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RPS Update
February 2, 2024
Dear Families, Faculty, and Staff,
“Budget Season” is one of the busiest times of the year for the Board of Education and the Central Office team as we work to prepare for the upcoming school year. The Superintendent’s Proposed Budget is not built by one person (despite its title); rather, it is built through insights and feedback from our faculty and school leaders. Collectively, we create the Superintendent’s Proposed Budget. This past Saturday, our District leadership team presented their budget priorities to the Board of Education. We heard them share their celebrations, highlights for FY25, and a look to the future. The Board of Education asked important questions of the administration. As our team members answered questions, what was absolutely clear was the devotion and caliber of RPS leadership across our schools– and further, how well the team knows and understands the work of PK-12.
On Saturday, February 3, the BOE will hold a Public Hearing where we encourage community feedback. The meeting will be held at East Ridge Middle School beginning at 10:00 a.m. This will be followed by a remote BOE Special Meeting on February 6 at 7:00 p.m. when the Board will further discuss the budget in preparation for a possible vote on February 12. Families may also join me for a FY25 budget session offered by the PTA on February 8 at Scotts Ridge Middle School at 7:00 p.m. Our goal is to continue to offer transparent and clear communication about the budget; you can find answers to community questions on the District’s budget page. If you have further questions about any part of the budget, reach out to your principals or email members of the Central Office Team as we are best prepared and suited to provide accurate information.
We aren’t the only ones that have been busy! Our students participated in a choral festival this week, joined by elementary, middle, and high school students- what an event! Many of our students are also wrapping up the final details for their musical productions. We can’t wait. Also, a big shout-out to our parents for their continuous support- we couldn’t do it without you.
Have a wonderful weekend, and hope to see you Saturday morning.
Warmly,
Susie
Susie Da Silva, Ed.D
“And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” —The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Important District News and Reminders
Please check your school's calendar for important dates.
It's budget season. Please read the full newsletter to find a new Budget-themed podcast, public hearing news, a special BOE meeting, and more about the Superintendent's Proposed Budget.
February Calendar
Board of Education Public Hearing—THIS SATURDAY!
At the all-day BOE Budget Meeting last Saturday, RPS administrators presented about their cost centers. View this engaging all-day virtual presentation here. BOE members had the opportunity to ask their questions had about the Superintendent's Proposed School Year 2025 budget. This Saturday, Dr. Da Silva will present that budget to the public, who will have an opportunity to ask questions and voice their thoughts. Please join us!
BOE Public Hearing
Saturday, February 3
10 am
East Ridge Middle School
It’s that time of the year again, Ridgefield Public Schools is in budget season! On this week’s episode of Tiger Talk, we welcome Dr. Susie Da Silva, Superintendent of Schools and Jill Browne, Director of Finance. We discuss how the budget process works, and the schedule for up-and-coming events, as well as some frequently, asked questions. Click here for our budget website and thanks for listening!
LOTS OF CHOICES; LIMITED SPACE
Intensive planning has gone into RPS's Forever Summer Bridge Program at every level. Today, Forever Summer Bridge hits our webpage with registration to open on Monday. Please take a look at our offerings for enrichment, engagement, and fun at all three levels. Some of the new programs include: Rocketry, World Language or Algebra review, health or personal finance (a new graduation requirement) for high school credit. Please sign up quickly to secure your child's spot as space is limited.
Registration to open on February 5 at 12 pm.
See flyers below and the website for more information!
First District-Wide Orchestra Festival—MONDAY!
First District-Wide Band Festival—TUESDAY!
Transition Fair—March 6
Tentative Last Day of School
The tentative last day of school for students is now Thursday, June 13. Teacher PD day is now Friday, June 14. RHS Graduation (which will not change with weather-related closings) is on Friday, June 14.
Be Like Mike
Beloved Branchville Head Custodian Retires
Last Friday was Mr. Mike Day at Branchville Elementary. Students and staff wore blue, made cards, and shared their thoughts about Mike Wlasuk, who was retiring as head custodian after thirty-three years in the District.
Some students, like Sasha Rowe, and staff, like paraeducator Mary Robinson, went full “Mr. Mike,” wearing blue pants, his striped button-down shirt with a pen and a cookie in the pocket, and a belt accessorized with a hefty keychain.
During lunch, students treated Mr. Mike like a rockstar, presenting handmade cards and gifts, and posing for photos to celebrate his retirement. Mr. Mike started in the district on December 16, 1991, and has worked at Branchville since January 2005.
