![page background](https://cdn.smore.com/_fr/plasticalphabet.32a11951.jpg)
RPS Update
September 30, 2022
Dear Families and Faculty,
It is hard to believe that we are wrapping up our fifth week of school, and our schools continue to buzz with activities and learning events. We completed most of our “Back to School Nights” and parents have had the opportunity to meet their child’s teachers and learn about all of the exciting curriculum learning experiences.
Early this week, I had the pleasure of seeing 140 of our RHS students walk across the stage during the induction ceremony for the National Honor Society….I ended my week by bumping into kindergarteners at RES reading in the library dressed in their cozy pajamas. Reverse bookends…. a beautiful thing!
For those of you who have seniors, the financial aid application window (FAFSA) opens on October 1st. Please do not hesitate to reach out to RHS if you need assistance.
Schools will be closed on Wednesday, October 5, in observance of Yom Kippur. Many RPS families, faculty, and friends will observe Yom Kippur beginning at sundown on Tuesday, October 4, and ending the evening of October 5. School assignments will be adjusted appropriately for students.
May you have a wonderful weekend,
Susie
Susie Da Silva, Ed.D
Instagram: rpssuper
Twitter: @RPS_DaSilva
Quote of the Week
"I'm excited for what our chapter will achieve this year...with 140 driven members, I know that we can make a great impact on our school and the Ridgefield community."
—Skylar Kleinman, President of the National Honor Society
October Calendar
Congratulations!
RHS Inducts 140 New National Honor Society Members
On Tuesday morning, Ridgefield High School inducted members of the National Honors Society. These 140 seniors excelled in academics, leadership, and community service while maintaining an exemplary attendance record. NHS members will continue to serve their community through tutoring, mentoring, and other services. Please read more from the NHS President below. View the full program of the ceremony, including all the inductees, here.
Student Leaders
Skylar Kleinman (President), Emma Levine (Vice President), Corrie Vakil (Tutoring Chair), Claire Zhang (Secretary)
Staff Advisors
Liz Karlan, Amy Christofer
NHS President Describes Compassionate Students Who Want to Help
New NHS President, Skylar Kleinman writes, "I feel extremely fortunate to be working alongside some of Ridgefield High School's most compassionate students. Every member brings a unique perspective to our chapter through diverse community service experiences and academic strengths. It's particularly motivating to be part of a group that demonstrates such a strong interest in helping others. Historically, Ridgefield's National Honor Society has maintained its strongest impact within the high school, most notably by coordinating fall and spring blood drives. Our executive team wants to change that this year to expand NHS' impact to people of all ages within the Ridgefield community. I've started to develop new relations between our chapter and local charities to coordinate volunteer opportunities. When a Ridgefield organization needs volunteer support or a local family needs a tutor for their child, I want them to think of Ridgefield High School's National Honor Society students. I'm excited for what our chapter will achieve this year...with 140 driven members, I know we can make a great impact on our school and the Ridgefield community."
Resources for Parents
RPS is here to help! Please do not hesitate to reach out to your school with questions or concerns. Schools are best prepared to answer your questions, and if unable, trust that they will be sure to connect you with the right person at RPS to help. Please find some of the many RPS and Community Resources below.
Free and Reduced-Price School Meals for the 2022-2023 School Year
RPS Communications sent an email to all families this week about free and reduced-price school meals. Federal funds for free lunches for all elementary and middle school students are finite and expected to run out before the end of the year. To insure continuous meals for your student, please review the material to see what steps you might need to take now.
RPS Partners for Prevention
A concerned RPS parent called our attention to the arrests this week of two men trying to bring fentanyl into Connecticut. The men had tried to hide the deadly drugs in Skittles and Nerds candy wrappers, which given the approaching Halloween season, makes this even more sobering. RPS’ commitment to working together to keep children safe and drug-free is a constant. Superintendent Dr. Da Silva co-chairs the Ridgefield Community Coalition Against Substance Abuse (RCCASA), with First Selectman Rudy Marconi. BOE Member Tina Malhotra is the liaison between the RCCASA and the Board, and Sean McEvoy is the liaison between the Board and the Ridgefield Prevention Council. With community partnership, vigilance, and an ever-increasing awareness of what works in preventing use and abuse, the district aims to educate and protect our community.
Parenting Circles Address Challenges at Key Milestones: Kindergarten Circles Start Soon!
