RPS Update

Time has a way of sneaking up on you. Five years ago this week, I officially became the Ridgefield Superintendent of Schools. On that same day, schools were closed indefinitely due to a global pandemic. It is hard to believe that five years have passed, and equally hard to believe how much we have accomplished together. In some ways, I credit the timing of my tenure as a variable to our success. The pandemic required us to rely on each other in a new way that garnered different types of relationships and certainly trust. This week, I have taken the opportunity to reflect, allowing myself to feel a sense of pride while also knowing that RPS is what it is because of the collective efforts of many, many people.

In the age of “Artificial Intelligence Everything,” I know that real-life people make the difference. In this short time, I have worked with many iterations of Board of Education members and despite the amount of change, fundamentally, they have shared common values- a focus on students and trust in their people. As a result, our team, alongside our faculty and staff, have captured opportunities and have made visible growth across every area of this District- security, curriculum, instruction, extra-curriculars, visual performing arts, infrastructure, mental health services, professional growth and learning, facilities, technology, communication, budget and so much more. I invite you to view our website to see the evolution of the past five years. When I take a look back, while also continuing to look forward, I am not at all surprised that Ridgefield is a District of Choice. We are a learning organization that believes in excellence, kindness, laughter, and humility, and always working toward being better. So, during this five-year anniversary, I would like to extend my gratitude to each and every person who has contributed to this amazing school District. It is hard to believe that there is any better place to work. Thank you for continuing to give me the gift.

Susie

Susie

Susie Da Silva, Ed.D

Barlow Mountain Elementary students worked with Library Media Specialist Martha Hegley to create this fun video message about Summer Bridge. Limited spaces are available in Elementary Summer Bridge! Ask your middle and high schoolers to consider spending an enriching week or two!

Remember to check your school calendar for important dates and events. Check the backpack for Rid Litter Days opportunities this weekend.

Please help RPS go green by checking your students' e-Backpack weekly for important information. Organizations that meet the RPS policy may submit their request for inclusion to cmelagrano@ridgefieldps.net.

RPS Grade 6-12 Math Supervisor Jeffrey Corbishley will join the board of the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics (NCSM) in October 2025 as the Regional Director. Congratulations, Jeff! Smart decision, NCSM!

Seniors Sofia Mongardi and Charlotte Suozzi earned awards at the Connecticut Association of Schools (CAS) Outstanding Arts Awards Banquet this week. Sofia took the prize for excellence in art. Charlotte for excellence in music. The girls attended the banquet with RHS music teacher George Beratis. Congratulations!

On Tuesday, 27 RHS students (seven teams) who qualified from regionals competed in the State Stock Market Challenge at Fairfield University sponsored by Junior Achievement. RHS had three teams finish in the top ten, with one of our teams finishing in 3rd place and qualifying for nationals! Congratulations to Felix Petzold, Miles Parrish, Hunter Hargett, and Ben Lesko

Last week's Update inadvertently left out two RPS students recognized in the Ridgefield Playhouse essay contest. According to the Playhouse, three RPS fourth graders earned prizes for essays:

Desmond Isenman, 4th grader at Branchville Elementary

“In 1902 my great great grandma…came to the U.S. from a small town in Russia…One reason she came to the U.S. was because of anti-semitism, which means Jewish people were not treated fairly which made her feel very scared.”

Hadley Guski, 4th grader at Ridgebury Elementary

Hadley’s ancestors, Jacob and Maria, left Russia after WWII and brought Hadley’s grandmother, to America in 1961. “If her family didn’t make these sacrifices I wouldn’t be here today having this beautiful life that I have right now. To me this is the true meaning of family.”

Jameson Steven Gmelin, 4th grader at Scotland Elementary

Jameson writes about his ancestors who came from Ireland and England. “Ellis Island is where Mary and James’ gateway to their dream originated. Upon docking into The New York Harbor, Lady Liberty greeted them with a welcoming wave of her torch and the bright light of optimism.”

RPS wrapped up the Teacher of the Year celebrations at each of the schools this week. Each school does the celebration a little differently, and each is very special. This week, two of the TOY building committees reported that their nominees had to be removed from the committee so they could be recognized. "She kept crossing herself off the nomination list for Teacher of the Year. We're talking years. We needed to intervene and recognize this amazing teacher," said one committee chair. "It is unanimous."

"There are so many great teachers," said one of the teachers who was excused from her TOY committee so they could discuss her candidacy. "I'm so lucky to be part of the team—many amazing educators who go above and beyond for students and each other." From the nine building TOYs, a District committee will choose one RPS Teacher of the Year.