He jokes, “When you have been here so long, you start to grow mold,” but appears to be generally touched by the attention. “I’m the biggest kid in the school,” he said. “The kids and the people make it hard to leave. Former parents have come back to tell me I had an impact on their kids. I never thought I had an impact. It’s overwhelming.”
Principal Keith Margolus writes, “As the son of a head elementary custodian, and in my own 23 years in education, I have known many custodians and many head custodians. Mike is simply the best! He always keeps students first, goes out of his way to support BES even when it isn't his job, offers solutions to challenges beyond expectation, is proactive and I could go on and on.”
Thank you to Mr. Mike and to all RPS custodians who are critical to RPS. Parents, please remind your students of their role in keeping schools clean and their ability to make an impact. Be like Mr. Mike!
Help Wanted: RPS Is Hiring
Curriculum News
BOE Curriculum Committee Reviews RPS Literacy, Math, and More
The BOE Curriculum Committee met this week. Administrators presented on the partnership with Dr. Ben Powers and CoLab to clarify that the relationship is more of a conversation than a consultancy—meaning that there won't be a report but instead suggestions of what RPS might consider for professional learning, etc. Curriculum leaders reported on literacy and math. Dr. Annie Tucci highlighted the importance of writing conferences at RHS and the feedback from alum on how important that was to them at college and beyond. A recording of the meeting is available on the BOE webpage.
Math Pathways, Placement Process, and More
Curriculum News—Presentation on Math Placement Process
Math Pathways, Placement Process, and More
District math curriculum leaders along with elementary and middle school math teachers led an informative presentation about Grades 5-8 math placement yesterday, Thursday, January 25. They gave a detailed description of math pathways, the different data sources used for math placement, the waiver procedure, and the audit they conduct for each student to confirm that the student will be in a course that is a good fit. They also answered questions from families to clarify the process and ways to support their young mathematicians. Families can access this and archived presentations on the RPS Curriculum engagED Website. The Google form to submit questions to the math team will be available here through the end of January. Please note the following dates and look at the resources already available on the Parents page of the Curriculum Website.
Elementary Mathematics (recorded)
Skills for Life (recorded)
Mathematics Placement Process (recorded)
Artificial Intelligence - February 29 @ 11:00 am
Science of Reading - March 28 @ 10:00 am
Next Generation Science Standards - April 25 @ 11:00 am
Check Your eBackpack
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.
In the Classroom and Beyond
It's the Year of the Dragon!
Submitted by RHS Mandarin Teacher, Yu-Wei Hsu
The midterm is behind us, and RHS Mandarin students are enthusiastically gearing up to celebrate the upcoming Dragon New Year in 2024. Our classes have been filled with excitement as students participated in various engaging activities, including a Dragon T-Shirt competition, Calligraphy sessions, crafting Spring Couplets, trying their hand at Paper Cutting, and creating intricate dragon-themed projects.
The Dragon New Year celebration holds significant cultural importance in many Asian countries, and our students are embracing the traditions and festivities with great enthusiasm. From creative competitions to hands-on artistic endeavors, our Mandarin students are fully immersed in the spirit of the upcoming Dragon year in 2024.
East Ridge Trip to Liberty Science Center
The intriguing photo below of students climbing the walls is reprinted with permission from the East Ridge newsletter. Seventh-grade science teacher Debbie Sullivan reports that her students loved interacting with this exhibition during their field trip to to the Liberty Science Center.
Ms. Sullivan shared this write-up about the project: "The Building was created by world-renowned Argentine conceptual artist Leandro Erlich, bringing his acclaimed Bâtiment series to the New York area for the first time (previous locations include Paris, London, Buenos Aires, Donetsk, and the Echigo-Tsumari region of Japan).
"Challenging the laws of gravity, the artist places a model of a building on the ground, allowing “spect-actors,” as he refers to them, to interact with the model, draping themselves across walls and pretending to hang off a balcony. A giant mirror, standing over the model at an angle, creates the illusion of the scene’s veracity.
"Each piece in Erlich’s Bâtiment series is a representational composite of the architectural vernacular belonging to the location in which it is installed. As a result, LSC houses a New York City brick storefront — complete with a deli and fire-escapes — which greets visitors in the entrance hall of LSC."
RPS students were so fortunate to visit this popular international show before it closed on December 31.
