RPS Update

It is hard to believe that this will be the last communication of 2024. Our next update will be on Friday, January 10. On behalf of the entire Central Office Team, we invite you to celebrate our students and partnership by watching this beautiful video.

The new year comes with optimism and an opportunity to reset. As we transition to 2025, many of us will revisit and check in on the progress of our hopes and dreams from the start of the school year. For others, the new year may bring a series of commitments, goals, and actionable steps. In either scenario, we hope 2025 brings you growth, happiness, and most importantly, health.

Thank you to those community members who joined the Board of Selectpersons on Wednesday night at the Public Hearing/Town Meeting. Ridgefield voted to support the planning and design for the construction of a new site for the Alternative High School/18-22 Transition programs at 34 Halpin Lane. On Thursday afternoon, the Board of Education approved the education specifications, allowing the administration to apply for grant funding through the CT Department of Administrative Services. While there are several more steps ahead of us, this project is incredibly important to our community, and we look forward to updating you as we move along.

During this winter break, most staff will be away from their schools. However, if your child or family needs services during this time, please contact Kids in Crisis, 24/7, at 203-661-1911. Please know that there is always help available; you are not alone.

May you have a wonderful winter break and holiday season. Happy New Year!

Warmly,

Susie

Susie Da Silva, Ed.D

“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle, or the mirror that reflects it."—Edith Wharton, Novelist

RHS student matches the festive decor; see more photos from the RHS Annual Door Decorating Extravaganza below!

Please review our Weather-Related Closure Protocols and discuss your family’s plan for an early dismissal with your children.

It's time for families to register for the Kindergarten 2025-26 School Year. Sign up and learn all about our Kindergarten Enrollment Process. Read more about the Kindergarten Waiver Process.

January is the official kick-off of Budget Season. Please see the Board of Education page for ways to learn more. Remember to check your school calendar for early dismissals, special events, concert schedules, and more.

Reading Department teacher Kaley Kowarick reports that she and fellow Reading teacher David Griffith presented at the National Conference of Teachers of English in Boston in late November. Their 75-minute session was called: Adolescent Reading Reimagined: Cultivating Hope, Humanity, and Heart through YA Literature.

Ms. Kowarick and Mr. Griffith attended many valuable sessions and heard from excellent speakers, including Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Kate McKinnon, and Bryan Stevenson. They were fortunate enough to be in the front row for a more intimate session with Dr. Jarred Amato, Dashka Slater, and Nic Stone. Slater and Stone are the authors of two books RHS ninth-grade classes read this semester (Dear Martin and The 57 Bus).

Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum Cory Gillette and Elementary Director Linda Johnson recently attended the annual conference for Learning Forward—the only conference focused exclusively on how to plan, implement, and measure high-quality professional learning to change educator practice and improve results for all students.

Learning Forward's website highlights the conference's goal to "bring together thought leaders, experts, researchers, and other practitioners to collaboratively share the latest learnings, knowledge, and techniques. Our conference models deep learning and best practices so you can take them back to lead learning in your schools, districts, or systems."

RPS regularly posts presentations for families on its Curriculum Channel, RPS EngagED. Please tune in for a recent discussion about the new Elementary World Language program. Math Placement coming up in January.

Thanks for tuning in and getting EngagED, RPS.

Photo Caption: Elementary Spanish teacher Jill Quattrocchi, Elementary Director Linda Johnson, and World Language Chair Allyson Power at the Board of Education meeting

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

Resources for LGBTQ+ families and youth, including a monthly game night and virtual caregiver support group, are available in the eBackpack and on ridgefieldctpride.com.

Branchville Elementary second-graders used marshmallows and toothpicks to make 3D shapes in this STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Art Math) celebration that might have generated some leftovers for a steaming cup of cocoa. The photo shows students from Sara Pieterse's BES class.

RHS level three World Language students are wrapping up 2024 with a project that will help them learn while helping the environment! Teachers instructed students on how to create a project from recyclable materials. The item itself was limited only to the student's imagination.

“From chandeliers, wigs, and Nike high tops to furniture, robots, clothes, and holiday decorations,” RHS French teacher Kimberly Cameron says, “World Language students in French, Italian, Mandarin, and Spanish had a great time creating crazy products with used or reusable materials. This engaging activity was part of a unit on the environment where students were learning how today's environment is affected by every decision we make.”

Students worked in teams of two or three to create their items. Upon finishing, they will present their creations to their class and explain why it is environmentally friendly. One winner will be announced per class after the break, and then all level students will vote for the best overall. The products will then be displayed in the school's main lobby.

Mandarin Student Joseph Velasco writes, “This project has been an interesting experience, as it allows us to take a small detour from the typical curriculum and do something a little more hands-on. Overall, I have had a great time working with friends and creating my project,”

Spanish student Emily Reney says, “I loved the opportunity to use more unique materials. My partner and I used clay, while the rest of the class used cardboard. It was a challenge because the clay was originally all dried out, and we had to work to reuse it. It was a challenge but worth it.”