This morning at East Ridge, students and staff (including some former ERMS and RPS TOYs) celebrated Spanish teacher Daniela Silvestri with balloons, flowers, and cheers.

Surprise! RHS surprised English teacher Julie Henderson with the announcement that she is their building Teacher of the Year. The faculty gave her a standing ovation during their meeting and enjoyed cake, cookies, and hugs afterward. To those who know Ms. Henderson, it came as no surprise that this caring and hard-working teacher earned the nod.

Reading specialist Christie Judge is the Scotts Ridge Middle School teacher of the year. The committee showered her with flowers and appreciation.

Elementary Spanish teacher Jill Quattrocchi makes the most of each lesson. Last week, she was at Branchville Elementary, delighting in her students’ progress since the beginning of the year. Grade 3-5 students know the days of the week and how to count to thirty. They can greet each other, converse about their preferences, and say goodbye. They have learned about the culture of Puerto Rico and can discuss Puerto Rican places they would like to visit, including the beach, the fortress in San Juan, the rainforest, and the bioluminescent bay. They can talk about activities they would (or would not) like to do in these places—swimming, walking, kayaking, seeing animals, etc. They can sing at least three songs. All in Spanish! Above all this, students, alongside their classroom teachers, are experiencing the joy of learning a new language. The SY 2026 Budget expands Spanish to Grades K-2.

Thanks to the Ridgebury Elementary School PTA, students grades K-5 enjoyed a visit from Caldecott Honor-winning author/illustrator David Ezra Stein last week! Stein and his wife, artist Miriam Kessler, performed a marionette and shadow puppet adaptation of his acclaimed book series, Interrupting Chicken, which is also an Emmy-nominated show on Apple TV. Between performances, Stein studied an interactive bulletin board filled with "bear-hugs" RES students dedicated to his books and characters. One bear-hug reads, 'Can you write more Interrupting Chicken books? I love them so much!' Students were thrilled to learn that Interrupting Chicken Saves the Nutcracker hits shelves on September 9! Thank you to PTAs for all you do to enrich our schools!

East Ridge students in Celia Browne’s sixth-grade science classes explore chemical reactions and change by making “elephant toothpaste.”. In this lab experiment, students mix hydrogen peroxide, dish soap, and yeast. The hydrogen peroxide decomposes into water and oxygen. The dish soap helps to trap the bubbles, resulting in a large amount of foam fast!

Students in Spanish 3 just finished unit 3, A Balanced and Healthy Life. At the end of the unit, reports RHS Spanish teacher Olga Anaya-Salazar, they studied cultural practices that help reduce stress and support a social and healthy lifestyle. They focused on La Siesta (a daytime nap), El Mate (a traditional South American herbal drink), La Ciclovía (The city of Bogotá in Colombia closes streets to cars on Sundays to create spaces for walking, biking, and social activities), and El Dominó (the game of dominoes). As a culminating experience on Tuesday, students tasted mate and had a great time playing dominoes.

The Branchville Elementary PTA Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) Committee sponsored enriching experiences for BES students this month. These include a Prospector Theater in-school assembly for second graders, a Prospector field trip for fifth graders, a trip to the Peter Parley Schoolhouse for third graders, and transportation to the Ridgefield Playhouse to see a musical about Ellis Island for fourth graders. We love our parent partners. Please consider joining the PTA leadership at your children's schools.

IYKYK! Legally Blonde The Musical JR at East Ridge is opening tonight and running through the weekend. Don't miss this fun show about self-discovery, sisterhood, and the law. Tickets here!

Cat in the Hat and company brought down the roof at Scotland Elementary this week. The production of Seussical JR was exceptional. Kudos to the cast and crew, director Jim Tornatore, production assistant Cheryl Osher, and all involved (see Playbill for names).

This week's issue of the RHS Athletics Newsletter featured the Spring Home Opener schedule, reposted below. Please see the RHS Athletics website for more information and schedules. Let's go, Tigers!

A team of RPS administrators headed to the UConn Career Fair last week. They barely had time to snap this photo before the doors opened, and candidates mobbed the booth to learn about employment opportunities, meet our dream team of recruiters, and take home some RPS merch.

An East Ridge performer did a full split at the end of Legally Blonde, Act 1.

Here's a medley of moments from the past two weeks—East Ridge students and a parent painting sets for the Branchville play, Read-a-thon at Scotland, a trip to the Keeler Tavern, a portrait of a para, sharing projects and books at Barlow Mountain and Branchville, bulbs coming up at East Ridge, the Ridgebury Peter Pan JR stage crew, This is a district of joy, excellence, kindness, and hard work—every day.

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