Bristol Township School District
February 2024
Letter from the Superintendent
Dear Bristol Township School Community,
We have reached the milestone of 100 days of school, signifying that we are more than halfway through the school year, and there is no shortage of excitement within our schools. Our students continue to engage and achieve in their classrooms, activities and athletics.
February is Black History Month and students have been learning about influential African Americans, completing research projects, art projects, and more. At Bristol Township School District, we believe in celebrating all cultures and histories year-round in our curriculum. This month, schools also celebrated Valentine's Day in various ways. Coffee and sweet treat carts were brought around schools to staff and faculty members, and students participated in holiday-themed projects, including creating Valentine's Cards to senior citizens.
In our newsletter, we are highlighting the importance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in our Alumna Spotlight with Arrionna Robinson, Class of 2023, as well as highlighting triple-threat (sports, academics, theatre) Jayden Gaines in our Senior Spotlight. Additionally, you will find the 2024-2025 Calendar, approved by the School Board.
Please enjoy this month's newsletter.
Sincerely,
Michael Nitti
Superintendent of Schools
Influential African Americans Project
Learning about Civil Rights icon Ruby Bridges
Creating Valentine's Cards for Senior Citizens
BTSD Proud: Celebrating Staff & Student Success
Truman DECA Win
Congratulations to Meghan Brogan of Truman DECA for placing top 5 in her category, Marketing Communications. Meghan qualifies for the DECA International Career Development Conference in Anaheim, CA!
Debate Team First Place
Congratulations to Kathleen Olsen and Natalee Smith, first place tournament champions in duo interpretation at the University of Pennsylvania tournament!
Improving School Performance Conference
Chief Academic Officer Amy Coleman, Elementary Supervisor Bernadette Hannah, and Instructional Coaches Jessica Festa and Jillian Cargill presented at the Title I Improving School Performance Conference hosted by the PA Association of Federal Program Coordinators in Pittsburgh.
Their presentation "Rowing To Effective Literacy Instruction" highlighted the transformation of Bristol Township School District's curriculum and systems as they began to implement a multi-tiered system of support for all students within the district. They discussed creating a plan, professional learning, and resource acquisition as they moved from a disjointed to cohesive system of support for students.
Improving School Performance Conference
Sarah Mastrull
Keystones Technology Innovator
Malikah Upchurch
Keystones Technology Innovator
Keystones Technology Innovators
Sarah Mastrull, mathematics instructional coach at Franklin Middle School, and Malikah Upchurch, instructional coach at Armstrong Middle School, were chosen as a Keystones Technology Innovators for 2024! Mastrull was nominated by Principal Kevin Boles and Upchurch was nominated by Assistant Principal Jeana Sabatini-Gilbert
A Keystones Technology Innovator is a classroom teacher who fully utilizes the many benefits technology offers to improve instructional practices across his/her content areas. In doing this, the teacher does not focus on the technology itself; rather, s/he focuses on student learning and uses technology as a tool to support this end.
Mastrull and Upchurch join over 3,500 teachers across PA, and will have the opportunity to collaborate with others at the annual summit!
Shirt Off My Back
Seniors in winter sports nominated a Bristol Township teacher, past or present, who has made a profound impact on them not only in the classroom setting, but also in the students’ life outside of the classroom.
Alumna Spotlight: Arrionna Robinson
Arrionna Robinson, a 2023 alumna and senior class president, is currently attending Howard University, a private, historically black research institution that was founded in 1867.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are public and private institutions established before the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in the United States. During slavery and segregation HBCUs provided Black people with access to education that other schools denied them of.
Robinson is currently a political science major, planning to attend law or graduate school after undergrad.
Read more about Arrionna's experience attending a HBCU here.
February Senior Spotlight: Jayden Gaines
School Board Approves Calendar
Foundation of the Arts Students of the Month
Leah Wyatt
Hope Smith
Hubert Miksiewics
National School Counseling Week Feb. 5-9
Our counselors wear many hats and support our students in many ways, including providing mental health support, academic support, supporting families who may be homeless. They also help students navigate the transition into post high school life whether that’s college, trade school or entering the job market.
Thank you to all our counselors who make a difference in the lives of so many of our students and families!
Spring Musical Tickets on Sale
Online only!
Ticket sales for "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" - and all Truman Drama productions moving forward - will be sold online only, and sales will end one hour prior to each performance. There will be no door sales or contacting Truman to hold/reserve tickets.
Round Up at Giant to Support BTSD Students
BTSD is proud to be a part of the Giant Feeding School Kids initiative! From January 1 – March 31, you can round up at the register to support our school district’s efforts working to eliminate childhood hunger.
Through this initiative, BTSD and other public school districts can use funds to support meal programs to expand food distribution programs, create on-campus food pantries and gardens, supply extra weekend meals, and eliminate outstanding student meal debt.
Join us as we round up to fight hunger within BTSD!
Calendar
Connect with us!
District Administration
5 Blue Lake Road, Levittown, PA, USA
215-943-3200
https://bristoltwpsd.org/
Social media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bristoltownshipschooldistrict
Instagram @bristoltwpsd
X/Twitter: @BristolTwpSD