RPS Update
October 27, 2023
EDITOR'S NOTE:
RPS learned this morning that some families didn't receive this Update on Friday. Our apologies to those we missed.
Dear Families, Faculty, and Staff,
We are ending the week with the annual RHS Homecoming Football Game. We are looking forward to the game, the cheerleaders, and dancers; and of course the crowd of excited spectators. Hopefully the beautiful weather holds out for this evening. GOOO Tigers!
At this past Board of Education meeting, one of our RHS seniors, Will Defino, was joined by his art teacher Ms. Grassi to share how his art class on “jewelry making” not only supported his creativity, but also small business ideas. Will made his mark on all of us Monday night, and we anticipate hearing more about Will in the future. Our Board of Education also met with our Director of School Safety and Security, Mr. Zabin, in Executive Session for an update on security. As many of you know, these meetings are held privately so that we maintain the most safe and secure environment for all our students and faculty. The feedback on our new security model has been incredibly positive, and the “people” have made all the difference.
On Thursday, Dr. Hannaway, Ms. Gillette, and I joined the VPES team during an MTSS meeting. We can’t help but admire the teachers, coaches, specialists, and leadership of how well they know their students, and the knowledge of teaching and learning that they are able to bring to the discussion. I can say with confidence, we are lucky to be a part of this learning community; and while not possible, I truly wish parents could have been in the meeting with us.
I am sure the little ones will be engaged in many Halloween activities this weekend. I would like to take a moment to remind our young drivers and others to please be careful. We have heard from concerned parents of excessive speed on our residential roads. Happy Halloween!
Warmly,
Susie
Susie Da Silva, Ed.D
HOCO Game + Dance This Weekend
RHS spirit has been building all week with a friendly inter-class competition. Tonight, the RHS Varsity Football Team will kick-off against with RHS Cheer and Dance Teams bringing their skills and pep. Tomorrow, RHS students will enjoy a dance. Please have fun and be safe, Tigers!
Important District News and Reminders
NEW! Parent Presentation on Math
On November 6, Sarah Schaefer, the developer of the District's new K-5 math curriculum resource will give a presentation for parents on How Students Learn Mathematics. Ms. Schaefer has spent dozens of hours in RPS classrooms over the past two years, captivating teachers, students, and administrators with her expertise and energy. Please see this incredible educator for yourself! Information below.
Who: Sarah Schaefer and the District Math Team
When: November 6 @ 5:30 pm
Where: BOE Room, 90 East Ridge Road and Live Streamed on the Curriculum YouTube Channel
How: Click link to submit questions
REMINDER! Connecticut Gun Laws
On an episode of Tiger Talk, Ridgefield Public School’s Director of Safety and Security, Josh Zabin touched on Connecticut's gun laws, including Ethan's Law and other important safety reminders. Ethan's Law, named for Ethan Song who died at 15 years old while handling a firearm at a neighbor's house, covers the safe storage of firearms and ammunition with minors in the house. Please review the law here and join RPS in keeping schools safe and secure.
Photo Caption: Kristin Song holds photo of her son, Ethan.
Credit: MARK PAZNIOKAS / CTMIRROR.ORG:
On this week’s episode of Ridgefield Tiger Talk we welcome back to the podcast physics and robotics teacher Michael Murphy who is joined with two RHS students Harshiv Gorakhiya and Declan Kelly. They tell us about the RHS robotics program and after school club. Also, on Saturday, November 4, Ridgefield High School will be hosting a huge robotics competition that will have over 60 teams from different states. If you’re interested in going, click here for the flyer. Also, here is a link to the YouTube channel if you’d like to stream it on the day of the event. Thanks for listening!
National Honor for Scotts Ridge Principal Tim Salem
Scotts Ridge Middle School Principal Tim Salem and Library and Media Specialist Janine Johnson traveled to Tampa last week for the bi-annual American Association of School Librarians (AASL) Conference. In 2022, the AASL awarded Mr. Salem with the Distinguished School Administrator Award in recognition of his contribution “to the operations of exemplary school libraries and to advancing the role of the school library in the educational program.” Read the full release here.
In his acceptance speech in Tampa, Mr. Salem gave full credit to Ms. Johnson and the team who have made the SRMS Library the “learning hub” of the school. The pair, during a conference presentation, shared their ambitious learning program which includes One Book, Two Schools—a powerful collaboration with Rogers Park Middle School in Danbury. They met other librarians, building leaders, and authors, including the keynote speaker ARTivist, author, and Hollywood film illustrator Nikkolas Smith
Mr. Salem was named to an AASL two-year panel of admins from across the country
Congratulations and thank you to Tim and Janine for always going above and beyond for our Community.
