GPS District Digest (v6, i6)

Thanksgiving season is upon us and the GPS District Digest is gobbling up all good things GPS. The sixth issue is stuffed.

And on that note, did you register for the Greenwich Alliance for Education's Turkey Trot yet? If not, what are you waiting for? It is a 5K and 1 mile run/walk - a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend tradition on Saturday, November 30. Get on it - sign up now.

In other news...

We are sending this issue of the Digest to everyone this time. Have you missed the first five? Do not forget to subscribe so you do not miss future issues. It is easy to sign up.

We recently heard from one of our loyal readers, Susan, and she tells us that she would love to see a section of the Digest dedicated to recent graduates. "Maybe people could send in notable updates about GHS grads out in the world?" she asked.

We hear ya' Susan! And we totally agree. Who wants to be the first to submit some of the amazing things former GPS students are doing out there in the wild? Let's get to work!

Enjoy Issue No. 6 and thank you for your support.

GPS District Digest

Missing ya' Junior! Come back soon.

For more than two decades, the annual Veterans Day assembly at Cos Cob School has been a cherished tradition within the community. This event serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by veterans and provides an opportunity for students to learn about and honor those who have served in the armed forces.

Principal Diane Fox: "Veterans, thank you for answering the call to duty. You have made our armed forces the most respected in the world. The service members we honor today come from all walks of life, but they share several fundamental qualities. They possess courage, pride, determination, selflessness, dedication to duty, and integrity – all the qualities needed to serve a cause larger than oneself. We are learning and practicing these qualities here at Hamilton Avenue School as we work on our school norms: Be Here, Be Safe, Be Honest, Care for Self and Others, and Let Go and Move On. Thank you for being our role models."

North Mianus School honored 22 veterans in a wonderful Veterans Day assembly. Led by music teacher, Ms. Robin Chenot, students and veterans sang patriotic songs such as the “Star-Spangled Banner,” “God Bless America,” and “This Land Is Your Land.” Students from K-5 shared what Veterans Day meant to them either through their own words, poems, or songs.

Guests were introduced by their NMS relative, who shared with the audience what branch of the armed forces their relative served under; it was very moving. The assembly reminded all in attendance that we are all safe because of these men and women.

Principal Jason Martín: "Thank you all for being here today and for showing such respect and appreciation for our veterans. Let’s continue to honor their service by sharing these stories with our children and teaching them to appreciate the sacrifices that others have made for us. I encourage everyone, especially our students, to 'Thank a Vet' for their service. Thank you again for allowing us to come together for this important celebration. Enjoy the rest of the day, and let’s never forget the courage and dedication of those who have served."

Greenwich High School hosted four incredible veterans who, in addition to their amazing service, also have roots here in Greenwich. Five sophomores moderated the event: Arnav Bhatia, Maddie Johnson, Shay Sippel, Niamh O'Donovan, and Liam Dozier.

Their amazing guests included:

• Mr. George Dutile: Mr. Dutile served in the U.S. Special Operations Community for 16 years with 10 combat deployments: eight years as a U.S. Marine and eight years as the first Naval Special Warfare Civilian Operator at Naval Special Warfare Development Group (NSWDG). His operations have taken him to Iraq, Afghanistan, Horn of Africa, Pakistan and other locations around the world.
• Ms. Ryan McCleod: U.S. Navy: Ms. McCleod was an aircraft commander and mission commander for the United States Coast Guard. Afterwards, for the U.S. Navy, she flew 600 hours and deployed for more than 100 days around the globe in support of Department of Defense efforts in the Horn of Africa, Europe, Middle East, and South America. In addition, she was a squadron pilot with extensive mission planning experience.
• Mr. James Waters: Mr. Waters served as an active duty US Navy SEAL officer for six years, mostly with SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 1. Among deployments to various locations, he led platoons in combat in Afghanistan. He continued to serve in the US Navy Reserve, leaving the military as a Lieutenant Commander in 2018. Prior to his military service, he served on the White House staff under President George W. Bush. James now serves on Greenwich's Representative Town Meeting as the chairman of the Budget Overview Committee and is also the chairman of the Old Greenwich School Building Committee.
• Mr. Daniel Izzo: After graduating from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 2002, Mr. Izzo served as an officer and Black Hawk helicopter pilot in the U.S. Army. In 2003, he deployed to Tikrit, Iraq with the 4th Infantry Division. In 2005, he deployed again with the 4th Infantry Division to Baghdad, Iraq as a pilot and an aide to the commanding General. In 2009, he deployed to Afghanistan with 82nd Airborne. He retired from the service in 2010, works in finance, and lives in Old Greenwich with his wife and four children. In addition, Dan is currently the vice chair of the Budget Overview Committee on the RTM.

