RPS Update

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and while we all know that mental health is not limited to any day, week, or month, we can take the opportunity to raise our attention and focus on ourselves and others. As a school district, our eyes are on our students; the reality is that mental health impacts those of all ages. Our hope is that together as a community we can wrap our arms around everyone. Should parents be interested, information can be found here from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) on various topics related to mental wellness. Additionally, click here for resources from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) which includes information about children and separately, teen mental health.

It was a week of celebrations: musicals, performances, art shows, Inclusion Expo. Go RPS! There is no doubt that springtime is one of the busiest times of the year and incredibly rewarding for our students, families, and faculty. We also have our last call for Forever Summer Bridge (see flyers below).

National Teacher Appreciation Week is the first week of May- a great opportunity to celebrate our educators! At the recent BOE meeting, we recognized the work we do together to ensure RPS is a District of Choice. Throughout the presentation, we heard over and over that the teachers themselves are who make the RPS community a special place. We honor our incredible faculty, and each day feel lucky to have the opportunity to partner with a wonderful team.

On Monday evening. May 6, the Annual Town meeting will be held at East Ridge Middle School at 7:30 p.m. We look forward to seeing you there.

Warmly,

Susie

Susie Da Silva, Ed.D

May is one of the busiest months in the school year. Please read through the RPS Update for opportunities for reflection, celebration, and community building. Check your school's calendar for important dates. Remember Teacher Appreciation Week!!!

The Forever Summer Bridge Program provides out of the box learning experiences beyond the traditional classroom settings taught by our own talented teachers! Please register on the Summer Bridge site to ensure your student's spot. Click on flyers below to learn more about the great programs for each level. Volunteer opportunities available!

On Monday, composer Jessica Meyer came to RPS to meet with the East Ridge and Scotts Ridge Middle School Symphonic Orchestra students. First, she led the group through her original composition, "Blue Hour", a piece commissioned by ERMS orchestra director, Shane Peters specifically for the ERMS/SRMS Symphonic Orchestra. Later, Meyer led a musical creativity workshop focused on composition and how a piece can convey emotion. The students split into groups to compose their pieces about joy. At the end, some students shared their compositions. "It was harder than I thought," one of the students said. "I kept forgetting what I was supposed to play." Students and staff shared what they noticed about each piece and how composing made them reflect on playing. Ms. Meyer wrote on Instagram, "I had the best time. Your program is fire emoji, fire emoji, fire emoji!" RPS in collaboration with Ridgefield Music Parents, a dedicated and exceptional group of parent partners, funded the commission. Thank you to them, Symphonic Director, Shane Peters, and Co-Director Juliana Chetcuti.

The public is invited to the "Blue Hour" premiere on May 29 at 7 pm at East Ridge Middle School.

The first-ever RPS Inclusion Expo was a triumph! Families, staff, BOE, PTA, and district leaders turned out to learn some of the ways RPS supports students and how we can all support inclusion. RHS classroom teachers shared new Unified class options (and freshly baked cookies) and students sold merchandise and treats from the RHS school store. Various teachers and providers talked about emotional regulation, differentiation, and adaptive technology that can transform the lives of some students receiving special services. From PreK to our 18-22-year-old transition program, RPS aims to foster a positive learning climate for everyone. Many people attended a workshop on being an inclusion ally. The Prospector Theater, Ridgefield’s own inclusive-employment movie theater, donated a door prize of a free private theater rental.

More photos below!

No Place for Hate (NPFH) ambassadors from East Ridge, Scotts Ridge, and RHS came to the BOE meeting on Monday night to talk about how the NPFH Anti-Defamation program spreads inclusivity and compassion in their schools. Please see this student presentation here (40 min mark approximately).

On Wednesday, RPS announced that Caitlin Walsh will be the new Barlow Mountain Elementary Assistant Principal. Please read the full announcement here.

RPS kindergarten registration numbers are significantly down this year, and the district wants to be able to plan for the best possible experience for students and staff. Registration required to attend mini-kindergarten! Please help us spread the word about this exciting rite of passage and register today.

RPS can help clarify the State of Connecticut's new kindergarten cut-off, how and when to consider applying for a waiver, and more. All the information about registration and mini-kindergarten orientation dates are available here.

