RPS Update

As we embark on the winter break and the wonders of the season, I want to take a moment to recognize all the good across RPS: our faculty, staff, students, families, and PTAs- each contributing to our special community. Even when the work gets hard, we can do it, so long as our energy and focus are on the right things. In that spirit, I would like to repeat a quote of the week from a few weeks back, “There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it."—Edith Wharton, Novelist.

In addition to all the joys that come with the season, a new year is also a time to reset and “level up.” Many of us create hopes and dreams for the new year; some stick and some don’t. Either way, it is an opportunity for adults and children to reflect on what we can do better.

For me, both personally and professionally, I engage in this process twice a year- once at the start of the school year and again on January 1. When I think back to my goals and which ones “stuck” and which didn’t, I reflect on the work of Robert Kegan and Lisa Lahey and ask myself: what were the hidden commitments and underlying assumptions that held me back; and if I were to confront those, would I have made more progress?

To our RPS community, we can’t forget how much we have accomplished, independently and collectively in 2023. We should all be proud of our 2023 journey. I look forward to the 2024 ride; let’s do it together!

Cheers to a happy and healthy 2024!

Warmly,

Susie

Susie Da Silva, Ed.D

Please check your school's calendar for important dates.

NOTE: Saturday, January 27 is the all-day Virtual BOE Budget Workshop. More information will be available on the Board of Education page.

Due to the closing of schools on Monday, the last day of school for students is now Wed, June 12. Teacher PD day is now Thurs, June 13. RHS Graduation (which will not change with weather-related closings) is on Fri, June 14.

We are excited to announce the official launch of Forever Summer Bridge at RPS. We have taken all of the successful elements of our grant-funded Summer Bridge programs and created a new low-cost, high-quality summer experience for RPS students taught by our qualified and talented RPS teachers. Read more about our plans for each level below. We'll have a new program for our incoming kindergarteners! More information will be released in early January with registration opening at the end of January.

Students can sign up for up to three weeks of innovative project-based experiences with a new theme each week. A new element is the Jump Start to Kindergarten program for our rising kindergarteners. Students in Jump Start, in addition to themed-project based learning, will engage in academic, social emotional, and executive function activities to help bridge the transition to kindergarten. Click here for more about the elementary program.

Our middle school will offer our traditional selection of intensive, project-based courses from 2 to 3 days. Last year, the offerings included cooking, crafts, STEM, and visual arts projects. For the first time, we are also offering one week-long 'Tune-Up' courses in academic areas for students who want a little extra practice. Classes run from 9 am-12 pm and will be held at RHS during the first three weeks of June. Prices range from $80 per student for a two-day intensive, to $120 for a three-day Intensive Course, and $200 per student for a five-day tune-up.

Ridgefield High School plans on offering three types of experiences to our students this summer. We will continue to present engaging intensive courses, which are fun, cross-curricular, and project-based for two to three days from 9 am to 12 pm. In addition, we will run one week-long 'Tune-Up Courses' designed to build skills needed at the high school level, which will be for two and a half hours a day. Finally, we will offer a few courses for high school credit. All high school-level courses will take place in July.

The Forever Summer Bridge Program at RPS will also continue to offer volunteer opportunities to RHS.

Please contact Assistant Superintendent Cory Gillette cgillette@ridgefieldps.net with any questions.

The presentations available on the RPS Curriculum YouTube Channel offer enriching ways to engage in important education topics. Please make a note of the following dates and take a look at the resources already available.

Elementary Mathematics (recorded)

Skills for Life (recorded)

Mathematics Placement Process - January 25 @ 11:30 am

Artificial Intelligence - February 29 @ 11:00 am

Science of Reading - March 28 @ 10:00 am

Next Generation Science Standards - April 25 @ 11:00 am

In grades K-8, students complete universal screeners three times a year in reading and mathematics. These diagnostics help teachers support the needs and build upon the strengths of our students. Additional resources for families will be added to the engagED webpage on the RPS Curriculum Site in the next few weeks. The engagED page provides important information for families and community members to support learning at home, in school, and beyond. The page will include information about aimsWebPLUS Reading and NWEA Mathematics used in the Elementary grades as well as the iReady Reading and Mathematics diagnostics given in Middle School. Please expect more information in the New Year.

RPS is excited to be a part of the milestone experience of kindergarten registration with our youngest students and their families. The State of Connecticut announced a new cut off date so all children who reach the age of five (5) on or before September 1, 2024 are eligible for enrollment. RPS wants to work with families during this transition year. Please read all of the information here. For planning purposes, please enroll students as soon as possible. The following dates might be helpful in preparing for this exciting rite of passage.