“I found the cultural environmental recycling project really encouraging and interesting. As an environmental science student and an artist, this project was awesome to combine two of my passions and make something to show the importance of protecting the environment through recycling,” comments Mandarin student Katz Roy.

“I learned a lot more about fast fashion, and how harmful it can be for the environment,” says French student Sophia Rinella. “Now I’m more conscientious of what I wear and where it comes from.” “It was really interesting to learn about the economic standpoint of fast fashion,” Sophomore Sofia Fazzioli-Sague adds.

RHS French students whipped up Bûche De Noël for a festive end to 2024. That's how they roll:)

Scotland art teacher Megan Kounnas explains that this adorable owl project gets kindergarteners thinking about line, shape, color, texture, and composition.

These friendly snowmen help teach first graders about shadow and light. Ms. Kounnas bases the lesson on the book Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner.

Over 60 Scotland fourth and fifth graders elected to participate in Art Leap, an enrichment program that occurs at each of the six elementary schools. Ms. Kounnas divided the group into three sessions. The photo below shows some of the awesome masks from the first session.

Please watch the RPS Combined Chorus sing "A Million Dreams" from last year's Choral Festival.

Recently, East Ridge Middle School took a big step on its journey to reduce the amount of waste produced. Last Monday, the Housatonic Resources Recovery Authority assisted with a waste audit in the ERMS cafeteria. The goal of a waste audit is to see what type of material is put into the trash each day, such as food waste, unopened food, recycling, and trash, as well as how much of each material. The audit will help ERMS see what types of materials could be diverted out of the trash. Students, volunteers, and staff got their hands dirty, helping to measure everything that got thrown away that day.

The winter break is a great time to root for our Tigers. Please see the full Winter sports schedule here. Let's go, Tigers!

On Wednesday, a small group of RHS Student Government members and advisor Jenn DeJulio went to Family & Children’s Aid (FCA) in Danbury after school. FCA had invited student leaders who had connected with the organization after a wildly successful food drive during Spirit Week for a tour. Ms. DeJulio writes, "The facilities are incredible, and then we wrapped gifts for the kids in their programs. It was a beautiful afternoon—all smiles as we volunteered!"

Today was Pajama Day at Ridgebury Elementary when these cute third graders and paraeducator Tamera Galvin walked by this seasonal bulletin board on their way to deliver holiday cards.

On Monday, the RHS Student Government hosted its 4th Annual Door Decorating Extravaganza! Advisor Jenn DeJulio reports that they wanted to make the event bigger than ever, so they invited all clubs to participate. Over 100 students joined in the fun, and more than 50 doors were "wrapped" in winter cheer.

Clubs participating include Robotics Club, Environmental Club, GSA, Heritage Club, Model UN, Yearbook, Madrigals, RHS Gives, National Honor Society, Youth Against Cancer, Investment Club, Educators Rising, Key Club.

Scotts Ridge held its annual food drive to restock Ruby's Little Pantries.

Families in need can find staples or contribute directly at the following Little Pantry locations.

Ridgebury Congregational Church, 605 Ridgebury Rd, Ridgefield, CT

Jesse Lee Church, 207 Main Street

Nature's Temptations, 32 Prospect Street

Wooster Hollow Cafe, 659 Danbury Rd

Boys & Girls Club of Ridgefield, 41 Governor St, Ridgefield

Farmingville Elementary students got their chance to make their school No Place For Hate this week. This anti-bullying Anti-Defamation League program, which gives students leadership opportunities, has been part of RHS and the middle schools for years. This year, all RPS schools are participating. Fifth graders lead the assemblies and provide age-appropriate lessons on kindness and inclusion.

The faces on these Barlow Mountain fifth-graders say it all. The owl pellet dissection lesson at every elementary school engages students in discovery, the food chain, and hands-on learning.

Scotland elementary brothers Cole and Jack stepped in this week as Principals of the Day. These brothers helped SES Principal Jill Katkocin deliver swag to staff, teach a PE class, enjoy lunch with friends and Ms. Katkocin, and more. Thank you to our PTA families for supporting school fundraisers and all you do to add cheer to our district.

Barlow Mountain Spirit Week didn't disappoint!

• Monday, Winter Activity Day
• Tuesday, Winter White Out Day
• Wednesday, Wacky Wednesday Day
• Thursday, Ugly Sweater Day
• Friday, Pajama Day

The full-day Pre-K program at Veterans Park Elementary checks all the merry and bright boxes with this sweet holiday sentiment created by paraeducator Erica Monson.

Nothing but love at RHS on the last day of school before break. Student Government members and advisors wore their ugly sweaters. A sign on the door to the RHS Counseling offices reads, "You are so loved!" So true! You are so loved!

We would love to hear from you! Families and staff can submit stories, comments, or corrections to RPS Communications. Please follow us on Social Media with links below.