Since 2005, RCCASA has been sponsoring Parent Circles. Circles provide an opportunity at key child development milestones (kindergarten, fifth, and eighth grade) to discuss parenting challenges with other parents in your child’s grade. A mental health professional who works with Ridgefield youth and their families facilitates the meetings. Kindergarten Parent Circles start in October with daytime, evening, and Zoom options. The attached flyer provides more detail and registration for K-Circles.
Support for LGBTQ Students and Families
Ridgefield CT Pride offers ongoing free and confidential support groups for LGBTQ students and families. Meeting dates, contact information, and more can be found here.
Parenting Workshop
RPS proudly co-sponsors Parenting the #Selfie Generation workshops.
Peace Day at ERMS: End Racism. Build Peace.
On United Nations International Day of Peace, East Ridge Middle School made peace, literally. Students and staff formed a giant peace sign on the football field. Members of the ERMS Student Council and No Place for Hate ambassadors assembled in the press box to read the Universal Declaration of Human Rights over the loudspeaker. Students had a moment of silence and then played "Imagine" by John Lennon. They ended by doing "the wave." Sixth-grade social studies teacher, Maureen Tyra reports that the theme for human rights this year is to "End racism. Build peace." The bulletin board in the ERMS entryway (shown below) explains the International Day of Peace and how "achieving true peace entails much more than laying down arms. It requires the building of societies where all members feel that they can flourish. It involves creating a world in which people are treated equally, regardless of their race."
Sixth-grader Maxime Curt captured the all-school effort with a drone camera.
Full-Time Substitute Hooks Students on RHS History
Golden Student Body; Former Principal Turns 100
Ridgefield High School’s full-time substitute, Kim Welton brings a passion for the past to her students. Welton reminds RHS students that they are the “Golden Student Body” because they are the 50th student body to walk through the doors of the “new high school”. Fifty years ago, in 1972, the first group of students entered the current High School on North Salem Road.
Welton is a member of the Ridgefield High School Class of 1983. Now, she has returned to the district and is working on her teaching degree as she pivots out of a 37-year career in Corporate America. “I want to train and inspire the next group of business leaders,” writes Welton. “I connect to students by playing Ridgefield History trivia. For example, the original cafeteria in the new High School is where the Library is now and our library in the 1980s was on the second floor where World Language resides. I also tell the kids about the first principal of ‘the new High School’, Dr. Hal Healy (my former neighbor), who led RHS through the ‘60s, presided over RHS as it moved buildings, and served as principal through 1979. Dr. Healy recently celebrated his 100th Birthday and I was honored to be invited to his birthday along with Dr. Ellis, for those that might remember him.”
Photos of Dr. Healy as principal and at his birthday party below.
The HeARTs of RPS
SRMS Art Showcase
RHS Athletes Shine
Jayden Lee Is Player of the Week
Ridgefield High School ninth-grader Jayden Lee is the Ruden Report Player of the Week! Jayden scored four goals in the Varsity Boys Soccer 5-2 defeat of New Canaan to earn him the nomination. Then, the voting began, ending in a tie (894 votes for Jadyn and 894 votes for a Fairfield football player) for the first time in Ruden Report's 12-year history. Field Hockey goalie Isabella Crowley was a Ruden Report finalist for her outstanding net-minding during the same period and Girls Swim and Dive was up for Team of the Week for wins over St. Joseph and Staples. Way to go, Tigers!
RHS Rugby Goes From Club to Varsity
RHS Athletic Director Dane Street brought members of the Rugby squad and Coach Pete Mclean to the Board of Education meeting to recognize the evolution of the sport from a club program to a varsity sport. This spring, Boys Rugby will compete as a part of the Athletic Department. Street said the commitment of RHS rugby players earned them this change and described how many RHS rugby alum have gone on to compete in college.
PTAs Move Us! Support Your PTA
It's not too late to join your PTA. Staff and families are encouraged to join. Information here.
Scotties Get Sprinting!
The Scotland Elementary PTA reports that their Scotty Sprint Fundraiser was a tremendous success. With over 300 participants, SES raised over $22,000 to support their school—that's a lot of "dog-power":) See more photos below!
Photo: Scotland Principal Jill Katkocin with Scotty Sprinters.
This Week In Photos
Glorious late September days have provided a great backdrop for learning, friends, fun, and fundraising-runs. See photos from the Veterans Park Elementary Walking Bus, Branchville partner reading, Scotland kindergarteners, a Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, and the Scotty Sprint.
We would love to hear from you! Families and staff can submit stories, comments, or corrections to RPS Communications. Please follow us on Social Media with links below.