Mini-Kindergarten (Pre-registered Students)

Branchville 5/16/2024 5/30/2024

Barlow Mountain 5/31/2024 5/31/2024

Farmingville 6/5/2024 6/5/2024

Ridgebury 5/21/2024 5/21/2024

Scotland 5/28/2024 5/28/2024

Veterans Park 5/30/2024 5/30/2024

Any registration questions may be directed to our District Registrar Brigid Clancy.

bclancy@ridgefieldps.net.

Please check your students' e-Backpack for this important information and other programs across the district. Organizations that meet the RPS policy may submit their request for inclusion to cmelagrano@ridgefieldps.net.

Recently, the Veterans of Foreign Wars came to Scotts Ridge Middle School to hand out certificates and $50 Amazon gift card awards to the top district winners of the Patriot's Pen. SRMS recipients gathered to greet the VFW representatives and receive their awards. Congratulations to this year's overall district winner Henry Tomaszewski! His essay now moves on to the state level representing District 1.

SRMS students were asked to write an essay entitled, "What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?" The first level entry is sponsored by the VFW Post in Danbury, CT. Post winners advance to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Each first place state winner receives a minimum of $500 at the national level, and the national first place winner wins $5,000!

SRMS

Colin Mitchell

Audrey Englert

Matthew Leritz

Abigail Taylor

Amanda Pelusa

Carolina Coughlin

Henry Tomaszewski

Previous SRMS students now at RHS (not pictured)

Emory Howatt

Sienna Balog

Sophie Kemmer

In last week's RPS Update we announced the answer to the Inclusive Schools Challenge, Everyone Matters. The braille answer is EVERYONE COUNTS. At RPS, everyone matters and counts. Thanks again, Kelly Feeley and to all the students, staff, and parents who played. Prizes have been distributed. If you haven't received yours, please email.RPS Update.

Please see resources below that offer year-round 24/7 support for families. RPS families are never alone!

East Ridge Middle School French students finished up the year with a Bûche de Noёl festival! Students took part in French carol singing, French holiday charades, and a French kahoot game! Of course, the highlight of this fun, cultural festival were the wonderful, delicious Bûche de Noёls that students made, following a traditional French recipe. As you can see, the results were "Delicieux"!! Joyeux Noёl!!

Speaking of French...Scotts Ridge Middle School French classes went head to tête in the third annual Bûche de Noёl baking competition. Congratulations to Maddie Jaus, Charles Sigurdsson, Tommy Casey, Emma Reynoso, Juliet Brown, and Francesco Filareto for winning for best presentation and flavor. Incredible! Incroyable!

If so, please follow @ridgefieldpublicschoolsk12art for some great content, including the recent information about RHS art students participating in the teen fellows program at the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, eighth graders painting cool abstract sculptures, and more!

RPS concert season continues to remind listeners of the astounding growth students go through as they move from elementary beginners to RHS virtuosos. Thank you to all RPS music teachers for their dedication and parents for their support.

In case you missed this last week, the Middle School Symphonic Orchestra's beautiful rendition of the Christmas classic by clicking the YouTube link below.

Most RHS athletic teams are active over the break so please check the RHS Athletic Department Website for game schedules, tickets, and viewing options.

Last weekend, the RHS Boys Varsity Basketball Team won the 23rd annual Tip Off Classic. Alex Hickey was the Tournament MVP. Ian Swiatowicz and Nick Sganga earned spots on the All-Tournament Team. Congratulations, Tigers!

RHS Girls Hockey faced-off against Wilton this week in a rematch from last week's game. This time, the Tigers skated to a decisive 6 to 2 victory. The night was a tribute to teammate Nia Simpson, Class of 2024, who passed away last fall.

Congratulations to RHS senior Kyle Colsey named First Team All-State. Kyle, an outstanding football player, has committed to play lacrosse at the University of Virginia next year.

If your family is looking for easy way to give back on your schedule, please consider helping to stock the small pantries across the District. Here are the locations of Ruby's Pantries, which are open 24/7 to people in need and those who can give. Meals (spaghetti with sauce, beans and rice, macaroni and cheese) are the quickest to get scooped up. Families can also give grocery store gift cards to Ridgefield Social Services located in the Town Hall. Thank you!

RHS teacher Megan Calderwood reports that she and Ridgefield Transition Program (RTP) Coordinator Jessica DiValentino made holiday cards with some of their RTP students and delivered them Thursday morning to the seniors at Ridgefield Crossing. The students came up with the idea as a community service project.

RHS Student Council decorated doors during this last spirit week of the year.

Every member of the RHS Boys Varsity Hockey Team sported bleached tips at a recent game. Maybe you can say, a team that dyes together wins together?

The Ridgefield Grinch brought his big heart and holiday cheer to East Ridge Middle School this week.

Thank you to Farmingville PE teacher Steve Either (scissors) for providing this photo of FES teachers on Rocks Paper Scissors Day.

Even Boston fans are welcome at Veterans Park Elementary:)

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.