GPS District Digest (v6, i7)

Last week, you were sitting on your couch in your pajamas watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade and thinking about how incredible the marching bands were. But, you were also thinking about your favorite newsletter loaded with all good things GPS, the GPS District Digest. Right?

Issue No. 7 is here and right on time for December.

Last issue, we told you about a request from loyal reader, Susan, asking for alumni news. When you scroll down, you will see we delivered.

Loyal reader, Monica, has another request: "It would be very impactful to feature a student or two who has special needs, overcame their obstacles from high school, and realized success on their journey. These are truly inspiring and motivating to parents and students."

Monica? You are awesome! I hope some of your fellow fans of the Digest come through for us with amazing feel-good stories. We know we can all use them.

Enjoy Issue No. 7 and thank you for your support.

GPS District Digest

Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones recently announced that 53 employees have been named GPS’s “Difference Maker” award recipients for the month of November as staff members who have made an overwhelming impact on the lives of others inside and outside of our schools.

“Every staff member that steps foot into one of Greenwich’s school buildings can make a significant difference in the lives of our students each and every day,” Dr. Jones said. “It is to no one’s surprise that we are receiving such an amazing response to this new district initiative. Family members, coworkers, and students continue to enthusiastically share who are the Difference Makers in their lives.”

The GPS “Difference Maker” award is presented monthly to full or part-time employees, who through their unique commitment and humanitarian spirit, have made exceptional and lasting contributions to the GPS community through one life-changing event, extraordinary long-lasting efforts, or making a difference in the lives of others every single day. Each building holds its individual celebrations to honor winners with certificate presentations and other recognitions.

GPS families, students, co-workers, or community members can nominate their difference maker online and is open to all employees of Greenwich Public Schools, full or part time, in good standing. It excludes contractors or employees of other town agencies. Nominators can be staff, families, students, or community members.

Unified Sports started at Greenwich High School in November 2010. A registered program of the Special Olympics, Unified Sports combines approximately equal numbers of athletes with and without disabilities, on sports teams for training and competition. All Unified Sports players, both athletes and special partners, are of similar age and sport skill ability.

Last month, English for Speakers of Other Languages teacher Mrs. Emilia Rivera and professional assistant Mrs. Elena Rota, hosted a Thanksgiving celebration at North Mianus School for ESOL families.

This amazing event, which is also held in many of GPS' elementary schools, brings all of their ESOL families together to celebrate for many, their first Thanksgiving and also to give thanks for all they have experienced since moving to the United States.

Sources shared some family thoughts with the Digest:

"We are so grateful to be here in NMS community. ESOL helped us have a soft landing to the new school and Greenwich."

"Being part of the NMS and ESOL community makes us feel welcomed here, while having people who care and try for our kids' easy adaptation."

"This will be our first Thanksgiving together in the US. We are grateful to finally be together in one location and be surrounded by such welcoming and generous friends in the community. We wish all the ESOL families great happiness and health in the years to come!"

You asked us. We asked you. You came through.

Last issue, we wrote about one of our loyal readers, Susan, who told us that she would love to read about what recent Greenwich HS graduates were up to.

We immediately heard from you!

Sacha Norton, class of 2021 and current Syracuse University senior, co-founded a charity called Tablets For Kids, with the mission of providing digital technology to children in sub-Saharan Africa.

You are encouraged to read all about her and her mission at The NewsHouse, a resource for news, entertainment, sports and what is happening in and around Syracuse University. Amazing stuff!

Ten Greenwich High School students recently participated in a wonderful annual art exhibition, "Through Your Looking Glass." Hosted by Stand Together Against Racism (S.T.A.R), in partnership with The Glass House and the Carriage Barn Arts Center, this student art showcase celebrated how art, design, and architecture can promote social justice, inclusion, equity, and diversity.

Students of all ages from Fairfield County were invited to submit art that reflected a social justice topic that is important to them. This showcase was not a competition and all student artwork was displayed at the Carriage Barn Arts Center in New Canaan.

Talk about a super group collaboration. They have one at Western Middle School!

Superstar eighth grader and 2022 Community Service Awards honoree, Sam Buck, has teamed up with WMS teacher, Mr. Cody Ludvinsky, to bring the town's most famous fundraiser, "Mismatched Day," to a whole new level.

