September 25, 2025 • 18 mins
In this inaugural episode of From Forest to Shore, hosts Michelle and Matt sit down with Acting Superintendent Heather Borges to discuss the future of education in their community. They explore the district's four key priorities for the upcoming school year: student success, innovation, well-being, and community partnerships. The conversation touches on how these priorities will shape the educational experience for all students and how families can get involved to support a thriving school community. Find our guest, Acting Superintendent Heather Borges on Instagram at instagram.com/spssupt.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Welcome, everyone, to the officialpodcast of the Straffer Public Schools.
(00:09):
From forest to shore, I'm Matthew Rivers,Director of Operational Technology.
And I'm Dr. Michelle Eckler,Director of Instructional Technology.
We're here to share the stories thatconnect our community, all of which
reflect our mission to support the growthof the whole student through a challenging
and inspiring education within asafe and inclusive environment.
(00:30):
Every episode, we'll introduce you to thevery people who embody our portrait of a
graduate, the communicators,collaborators, lifelong learners, and
solution-driven problem solverswho make our district shine.
Like our town motto, our Schools andClassrooms are a tapestry of diverse
students and dedicated staff, and webelieve every one of
(00:51):
them has a story to tell.
It's more than just a podcast.
It's a journey through theheart of our community.
We'll be your guide sharing the latestdistrict news, diving into important
policies, and highlighting theachievements of the people who
make our schools exceptional.
We invite you to join us as we have honestconversations and share key updates.
(01:13):
This podcast is for all of us, thestudents, the staff, the families, and the
community members who takepride in our collective work.
It's a place to get informed, feelconnected, and be inspired by the
power of education in Stratford.
We're proud to share these stories withyou, and we can't wait
for you to hear them.
(01:34):
Hi, everyone.
Welcome to our very firstepisode of From Forest to Shore.
We are so excited to have youall with us on this journey.
As we launch this podcast, we want to talkabout the things that
connect our community.
And at the center of that is our missionto support the growth of the whole student
through a challengingand inspiring education.
(01:55):
We have the perfect guestto kick off our series.
We're joined by our acting Superintendentof Schools, Heather Borges.
Welcome, Ms. Borges.
Thank you.I am so honored to be your first guest.
We're very excited to have you here.Yes.
So we have our first question for you.
So we know that our district hasidentified four key priorities for the
upcoming year (02:15):
student success, innovation, well-being,
and community partnership.
What was the driving force behindfocusing on these specific areas?
That is a wonderful question.
These priorities really grew outof conversations, conversations with our
students, staff, families,and community members.
(02:36):
We wanted to be intentional about aligningour work to what matters most, helping
students succeed academically,preparing them for a changing the world
and ensuring that they are supportedsocially and emotionally,
and recognizing that schools thrivewhen the entire community is engaged.
So these four are not isolated.
They actually intersectand strengthen each other.
(02:59):
So That's such a great point.
And I mean, that's one of the biggestreasons that we decided to move forward
with this podcast, too, is to reallytry to engage our community members.
And eventuallyour students at some point, right?
Promoting student voiceIt's just like you said.
Exactly.Another question for you.
Our Portrait of a Graduate describes thestudents we want to see thrive in
(03:23):
Stratfordas communicators, collaborators, lifelong
learners, and solutionSolution-driven problem solvers.
How do our district priorities helpus foster those kinds of skills?
Well, this is a big year forthe Portrait of a Graduate.
We are really putting a lot of effortinto going from poster to practice.
(03:45):
So the portrait of agraduate is our vision.
It's the skills and habits our studentsneed to be successful in
life, not just in school.
By focusing on innovation, we encouragecreativity and problem solving.
By prioritizing well-being, we helpstudents build resilience and empathy.
We cannot do this without our communitypartnerships
because the community partnerships exposestudents to real-world opportunities
(04:10):
to collaborate and communicate.
And student success isat the core of that.
So it ensures that the academic foundationis there so that those
skills can flourish.
And when we bring this to life,we're able to make partnerships.
We received a phone call from theStratford PD who wants to partner with
both Bannelle and Stratford high schooland provide an opportunity for students to
(04:32):
have a real life dive into whatit's like in the judicial system.
