RPS Update

Over the past few weeks, Assistant Superintendents Dr. Hannaway, Ms. Gillette, and I joined our instructional leadership teams at each of our schools to discuss their school-based and professional goals for the year. At these meetings, the teams have communicated their “All In” mindset and evidenced their belief in the growth of each and every student- emotionally, socially, and academically. If there is any message that I would want our families to know after these meetings, it is that the adults in your school know your children and care deeply for them. It is so clear how fortunate we are, here at RPS.

Individual departments, central office, and school leaders came together this week to evaluate each of their facility needs, strengths, and opportunities relative to the work being conducted for the 2024 District’s Master Plan Study. Some of the topics included capacity of buildings, programming needs, potential growth of student population, infrastructure, and ensuring a vision for the future. The District and broader community can expect to continue to hear about our facility needs.

Along those lines, on October 9, the Town will vote on the lease for 66 Grove Street. The objective of this new space is to support two student groups- the Ridgefield Transition Program (RTP) that serves the 18-22 population, and the Alternative High School. As we have highlighted during the past four years, the current space for both of these programs is no longer able to meet the growth or programming goals and vision. This new space is both financially responsible, and most importantly, serves students within our community.

Have a wonderful weekend, and enjoy the beautiful weather.

Warmly,

Susie

Susie Da Silva, Ed.D

“Culture is not something you are-it's something you do.”

Daniel Coyle from The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups

The K-12 Art Show opens this week! More below...

The next Board of Education meeting will be on Tuesday, October 15, because of Monday holiday. The meeting agenda and streaming link are available on the Board of Education page.

Please check your school calendar for early dismissals and other school events.

Please listen to the Ridgefield Tiger Talk podcast and Last Monday's Superintendent's Report to the BOE (approximately 36 min mark) to learn more about this project in advance of the October 9 town vote on the lease. We have included a couple of clarifications about the programs below in response to community questions and concerns.

Alternative High School (AHS) students are RHS students, who for a variety of reasons require a smaller setting than the main campus offers. Some will be at AHS for a few months before returning to RHS, some will finish out their high school experience there, and all students are as involved in RHS clubs, sports, and activities as they choose to be. All who finish graduation requirements receive an RHS diploma and participate in a small graduation ceremony at AHS and/or the RHS graduation ceremony. The current facility is essentially a one-room schoolhouse inadequate to the need for separate classroom spaces and private counseling.

Caption: Appreciative FaceBook post shared with permission.

Ridgefield Transition Program (RTP) Students are Ridgefield residents who have completed high school credit requirements. RTP students range in age from 18-22 years old and qualify to receive special education services. Under federal and state law, RPS is responsible for providing transition services to these students to ensure they have the skills to independently meet their post-school goals. RTP's current space is a portable classroom on the Veterans Park Elementary campus, which is not sufficient to fulfill RPS's legal and ethical commitment to this growing population of students. They deserve a space in which they can develop meaningful employment and life skills, alongside their most appropriate peer group - the community.

Parents of teenage drivers, please remind your students to obey speed limits and laws. We are hearing reports of excessive speeds and reckless driving around dismissal time, and we worry. Model good behavior with school buses and patience in the parking lot, no texting or other distractions while driving. Safety first!

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

All members of the RPS community are precious—each student, parent, and staff member is valued and needed. September is Suicide Prevention Month, and RPS has year-round, 24/7 resources to support our community. If you have questions or need support for your child in school, please reach out to your child's counselor. For crisis support you or your child can utilize the Kids and Crisis 24-Hour Hotline or the Sandy Hook Promise Say Something hotline.

Here is a resource, "Protecting Our Youth: A Community Approach to Suicide Prevention," from the Connecticut State Department of Education.

Our youngest mathematicians get hands-on with numbers at Scotland Elementary.

First-graders considered whether a pumpkin would float or sinks in recent science class, and then experimented to test their hypotheses.

Join us for a celebration of the RPS Visual Arts program! The second All-District Art Show opens this week at East Ridge Middle School. RPS art teachers hung masterpieces from kindergarten to Grade 12, in a stunning display of creativity, talent, and mixed media. Students and families from the North side of town (Scotts Ridge, Barlow Mountain, Ridgebury, and Scotland) are welcome to join us on Tuesday at 5:30 pm. On Wednesday, students from East Ridge, Branchville, Farmingville, and Veterans Park elementary schools are welcome. RHS families can come either day or both! Please note, there is an example of art from each grade and school but because of space, only a selection of students will have work displayed.

Elementary Art Rachael Penney writes, "We are excited to host our 2nd annual K-12 Art Show this year. The show offers a peek into the pathways and curriculum k-12 and seeing the the sampling of artwork exhibits the progression of skill sets and puts on display a glimpse of what young artists can achieve. It's the one time of year you can view work from k-12 artists work together and is a special night(s)."

Grades 6-12 Visual and Performing Arts Department Chair Michael McNamara echoes Ms. Penney's enthusiasm, "The first year was a huge success and a first for our district. Seeing the progression of students from kindergarten through AP Studio Art was nothing short of mind-blowing. It’s important for young students to see what awaits them and for our older students to reflect on where they came from. I was really inspired by last year and look forward to celebrating the work of our young artists!"

Breast Cancer Awareness Month has our Tigers seeing pink! On Monday, RHS Girls Volleyball partnered with the Youth Against Cancer Club for its annual Dig Pink game. Students sold raffle tickets and baked goods to support Ann's Place, a local organization that provides comfort, support, and resources to people living with cancer and their loved ones.

Wednesday, RHS Field Hockey played for pink to raise donations for Experience Camps, a national organization based in Westport, which gives grieving children support.

Thank you to all the local businesses and families for their donations!

Farmingville Essentials (Art, Library, Music, and Physical Education) team t-shirts say it all, "Bruh, We're Essential." No argument here! Thank you to all our awesome essential educators.

RPS elementary art teacher Jennifer Zeyer submitted this picture of her and fellow Branchville Mets fan Leo Lucchesi. Both were very happy when the Mets won in a very exciting ninth inning last night to move on to the next round of the playoffs.

Last Friday, Scotland Elementary held its annual Scotty Sprint. Kids ran, walked, skipped, and hobbled laps to support PTA programs. Great job, Scotties!

This photo of Branchville fifth graders reminds us of how many leadership opportunities there are throughout students' years at RPS. From the most outgoing senior student body president to quieter, gentle leaders, RPS hopes that each student finds their voice and way to get involved.

Tuesday was National Custodian Appreciation Day, which allowed RPS to express its unwavering gratitude to our team of janitors who keep our schools clean and safe. Head Custodian Tim Dudas joined eager Branchville Elementary students on Instagram to express the District's appreciation for this important team. Mr. Tim has worked as an RPS custodian for twenty years—at Ridgebury Elementary and East Ridge Middle School before moving to Branchville. Please see a short clip of Mr. Tim here. The District, schools, and PTAs also recognized custodians—the Ridgebury PTA treats are in the photo here. It's not too late! Hug a custodian today. Thank you, custodians, for being all in!

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.