GPS District Digest (v6, i18)
Stories, news, and updates from Greenwich Public Schools
We cannot believe you are reading issue no. 18 already...
Nah, we are just kidding ya' again. With June right around the corner, we see the summer heading towards us, fast. With only two issues left of the GPS District Digest this school year, we recommend all of our loyal readers to share their feedback as quickly as possible. Once that final bell rings, you will not hear from us again until September.
In the meantime, break out that sandwich or salad, open the window for some fresh air, and enjoy the Digest. It is loaded with all good things GPS.
Enjoy Issue No. 18 and thank you for your support.
GPS District Digest
Did we see you in the capacity crowd at Central Middle School earlier this month during the 2025 Distinguished Teachers Awards ceremony? We laughed. We cried. It was much better than Cats.
Loyal readers will remember that in issue 16 of the Digest, we shared with you the formal announcement when the DTA Committee named the honorees: Greenwich High School's Frances Bittman, Bethany Fuscaldo, and Dr. Beena Ramachandran; North Mianus School's Robin Chenot; Glenville School's Julia Haas-Godsil and Western Middle School's Ralph Marmor.
Two issues later, for those that had other plans, we will now share video of the unforgettable ceremony in its entirety, and some cool images taken by photographer extraordinaire, Angela Cranford. Enjoy!
Greenwich Public Schools achieved the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation's Best Communities for Music Education designation for the 15th year. This is awarded annually to school districts, independent, and private schools that demonstrate a deep commitment to music education.
"The continued success of the Greenwich music program would not be possible without the intersection of fantastic students, administrator support, excellent teaching, and community commitment," K-12 Arts Coordinator James Antonucci said. "I know each music teacher is working tirelessly, especially this month, toward concerts, field trips and other special end of year performances where students share their learning with parents and the community. Thank you for your support and efforts, great and small, every day."
“Music education has numerous positive effects on communities,” NAMM president and CEO John Mlynczak said. “The Best Communities for Music Education award winners serve as models for the power of music education to foster a lifelong appreciation for the arts, and NAMM is honored to recognize the 2025 recipients.”
To learn more about this honor, head to the NAMM website dedicated to the Best Communities for Music Education designatiom.
They should have made that left turn at Albuquerque. Instead, a duck family somehow found themselves in Cos Cob School's courtyard earlier this month.
Enter the brave members of the district's facilities department. It was their mission, and they chose to accept it, to save these feathered fowl friends.
No spoilers here. You will have to find out for yourself if they made it to the stream that runs past the back of the school. Extra credit to anyone that can accurately count the number of ducklings.
Eastern Middle School hosted a sixth grade orientation including students from their feeder elementary schools, giving them a preview of life as an EMS student.
Guided by sixth and seventh grade student leaders, the visiting fifth graders toured the school, learned about elective offerings, and met some of their future teachers and classmates. Students had the chance to ask questions, explore the campus, and participate in activities on the playing fields.
This orientation is just one part of the sixth grade team’s comprehensive transition plan to help every new student feel welcome and prepared as they join the Eastern community as the newest Gators.
In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, our friends at the Greenwich Alliance for Education invited Greenwich High School AVID alumni to share brief notes of thanks with the AVID teachers who supported them during high school.
AVID, advancement via individual determination, is a national college readiness system with more than 40 years of proven success. AVID’s mission is to close the opportunity gap among diverse and underrepresented demographic groups.
AVID Success Program Director Trish Rohr said: "The responses were heartfelt, thoughtful, and a powerful reminder of the lasting impact these educators have had not just in the classroom, but on students’ lives beyond graduation."
AVID delivers a demanding college-prep curriculum and facilitates student involvement in extracurricular activities. The AVID program empowers all students to take ownership of their learning, prepare for tomorrow and become leaders.
For more information about the amazing folks at the Alliance or the AVID Success program, head to their webpage. We have included just a few of those notes.
A group of five fifth graders from the International School at Dundee's Eco Elite Project recently raised $1,200 through a honey and bake sale, with all proceeds donated to the Town of Greenwich's Parks and Recreation Department. The event also spotlighted urgent environmental concerns and featured an educational hive exhibit highlighting the alarming collapse of the bee population and the importance of pollinators to our food systems.
This effort is part of a broader service-learning initiative rooted in the school’s International Baccalaureate program which empowers students to explore global issues through local action. Alongside bees and pollination, the group’s research includes marine pollution, coral reef decline, the protective role of the ozone layer, and the medical significance of horseshoe crabs whose blue blood is vital for vaccine safety.
Some students also used the event to advocate for SB-9, a proposed Connecticut law aimed at limiting the use of neonicotinoids - pesticides linked to pollinator decline and with significant implications for runoff into rivers and waterways across the state.