So when our community members reach outand make those partnerships, we're
actually taking that poster and we areputting it out there and making
it real life for our students.
Such a good point.
I mean, that's what wewant education to be.
We want it to go beyondjust the classroom.
(04:53):
We want our students tothrive in the real world.
That's our goal.So that's awesome.
So just remember, not just in in life.Absolutely.
So at the beginning of the school year,when we had our convocation,
you talked about student voice.
And so student voice is a core partof the work our district is doing.
How can students actually engage withteachers and staff to build
(05:15):
strong supportive relationships?
So that's a great question, and it beginswith students seeing themselves
as partners in their learning.
That can look like a student speaking upin class or or sharing an idea during
advisory time, or in leadership groups, oreven just building everyday
(05:39):
connections with their teachers.
When students feel safeto share their perspectives, Teachers can
better meet their needs, and therelationships becomes the
foundation for that growth.
So it's all going to start with thestudents realizing they are
partners in their learning.Right.
And to take that a little bitfurther, we can
(06:04):
start thinking about how to change staffmembers' ideas of how to
incorporate more student voice intothe regular classroom, but outside of the
classroom, we're at some point going tohave some students on
the podcast to get their point of views.
But we definitely need to alsochange the student mindset, but also
(06:28):
change the staff mindset to-Theyneed to be authentically involved.
Right.Exactly.
If they're here and they're on thispodcast or if they are our new
videographers for all of our committeemeetings, they were an integral
part of our convocation.
If our students becomethoroughly involved in the everyday
workings of the community,their voice is going to be heard
(06:52):
in a lot more impactful way.Exactly.
Which hopefully makesthem stay in Stratford.
You always hear of high school studentstalking about, Oh, I I'm
going to get out of my town.We don't want that.
We want them to stay here.
We want them to come back, go off tocollege, come back and become part of the
community and be able to give back to thecommunity that helped them
when they were growing up.
So that's awesome.
(07:14):
And next question that I wasthinking about when it comes to that
student voice side is, in what ways canstudents really provide feedback to help
improve the teaching and overallschool climate at all of our schools?
I mean, honestly, feedback can besomething as simple as just
(07:36):
filling out the survey, right?
And we're finding better ways to do that.
When we need that student input, schoolsare actually stopping what they're doing
for a minute, asking students to take outtheir Chromebooks and fill out the survey
so that we can actually hear their words.
So we need to make space and time for themto do something as simple
as filling out a survey.
But students can also share their thoughtsthrough their student councils, which run
(07:58):
at all of our schools, and through thestudent advisory at the district level.
Every school has a student advisory memberfrom elementary through high school that
we meet four times a year,and we talk about climate, mental health,
academics, and we can reallyhear the student's voice in that.
When students tell us what's working andwhat isn't, it helps us adjust
(08:20):
quickly and keep moving forward.
So again, it could be something verysimple, like just filling out that survey
to give us your opinion, or it could bemore intricate, taking on leadership role,
being a part of student council,being a part of the student advisory.
But either way, we'rehearing what they need.
Right.
Very cool.Yeah, I love that.
Making sure that we are always listeningto what they're saying and actually
(08:43):
having actions related to what they'resaying is so important because just
because they're young doesn'tmean they don't have good ideas.
We want to include thoseideas in everything.
Yeah.
I think that's what they'relooking for is It's not just
someone to listen, but toactually understand what they're saying
(09:07):
and provide feedbackto what they're saying.
They're like, okay, now someone's actuallylistening to my point of view or what
I want to be saying, as opposed to just,okay, thank you for letting us know.
All right.
So this one is very near and dear to myheart, the question that I have for you.
(09:30):
Because being involved in instructionaltechnology, our strategic operating plan
does emphasize digital and AI literacy.
So from your perspective, why is it socritical for our students to develop
these skills for their future successes?
Well, there's a very simple,straightforward answer to start with.
Technology and AI are already shapingevery career field our
(09:54):
students might enter.That is the first thing we have to accept.
Huge piece.Yeah.
Just as reading and writing remainfoundational skills, digital and AI
literacy are now essentials fornavigating the modern world.
