GPS District Digest (v6, i14)
Stories, news, and updates from Greenwich Public Schools
Who is ready for the 38th annual GHS Jazz Festival on Saturday, April 5 at the Performing Arts Center? Since you will be there all day to see an amazing lineup of extraordinary musical talent, from 8:00 AM through 7:00 PM, food will be available for purchase. And admission? Free! Free? Free! (although a donation would be nice) The GHS Jazz Lab performs at 8:30 AM, and the amazing Jazz Ensemble goes on at 6:00 PM.
Loyal GPS District Digest readers will remember in issue 13, we tested your knowledge of Greenwich history and of your Latin by asking you, "Where Am I?" You, the readers, did not disappoint.
We received a slew of correct responses, including those from Ben B, and Katherine M, and Leah Z. But Gabriel Z? You went above and beyond.
"This is the auditorium inside the Havemeyer building. The message is, 'for the republic and the city and the people.' If you did not mean message in the literal sense, this phrase is derived from Latin and ancient Roman political and civic rhetoric. This writing shows loyalty to governance and culture, the political system as a whole. It emphasizes civic duty alongside patriotism and similar phrases were and are common in Rome today."
Now that's how you answer a trivia question!
Enjoy Issue No. 14 and thank you for your support.
GPS District Digest
Greenwich Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones recently announced that 59 GPS employees have been named GPS’s “Difference Maker” award recipients for the month of February as staff members who have made an overwhelming impact on the lives of others inside and outside of our schools.
“Each and every month, I am grateful for the Greenwich families and staff members that take the time out of their busy schedule to give thanks to those that have made a difference in their lives and the lives of our children,” Dr. Jones said. “The Difference Maker program not only recognizes our amazing staff, but it gives everyone a chance to say, ‘Thank you.’”
The Greenwich Public Schools “Difference Maker” award is presented monthly to full or part-time employees who, through their unique commitment and humanitarian spirit, have made exceptional and lasting contributions to the GPS community through one life-changing event, extraordinary long-lasting efforts, or making a difference in the lives of others every single day. Each building holds its individual celebrations to honor winners with certificate presentations and other recognitions.
GPS families, students, co-workers, or community members can nominate their difference maker online and is open to all employees of Greenwich Public Schools, full or part time, in good standing. It excludes contractors or employees of other town agencies.
More than 800 community members recently packed Greenwich High School’s Performing Arts Center for the district’s annual Strings Festival and were inspired by the 200+ Greenwich Public Schools student performers.
The festival co-directors are Ms. Jillian Corey and Mr. Aaron Lofaro, who organized, rehearsed, and opened the evening.
The Elementary School String Festival Orchestra, with students representing all 11 of GPS’ K-5 schools, performed an advanced repertoire that included both contemporary and seminal favorites under the direction of Mr. Emmett Drake.
The Middle School Strings Festival Orchestra closed their portion of the performance with Dropkick Murphys’ “I’m Shipping Up to Boston,” led by guest clinician/conductor Ms. Anna Ostrofsky.
The evening also featured musical performances by the Hamilton Avenue Suzuki Chamber Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Daniel Hopemark, with the assistance of co-teachers Ms. Victoria Boretsky and Ms. Lisa Wolfe, in addition to the Greenwich High School’s String Ensemble, under the direction of Ms. Bethany Fuscaldo.
The Finale featured all performers on stage celebrating with the theme from “Canon in D” by Johann Pachelbel.
The entire GPS strings faculty worked and rehearsed students throughout the rehearsal process, led sectionals, and performed as a faculty ensemble, including Ms. Meagan DeBona, Ms. Jacqueline Eckhardt, Mr. Barry Hoffman, Ms. Lakshmi James, Ms. Marina Jeraci, Ms. Kelly Milazzo, and Ms. Giulia Sanford.
Old Greenwich School’s literacy specialist, Ms. Sandra Zuccarello, was recently honored with the CRA Outstanding Leader of Literacy Educator Award for outstanding contributions to literacy instruction and unwavering dedication to advancing the science of reading.
The Connecticut Reading Association (CRA) is a professional literacy organization, with membership open to all educators, classroom teachers, reading specialists, administrators, paraprofessionals, college/university professors and students, and anyone interested in promoting literacy. It is the state affiliate of the International Literacy Association and sponsors leadership and workshop activities designed to support literacy instruction in schools, public and private, throughout Connecticut.