Mismatched Day is dedicated to spreading awareness of vanishing white matter disease by engaging the GPS, local, and online fiber arts communities, encouraging crafters to knit and donate handmade socks which will later be sold to benefit VWM Families Foundation.

By engaging individuals and businesses worldwide on the Instagram account, @KnitSocksForSam,

Sam and Mr. Ludvinsky have found a great avenue to effectively spread awareness of this incredibly rare condition. Show your support and stay updated by following @KnitSocksForSam on Instagram.

You can be a part of this movement with a follow and using #SocksForSam.

Greenwich HS' Mr. Jonathan Herman and students in his civics 300 class recently served the community at Neighbor to Neighbor Greenwich unloading pallets of donated goods and sorted materials and assisted with their Thanksgiving preparation.

Civics, a course offered at GHS, addresses the complexities of governing the American people and prepares students to become active and engaged citizens.

Where were you in late November when GHS senior Thomas "The Tank" McKinney and 75 of his closest friends were cleaning up after you at Cos Cob Park?

More than 260 pounds of garbage was picked up and disposed of properly. We guess if you put your garbage in the appropriate place, Mr. T would have to find himself another hobby.

Did you participate in the Greenwich Alliance for Education's Turkey Trot 2024 last week?

For those living under a rock, this event is an annual Thanksgiving weekend tradition in Greenwich comprised of a 5K and 1 mile run/walk that begins at the Arch Street Teen Center and loops through Bruce Park.

Mark your 2025 calendar for Saturday, November 29 so you do not forget next year.

Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones recently announced that Ms. Kathryn Natale has been named Special Education coordinator, effective December 16.

Ms. Natale will be responsible for planning, coordinating, and supervising Special Education services, while assisting building administrators in monitoring the instruction of students with disabilities in both general education and Special Education settings. She will also act as a contributing and primary evaluator for certified Special Education and related services staff, provide assistance to building-based administrators on IEP/PPT meetings, and provide input to Chief Officer of Special Education and Student Supports Dr. Stacey Heiligenthaler, specifically for the district’s preschool and elementary level students as well as supporting students in out of district placements.

“With a deep commitment to supporting students and a wealth of experience as a dedicated Special Education teacher, Ms. Kathryn Natale brings both expertise and passion to this critical leadership role,” Dr. Heiligenthaler said. “I am confident that her leadership will elevate our Special Education program and help us continue to provide the highest level of support to every student we serve.”

For more information, read the entire press release on the district's website.

In late November, a contingent of Greenwich staffers headed to the National Council of Teachers of English Annual Convention in Boston.

For 2.5 days, ELA curriculum leader, Ms. Brigid Barry, along with seven middle school ELA teachers, one middle school media specialist, and two high school ELA teachers attended workshops and listened to keynote speakers.

Greenwich High School Music Department will host its inaugural Candlelight Concert, an enchanting evening of festive music, seasonal cheer, and community spirit on December 18 and 19 at 7:30 PM in the Performing Arts Center. It promises to be a memorable celebration for all ages.

The Candlelight Concert will feature a variety of musical performances by the GHS Choirs, Bands, Orchestra, and Jazz Ensemble. The concert will showcase a blend of traditional holiday carols, classical holiday pieces, and contemporary festive music. And in keeping with Choir tradition, the last piece will be the "Hallelujah Chorus," with all alumni invited to join the choir and sing.

“The Candlelight Holiday Music Concert is our way of bringing together the community to celebrate the joy of the season through the power of music,” said Director of Orchestras Ms. Bethany Fuscaldo. “We have designed the evening to be a truly immersive experience, one that captures the beauty and spirit of the holidays while also highlighting the extraordinary talent of our student musicians.”

In addition to the musical performances, the event will showcase the compositions of the GHS electronic music program in the lobby before the concert begins. Starting at 6:45 PM, guests can sip complimentary hot cocoa and enjoy cookies as they listen to the student created electronic music.

All GHS music concerts are free and open to the public, no tickets are required.

Social media, when done responsibly, can be a great tool to share information. Here at GPS, we use social media to give you a behind the scenes look at what is happening in our buildings, celebrate staff and student achievement, and to break news.

Are you one of our 2,176 followers on X (formerly known as Twitter)? If not, why aren't you? We know the world can be a very mean and nasty place and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. But here, it's all sunshine and rainbows.

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