Dear Bloomfield School Community,

I hope you all had a wonderful week. This week I would like to share some observations and some highlights from the week.

Last Sunday, I had the pleasure of attending the 2025 New York State School Music Association All-State Mixed Chorus Concert at the Eastman Theater. For the first time in our School District’s history, one of our students, Ty Naffziger, was selected to perform in this remarkable ensemble of talented young musicians from across the state.

The All-State concert was a beautiful reminder of how music brings people together in a powerful way, uniting students from rural and urban  communities, from large schools and small ones all across the state to share their gifts. The moving performance, the outstanding music, and the speakers’ reflections on the importance of music education served as a powerful testament to the excellence we strive for right here in Bloomfield.

Our district’s commitment to music is not just special, it is a hallmark of the Bloomfield community. In recent years, our students have consistently earned numerous awards, excelled in NYSSMA festivals and ensembles, and helped us achieve national recognition as a Best Community for Music Education. Listening to the All-State performance on Sunday, and seeing the incredible turnout for our Middle/High School Concert on Wednesday night, which was truly a standing-room-only event, filled me with immense pride and gratitude. It is clear our community truly values and celebrates the arts. We are incredibly fortunate to be part of a district that truly values music, supported by educators whose passion and enthusiasm shine through every day, and students whose talent is nothing short of extraordinary. The achievements of our musicians are a direct reflection of the excellence fostered across our entire school system.

This same sense of care and dedication is evident in many other corners of our district, extending even to the start of our students’ day. We received a heartwarming note from a family member of one of our students. They wanted to express their deep appreciation for Mrs. Grundman, describing her as an “amazing bus driver who brightens their grandson’s mornings.” Her warm smile and friendly greetings make each day a little better, and we are grateful for her care and professionalism. Mrs. Grundman is a great example of the caring and compassion our drivers bring to their important work in the District.

Speaking of things that brighten the day, the festive spirit is certainly in the air. At the Elementary School, students and staff have been sharing the things that bring them joy this holiday season. They’ve created a large poster near the gym where everyone can write what brings them happiness, this is a simple but wonderful way to celebrate the season.

As we enjoy this time of year, we must also be mindful of the practicalities that come with a winter in New York, and I want to acknowledge another group of dedicated community members.Thanks to the many people who work hard to keep our roads safe for our school buses. Our District spans six different townships, each with its own Highway Department. These Highway Departments are made up of individuals who head out early each morning to plow and salt the roads, which is incredibly important work. We truly appreciate their dedication and commitment to keeping our students safe.

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association has released its list of Scholar-Athlete Teams. To earn this honor, at least 75% of a team’s roster must have a marking-period average of 90 or higher. Qualifying teams receive a Scholar-Athlete certificate, and individual honorees receive pins. We are proud to share that four of Bloomfield’s fall sports teams earned Scholar-Athlete recognition, and 48 fall athletes achieved individual Scholar-Athlete status with averages of 90 or above. This accomplishment reflects our students’ strong commitment both on the field and in the classroom.

This blend of engagement and learning is central to our educational philosophy, even for our youngest students. Play continues to be a vital part of learning in our schools, and our educators do an amazing job making sure it’s purposeful and joyful. In the Universal Pre-K classroom of Mrs. Wilson and Mrs. Erdle, students recently practiced early literacy skills by writing and mailing letters to Santa in a special mailbox, and explored a decorated tree filled with lettered ornaments that match what they’re learning. It’s a wonderful example of how our teachers blend creativity with meaningful learning every day.

It’s not just our students and teachers who are excelling; the systems we have in place to support our staff are also receiving statewide praise. On Wednesday afternoon, our Director of Teaching, Learning, and Accountability, Eric Vaillancourt, along with our two Building Mentor Coordinators, Nicole Sterner and Chelsea Tusch, met with representatives from the New York State Education Department to discuss our Mentor Program. The state representatives were incredibly complimentary, noting that Bloomfield’s program is a model for how new faculty and staff should be supported across New York. This recognition is something we should all be proud of and reflects the many great things happening across our District.

As always, thank you for your ongoing support and partnership. We’re proud to celebrate the incredible things happening in our District. Please remember to let us know if you ever have any questions or ever need anything.

Andy Doell
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Picture of the Week: Students who were selected to participate in the NYSSMA All-State Mixed Chorus from across the state gathered to perform at the Eastman Theater in Rochester NY. For the first time in school history a Bloomfield student was selected to participate in this ensemble.