0:15 → 0:34(18s)
WHEN: August 27, 2025 Doors Open at 9:30 AM WHERE: Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater 500 Broad Street, Bridgeport, CT 06604 WHAT: Bridgeport Public Schools will host its annual Convocation at the Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater to kick off the 2025–2026 school year, bringing together more than 3,000 staff to celebrate achievements and set the tone for student success. WHO: Governor Ned Lamont, Mayor Joseph P. Ganim, Connecticut Commissioner of Education Charlene M. Russell-Tucker, Interim Superintendent Dr. Royce Avery, Board Chair Jennifer Perez, President of the University of Bridgeport, Dr. Danielle Wilken, Union Representatives Sharon Weller, Jeff Morrissey, and Steven Douglas, Vice President of Effective School Solutions, Laine Whitaker, Board of Education Members, Elected Officials, Community Members, and Staff Members. KEY NOTE SPEAKER: Laine Whitaker, Vice President of Professional Learning for Effective School Solutions and a nationally recognized speaker on student mental health and wellness, will provide the keynote presentation for the convocation. Effective School Solutions (ESS), a long-time partner of Bridgeport Public Schools, provides high-acuity mental health care support for school district students, and is partnering with the district on a comprehensive behavior education initiative that is designed to help teachers and staff better address the mental health and behavioral needs of students. This training gives educators practical strategies they can use in the classroom every day, while also reinforcing the district’s broader focus on social-emotional learning and student well-being. This partnership reflects Bridgeport’s leadership in strengthening school-based supports and is in step with Governor Ned Lamont’s call to expand access to innovative mental health services for students across Connecticut.
