GPS District Digest (v5, i07)
Stories, news, and updates from Greenwich Public Schools
Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday, and National Package Protection Day. How about GPS District Digest Thursday?
Don't we deserve our own day? No one else spreads the word of all good things GPS like the Digest. Especially in this issue. It is loaded. Sit back, enjoy your lunch, and take in all of the amazing news around our district.
Enjoy Issue No. 7 and thank you for your support.
GPS District Digest
Greenwich High School junior Ashley Malkin.
For anyone that knows Ms. Malkin, nothing else really needs to be said.
What? You don't know? Now you will.
She was recently honored with a 2023 National Center for Women In Technology Impact Award for founding and running "ScienceGirls!," a free STEM mentoring program to encourage and inspire elementary school girls in science. She created curriculum and led workshops on neuroscience, computer science, chemistry, physics, engineering, and astronomy for more than 175 girls.
"I love working with the girls," Ms. Malkin said. "And it is wonderful to see how excited they get about STEM!"
Her next ScienceGirls! workshop will be held at Greenwich Library on December 13 where girls in grades 3-5 will get an introduction to artificial intelligence and participate in fun activities.
But wait! There's more!
Ms. Malkin was the 2023 Petit Family Foundation Women in Science Leadership Award winner by the Connecticut Science Center. She was recognized as a leader in STEM and was selected by the Science Center’s Women in Science steering committee based on her demonstrated commitment to advancing STEM through thoughtful engagement with diverse audiences and by making a significant effort to support other women and girls in their pursuit of STEM as learners, teachers, and professionals.
How can there be more? This is only one issue of the GPS District Digest!
And finally, the International Brain Research Organization recently published her research abstract in the IBRO Neuroscience Reports scientific journal called, "Identification of therapeutics for neurological disorders through development of a novel machine learning system for predicting drug-gene interactions in the glymphatic system."
That's it. We are done. For now.
Do you know a teacher, social worker, guidance counselor, instructional coach, or specialist that deserves consideration for the 2024 Distinguished Teacher Awards?
Now is the time 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, head to the webpage dedicated to DTA that includes the Nomination Instruction Packet online.
Is a call for nominations from the Digest is not enough motivation for you? Maybe GPS friend and legendary broadcaster, Hannah Storm, can convince you with this amazing video.
The GPS District Digest got a great tip recently about Hamilton Avenue School physical education teacher, Dr. Kristie Lynch.
The New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance named our good doctor "Professional of the Year" at its 85th annual conference at Turning Stone Resort in Verona, NY for her extraordinary leadership and for being someone who has shown outstanding professionalism through teaching, program development, special projects, writing, and research .
NYS AHPERD is an association committed to providing leadership and quality services to health, physical education, recreation, and dance professionals and future professionals. Each year, it hosts nearly 1,500 professionals and future professionals from New York State and covers a wide variety of topics and incorporates the most recent findings on how students engage in physical education, health education, and activity programs.
Now in her first year at Greenwich Public Schools, Dr. Lynch had been teaching on the college level for nine years; we are lucky to have her!
Watch her fantastic acceptance speech in the video below!
How did you celebrate Diwali, India's biggest and most important holiday of the year?
Students at Cos Cob School participated in their annual Diwali workshop to learn about how different cultures in India use craft to express themselves and celebrate this joyous holiday.
Students enjoyed painting their diyas (lamps used during the holiday), creating their own rangoli (an art form using patterns), and trying on textiles from India.
To learn more about this festive holiday, head the Society for the Confluence of Festivals in India website.
The English as a Second Language (ESL) community at Eastern Middle School was recently treated to an introduction to "Friendsgiving," a large meal eaten with friends on or near Thanksgiving. EMS students and staff are known as being a diverse group representing the continents of North America, South America, and Asia.
Students learned about the origins of the holiday in class, but were also able to share the warmth of this holiday
In the last issue of the GPS District Digest, we alerted you - the loyal reader - about our main man, Thomas "The Tank" McKinney, a GHS junior that helps to organize community cleanups.
Earlier this month, The Tank, along with Town of Greenwich Select-Person Janet Stone McGuigan, former BOE Chair Joe Kelly, Greenwich Green & Clean Deputy Director Kanako MacLennan, and so many others, removed more than 290 pounds of debris from Cos Cob Park on Sound Shore Drive.
Are you following Thomas on Instagram yet, like 373 others? Look for him @thomasmck5.
Proud members from Central Middle School's band and chorus had the honor of performing at a recent Bridgeport Islanders game at Total Mortgage Arena. The Bridgeport Islanders are the AHL affiliate of the NHL's New York Islanders.
Under the direction of Mr. Michael Strange, the band performed the "Star-Spangled Banner," while members of the chorus sang "God Bless America," under the direction of Ms. Rebecca Lipschutz.
You will not want to miss other upcoming performances:
- Saturday, Dec. 2 from 1:45-2:15 PM: CMS Jazz Ensemble at the Cos Cob Library Winter Fest
- Thursday, Dec. 7: CMS Winter Chorus Concert
- Tuesday, Dec. 12: CMS Winter Orchestra Concert
- Tuesday, Dec. 19: CMS Winter Band Concert
In this issue of the Digest, we turn back the clock at the Havemeyer Building for the 10th time. Just when we thought we have seen them all, this beautiful postcard recently appeared in the newsroom all the way from the year 1911. That's 112 years ago to you and me.
On August 17, 1911, Mrs. C.A. Cleaver of Mercer, Maine, sent this postcard to Mrs. Mary Hall in Dixfield, Maine where she lived with her husband, Delmont.
It is a pleasant correspondence, but we are stumped as to why a postcard from Greenwich was used. The research department at the Digest can find no connection to our town or schools to these two Maine residents.
We may never know, but we do appreciate Mrs. Cleaver sending this postcard and Mrs. Hall for saving it. Do you know the Cleavers or the Halls and their connection to Greenwich? @ us!
We love sharing good news with our 2,060 closest friends on the GPS X (Twitter) account, @GPSDistrict.
Follow us, but only do it if you are a member our families, students, staff, or community that want to see all of the good things happening around the District. No negativity from us!
At the Digest, we love to show you some of our favorite posts from around the GPS social media world, including from some new accounts on Instagram.
Do you have a favorite social media account? Let us know!