RPS Earns District Communications Awards
For the second year in a row, the RPS newsletter earned the Bonnie B. Carney Award of Excellence for Educational Communications from CABE (CT Association of Boards of Education). The Ridgefield Board of Education 2023-24 Budget Book and Ridgefield Tiger Talk Podcast received Honorable Mention. Please follow us on Social Media!
Check Your eBackpack
When you are checking the eBackpack this week, please note the new Cyber Security Tip sheets added. October is Cyber Security Month and the State of Connecticut has provided families important guides about Social Media Security. 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.
Reminder! Transportation Department News
First Student Working to Improve Service
We understand there is some frustration with bus transportation and want to reassure our families that our bus company First Student is working to improve service. With a national bus driver shortage, worker callouts, and extensive road work in Ridgefield, there are many challenges. Most RPS bus drivers have driven for us for years and all are highly dedicated to the safety of our students. Thank you for reminding your students to treat them with respect and for your patience as we work together. Here is a letter from First Student, which shows their commitment to Ridgefield families, the hurdles they face, and the steps they are taking.
FirstView Bus App Directions
The FirstView Bus App is available, including Student Security Codes! Please use the link here for instructions. You can find your District Student Number on PowerSchool under Grades and Attendance. You can find FirstView Security Code and Bus Number on PowerSchool under Transportation. We apologize for the glitches with the codes last weekend and the delays with the roll out. We value your partnership and look forward to providing you with a more efficient and informative transportation experience. FirstView Customer Support will be available Monday-Friday from 7:00 a.m. EST to 5:00 p.m. EST
Math Teaching Team Learns Strategies for Developing Perservance
The Elementary District Math Team attended a lesson study format under the mentorship of Dr. Yeap Ban Har and Sarah Schaefer in Westport, CT. The lesson study focused on the creative process of delivering effective lessons by highlighting content and delivery techniques. They specifically considered how mathematicians develop perseverance. Teachers from various districts worked as a member of a professional development community by planning, delivering, reflecting, and refining lessons for grades two and five.
District Math Specialist Jamie Palladino writes, "The math team feels fortunate and excited to work directly with Dr. Yeap Ban Har, a world- renowned leader in the teaching of mathematics, as well Sarah Schaefer, the founder of Mathodology and expert in teaching and learning. We look forward to taking what we have learned from these two experts and sharing back in our buildings with teachers and students."
Ms. Schaefer will give a workshop for parents at 5:30 on November 6 in the BOE Conference Room and live-streamed. More info above.
REMINDER! High School Options for Grade 8
Application Deadlines Approaching
This month, East Ridge and Scotts Ridge eighth graders are learning about some of the free high school options available to them beyond Ridgefield High School. One of the alternatives for RPS students is Abbott Tech in Danbury, which teaches a variety of trades—plumbing, mechanics, nursing, graphic design, technology, etc.—as well as core academics. Other high school programs presented to grade 8 include Center for Global Studies at Brien McMahon, Stamford Regional Agriscience and Technology at Westhill High School, and AITE (a STEM-based school in Stamford). Many graduates of these programs go right into the workforce, start their own business, or go to college. Note that open houses are ongoing this month and some application deadlines are approaching. See the full presentation here.
REMINDER! Town Survey for Residents 55+:
The Town of Ridgefield has asked RPS to distribute the Senior Survey to all of our 55+ year old families. You can simply click on the survey link below to take the survey. Please note that to avoid
duplication, only one survey can be submitted from an e-mail address. If you share an e-mail address with a partner, please submit an alternate e-mail address to the town or pick up a paper version of the survey from the Town Hall information office. If you cannot get there please call 203-894-7434 and arrange for a paper survey to be delivered and picked up from your home. Additionally, if you cannot complete the paper survey, please call that same number and arrangements will be made to have a volunteer visit you and collect your survey responses on a tablet or laptop computer.
Here is the survey link: https://bit.ly/ridgefieldsurveyemail
Social and Emotional Learning Corner
In last week's RPS Update, Dr. Da Silva wrote about Kids in Crisis—RPS's partner in mental health services. Kids in Crisis offers 24/7 wrap-around help for all Ridgefield families. You are not alone!
Kids in Crisis 24-Hour Helpline:
Call: 203.661.1911
The Ridgefield Prevention Council Presents Movie & Panel
Workshop: Staying Sane on the Journey to College
In the Classroom
Second Graders Visit Town for Social Studies Unit
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood!