We're not just teaching kids how to usedevices, we're helping them think
critically about technology,use it responsibly, and understand both
(10:16):
its opportunities and its challenges.
That digital fluency builds on rather thanreplaces traditional literacy and ensures
that our students graduate ready to Thrivein a future where AI AI
is part of everyday life.
Yeah, it's so important.I mean, you're right.
Ai is not going anywhere.
(10:36):
People don't realize that it's beena part of our lives for a while.
It's just now that we are seeing thingslike ChatGPT and Gemini AI, they're
becoming more prominent in the workforce.
And a lot of organizations arestarting to promote the use of AI.
I was actually chatting with a colleaguefrom one of the organizations that I'm a
(11:00):
member with, they're actually encouragingpeople to use AI in creating their
proposals for their conference coming upbecause they know that some of the
questions that they ask are very detailedand it's a lot to write for someone.
When organizations organizations startdoing that, our students are going to
start to see that bepart of their lives, too.
And even ifthey choose to go post-secondary,
(11:26):
college, university, the trades,A lot of companies are now expecting
you to have a base understandingof AI or how to use AI.
I mean, even when you're applyingfor jobs, those companies are
using AI to go through resumes.
So understanding how the AI platforms thatthose companies are using
(11:50):
read through resumes.
Now you have to change the way that youwrite resumes, and
you need to have that understanding now.
Absolutely.Absolutely.
And some colleges have alreadymade a degree track for AI.
So again, I want to see it as somethingthat is enhancing our foundational
learning and preparing our kidsfor those real life activities in
(12:14):
the world they're going to live in.
Because we have no idea whatthat world is going to look like.
No.
Our next question we know at the beginningof the year, and pretty much all year
around, we know that you're outvisiting our schools regularly.
How have you seen our teachers, staff, andstudents already embodying the
(12:37):
spirit of our district's priorities?
Honestly, every visit to our schools, Isee the district priorities alive in
our classrooms and in the hallways.
At the secondary schools, students areleading through their vibrant groups,
advisory groups, affinity groups.
(12:57):
They are taking on leadership roles.
At the elementary level, I've watchedproject-based lessons that tie directly to
our Portrait of a Graduate, whichis really new for this year.
So for me to already be seeing that when Iwent around on data and collaboration day,
how they're tying that Portrait of aGraduate into the
elementary was heartwarming.
Kids are working together.
They are problem solving.
(13:18):
They are presenting theirideas with confidence.
I see teachers integrating technologythoughtfully,
including the video production students Ijust spoke about that are now They're
coming to work for us at the Board of Ed.
And as far as our staff, they consistentlygo above and beyond checking on students'
well-being, modeling restorative practice,and creating safe, welcoming
(13:42):
environments in every building.
I think our partnerships with family andcommunity groups are visible every day,
whether it's the after-school programsthat are run by the YMCA
or learning through work at the parents'place or events like our back-to-school
event, where the whole community cametogether to welcome back to school.
All of these are examples of how Stratfordis living out the spirit of our
(14:05):
priorities in real and meaningful ways.
And a day doesn't go bywhere I don't see that.
Right.
And we're always growing towardsinclusion of everyone
in this process as well.
And even just being in the technologydepartment, we see it every day.
(14:27):
We really do.
Yeah, we do.Definitely.
All right.So I have one last question for you.
This year, we're putting a really bigfocus on well-being and
community partnerships.
What are some ways that families can getinvolved in supporting these priorities
and feel more connected totheir child's school community?
(14:48):
That may be the most importantquestion you've asked so far.
Families are truly the heart ofeverything we do in Stratford.
Getting involved, it doesn'thave to be a huge commitment.
It can be simple.
It could be coming to a concert, joining aPTO meeting, volunteering in a classroom,
or showing up for community eventslike the Back to School Fair.
(15:11):
Every one of those touch pointsstrengthens the sense of
belonging our students feel.
Families also play a powerful role at homeby supporting healthy routines,
encouraging balance, and keepingopen lines of communication.
Most importantly, when families sharetheir voices with us, whether it's an idea
or a a CERN or a celebration,we're creating a partnership.
(15:33):
And that partnership is what turns schoolsinto communities and ensures that every
child feels supported,seen, and ready to thrive.