Assistant Principal Julie Webster, one of the group’s mentors, attended in support, joining parents, friends, and neighbors who helped make the event a success. The students will present their full findings later this spring to fellow students and parents as part of a culminating exhibition.
Earlier this month, Eastern Middle School sixth graders traveled to SoundWaters, a recognized and trusted organization protecting the Long Island Sound through education and action, for a full day field trip as a culminating activity to their climate research and Long Island Sound STEM experience.
Climate science education today is essential to the Long Island Sound’s future resilience. SoundWaters curriculum, at all grade levels, is focused on climate science to help students understand the rapidly changing environment, the impact of that change, and the actions they can take to improve the local environment.
Students participated in four hands-on station activities on the coastal shores of Long Island Sound, including seining, water quality analysis, a horseshoe blood lab, and animal adaptations.
Did you know North Mianus School turns 100 this year? For a century, NMS has been a cornerstone of education in the community.
This year, they are commemorating this remarkable milestone with a celebration of its rich history, vibrant present, and the promising future.
To celebrate the NMS 100th Year Anniversary, they are holding numerous celebrations, including: hosting an alumni teacher and staff gathering of around 100 people and counting; throwing a centennial family fun night party to celebrate with the current NMS families; a special student assembly honoring the school's 100th anniversary.
NMS is also celebrating this milestone in a meaningful way for students by giving back to the Greenwich community. The second graders, with the help of the town's Parks & Recreation crew, planted a new tree on the property honoring 100 years with a custom dedication stone. All of the students and staff held a one day food drive for Neighbor to Neighbor, collecting more than 100 food items per grade (900+ items total).
The NMS PTA legacy gifts include a new 102 foot long hand painted mural listing all 500+ current students and staff in the cafeteria hallway; hung next to the office a 4’x3’ framed print out of a drone picture of the students spelling out “N-M-S 1-0-0” on the blacktop; and coming soon a new sign at the Palmer Hill Rd entrance for the school! Each student and staff member will also receive a special NMS 100th Year Pennant as well!
Are you a North Mianus alumni? NMS is inviting any NMS student and/or parent alumni to visit on Friday, May 30 from 3:30-5:00 PM to view the school’s archives and go on a tour of the school led by current fifth grade NMS students! Sign up online.
Commemorate this historic milestone with exclusive NMS 100th Anniversary merchandise. They partnered with Bruce Park Sports to create a special collection of items to purchase.
Visit www.nmspta.org for more information. Any questions, please reach out to the NMS 100th Year Committee: nms100year@gmail.com.
Greenwich High School senior Max Marek made the catch, while risking a big hit from a low wall. That is what first basemen do.
Not only did he secure the out against Saint Bernard School in a CIAC non-conference game at Norwich's Thomas J. Dodd Memorial Stadium, but Max's glove gem was seen nationally on ESPN's flagship program, SportsCenter.
Coming in a No. 6. Watch for yourself.
Loyal readers will remember back in Digest issue 19 of the fourth volume when we first wrote about the Colonel Raynal C. Bolling War Memorial that sits in front the of Havemeyer Building, home of the GPS District Digest.
Colonel Bolling, an American hero and one time Greenwich resident, organized the first National Guard flying unit and helped recruit and train some of this country’s earliest fighter pilots. He paid the ultimate price defending our country.
Today, we share this magnificent unused black and white postcard to help you remember those that came before and to remind the hundreds of people that come to the Havemeyer Building each week to take a quick look.
Extra credit for anyone that spots the typo.
We love hearing from our friends over at the Bruce Museum. They have more programs for your entire family than the Boss has hit songs:
- Teen Afternoon: Sip, Paint, and Relax: May 30
- Teen Afternoon: Free Admission: May 30
- Sensory Friendly Mornings: May 31
- Science Solvers: Imagination Playground Sculptures: May 24-25
- Bruce Socials: Trivia at the Bruce: May 27
- Bruce Beginnings: Art in 3-D, All about Sculpture: May 27-28
- Bruce Beginnings, Junior: Art in 3-D, All about Sculpture: May 28
- ASL Tour: May 31
- Art Adventures: Clay Sculptures: May 31-June 1
- Fred Elser First Sunday Science: Foraging with the "Wildman": June 1
- Bruce Beginnings: Dinosaur Friends: June 3-4
- Bruce Beginnings, Junior: Dinosaur Friends: June 4
- Bruce Presents: Jeremy Frey: Woven, A Panel Discussion: June 4
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 2,171 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.
Are you active on other social media platforms? Should the district join you? Let us know!