The Morning Show, Bobby-Style
On Wednesday, members of the Barlow Mountain Elementary morning show team assembled before school for reading, taping, filming, editing, and munchkins. It was this crew’s last session, and students volunteered to be anchors and tech. Bobcat TV advisors fifth-grade teacher Melissa Davis and RPS Technology Ben Evans did a lot more than provide sustenance but students also showed independence and expertise born out of six months of practice. The fourth and fifth-graders knew what to do—taking their places behind the scenes and in front of the green screen. The on-screen team greeted viewers, announced birthdays, delivered news, and taped features that would air throughout the week. They produced a science segment. Please see today’s episode here. With the technology available on a Chromebook and in a classroom, broadcasting a morning show is a good way to promote life skills, including articulation, vocabulary, cooperation, and production skills. Mr. Evans reports that Scotland Elementary will be adding a morning show soon. As they say at Barlow, “Go get ‘em!”
Third Grade Rocks!
Veterans Park third graders recently learned how rocks form. With VPES Library Media Specialist Liza Bullard and third-grade teachers Joy Craig and Michelle Flynn, they subjected multicolored clay “sediment” to heat and pressure in a fun geology lesson.
Genre January at Ridgebury Unearths New Favorites
Ridgebury readers celebrated Genre January last month, with students grades 3-5 pitching in to reorganize the library media center's fiction collection into literary genres. Together readers examined nearly 1,500 books and classified them as either mystery, fantasy, science fiction, historical fiction, realistic fiction, adventure, horror, or sports fiction (a popular genre not originally part of the plan). The upheaval unearthed books students never noticed when fiction was only organized by author's last name. One such gem, Dan Gutman's time-travelling Baseball Card series, transcends genre but was relocated to the sports fiction section, now widely adored (and originally suggested) by RES readers!
Ridgebury's first and second graders wrapped Genre January with a mystery, cracking a code with pencil and paper alongside characters King & Kayla. These code-breaker sleuths are preparing for February 7, World Read Aloud Day, when author Dori Hillestad Butler will visit us virtually to read from her series and answer our questions. We hope her dog Mouse joins us on the call!
The HeART of RPS
RHS Spring Musical Tickets Are On Sale!
East Ridge Gallery Brims With Creativity and Talent
8th grade printmaking with gelli plates and stencils. 8th grade sculptures.
abstract acrylic paintings focused on color and value by 6th grade
abstract sculptures by 8th graders made from wood, wire and nylon. Also, the 7th grade paintings
8th grade surrealist collages. 7th grade modular sculptures
Beyond the Classroom
Scotts Ridge Crowns New Spelling Bee Champion
Scotts Ridge Middle School held their annual Spelling Bee on Thursday. The contestants included 21 students from grades 6-8. The spelling bee lasted for 17 rounds and sixth-grader Winter Falconetti (shown in photo with SRMS Principal Tim Salem) was crowned the champion spelling the word Macedonia. Eighth-graders Maddie Jaus and Audrey Englert took second and third place. Winter will now move on to the CT Spelling Bee in Hartford. Congratulations to all the spellers!
Girls Track Wins FCIAC Title! Team + Individual Champions
RHS Girls Track take FCIAC. Senior Ava Malagisi is Champion in the Mile and the Two-Mile! The relay team of Lucy Thompson, Camille Wyatt, Erin Byrne, and Ally Olsen take first in the 1600 Relay. Wow! Way to go, Tigers.
Wrestling Celebrates Legacy of Respect and Excellence
Written by John Carrozza, RHS Parent
Ridgefield Wrestling took advantage of a major milestone to bring together alumni from its youth and high school programs on January 25. Over 75 former wrestlers, coaches, administrators, and supporters gathered to celebrate the 30-year anniversary of Ridgefield’s Youth Wrestling Program. The event, organized by the RHS Wrestling Booster Club, honored those who contributed to the longevity and success of wrestling at the youth and high school levels. Ridgefield selectmen Rudy Marconi and Chris Murray attended the event, highlighting the historical significance of the evening.
The event honored nine former RHS head coaches, four of whom were present, and 13 youth head coaches and presidents, 10 of whom were present. Three former RHS Wrestlers were honored for their distinguished wrestling careers in high school and at the collegiate level—Corey Paulish, Alex Blank, and Travis Tiger. Three individuals were also honored for their lifetime contribution to Ridgefield Wrestling. Dwight Blaha was saluted for his time as a coach and president at the youth level and his three-year run as president of the RHS Booster Club. Jamie Block coached for ten years at the elementary level, where he has taught and mentored a generation of Ridgefield Youth. Finally, the focal point of the night was the recognition of Coach Jim Murphy. Jim founded Ridgefield’s Youth Wrestling Program and coached during the program’s first 20 seasons. Coach Murphy was coaxed out of retirement this summer to help jumpstart a summer open mat program and is currently a volunteer assistant at RHS, where the team is currently ranked in the CT top 10 and enjoying a historic season.
