Regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) - March 12, 2020 READ MORE >
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update - March 10, 2020 READ MORE >
Letter Regarding Novel Coronavirus - February 28, 2020 READ MORE >
Superintendent's Letter to WIS Parents & Guardians READ MORE >
2019-2020 Safe School Climate Letter to Parents READ MORE >
Letter to K-4 Parents READ MORE >
We, the members of the Branford Public School community, are committed to developing lifelong learners who are capable and confident, who contribute to their community, and who succeed in a changing global society. Institutional Priorities In order to achieve this mission, the faculty and administration of the Branford Public Schools join with parents and members... READ MORE >
Vision for Curriculum Development The Branford Public Schools believes that... content knowledge must be organized into meaningful patterns in order for students to retain what they have learnedstudents must have an ample opportunity to apply their knowledge in a... READ MORE >