GPS District Digest
Stories, news and updates from Greenwich Public Schools
Greenwich Symphony's Young People's Concert
The Greenwich Symphony Orchestra (GSO), under the direction of Associate Conductor Tara Simoncic, hosts a "Young People's Concert" series, which provides professional orchestra concerts, free of charge, during school hours, for all children attending grades two through seven in 23 public and private schools in Greenwich.
The program combines classroom instruction and an experiential concert. Music teachers prepare students for knowledgeable listening with CD recordings and creative classroom assignments that are prepared by the GSO’s Young People’s Concert Committee, Dr. Sandra Rogers Heikel and GPS The Arts Program Coordinator Laura White Newell.
At today's concert, the first of three concerts available to our students, fourth and fifth graders across the District listened to an entire program dedicated to soloists. This concert program even gained the interest and attention of ABC7 News, a New York City media outlet. They interviewed a few student attendees, orchestra members and program coordinators to share the benefits of this great music programming available to our students.
The three triple-performance concerts are funded by the GSO, with contributions from the Greenwich Board of Education, Greenwich Private Schools, friends, foundations, corporations, and proceeds from the GSO Board’s annual benefit events.
National Honor Society Induction Ceremony
National Honor Society members provide peer tutoring support two blocks per cycle, support an individual student to whom they are assigned, provide support to students in a learning center, participate in the tutorial process in AVID, or they work in a specific community service capacity in the community. They are also recognized for academic performance and must have earned a 5-semester cumulative GPA of 3.55 or higher by the end of junior year in order to be invited to apply for this membership. Congratulations to these seniors for their accomplishments!
Halloween Recap: Costumes & Fun Programs from across the District
There are more photos available on our website in this slideshow.
GPS Educators participate in Professional Development Day
The Chief Academic Officer with the Academic Program Coordinators continue to develop a program of professional learning that aligns with state standards and GPS Professional Learning Goals . The team will analyze participant feedback to incorporate in the development of the next District professional learning day on April 28, 2020.
ISD collects donations for local Adopt-a-Dog organization
Earlier this month, International School at Dundee (ISD) students and staff were visited by author and illustrator, Troy Cummings, who recently released a picture book titled, Can I Be Your Dog?, a heartwarming tale of a stray dog looking to secure a forever home.
To celebrate Troy Cummings providing a full-day visit with ISD, students participated in a drive to benefit the local Adopt-a-Dog organization. Almost 400 items were collected for the organization. The items were sorted and counted by a third grade class who used the data obtained as part of a math lesson, combining the IB Learner Profile attribute of Caring, as well as taking action.
Today, a representative from Adopt-a-Dog presented to Grade 1 students on the significance of the school’s donations as well as the mission of this organization. The visit aligned with an inquiry into how a community meets the needs and wants of its members. Watch the first grade students react to hearing the news that they won the Adopt-a-Dog visit by donating the most items to the drive.
Projects Update
Greenwich High School
Greenwich High School's Entryway/Media Center Project's Feasibility Committee had their first meeting recently, with specific emphasis on working towards redesign of the entryway to enhance safety and security. A Request for Proposal (RFP) is expected to be issued in the next few days.
Julian Curtiss School
Julian Curtiss School's Feasibility Committee is moving along. A Request for Proposal (RFP) is expected to be issued in the next few days to obtain the services for the first steps with an architect to help craft an educational specification for the Board of Education to approve.
Upcoming events across the District
Board of Education - Budget Meeting
Thurs. Nov. 7 • 7:00pm
Cos Cob School
Kindergarten Spotlight: Informational Session about GPS Kindergarten
Weds. Nov. 13 • 6:00 - 7:15pm
Cos Cob School
Greenwich Alliance for Education’s - "Inspiring Educators Celebration”
Tues. Nov. 19 • 4:00 - 5:00pm
Greenwich High School Media Center