We need those family connections,no matter how big or small.
And I think now, especially withtechnology from my lens, there's so many
(15:57):
more touch pointsavailable to parents now.
Absolutely.
And they should leverage those becauseif you're not saying your ideas or
even, like you said, your concerns,we don't know about it.
We want to know those things.Right.
(16:18):
That would give me alittle lead into a plug.
Those of you that are listening, if youare a family, a parent or guardian of a
student in our school district, youhaven't yet signed up for your Class Dojo
account, make sure you're doing thatbecause the teachers are posting
regularly about what's going on.
And it's really been really neat to seewhat picture is being painted
(16:42):
of what's going on in our classrooms andseeing how awesome the assignments and
projects and different things that ourstudents are doing that
the teachers are sharing.
So if you haven't signed up yet, make sureyou do that because it'll give you a view.
I think that that's also an importantthing to recognize as
connections as well, right?
You don't You don't have to reach out.You don't have to share.
But just by simply signing up for ClassDojo, staying informed, checking our
(17:05):
website and going to the FamilyCommunication Guidebook, and
making sure you are informed.Brand new this year.
Yes.
Simply by beinginformed, even if you don't act on any of
that, is creating an additional communitypartnership that's vitally important.
Absolutely.
Well, Ms. Borges, thank you very muchfor joining us on our very first episode.
(17:28):
It's clear that the district is committedto collaborative and inclusive approach,
and we appreciate yousharing your insights.
I was honored to be here.
I'm honored to be the first, but I ammore excited to hear the podcast to come.
Yes.
Thank you again, and we are so gratefulfor your time and the work you are doing
to lead and support everystudent in Stratford.
(17:50):
Thank you.Awesome.
Thank you.
And that brings us to the end ofanother episode from Forest to Shore.
Thank you so much for joiningus and for being a of our story.
We're grateful for the opportunity toshare the amazing work happening in our
schools, from theclassrooms to the community.
To stay connected and get all the latestnews from Stratford Public Schools, be
(18:12):
sure to follow us onInstagram at stratfordpsct.
You can also find this on YouTube.
Just search for Stratford Public Schools.
For even more information, includingdistrict news and event calendars,
visit our official website at www.
Stratfordk12.Org.
We hope you feel more connected andinformed, and we'll see you on the
(18:36):
next journey from Forest to shore.
Welcome, everyone, to the officialpodcast of the Straffer Public Schools.
(00:09):
From forest to shore, I'm Matthew Rivers,Director of Operational Technology.
And I'm Dr. Michelle Eckler,Director of Instructional Technology.
We're here to share the stories thatconnect our community, all of which
reflect our mission to support the growthof the whole student through a challenging
and inspiring education within asafe and inclusive environment.
(00:30):
Every episode, we'll introduce you to thevery people who embody our portrait of a
graduate, the communicators,collaborators, lifelong learners, and
solution-driven problem solverswho make our district shine.
Like our town motto, our Schools andClassrooms are a tapestry of diverse
students and dedicated staff, and webelieve every one of
(00:51):
them has a story to tell.
It's more than just a podcast.
It's a journey through theheart of our community.
We'll be your guide sharing the latestdistrict news, diving into important
policies, and highlighting theachievements of the people who
make our schools exceptional.
We invite you to join us as we have honestconversations and share key updates.
(01:13):
This podcast is for all of us, thestudents, the staff, the families, and the
community members who takepride in our collective work.
It's a place to get informed, feelconnected, and be inspired by the
power of education in Stratford.
We're proud to share these stories withyou, and we can't wait
for you to hear them.
(01:34):
Hi, everyone.
Welcome to our very firstepisode of From Forest to Shore.
We are so excited to have youall with us on this journey.
As we launch this podcast, we want to talkabout the things that
connect our community.
And at the center of that is our missionto support the growth of the whole student
through a challengingand inspiring education.
(01:55):
We have the perfect guestto kick off our series.
We're joined by our acting Superintendentof Schools, Heather Borges.
Welcome, Ms. Borges.
Thank you.I am so honored to be your first guest.
We're very excited to have you here.Yes.
So we have our first question for you.
