GPS District Digest (v4, i2)
Stories, news, and updates from Greenwich Public Schools
A Bird in the Hand
After the first issue of the GPS District Digest dropped two weeks ago, we were so excited to see the amount of "clicks" we received and how many new subscribers joined us. While everyone in the newsroom at the Digest has always worked extremely hard to give you all that is good around Greenwich Public Schools, we know the pressure is on to deliver a fun, colorful, and positive newsletter for everyone to enjoy.
We are super excited about our regular feature, "Turn Back the Clock" today. We broke away from our usual spotlight on antique postcards and gave you something extra special from a GPS alum and current GPS parent. Not only does it bring on the nostalgia, but it gives the chilling realization that 1993 was 29 years ago.
Enjoy Issue No. 2 and thanks for reading!
GPS District Digest
One for One
On September 9, GHS students, faculty, and staff once again participated in the "One for One on 9-11 Food Drive" to commemorate Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance, which honors the individuals who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.
Sponsored by the GHS Roots & Shoots and Neighbor to Neighbor Clubs, non-perishable, non-expired food items were collected. Throughout the day, club members and volunteers accepted donations in the Student Center. All donations were given to the Neighbor to Neighbor food pantry at the Cohen Center on East Putnam Avenue.
In Six Words
A big thanks goes out to North Mianus' Media Assistant Ms. Sue Belmonte who shared this photo of their bulletin board at the front entrance of the school the staff created titled, "How We Spent Our Summer Vacations - in 6 words..." Activities included traveling, enjoying outdoor activities, and spending time with family and friends.
We here at the Digest absolutely love it. Thanks Ms. Belmonte!
Egg Drop, But Without the Sodium
Have you taken the "Egg Drop Challenge?" No one in the Digest newsroom has either, but Eastern Middle School's science teacher, Mr. John Lodato, tested his eighth grade student engineers' design skills. It did not look (over) easy.
While shopping for materials with imaginary budget constraints, students designed prototypes, tested them, and refined their models for an intense competition that scrambled the mind.
Thanks to Ms. Tara Fogel, the District's K-8 Science program coordinator, for sharing these photos to showcase the hands-on science we have going on in our classrooms.
Not to be outdone, Western Middle School dropped a few eggs themselves.
GHS Fall Sports Gate Collecting
With fall sports back in full force at Greenwich High School, the schedules for our freshman, junior varsity, and varsity teams are packed. We hope that you all come out and support your Cardinals!
The football team will be celebrating homecoming with its first game at Cardinal Stadium of the 2022 season as they face Southington High School on Saturday at 3:00 PM.
At the gate for football, ice hockey, and basketball games this year, non-students will be asked to make a donation, where all collections will go back into the student activity fund to be utilized for athletics. Current students will always have free admission.
We expect our automated gate collecting procedures to go back to normal next school year.
Greenwich HS Students Recognized for PSAT/NMSQT Performance
Eleven Greenwich High School seniors have been recognized as 2023 National Merit® Scholarship Program Semifinalists. These students will now have the opportunity to continue in the competition for 7,250 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $28 million that will be offered in the spring.
The National Merit® Scholarship Program is an annual academic competition for recognition and college undergraduate scholarships based on their Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®) scores. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of all U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state.
“With the leadership and direction from our dedicated faculty, these 11 students’ commitment to academics drives them to achieve tremendous accomplishments,” GHS Principal Ralph Mayo said. “We are so proud of these students that have earned such an impressive designation.”
The GHS 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program Semifinalists are: Sophie Citron, Theresa Dobbins, Alexander Khilko, Arjun Kishore, Lauren Koester, Luke Mazzullo, Joaquina Mendive, Lara Nguyen, Emil Schaumburgl, Harry Waters, and Brandon Yu.
Turn Back the Clock 🕰
Loyal readers of the Digest are all too familiar with our love of history. Our newsroom postcard collection is extensive. The newest "Turn Back the Clock" feature is brought to you by Riverside School alum, Peter McDermott (class of '95). He is pictured here during the 1993 Riverside Run and Fun Day.
Mr. McDermott came across this amazing copy of Riverside's newsletter, The Riverside Current, from June 17, 1993, volume 34, issue 1, in his parents' attic. He was generous enough to have it brought to the school so we could share it with you. Mr. McDermott, also a current proud GPS parent, graduated Eastern Middle School ('98) and Greenwich High ('02). His three younger siblings are also GPS products.
Do you have something like this in your basement, attic, or storage? Mr. McDermott knew we would like to see what he found. We would love to see what you find!
Good Eats
The Digest reached out to GPS Food Service Director Dave Nanarello to get an update on his world of food. He told us that the start of the new school year brought tremendous excitement to our school cafeterias. He talked about celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month last week, Breakfast For Lunch Mondays and Homemade Pizza Fridays. World Food Day 2022? Dave has it covered on October 20, offering Peruvian Chicken.
In the coming months, they have many fun events planned and lots of new nutritious recipes for the
students to discover and try out.
Working with their vendors, Food Services source locally grown produce in season, when available, with special weekly offerings of healthy dark green and red/orange vegetables as well as beans and other legumes. Yogurt parfaits with fresh fruit, in season, and nut-free granola are offered every day in both elementary and middle schools as a meal or a la carte snack. Fresh prepared sesame-free, chickpea hummus is available for veggie dipping as well.
Dave encourages families to use the Food Service Department as a resource in setting up lunch
accounts, navigating menus and of course any allergy concerns. Feel free to reach out anytime!
Central MS Lead Cook Stacy Cosenza is behind the register while our students put the final touches on their lunch.
International School at Dundee's presentation is very impressive: milk to your right and fruit to your left.
ISD Lead Cook Erlinda Haviland works the register while these students cannot wait to dig into their broccoli.
Around the GPS Twittersphere
Are you one of the 1,891 loyal followers of @GPSDistrict on Twitter?
On social media, we will keep our community informed of breaking news and all good things GPS. Sometimes, we will even have a Twitter Takeover with some of your favorite people. And we love to show you some of our favorite posts around the GPS Twittersphere.
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Email: communications@greenwich.k12.ct.us
Location: 290 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich, CT, USA
Phone: (203) 625-7415