BRISTOL — A group of citizens from the Five Town area will host a community forum to share ideas and discuss the future of the district’s middle and high school on Saturday, Jan. 6, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Bristol Elementary School in Bristol.
The goal for this forum is to get the whole Five-Town Community actively engaged and empowered in reshaping the school, to hear from people in the community about their ideas about how to make the school a community asset and to bring out the range of concerns and thoughts community members have.
“As a lifelong Five-Town resident, I know there are many valuable ideas out there that need to be heard,” says Diane Cushman, one of the local residents on this committee. “Our success as a community depends on input from as many people as possible.” The committee organizing this event is not affiliated with the school or the renovation committee who have been working on the bond plan to upgrade the school.
The intent and goal of the forum is for community members to bring their voice to a different process in considering reshaping the school, to think creatively about how to support the school so it meets the needs of all community members and for the Five Town residents to join together to discuss the realities of helping students while enhancing the well-being of all area residents.
 “This is our chance to more fully involve the community in elevating the Mt. Abe learning environment to greatness,” remarks Ed McGuire, former Mt. Abe teacher of 30 years and committee member. This event will feature small group brainstorming and open conversations that include:
•  Health and Wellness in the Mt Abe School Environment;
•  Unified School District Space Needs and Use;
•  Learning through Experience programs for students and the community; and,
•  Mt. Abe as a “Five Town Community Center.”
Ideas generated as a result of these sessions will be presented to the Mt. Abe School Board Community Engagement Committee and District Board for further consideration and study.
There will be a community pizza oven with flatbreads for all at the end of the event. Come meet your neighbors, friends and fellow district members to talk about local education and the future of our school.
For more information go to the event facebook page: facebook.com/events/315029522331435.