So we know that our district hasidentified four key priorities for the
upcoming year (02:15):
student success, innovation, well-being,
and community partnership.
What was the driving force behindfocusing on these specific areas?
That is a wonderful question.
These priorities really grew outof conversations, conversations with our
students, staff, families,and community members.
(02:36):
We wanted to be intentional about aligningour work to what matters most, helping
students succeed academically,preparing them for a changing the world
and ensuring that they are supportedsocially and emotionally,
and recognizing that schools thrivewhen the entire community is engaged.
So these four are not isolated.
They actually intersectand strengthen each other.
(02:59):
So That's such a great point.
And I mean, that's one of the biggestreasons that we decided to move forward
with this podcast, too, is to reallytry to engage our community members.
And eventuallyour students at some point, right?
Promoting student voiceIt's just like you said.
Exactly.Another question for you.
Our Portrait of a Graduate describes thestudents we want to see thrive in
(03:23):
Stratfordas communicators, collaborators, lifelong
learners, and solutionSolution-driven problem solvers.
How do our district priorities helpus foster those kinds of skills?
Well, this is a big year forthe Portrait of a Graduate.
We are really putting a lot of effortinto going from poster to practice.
(03:45):
So the portrait of agraduate is our vision.
It's the skills and habits our studentsneed to be successful in
life, not just in school.
By focusing on innovation, we encouragecreativity and problem solving.
By prioritizing well-being, we helpstudents build resilience and empathy.
We cannot do this without our communitypartnerships
because the community partnerships exposestudents to real-world opportunities
(04:10):
to collaborate and communicate.
And student success isat the core of that.
So it ensures that the academic foundationis there so that those
skills can flourish.
And when we bring this to life,we're able to make partnerships.
We received a phone call from theStratford PD who wants to partner with
both Bannelle and Stratford high schooland provide an opportunity for students to
(04:32):
have a real life dive into whatit's like in the judicial system.
So when our community members reach outand make those partnerships, we're
actually taking that poster and we areputting it out there and making
it real life for our students.
Such a good point.
I mean, that's what wewant education to be.
We want it to go beyondjust the classroom.
(04:53):
We want our students tothrive in the real world.
That's our goal.So that's awesome.
So just remember, not just in in life.Absolutely.
So at the beginning of the school year,when we had our convocation,
you talked about student voice.
And so student voice is a core partof the work our district is doing.
How can students actually engage withteachers and staff to build
(05:15):
strong supportive relationships?
So that's a great question, and it beginswith students seeing themselves
as partners in their learning.
That can look like a student speaking upin class or or sharing an idea during
advisory time, or in leadership groups, oreven just building everyday
(05:39):
connections with their teachers.
When students feel safeto share their perspectives, Teachers can
better meet their needs, and therelationships becomes the
foundation for that growth.
So it's all going to start with thestudents realizing they are
partners in their learning.Right.
And to take that a little bitfurther, we can
(06:04):
start thinking about how to change staffmembers' ideas of how to
incorporate more student voice intothe regular classroom, but outside of the
classroom, we're at some point going tohave some students on
the podcast to get their point of views.
But we definitely need to alsochange the student mindset, but also
(06:28):
change the staff mindset to-Theyneed to be authentically involved.
Right.Exactly.
If they're here and they're on thispodcast or if they are our new
videographers for all of our committeemeetings, they were an integral
part of our convocation.
If our students becomethoroughly involved in the everyday
workings of the community,their voice is going to be heard
(06:52):
in a lot more impactful way.Exactly.
Which hopefully makesthem stay in Stratford.
You always hear of high school studentstalking about, Oh, I I'm
going to get out of my town.We don't want that.
We want them to stay here.
We want them to come back, go off tocollege, come back and become part of the
community and be able to give back to thecommunity that helped them
when they were growing up.
So that's awesome.
(07:14):
And next question that I wasthinking about when it comes to that
student voice side is, in what ways canstudents really provide feedback to help
improve the teaching and overallschool climate at all of our schools?
I mean, honestly, feedback can besomething as simple as just
(07:36):
filling out the survey, right?
And we're finding better ways to do that.
When we need that student input, schoolsare actually stopping what they're doing
for a minute, asking students to take outtheir Chromebooks and fill out the survey
so that we can actually hear their words.