We know what all of you community do-gooders have planned for this weekend!

You are joining our main man, GHS senior Thomas "Mr. T" McKinney and Greenwich Green & Clean, to clean up Cos Cob Park on Saturday, November 23 from 2:00-4:00 PM. Make sure to bring gloves and wear long pants. Community service hours are offered for students. For more information, please see their flyer.

But first, take a look at how "The Tank" and his friends cleaned up after you and your mess at Bible Street Playground last month.

Did you know that November 14 is World Diabetes Day because it is the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, the person who co-discovered insulin along with Charles Best in 1922?

Parkway School's third grade teacher, Ms. Shelly O'Brien, knows and her efforts that day were most impressive.

The day began with an engaging and informative presentation by third-grader Kian Madden, who shared important facts about diabetes with his classmates. The students asked thoughtful and insightful questions, demonstrating their curiosity and eagerness to learn more.

"I am so proud of Ms. O'Brien's efforts to support her student with diabetes," Principal Mary Grandville said. "All of our staff and students were so enthusiastic and supportive of this initiative. This is the first time we have celebrated World Diabetes Day, but it will now become a yearly tradition as long as we have students who have this condition."

After the presentation, Kian handed out temporary tattoos and stickers featuring a diabetes pump, which the students were excited to wear throughout the day. Each child also received a small bag of Skittles, symbolizing how people with diabetes sometimes need quick sources of sugar to help manage their blood sugar levels.

Amazing!

The Greenwich Public Schools' district honor choir will be holding its annual holiday performance, "Joyful Harmonies of the Holidays" on Friday, December 6 at 7:00 PM at Greenwich High School's Performing Arts Center. Tickets are available at the door for $10 each. The choir is comprised of GPS students, grades 5-8, that participate in the artistic and educational enrichment program

Performances also include the GHS Madrigals and Witchmen, a select performing ensemble of auditioned 10th-12th graders, and the Backtrack Vocals, a New York City-based a cappella group with a diverse repertoire spanning Top 40, Motown, classical, show tunes, and original music.

The Hovercraft Project, a touring science and technology-centric event, recently provided students with the opportunity to build their own hovercraft using electric blowers, mathematical skills, leadership and teamwork, and a lot of perseverance at Glenville, New Lebanon, North Mianus, Parkway, and Riverside Schools

Students were given a board, some string, a tape measure, and a white plastic circle with very little instruction on how to build the hovercraft. They put their skills to the test, building a hovercraft that they were able to pilot back and forth across the gym floor.

Parkway and Glenville collaborated to bring this as a joint program to benefit both schools.

"We love that the kids got the opportunity to build something amazing with their hands and use their knowledge, not only of math and science, but teamwork and how to work together to solve a problem," Parkway PTA representative, Ms. Diana Wong, said. "Just as exciting, the students from both schools spent recess together and made some lasting memories which we hope will carry over into middle school next year."

Greenwich HS students in the Model UN Club, along with club advisor, Mr. Ian Tiedemann, headed to Providence, RI recently for the 28th annual Brown University Simulation of the United Nations.

The Cardinals did not disappoint and represented in full force. Along with the team winning the conference’s Outstanding Large Delegation award, there were many individual accolades in the different committees, including: Destiny Alexandre (Commission on Science and Technology for Development) - Best; Dylan Amoa (Joint Crisis Committee) - Honorable; Diana Davidson (Commission on Science and Technology for Development) - Honorable; Mia Lin (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Issues) - Verbal; Charlotte Marcussen (Ad Hoc Committee of the Secretary General) - Best; Hadrian Nobay (Dungeons and Dragons) - Outstanding; Sylvester Pecora (International Olympic Committee) - Honorable; Nicolas Sosa (Disarmament and Security) - Best; Sheena Su (Joint Crisis Committee) - Outstanding; Jennifer Yin (Greece 1973) - Outstanding; and Ela Zielinski (Disarmament and Security) - Honorable.

This year’s conference theme was, “Pathways to Progress,” reflecting on the unwavering belief in the power of delegates to embark on new courses toward a brighter future while developing innovative solutions to our world’s challenges that surpass those of international policy makers.

The folks in the Digest newsroom cannot express how excited they are about the highly anticipated return of Good Eats, the section devoted to food, food services, and the hard-working, dedicated food service workers of GPS.

If you do not know food service director, Ms. Martha Ramkellawan and administrative assistant, Ms. Erika Peters, you are missing out. They are awesome.

