GPS District Digest (v5, i20)
Stories, news, and updates from Greenwich Public Schools
The 2023-2024 school year is officially in the books and so is volume 5 of the GPS District Digest. Whether you are a loyal reader, a contributor, or if you just fly by once in a while, we are so appreciative to the entire Greenwich Public Schools community for making this newsletter a tremendous success. We hope we made your lunchtime every other Thursday fun and entertaining. We hope you liked our silly little jokes and pop culture references. And judging by the number of subscriptions and unique views that rival other entities, you can't deny the fact that you like us. Right now, you like us!
To everyone out there, from everyone here in the newsroom, we hope your summer is fun, relaxing, and everything you hope it to be. May your summer be even better than the anticipation of your summer.
And a special thanks to 2013 Distinguished Teacher Award winner and Julian Curtiss School library media specialist, Ms. Esra Murray, for sharing this amazing photo of herself (left) with JC school nurse, Ms. Theresa McIntosh, who is retiring. Ms. McIntosh is described as an amazing professional who not only healed student boo-boos, but also served as a friend, and a mentor to many in the school and district.
Enjoy Issue No. 20 and thank you for your support. See you next year!
GPS District Digest
There was pomp. There was circumstance. There was heat. We got the down Lowe.
Greenwich High School's class of 2024 can throw a party and our friends in the local media were there to document it all. The Greenwich Free Press and Greenwich Time do a tremendous job covering graduation at Cardinal Stadium. Read all about it!
And, rewatch the entire ceremony from the comfort of your home and air conditioning on the high school's webpage dedicated to all things graduation.
Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones recently announced that New Lebanon School’s Ms. Ana Maria Fals is GPS’ selection for Connecticut State Department of Education’s 2025 Connecticut Teacher of the Year Program.
“Ms. Ana Maria Fals is a fantastic representative of the more than 900 amazing hard-working certified teachers at Greenwich Public Schools,” Dr. Jones said. “I had the honor of visiting her third grade classroom at New Lebanon School recently to witness first-hand a master teacher at work. Her students were engaged from start to finish, wasting not one minute, with smooth transitions, connecting to prior learning, introducing new learning, and students actively engaged at their level. It was magnificent watching her monitor and adjust for all learners, and when needed, seamlessly switching between Spanish and English. It was absolutely wonderful!”
“It is a great honor to accept this award on behalf of all the educators of Greenwich Public Schools,” Ms. Fals said. “I owe a debt of gratitude to my current and former administrators, colleagues, and all my students and their families. I have always believed that education is the great equalizer. It transforms lives, breaks down barriers, and creates opportunities. I look forward to continuing to invest in our students, nurture their potential, and provide them with the tools they need to succeed.”
According to the Connecticut State Department of Education, the Teacher of the Year Program recognizes and honors teacher excellence. It does not attempt to select the “best” teacher; rather, to identify, from among many outstanding teachers of the year, one teacher to serve as a visible and vocal representative of what is best in the profession.
Read the entire press release on GPS' website and for more information about the CT Teacher of the Year Program, including its history, purpose, benefits, eligibility requirements, selection process, and the duties of the Connecticut Teacher of the Year, visit the CSDE website.
It was recently announced that Western Middle School's Don Smith has been the named Greenwich's candidate for Connecticut's 2025 Anne Marie Murphy Paraeducator of the Year Award because of his dedication and commitment to the children of Greenwich.
During the summer months, the Connecticut State Department of Education will score all applicants from across the state and interview the semifinalists. In the fall, the CSDE will identify the State's Paraeducator of the Year.
This is what Principal Suzanne Coyne said about Mr. Smith:
"Mr. Smith is currently supporting a student with a degenerative, terminal disease. His mission is to make every day this student’s best day and for him to be fully included. His warm smile and infectious positivity sets the tone each day for this student and all our students and staff. He shows up early and stays late to support our students. Mr. Smith is the first to greet students off the bus and the last to bid each farewell with a 'See you later alligator', 'Gotta go, buffalo', or 'Toodle-oo kangaroo!'
"His superpower is his unwavering commitment to advocating for his current student to ensure that he is always prioritized and included. To achieve this, Mr. Smith worked relentlessly with teachers to make sure he is able to access the instruction and activities in his classes. He stayed after school three days a week to support him in clubs, and he attended every play rehearsal and weekend performance, as well as all school trips that ended way after school hours.
"Mr. Smith has demonstrated this devotion to ALL students he has supported over the years."
Tuning In To Music, a free private music lesson program sponsored by the Greenwich Alliance for Education, held its annual recital at Western Middle School late last month. More than 55 students playing the flute, cello, violin, viola, and various band instruments wowed parents and friends by their performance.