Farmingville second graders went on a field trip to downtown Ridgefield this week as part of their social studies unit. First, they met with First Selectman Rudy Marconi at Town Hall. Mr. Marconi answered questions from the students, including how he became the first selectman and how many fire engines there are in town. They toured Town Hall, stopping by the Records Room; went on a scavenger hunt on Main Street to find things like the town clock, traffic lights, emergency services, and town buildings; and enjoyed a tour of the Library.
Their teachers Emily Casolo, Melanie Ehret, and Christine Parsons report that the children had a blast learning about what the Ridgefield community offers. Students loved keeping tallies of all the different types of signs and buildings. When they returned to school, the students noted that Ridgefield seems to value pedestrians, the reserved parking for handicapped people, restaurants and shops, and the American flag These observations help us learn about the community where they live and what a community should have in order to thrive.
The HeART of RPS
RHS Senior Shares His Passion for Metal with BOE
Senior Will Delfino shared his passion for fine jewelry-making at RPS Showcase portion of the Board of Education meeting this Monday. Will credited his RHS Art Teacher Jane Grassi for introducing him to this creative journey, which he has pursued throughout his high school years. See his presentation here.
Q&A With Actors from The Play That Goes Wrong
This week, RPS Update talked to two of the leads of the RHS fall play The Play That Goes Wrong in anticipation of opening night on November 2.
Sophomore Casey Fischer plays Jonathan (Charles Haversham)
Junior Lloyd Mills plays Max Bennett
Q: Is this your first RHS play?
CF: Yes, this is my first time acting in an RHS production at all, and I couldn't have asked for a better show.
LM: No, this is my 7th RHS production and one of my favorites!
What are you most excited about for this performance?
CF: Absolutely everything, this play is so funny and so involved with everyone in tech and on stage. This is also my favorite group of people in the world and performing with them is an actual dream.
LM: Agreed, everything about the show is so funny, and I can’t wait for people to see all of the work put in by our amazing cast, crew, and directors.
This play utilizes a lot of props and physical comedy. What can audiences expect?
CF: Prepare to see me be absolutely clobbered by the other actors. Also, expect lots of action from the stagehands.
LM: There’s lots and lots of falling, from the people, the props, and some other things. Also, one of the best sword-fighting scenes ever.
Q: What is your rehearsal schedule like this week?
CF: We’re beginning tech this week, so we have 4-5-hour rehearsals in the evenings after school most days.
LM: Towards the start of the rehearsals they are only 3 hours long, then as we start tech and dress it becomes longer, around 4 hours.
GET YOUR TICKETS! RHS FALL PLAY & CARNEGIE HALL!!!!
November 2, 3, & 4 @ 7 pm
The Play That Goes Wrong
RHS Auditorium
This hilarious farce was written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields. Welcome to opening night of "The Murder at Haversham Manor" where things are quickly going from bad to utterly disastrous. With an unconscious leading lady, a corpse that can’t play dead, and actors who trip over everything (including their lines). You would be WRONG to not make plans to see it!
Beyond the Classroom
Staff Take-On Wizards in Fun Community Event
RPS staff faced-off against the Wizards last Saturday for a fun and full Community event. The RHS Girls Basketball team wanted to thank all of the amazing teachers that volunteered their time this past Saturday at the Harlem Wizards game. They made the evening extra special!
- Will Boylan ERMS
- Lori Bran RHS
- Juliana Chetcuti SRMS
- Kevin Clarke RHS
- Amanda Cody FES
- Noalee Darragh BMES
- Martha DeSantis RHS
- Katelyn Foran RHS
- Tory Greene BMES
- Alaina Kakos SES
- Sarah Kehoe FES
- Sue Meyer BMES
- Megan Osimanti RHS
- Monika Sobocinski BES
- Vickie Williams RES
Better luck next year, staff!
More Photos from the Week
Sweater Weather for ERMS Tress
Early this week, members of the East Ridge Middle School Crochet Club "yarn bombed" a tree outside their school with their crafty creations. Sweater weather was here. Then, on Thursday and today, not so much. It's all about layers, RPS.
Spooks and Spirit PreK-Grade 12
From Barbies to bunnies, PreSchool to RHS Seniors, RPS broke out the spooks and spirit to celebrate Halloween and Homecoming. Preschool and Elementary Supervisor Christina Salvestrini reports their program started celebrating early. How cute!
Question: What RHS Class Won Spirit Week?
Instagram was flooded this week by RHS Spirit as Classes competed for the trophy.
Themes!
Monday: USA Day
Tuesday: PJ Day
Wednesday: Barbenheimer
Thursday: Class Colors
Friday: Tiger Pride
Answer: Everyone!
No matter which class clinches the trophy, the spirit from every side was contagious. Let's go, Tigers!
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.