So we need to make space and time for themto do something as simple
as filling out a survey.
But students can also share their thoughtsthrough their student councils, which run
(07:58):
at all of our schools, and through thestudent advisory at the district level.
Every school has a student advisory memberfrom elementary through high school that
we meet four times a year,and we talk about climate, mental health,
academics, and we can reallyhear the student's voice in that.
When students tell us what's working andwhat isn't, it helps us adjust
(08:20):
quickly and keep moving forward.
So again, it could be something verysimple, like just filling out that survey
to give us your opinion, or it could bemore intricate, taking on leadership role,
being a part of student council,being a part of the student advisory.
But either way, we'rehearing what they need.
Right.
Very cool.Yeah, I love that.
Making sure that we are always listeningto what they're saying and actually
(08:43):
having actions related to what they'resaying is so important because just
because they're young doesn'tmean they don't have good ideas.
We want to include thoseideas in everything.
Yeah.
I think that's what they'relooking for is It's not just
someone to listen, but toactually understand what they're saying
(09:07):
and provide feedbackto what they're saying.
They're like, okay, now someone's actuallylistening to my point of view or what
I want to be saying, as opposed to just,okay, thank you for letting us know.
All right.
So this one is very near and dear to myheart, the question that I have for you.
(09:30):
Because being involved in instructionaltechnology, our strategic operating plan
does emphasize digital and AI literacy.
So from your perspective, why is it socritical for our students to develop
these skills for their future successes?
Well, there's a very simple,straightforward answer to start with.
Technology and AI are already shapingevery career field our
(09:54):
students might enter.That is the first thing we have to accept.
Huge piece.Yeah.
Just as reading and writing remainfoundational skills, digital and AI
literacy are now essentials fornavigating the modern world.
We're not just teaching kids how to usedevices, we're helping them think
critically about technology,use it responsibly, and understand both
(10:16):
its opportunities and its challenges.
That digital fluency builds on rather thanreplaces traditional literacy and ensures
that our students graduate ready to Thrivein a future where AI AI
is part of everyday life.
Yeah, it's so important.I mean, you're right.
Ai is not going anywhere.
(10:36):
People don't realize that it's beena part of our lives for a while.
It's just now that we are seeing thingslike ChatGPT and Gemini AI, they're
becoming more prominent in the workforce.
And a lot of organizations arestarting to promote the use of AI.
I was actually chatting with a colleaguefrom one of the organizations that I'm a
(11:00):
member with, they're actually encouragingpeople to use AI in creating their
proposals for their conference coming upbecause they know that some of the
questions that they ask are very detailedand it's a lot to write for someone.
When organizations organizations startdoing that, our students are going to
start to see that bepart of their lives, too.
And even ifthey choose to go post-secondary,
(11:26):
college, university, the trades,A lot of companies are now expecting
you to have a base understandingof AI or how to use AI.
I mean, even when you're applyingfor jobs, those companies are
using AI to go through resumes.
So understanding how the AI platforms thatthose companies are using
(11:50):
read through resumes.
Now you have to change the way that youwrite resumes, and
you need to have that understanding now.
Absolutely.Absolutely.
And some colleges have alreadymade a degree track for AI.
So again, I want to see it as somethingthat is enhancing our foundational
learning and preparing our kidsfor those real life activities in
(12:14):
the world they're going to live in.
Because we have no idea whatthat world is going to look like.
No.
Our next question we know at the beginningof the year, and pretty much all year
around, we know that you're outvisiting our schools regularly.
How have you seen our teachers, staff, andstudents already embodying the
(12:37):
spirit of our district's priorities?
Honestly, every visit to our schools, Isee the district priorities alive in
our classrooms and in the hallways.
At the secondary schools, students areleading through their vibrant groups,
advisory groups, affinity groups.
(12:57):
They are taking on leadership roles.
At the elementary level, I've watchedproject-based lessons that tie directly to
our Portrait of a Graduate, whichis really new for this year.
So for me to already be seeing that when Iwent around on data and collaboration day,
how they're tying that Portrait of aGraduate into the
elementary was heartwarming.
Kids are working together.
They are problem solving.