Tuning In To Music has provided over 800 qualified students with free instrumental music lessons since 2006. This program represents a strong partnership with GPS music educators and the Connecticut School of Music. GPS music teachers nominate dedicated students in grades 4-12, who could not otherwise afford this opportunity, to receive private, semi-private, or orchestra style lessons with the Connecticut School of Music teachers for 30 weeks after school.
During the event, a very special message of gratitude to two were made. K-12 Fine Arts Coordinator Laura Newell and New Lebanon School Music Teacher Ms. Nina Dryer will both be leaving GPS after many years of assisting students expand their access to music education and opportunities through the Tuning In To Music program.
With the help from Glenville School's PTA, including Co-Presidents Megan Morell and Katie Bacon; parent volunteers; Glenville's Kindness Committee teachers, including Ms. Sylvester, Ms. Bartlett, and Ms. Laverty; Glenville's amazing art teacher, Ms. Hurta; and countless Glenville teachers, a Ben's Bells BE KIND mural was installed earlier this month at the school's courtyard.
Ben’s Bells are colorful ceramic ornaments hung in communities throughout the world as symbols of kindness. Since 2003, Ben’s Bells has been operating as a nonprofit, growing kindness education programs and continuing to distribute thousands of bells every year. Today, bells are found all over the world and free kindness education programming has reached over 1.6 million students.
At Glenville, tiny mosaic pieces were painted with care and kindness by its students. Sources close to the Digest said that it was such an uplifting project that brought together the whole community.
By Emily Lin
(special to the Digest)
Western Middle School held its annual eighth-grade capstone presentations earlier this month. All eighth grade students have been working hard on their projects since January, symbolizing what they learned for the past three years, and prepared to show their presentations to their friends and family.
Students got the choice to choose between murals, documentaries, TED Talks, or infographics, and have practiced to have these presentations be as close to perfect as possible. Starting in January, students wrote essays about their topic and gradually transitioned into the abstract part of the project.
Students researched issues around the world that are impactful on our society today, including resolving drug abuse, fast fashion, climate change, and much more. Eighth graders were excited to present these issues as they found much interest in them.
Francezka Isis Ancheta's project tackled the issue of artificial intelligence and discussed how, as an artist, she found AI highly unethical and impacting her future career goals. She said a robot was creating artwork in seconds that would take a person hours to make.
“I am super proud of these kids,” Principal Coyne said. “The capstone project was there to represent how these students have grown, show what these students have learned on their topic, and it was a nice time to have friends and family show up to support their hard work.”
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Emily Lin is a recent Greenwich High School graduate who fulfilled her intern requirements at the district office's in the Havemeyer Building.
For five Friday mornings before school in May and June, approximately 90% of Old Greenwich School's fifth grade students volunteered in a service project to help pick up trash and left-behind clothing on the playground and fields.
The mission behind the OGS fifth grade service project was to install a sense of pride for the school the students are departing. There is hope they return, whether to play on the blacktop, the playground, or for a sporting practice or other function.
Everyone in the GPS District Digest newsroom loves when we hear from the Greenwich High School chess team. Check out this update they recently sent us!
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We are excited to announce that the GHS Chess Team, under president Maximillian Lu and Co-Captain Elias Orrell, along with the rest of the team, was awarded the 2024 Connecticut State Scholastic Chess Club of the Year recognizing the various accomplishments the club has achieved, including winning the FCICL league (Chess equivalent of FCIAC), winning the state high school championship, alongside its community involvement and outreach initiatives.
Additionally, Maximillian Lu was inducted into the Connecticut State Chess Hall of Fame for his chess related accomplishments.
We are excited once again to represent GHS in this achievement and commend the chess club and its members for the hard work they have put in. We have received a plaque for this recognition which we look forward to adding to the Chess Team's collection of accolades.
Checkmate!
Central Middle School band director, Mr. Michael Strange, alerted the Digest that the CMS 7/8 band played beautifully recently at the Music in the Parks festival at Bristol Central High School earning scores of 95.5 and 96.5, a rating of "Superior"! To his recollection, those are the highest scores of any CMS concert band in the 8+ years they have attended this festival.
He also told us that following their performance, they celebrated at Lake Compounce, the oldest, continuously-operating amusement park in North America, playing games and riding roller coasters and water slides.
This man cannot be stopped. He will not be stopped.
Our main man, GHS junior Thomas "The Tank" McKinney did it again. He collaborated with Greenwich Green & Clean on another community cleanup earlier this month.
A host of celebrities and community members headed to Bible Street Playground in Cos Cob to take care of your mess. Were you there to help?
Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones recently announced that Mr. Harry Burg has been named special education program coordinator, effective mid-July. Mr. Burg brings more than 30 years of special education experience to GPS, most recently serving as the director of pupil services for Blind Brook-Rye Union Free School District in Rye Brook, NY.
“Harry Burg possesses a wealth of experience and knowledge as a district-wide special education administrator,” Dr. Heiligenthaler said. “He has a clear understanding of the priorities of our special education and student supports department, helping to build upon the family and community partnership to create stronger relationships and increase opportunities that help all students and families thrive.”
Mr. Burg had been with Blind Brook Schools since 2008, initially as the assistant director of pupil services and then for the past 14 years, director of pupil services, where he led program development and worked closely with administration to establish, schedule, and implement support for all students at all levels. In addition, he oversaw the Committee on Special Education to ensure compliance with all federal and state laws. Prior to his time in Blind Brook, Mr. Burg served as an elementary and middle school special education teacher at Pleasantville (NY) Union Free School District for 13 years after starting his career in education in the New York City Public Schools.
“I am very excited to begin the next chapter of my educational journey in Greenwich,” Mr. Burg said. “I have the skills, knowledge, and experience to work with Dr. Jones and Dr. Heiligenthaler to further support the implementation of the District's Special Education Action Plan. I look forward to the opportunity to work with teachers, staff, and administration to review current practices, to celebrate and highlight successes, and to work together to enhance instruction for all students at Greenwich Public Schools.”
Head to the GPS website to read the entire press release.
By Gemma Hardwick
(special to the Digest)
The Greenwich High School girls track team showcased their talents scoring numerous victories during their post season wrap up.
At the CIAC Class LL Championship, the 4x800 team of Maggie McCooe, Ellie Daplyn, Gemma Hardwick, and Esme Daplyn placed third overall with a season best time of 9:25.01. Senior Esme Daplyn placed third in the open 800, and senior Kate Friedman placed sixth in the 1600 and fourth in the 3200. Hardwick placed seventh in the open 400, Sophia Riche placed third in the 300 hurdles, and Theresa Knuth placed fifth in shot put. The 4x400 team of Hardwick, McCooe, Esme Daplyn, and Ellie Daplyn placed fourth overall with a season's best time of 4:03.81. The Greenwich Girls team placed fourth overall.
Next up was the 41st Annual CIAC Girls Outdoor Track and Field State Open Championship where Greenwich placed 10th overall out of 182 high schools in Connecticut. In the State Open Championship, the 4x800 team of McCooe, Ellie Daplyn, Kate Friedman and Esme Daplyn placed second overall with an incredible, new season best time of 9:19.03. The 4x400 team of Hardwick, McCooe, Ellie Daplyn and Esme Daplyn placed sixth overall with a season best of 4:03.13. Esme Daplyn took second place in the open 800 with a new personal best of 2:11.28 and #14 all time in CT. Friedman placed ninth in the 3200 with a time of 11:19.55. The Greenwich girls team placed 10th overall.
Continuing their winning streak, Friedman, Hardwick, McCooe and Orla Muir earned All New England honors with a sixth place finish in what was an exciting 4x800 race at the Council of New England Principals' Association New England Outdoor Track and Field Championship at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, NH.
Riche easily secured a 12th place finish at the CIAC Heptathlon State Championship which was held over two days at the Veterans Memorial Stadium in New Britain. This event is incredibly challenging as it includes 100 hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200, long jump, javelin, and 800.
And finally, at the New Balance Nationals Outdoor Championship held at Philadelphia's Franklin Field, the fab four Distance Medley Relay Team of Friedman, Hardwick, McCooe, and Muir finished strong in their last race of the season.
Congratulations to all the girls on a great season and especially to the seniors who will be greatly missed.
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Gemma Hardwick completed her sophomore year at Greenwich High School and is a regular contributor to the GPS District Digest.
It has only been a few months since we turned back the clock to the old Greenwich High School building on Havemeyer Place. Back in issue 11 of this year's GPS District Digest, we shared a 1906 postcard and current view of the Town Hall Annex Apartments.
Today, we share this beautiful, but unused, artifact with great color and two buildings in the background that you might be familiar with.
To the left is “Old” Town Hall at 299 Greenwich Avenue. According to our friends at the Greenwich Historical Society, the historic Beaux-Arts building was generously donated to the town in 1904 by one of the town’s most ardent benefactors, Robert Moffat Bruce, and his sister, Sarah E. Bruce. Today, the building is used as the town’s Senior/Arts Center.
And all the way to the left edge of the postcard is the historic home of the GPS District Digest, the Havemeyer Building at 290 Greenwich Avenue. Inside, you will find 100+ hard working employees of Greenwich Public Schools.
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