The new school year is well underway, and the energy in our schools is a reflection of the excitement that comes with fall. Our team members and students are diving into learning, exploring new connections, and taking advantage of all that Suffield Publi Schools has to offer.
National Bullying Prevention Month
October is National Bullying Prevention Month, a reminder for all of us to focus on creating schools where every student feels safe and valued. In Suffield, this commitment shows up through the Kindness Matters movement, created in memory of Meghan Voisine. The program gives students the chance to lead projects that spread compassion and inclusion in everyday ways. This year, the district incorporated a Kindness Statement into each school’s handbook to reinforce our commitment to a learning environment where hurtful behavior, words or actions of any kind are not welcome. These efforts remind us that preventing bullying isn’t only about stopping hurtful behavior, it’s about building a culture of respect and care that strengthens our whole community.
Board of Education Student Representatives
class Student Rep
The Board of Education would like to introduce the community to our Board of Education Student Representatives for the 2025-2026 school year. We welcome back Olivia Mishtal, our Senior Class Student Representative, and welcome in Lucy McCoy, our Junior Class Student Representative.
Student Rep
Both students were given the opportunity to tell us a bit about themselves and their interest in serving. We are looking forward to the insight they will bring to the Board.
Share a fun fact about you!
Olivia: “A fun fact about me is that Ukrainian was the first language I spoke until I was five years old. Although I was not born in Ukraine, Ukrainia culture is still a big part of my life, and I hope to continue being part of that community.”
Lucy: “A fun fact about myself is that I really love tea and enjoy trying different kinds! I always drink it while I’m doing my homework in the afternoon. My favorite tea is Black Earl Gray. This summer when I went to Cape Cod, I found a loose-leaf tea shop, where I bought a strawberry tea that I like to share with my friends!”
Why did you decide to apply for the position of Board of Education Student Representative?
Olivia: “I decided to apply for this position because it gave me a unique opportunity to see how complex the education system is and how many working parts are involved. It was also a special opportunity to have a direct voice in our district’s education and to represent students, specifically those who are underrepresented.”
Lucy: “My sophomore year, I was enrolled in AP government where I learned all about procedures and purpose of local, state, and federal government. This sparked my interest in politics, leading me to join Model United Nations and attend the Close Up program to Washington D.C. Through these I met Senior representative Olivia, and she taught me about her role as student representative. Because of her, I decided to take a leap of faith and apply for the position myself.”
What are you hoping to accomplish during your term?
Olivia: “My biggest focus this year is in protecting and expanding music education. Across the nation, schools inherit the normalized stigma that sports are more important and should be more supported than music education. I hope that I can change this environment at Suffield and show how music provides opportunities for growth, teamwork, and expression.”
Lucy: “During my term I want to learn all that I can about our school systems and the functions of local government, and take advantage of this amazing opportunity I’ve been given. Having a deeper understanding of the affairs in my town allows me to do the best job that I can to represent the students at both Spaulding and McAlister effectively. Then, I hope that I can aid and support the work of the board of education to better our community.”
The Future of Special Education
District leaders are exploring the possibility of opening a local special education program to serve some outplaced students closer to home, in partnership with other nearby districts. Superintendent Matthew Dunbar, Business Manager Eric Remington, and Special Services Director Dianna Kelley, EdD, presented information about the project to the Board of Education at its September business meeting. In addition, Superintendent Dunbar and Mr. Remington presented a similar overview to the Board of Selectmen during September, where it was well received by members. The proposal would allow our district to service students closer to their peers and communities, which would reduce the high cost of tuition and transportation currently paid for such outplacements. The state is making grant funding available to districts that open such programs. Since this is just in the exploration phase, we expect to learn more and share more in the coming months.
Connect With Us!
We encourage families to stay connected. Our meetings are open to the public, and community feedback is always welcome. Here’s to a great year ahead!