(13:18):
They are presenting theirideas with confidence.
I see teachers integrating technologythoughtfully,
including the video production students Ijust spoke about that are now They're
coming to work for us at the Board of Ed.
And as far as our staff, they consistentlygo above and beyond checking on students'
well-being, modeling restorative practice,and creating safe, welcoming
(13:42):
environments in every building.
I think our partnerships with family andcommunity groups are visible every day,
whether it's the after-school programsthat are run by the YMCA
or learning through work at the parents'place or events like our back-to-school
event, where the whole community cametogether to welcome back to school.
All of these are examples of how Stratfordis living out the spirit of our
(14:05):
priorities in real and meaningful ways.
And a day doesn't go bywhere I don't see that.
Right.
And we're always growing towardsinclusion of everyone
in this process as well.
And even just being in the technologydepartment, we see it every day.
(14:27):
We really do.
Yeah, we do.Definitely.
All right.So I have one last question for you.
This year, we're putting a really bigfocus on well-being and
community partnerships.
What are some ways that families can getinvolved in supporting these priorities
and feel more connected totheir child's school community?
(14:48):
That may be the most importantquestion you've asked so far.
Families are truly the heart ofeverything we do in Stratford.
Getting involved, it doesn'thave to be a huge commitment.
It can be simple.
It could be coming to a concert, joining aPTO meeting, volunteering in a classroom,
or showing up for community eventslike the Back to School Fair.
(15:11):
Every one of those touch pointsstrengthens the sense of
belonging our students feel.
Families also play a powerful role at homeby supporting healthy routines,
encouraging balance, and keepingopen lines of communication.
Most importantly, when families sharetheir voices with us, whether it's an idea
or a a CERN or a celebration,we're creating a partnership.
(15:33):
And that partnership is what turns schoolsinto communities and ensures that every
child feels supported,seen, and ready to thrive.
We need those family connections,no matter how big or small.
And I think now, especially withtechnology from my lens, there's so many
(15:57):
more touch pointsavailable to parents now.
Absolutely.
And they should leverage those becauseif you're not saying your ideas or
even, like you said, your concerns,we don't know about it.
We want to know those things.Right.
(16:18):
That would give me alittle lead into a plug.
Those of you that are listening, if youare a family, a parent or guardian of a
student in our school district, youhaven't yet signed up for your Class Dojo
account, make sure you're doing thatbecause the teachers are posting
regularly about what's going on.
And it's really been really neat to seewhat picture is being painted
(16:42):
of what's going on in our classrooms andseeing how awesome the assignments and
projects and different things that ourstudents are doing that
the teachers are sharing.
So if you haven't signed up yet, make sureyou do that because it'll give you a view.
I think that that's also an importantthing to recognize as
connections as well, right?
You don't You don't have to reach out.You don't have to share.
But just by simply signing up for ClassDojo, staying informed, checking our
(17:05):
website and going to the FamilyCommunication Guidebook, and
making sure you are informed.Brand new this year.
Yes.
Simply by beinginformed, even if you don't act on any of
that, is creating an additional communitypartnership that's vitally important.
Absolutely.
Well, Ms. Borges, thank you very muchfor joining us on our very first episode.
(17:28):
It's clear that the district is committedto collaborative and inclusive approach,
and we appreciate yousharing your insights.
I was honored to be here.
I'm honored to be the first, but I ammore excited to hear the podcast to come.
Yes.
Thank you again, and we are so gratefulfor your time and the work you are doing
to lead and support everystudent in Stratford.
(17:50):
Thank you.Awesome.
Thank you.
And that brings us to the end ofanother episode from Forest to Shore.
Thank you so much for joiningus and for being a of our story.
We're grateful for the opportunity toshare the amazing work happening in our
schools, from theclassrooms to the community.
To stay connected and get all the latestnews from Stratford Public Schools, be
(18:12):
sure to follow us onInstagram at stratfordpsct.
You can also find this on YouTube.
Just search for Stratford Public Schools.
For even more information, includingdistrict news and event calendars,
visit our official website at www.
Stratfordk12.Org.
We hope you feel more connected andinformed, and we'll see you on the
(18:36):
next journey from Forest to shore.
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