RPS is in the final weeks of Middle School Virtual Drop in Tutoring sessions. Here is a link to the array of virtual options available to Middle School families.

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 There is a special notice from the Boy and Girls Club of Ridgefield looking for teachers and other educators to help lead their summer programs.

The halls of RHS were alive with art and song this week, reflecting a vibrant community committed to creativity, arts education, and inclusion. Tuesday was the RHS Orchestra Concert. Thursday was the opening of the RHS Art Show and spring Choir Concert. The talent, time commitment, and dedication of students and educators is awe inspiring. The photo top right below shows RHS Art Teachers Dana Phelan and Jane Grassi with Glow Art from the new Unified Arts Class students. Thank you to them and to all the parents, PTAs, staff, and students for showing that art is at the heart of RPS. More photos below!

This year's issue of Lodestar, the RHS literary magazine, hit the RHS hallways, art show, and your computer this week. Edited by seniors—Hannah Caudill, Willow Pichardo, Sophie Shen, and Gabriel Uceda-Sosa—this year's edition is entitled, "Perennial," and it explores how the seasons (summer, fall, winter, and spring) represent the various stages in our own lives. The art and writing shows talent, creativity, and commitment.

Kevin Higgins and Tara Ceresa are the magazine's advisors.

Please see the magazine for all the contributors. The rest of the staff is below.

Maria Flor Mascarenhas '27, Henry Frates '26, Connor Graves '27, Nicole Herde '24, Sydney Kinford '27, Madeline Lindsay-Jones '27, Jane Prusko '24, Natalie Shartouni '26, Grant Thorburn '25, Sherry Wu '27

Cover image by Hannah Levine

The RHS production of Little Women received two Stephen Sondheim Award Nominations—the most prestigious regional awards for High School Theatre in Connecticut and Massachusetts! One nomination recognizes student Elizabeth Rogers for Costume Design. The other is for the whole company for Scenic Design. The RHS Theater creative team, booster parents, and cast/crew of students came together in a collaborative, community-building effort each week on "Set Build Saturdays" to design and build out the set, props, and costumes. The RHS theater community is such a strong and supportive group, and this is a huge opportunity and major regional recognition for the RPS Visual and Performing Arts Department! Congratulations!

Mermaids, blowfish, sailors, and turtles duke it out for Ariel's heart, voice, gills, and tail in Branchville Elementary's adorable rendition of Little Mermaid, directed by BES Music Teacher Betsy Anderson. Please see the Playbill to view all those involved in this charming, under-the-sea production.

Scotland Elementary's production of Peter Pan Jr. brought this classic children's story to life. Directed by SES music teacher and RPS legend Jim Tornatore, this musical featured Peter, Wendy, Tinkerbell, Captain Hook and all his pirates singing their hearts out.

Last Friday, East Ridge Middle School conducted its annual Geography Bee. Social Studies teachers Will Boylan and Andrea Donigian hosted the event, and Principal Jennifer Phostole was the emcee. The entire school competed in a qualifying round with 21 students qualifying to compete on stage in front of the entire school. The competitors engaged in prep sessions with Mrs. Donigian and Mr. Boylan. The questions were challenging, and the finalists did a wonderful job with some exceptionally difficult questions! The audience was enthusiastic throughout the competition. Thanks to all the families, staff, and students who helped make this a fantastic event.

The winners:

1st place: Ben Pearl

2nd place: Ben Marceau

3rd place: Caroline Chaikivsky

Qualifiers:

Noah Berman, Ben Pearl, Caroline Chaikivsky, Daniel Piec, Maxim Curt, Jackson Ray, Scott Dadasovich, Suchetha Rao, Declan Good, Supriti Saravana, Charlie Gros, Thomas Turco, Tobey Lieberman, Jack Urquhart, William Lindsay-Jones, Charlie Westcott, Ben Marceau, Kevin Ye, Harry McCausland, Lily Zezula, Liam Mendoza, and Richard Zhuang.