The celebration focused on the rich history and achievements of the program while emphasizing the positive impact of wrestling on those who participate. Members of the Ridgefield Varsity Program attended as ambassadors. They received the rare opportunity to learn of the respect, camaraderie, and sense of family that has transcended generations. Former RHS wrestler Alex Blank delivered a profound tribute, speaking from the heart about the structure, work ethic, and tough lessons wrestling taught him—so much that wrestling became a part of who he is as an individual. Former RHS Head Coach Dave Jackson delivered a heartfelt tribute to former RHS Head Coach Gary Tiger, who passed away in 2022, highlighting Gary’s dedication and commitment to the program. Gary's two sons, Travis and Jordan, traveled to attend the event and hear Dave's memorial. Long-time Ridgefield resident John Pavain presented the Founders Award, honoring Jim Murphy’s contributions to the sport of wrestling and his dedication to Ridgefield youth and high-school programs.
By design, the event coincided with the 22nd Annual Gary Tiger Ridgefield Challenge on Saturday, January 27. Alumni showed up in droves and were given VIP seating for what turned out to be a very exciting and entertaining finals round. The Ridgefield Tigers took a well-deserved second place behind the current CT powerhouse, the Newtown Nighthawks. RHS placed five wrestlers in the finals, winning four of the five and taking home both the Most Outstanding Wrestler, Victor Petkov, and the Most Outstanding Finals Match, Lorenzo Lanzilli. Coach Murphy commented, “We couldn’t have scripted a better weekend. We honored our past and celebrated the current and future of our program. We made connections across generations of wrestlers and highlighted the significance of the sport and the impact on the lives of all involved. Wrestling is timeless; it transcends what happens on the mat and is embodied forever by those that have the will to embrace it.”
RHS Senior Steven Hergenrother Continues to Shine
Cross-country champion, Princeton commit, star student, and community leader Steven Hergenrother continues to earn recognition. Hamlet Hub reports that he's the Gatorade Athlete of the Year for the second year in a row. Please read about this recognition here. Next stop, Wheaties box? Do they even make that any more? Congratulations, Steven!
More Videos and Photos from the Week
All-RPS Choral Festival Is Pitch Perfect
On Tuesday, students from every level came together at the RHS Auditorium for the first-ever RPS Choral Festival. Tears, goosebumps, smiles, standing ovations, and post-concert brownies were all part of this great event. A big part of the story is the remarkable team of educators across the RPS music department. Thank you to them and to Ridgefield Music Parents for all you did to make this all-RPS celebration sing! All-RPS Orchestra and Band Festivals continue next week.
Enjoy performances from the concert below!
RHS Madrigals Kick It Off
The RHS Madrigals opened the Choral Festival with a catchy rendition of "Price Tag." Soloists Theo McCue and Elizabeth Campbell were joined by the incomparable middle school beatbox prodigy, Bradan Janso.
Fifth-Grade Select Chorus Stands Tall and Sings Beautifully
Members of the Select Fifth-Grade Choir directed by East Ridge chorus teacher Dr. Kimberly Russell sang Kusimama (Stand Tall). Listen to the recording below to start your weekend toe tapping.
No Dust in This Group
Scotts Ridge Grade 8 Chorus Director Michael LaBarre directed a beautiful rendition of the classic "Dust in the Wind."
East Ridge Sings John Williams
Dr. Kimberly Russell returned to the stage to direct the East Ridge Grade 8 Chorus in "Dry Your Tears, Afrika."
All-Together Now!
The finale featured high school, middle school, and elementary singers in a two-tiered moving rendition of "A Million Dreams."
Is It Spring Yet, Phil?
Yesterday, Scotland Elementary students speculated whether groundhog Punxsutawney Phil would see his shadow...or not. Maybe Phil knows...Temperatures are rising and the sun should be out this weekend. Woo hoo!
Scotts Ridge Students Hit a Wall...and the Slopes
Fifty Scotts Ridge seventh and eighth graders took to the slopes the weekend of January 19th-21st. Students traveled to Pico Mountain in Vermont for two days of skiing and even found time to do some rock climbing.
It's Love Month!
RHS Student Council makes Valentines for our veterans.
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.