Dear Families, Faculty, and Staff,
Happy New Year! My daughters and I began the new year with different ways to level up in 2024- Gabriela created a vision board, Isabela wrote a list of “ins and outs”, and I developed a table with general goal areas and specific actions below each. Whatever the strategy or style, my new year's wish for RPS is one that is filled with hopes, dreams, and actions that lead to realization.
While the winter recess is a time for family, friends, and rest, I also know many of our seniors have been anxiously checking their email for college notifications. For those students who have received their acceptances, congratulations! For those still waiting, be patient; the journey has many twists and turns!
The month of January is busy for the Board of Education and administration! At the public meeting on January 16, we will have a presentation by Dr. Ben Powers, Director of the Southport CoLAb, who will highlight his work with RPS in the area of reading. Dr. Hannaway will also present that evening an update on special education programs. Later this month, on January 22, I will be presenting my proposed budget for FY25. This will be followed by an all-day budget workshop with each cost center on January 27 (remote)- please tune in!
Recent news reminds us of how important our prioritization of school security has been. For the past two years, we have focused on infrastructure and personnel, and as a community, we should be proud of the measures the school district has taken, including completion of a new guardhouse project at RHS/SRMS. Gates are expected in the coming months. We are thankful for the community's support. Our schools continue to be welcoming and inclusive spaces, and safer than they have ever been.
As many of you have heard, the weather on Sunday is going to be interesting! Please be sure you have these weather procedures handy for the potential of impacts to the school schedule on Monday. If there is to be no school, I am hopeful there is plenty of snow for the children to play!
Have a wonderful weekend,
Warmly,
Susie
Susie Da Silva, Ed.D
In this week’s episode of Ridgefield Tiger Talk, we welcome Jeffrey Corbishley, RPS’s 6–12 Math/Science Supervisor. We discuss some of the new exciting program updates to our 6-12 math program, how our math departments support students, what a modern math classroom looks like, and some other ways a student can extend their mathematics opportunities outside of the normal classroom setting. You don’t want to miss this great show, thanks for listening!
Elementary (Rising K to Rising 5th graders) located at Farmingville
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.
Middle School (Rising 6th to Rising 8th graders) located at RHS
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.
High School (Rising 9th to 11th graders) located at RHS
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.
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.
Concert This Sunday!
RHS, East Ridge and Scotts Ridge middle schools singers came together this week to practice for their performance at Carnegie Hall this Sunday. Students will sing "Magnificat" under the direction of composer Maestro John Rutter with five other choirs and distinguished soloists. RHS chorus teacher Lauren Verney-Fink led students through the challenging piece, reminding them to stay positive, listen to each other, and remember that the music is about joy. Limited tickets for the 3 pm concert are available here. Please listen to them sing a part of the beautiful piece below.
A new In-person monthly LGBTQ+ Youth Group will start up on Thursday, January 11. The program is FREE and open to kids in grades 6th to 12th. Kids in Crisis will launch its Lighthouse program in Ridgefield in collaboration with Ridgefield CT Pride, supported by the Ridgefield Youth Commission and Ridgefield Teen Barn. Here is a link to the press release sent out by Kids in Crisis: http://prez.ly/2bEc