RHS Science Olympiad Team advisor Sarah Bentley reports that her A + B teams went to compete at UConn before the April break. The following students medaled:

• 1st Codebusters: Damien Pichardo (12), Angie Craine (12), Julia Zhao (12)
• 2nd Tower: Will Carter (10) & Joey Velasco (10)
• 2nd Fossils: Jayin Palicha (10) & Sebastian Utomo (10)
• 3rd Robot Tour: Esteban Hernandez (12) & Lucas Alexander (10)
• 3rd Wind Power: Henry Sullivan (12) & Joey Velasco (10)
• 4th Experimental Design: Damien Pichardo (12), Mazie Pelusio (11), Hannah Levine (11)

Out of the 40 competing teams our A team placed 6th in the state and our B team placed 20th.

Thank you to RHS juniors Ella Margolus, Pearla Brown, Bridget O'Leary, and their dream team who have gotten their hands dirty cleaning up our school grounds. This Earth Day-inspired initiative aims to pick up trash at our schools on successive Saturdays and is supported by the Town of Ridgefield. The group even tackled Branchville Elementary clean up during April break. Follow them on Instagram to see what campus will get the Green Impact Initiative treatment next and help them by reducing waste and recycling.

Branchville Elementary recently hosted its annual math night, which gave families a fun way to practice math.

Soon RPS will choose a new Teacher of the Year from the nine remarkable building TOYs. RPS Update asked the outgoing district TOY, RHS dean and English teacher Andy Maccabe, to reflect on what the award meant to him; what wisdom he would like to pass on to new teachers, high school students, and parents; and how we can celebrate the teaching profession.

What has being TOY meant to your teaching practice? How have you "leveled up this year?"

• Being recognized as RPS ToY has been a tremendous honor and privilege. Just as we seek continuous improvement and reflection from our students, I try to hold myself to that same standard. Working with an incredible co teacher who is like minded in asking, “what can we do differently next time,” has provided the opportunity to help our curriculum evolve and maintain relevance and connections for our students. We always ask ourselves “where are we now, and how might this moment resonate with our students?”

What would you tell first year teachers?

• Immerse yourself in the school community. Attend events and see the breadth of RPS.

• Seek opportunities to observe and interact with colleagues across the disciplines and grade levels. We have so much talent and creativity.

• Make time for you and your well being. It’s easy to become overwhelmed and hyper focused.

What is your advice to parents?

• Students do some of their best learning when they are challenged to step outside of their comfort zone and know they are safe and supported in taking an intellectual risk.

• Teachers partner with students to seek continuous improvement.

• RPS offers students an immense amount of support and resources to ensure their well being.

Do you have any advice for incoming high school freshmen?

• You have four years to grow and learn. Get involved and you might be surprised by what else you learn and enjoy along the way.

• You will have challenges and setbacks. Those moments are opportunities to reflect and grow.

• Communicate how you are feeling. If you are experiencing a problem, feel empowered to make it known, and know that we want to help.

Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week. How can we celebrate the teaching profession?

• Showing or expressing gratitude is likely the most fundamental, simple means through which teachers can feel honored/recognized. We are here because we are passionate about learning and the palpable difference our efforts make. We love to celebrate our students. A simple thank you carries immeasurable value.

Last week, RPS started celebrating our wonderful Teachers of the Year. Every building nominates one teacher to represent the excellence of the RPS faculty. Every building could nominate a lot more. Here is a link to last week's newsletter with some of the Teachers of the Year. We have some more to announce below. Congratulations to all the nominees!

Can you spy the queen in the photo above? Hint: look for the crown and boa. An East Ridge Committee made up of many former district TOYs surprised their newly appointed TOY, Marla Kay, this week. Congratulations, Marla for being this year's East Ridge Middle School Teacher of the Year. Thank you to all the TOYs amongst us. You are incredible.

Fresh off co-directing the Scotts Ridge musical, Jennifer Bray earns the nod as SRMS Teacher of the Year. Please read about Ms. Bray's approach to leveling up, mentorship, and a life-long passion for teaching in the December 15, 2023 issue of RPS Update.

Say it loud! Say it proud! The Ridgebury Elementary Teacher of the Year is Speech and Language Pathologist Danielle Maruschak.

More photos from the awesome Inclusion Expo!

The Joy of Art! More photos from the RHS art opening below.

Yesterday, the RHS Choir put on a concert featuring songs from movies. It was a night to remember. They rocked!

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.