Bridgeport · In the State

Newly Elected Bridgeport BOE Member Jessica Martinez Explains Why She Ran And What She Sees As Her Path Forward

Today, I am extremely honored to announce that I have been elected to the Bridgeport Board of Education. I am eager for the opportunity to represent all parents and students in Bridgeport, and I hope to be an advocate for our community as we move the district forward. In Bridgeport, we are chartering a new… Continue reading Newly Elected Bridgeport BOE Member Jessica Martinez Explains Why She Ran And What She Sees As Her Path Forward

Bridgeport · In the State

Bassick HS Principal Decision: Is This What Happens When AFT Connecticut “Defuses” Parent Trigger?

Connecticut’s parent trigger law, passed in 2010, was supposed to empower parents — but if what’s going on at Bassick High School in Bridgeport is any indication the law isn’t working the way it should. Last week, it was announced that Bassick is getting a new principal. The tenth in less than a decade and… Continue reading Bassick HS Principal Decision: Is This What Happens When AFT Connecticut “Defuses” Parent Trigger?

Bridgeport

This Is What Disparity Looks Like: One Bridgeport Parent Pleads For School Board To Visit Schools

“You have to deal with what’s given to you” isn’t how education should work, but that’s exactly how Bridgeport mom Celia Vizcarrondo feels. On Monday night she spoke during Bridgeport’s regular school board meeting, along with other parents organized by the advocacy group Faith Acts. Faith Acts is a non-profit that’s been working for the past… Continue reading This Is What Disparity Looks Like: One Bridgeport Parent Pleads For School Board To Visit Schools

Bridgeport · In the State

Are We Really Back Here Again? Fighting Over City-Run After-School Program Boils Over

Does this scene look familiar? It should. pic.twitter.com/G7ZfecJDuv — linda lambeck (@lclambeck) May 23, 2017 (video above is from a tweet by Connecticut Post report Linda Lambeck’s) As you can see, this exchange has happened before. Bridgeport Board of Education member Maria Pereira has been fighting with former City Attorney Mark Anastasi (and the city as… Continue reading Are We Really Back Here Again? Fighting Over City-Run After-School Program Boils Over

Bridgeport

UPDATE: Caustic Political Environment Nearly Claims Another Victim: Day Later Superintendent Candidate Decides To Give It Another Shot

UPDATE:  It turns out Bridgeport’s superintendent pool is back to two.  On Tuesday, a day after school board members were informed that Angella Katrise Perera was dropping out of the running for superintendent, Perera decided she may “something to offer the district.” Perera had dropped out of the running on Sunday, after receiving “inappropriate” messages… Continue reading UPDATE: Caustic Political Environment Nearly Claims Another Victim: Day Later Superintendent Candidate Decides To Give It Another Shot

In the State

UPDATE: Bridgeport Parents Stage 1.5 Mile Protest Walk Against Busing Policy Change

UPDATE: Good news. On Monday, no vote on this issue took place. That doesn’t mean that the school board can’t change the busing distance, just that a decision has yet to be made. As of yet, the issue is not on any upcoming agendas. On Monday, the Bridgeport Board of Education may vote on changing the… Continue reading UPDATE: Bridgeport Parents Stage 1.5 Mile Protest Walk Against Busing Policy Change

Bridgeport · In the State

On Eve Of Trump’s Inauguration, In Bridgeport, Immigrant Justice Activists Rallied For Education Equity and Sanctuary

On the eve of Donald Trump’s inauguration, a group often overlooked demanded to be heard: Bridgeport’s Spanish-speaking and immigrant parents. Yesterday, about a dozen parents and students organized by Make The Road, an immigrants’ rights group, marched in front of Bassick High School — one of lowest performing high schools in the state — brandishing… Continue reading On Eve Of Trump’s Inauguration, In Bridgeport, Immigrant Justice Activists Rallied For Education Equity and Sanctuary

Bridgeport · In the State

New Beginnings Family Academy’s Ronelle P. Swagerty Schools Detractors On Charter Innovation

As of late, collaboration between charter schools and traditional public schools has been a big topic of discussion in Connecticut — specifically, whether charters are working as the “laboratories for innovation” that they were meant to be (which, in itself, is debatable). The reason for the sudden uptick in focus is pretty obvious. With the governor announcing… Continue reading New Beginnings Family Academy’s Ronelle P. Swagerty Schools Detractors On Charter Innovation

Bridgeport · In the State

Bridgeport Teachers Speak Out On Effects Of High Superintendent Turnover

Over the last year, the state’s three largest school districts – Bridgeport, New Haven and Hartford – abruptly lost their superintendents to resignation. This revolving door of school leaders is nothing new for Connecticut’s urban school districts and unfortunately, falls in line with trends across the country. Hartford has gone through nearly a dozen superintendents over… Continue reading Bridgeport Teachers Speak Out On Effects Of High Superintendent Turnover

Bridgeport

Bridgeport BOE Elect Joe Larcheveque As Chair; Resume Meetings

The Bridgeport Board of Education was full of surprises last night —  after months of division, during their yearly organizational meeting, members unanimously voted in favor of electing Republican Joe Larcheveque as their chair. The nomination came as a shock even to Larcheveque, who appeared startled when Howard Gardner announced he was nominating him for… Continue reading Bridgeport BOE Elect Joe Larcheveque As Chair; Resume Meetings