Today, they are sharing that GPS' cafeterias now feature even more produce from local farms including: The Farm in Woodbury, Blue Hills Orchard in Wallingford, and Deercrest Farm in Glastonbury. They tell us that by sourcing fruits and vegetables from nearby farms, they are able to offer fresher, more nutritious meals while supporting our community’s growers.

"We hope students enjoy the vibrant flavors of these seasonal ingredients," Ms. Ramkellawan said. "They should take pride in knowing their meals are made with locally sourced foods.”

She encourages families to use the Food Service Department as a resource in setting up lunch accounts, navigating menus, and of course, sharing any allergy concerns. Reach out anytime!

Students at Hamilton Avenue School are caring for self and others with an amazing tradition. Since 2011, Ham Ave has raised more than $68,000 to help children in the fight against childhood cancer just by solving math problems with the St. Jude Math-A-Thon.

The St. Jude Math-A-Thon is a fun and educational way to teach students how to make a difference in the lives of others. Math participants learn important lessons about helping others by raising awareness and support for children battling cancer and other life-threatening diseases at St. Jude.

The Math-A-Thon also gives students an opportunity to care for themselves by giving them a fun way to work on their math skills. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital provides materials for a week of learning for students from kindergarten to fifth grade. The Math-A-Thon curriculum is developed by Scholastic and is Common Core approved.

Students will be participating in the 2024 Math-A-Thon through Friday, December 13. You can support the students of Hamilton Avenue and St. Jude by going to Hamilton Avenue School St. Jude’s Math-A-Thon donation page and making a contribution. Every dollar raised helps ensure that families never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing or food so they can focus on helping their child survive. St. Jude is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

To help those less fortunate in our community, the GHS Roots & Shoots Club has partnered with Neighbor to Neighbor Greenwich and the Greenwich Department of Human Services to provide Thanksgiving meals to more than 100 families in the Greenwich community to host its 14th Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive through tomorrow.

Please read the club's press release to find out all of the many ways how you can get involved.

Do you know a teacher, social worker, guidance counselor, instructional coach, or specialist that deserves consideration for the 2025 Distinguished Teacher Awards? It is not too early to start the thorough process. The main emphasis in identifying a distinguished teacher is the quality of work with students. To learn more about the criteria and eligibility requirements, read the 2025 Nomination Instruction Packet online.

Listen to GPS friend, Hannah Storm. We do!

The Greenwich High School Athletics Department recently celebrated the first group of 14 seniors to participate in National Signing Day at the student center. The list, along with their sport and future school, includes (l to r): Sophia Wang (water polo) Harvard University; Aubrey Roth (lacrosse) College of William & Mary; Henry Cullen (crew) Yale University; Graydon Raabe (crew) Cornell University; Cooper Sernick (crew) Hobart and William Smith Colleges; Scarlett Hopson (crew) University of Tennessee; Sophia Long (crew) Saint Mary's College of California; Saira Mitchell (crew) University of California, Berkeley; Margaux DeFelice (crew) Georgetown University; Liana Hoffman (crew) University of California, Los Angeles; Kate Donnellan (field hockey) Duke University; Stella Thibeault (field hockey) Cornell University; Michael Brescia (lacrosse) Loyola University Maryland; Lauren Huang (rugby) Brown University.

Students at Hamilton Avenue School recently welcomed district psychologist, Dr. Fabian Agiurgioaei Boie, for a lesson on anti-bullying.

Teaching students anti-bullying lessons is crucial for promoting a safe and inclusive environment, empowering bystanders, enhancing emotional intelligence, supporting mental health, encouraging personal responsibility, building social skills, and preparing students for the future. It is vital for fostering a positive school climate and empowering students to thrive.

By Greenwich High School boys cross country booster club

Special to the Digest

The Greenwich High School freshman boys' cross-country team had an exceptional fall season, dominating the competition at all of their meets. Their victory at the Hatters Freshman Championship in Danbury on October 24 completed a season sweep of No. 1 finishes for the freshman team, which also included wins at the Wilton Invite, Brewster Invite, and the Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference (FCIAC) Championship. Coach Sean Astle, who was named FCIAC Boys Cross Country Coach of the Year, credits the dedication and talent of his athletes and assistant coach Annette Fiore, calling them a winning combination.

The GHS boys' cross-country program also saw strong performances from the junior varsity and varsity teams, with the JV team taking first place at the FCIAC Championship and Varsity third at FCIAC. As the season wraps up, the GHS cross-country program looks set for even more success, with the team gearing up for the Nike NXR Northeast Regional Championship on Saturday in Wappingers Falls, NY and the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships Regional on November 30 in Boston. Go Big Red!

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.

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