December '25 Message from the Superintendent - Have a Great Break!

Dear NPS Community,

This truly is my favorite time of year, when we come together with family and friends to celebrate the holidays. As I look forward to the season, I am especially excited to welcome my sons home from college, to experience another Christmas with my daughter as we see the holidays through the bright eyes of her young son, and to feel grateful for the precious time we have together with our whole family.

It is always a joy to extend that celebration with our school community, like we did last week at the Family Center’s 4th Annual Holiday Read Aloud. Sharing the story “How to Catch a Gingerbread Man” with our youngest scholars and wondering alongside them whether anyone would ever catch that tricky cookie was a wonderful reminder of the joy and curiosity our students bring to every moment.

It was also an honor to partner with Norwalk Mutual Aid and the Human Services Council to distribute free boxes of food, courtesy of Blessings for Hope, to families in our community who may be facing food insecurity this holiday season. We are grateful to be able to help provide these resources and ensure our students and families are healthy and supported.

This winter season was made even more special by the many beautiful music performances from our talented young musicians. Whether it was Brien McMahon High School’s Poinsettia, the time-honored tradition of Candlelight at Norwalk High School, or performances throughout the city, the power of music continues to bring our community together. I am especially proud of our bands, choirs, and orchestras for sharing their talents beyond our schools—at city celebrations, nursing homes, senior centers, and right here at City Hall.

As the year comes to a close, it is also a time to reflect on the tremendous progress our scholars have made academically and socially-emotionally. Many of our schools demonstrated strong growth and performance on state assessments, and we are especially proud that Jefferson Marine Science Elementary School and Marvin Elementary School were recognized as Schools of Distinction for their gains among high-needs students. 

These achievements are a testament to the hard work of our students, staff, and families. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our teachers and staff who are doing incredible work every day to prepare our students for success, and to our parents and families for their great support in helping their children reach their fullest potential.

I would like to thank the Norwalk Board of Education for approving the FY2026-27 Superintendent’s Recommended Budget. This budget represents a thoughtful and responsible balance—one that sustains our positive momentum while addressing the financial needs of a district committed to providing every student with the strongest possible path to success. As the tentative budget moves through the City’s budget development process, continued advocacy for the proposed 6.5% increase will be essential.

As we head into winter break, I wish everyone a restful and relaxing time. I hope you are able to spend meaningful moments with family and friends, catch up on some well-deserved rest, and enjoy the spirit of the season.

Have a Happy New Year, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back in 2026.

Yours in Partnership,
Dr. Alexandra Estrella
Superintendent of Norwalk Public Schools