“[Her] passion for fostering a vibrant literacy culture and ensuring that students are actively engaged in thoughtful, purposeful literacy activities is truly inspiring," CRA Vice President Cathy Grimes said. “[Her] work not only impacts the students [she] works with directly, but also enriches the entire school community. [She] is making a profound difference in the lives of so many, and this award is a reflection of [her] exceptional commitment and dedication.”
In addition to this prestigious award, Ms. Zuccarello was named a GPS Difference Maker for the month of December.
Hamilton Avenue School represent!
The recent String Festival at Greenwich High Schools' Performing Arts Center featured 40 PreK-2nd grade students of Ham Avenue's Suzuki Chamber Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Daniel Hopemark, Ms. Victoria Boretsky, and Ms. Lisa Wolfe.
The Hamilton Avenue fourth and fifth graders who performed in the Elementary Honors Orchestra included: Gabriella Albino (violin), Adrian Carreon (violin), Chelsea Jimenez (violin), Che Vassel (violin), George Castaneda (viola), Filip Gorog (viola), and Mateo Ramirez (cello).
Our close and personal friends at the Greenwich Alliance for Education alerted us that their annual Trivia Challenge last month was filled with a "competitive and lively bunch" that tackled the "Play Ball" themed trivia. The evening included a team competition with six rounds of trivia. The event proceeds of more that $80,000 will benefit Alliance programs and AVID Success Scholarships.
Congratulations to the winning teams:
- First Place: Performance Enhancing Dorks (PEDs)
- Second Place: DOGE (Department of Greenwich Education)
- Best Team Name: Livin' L'AVID a Loco
We are not worthy to be in the presence of GHS senior Thomas "The Tank" McKinney. He is on a mission, with his friends in the Environmental Action Club, to clean up your mess. Maybe if you decided to throw away your garbage in the appropriate place, he would have had nothing to do on a Saturday afternoon in March on the campus of Greenwich High School.
The Greenwich High School Varsity Cheerleading team recently won the Class LL State Cheerleading Championship, held at Trumbull High School.
It has been 18 years since the Greenwich cheer team last took home a state championship. These athletes scored a 98.5, which was the highest score at the entire competition, with 96 teams across five divisions.
From the beginning of the season, this team had one goal in mind: Shock the state!
Led by head coach, Ms. Julia Vyskocil, this team made history, first with an FCIACS win in February, its first in 21 years, and then claiming the CT state title at the CIAC Championship, its first in 18 years.
They are not done yet! They have qualified to compete at the Team of the Year State Opens competition and the New England Regionals competition.
Here is a link to pictures taken by one of our cheer moms, Deb Alza!
High school students from across the state recently presented their original research at the 62nd annual Connecticut Junior Science and Humanities Symposium at UConn Health in Farmington. During the event, students competed for cash and scholarship awards, as well as the right to represent the Nutmeg State at the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium in Chantilly, VA, April 22-26, 2025.
Among the winners that will represent Connecticut were GHS' own, sophomore Lula Wang and freshman Tyler Malkin; their presentations were impressive.
Lula Wang earned first place as an oral presenter for her work on designing a new chemoimmunotherapy treatment for the most common form of pancreatic cancer. Tyler Malkin earned first place as a poster presenter for his poster presentation on creation of a quick, easy, inexpensive tool to detect iodine deficiency by testing saliva.
In addition to the Connecticut delegation to the national symposium, junior Marley Wies was also recognized as an eighth place oral presenter.
GHS senior Zara Haque is an inspiration, YWCA Greenwich says.
Zara was honored recently at the organization's 7th Annual Women Who Inspire Awards, recognizing exceptional women in our community. YWCA Greenwich's Women Who Inspire Awards was established to recognize and celebrate outstanding women who have excelled in philanthropic, professional and volunteer pursuits. Importantly, these honorees have enriched the lives of many in our community.
Her list of accomplishments is long and distinguished:
- Researched the effects of “Social Capital” (social trust, quantified) on Covid-19 case and mortality rates that received national recognition
- Developed a novel mechanism for the complete degradation of harmful PFAS, carcinogenic “forever chemicals”
- Co-Chair of the First Selectman’s Youth Commission of the Town of Greenwich
- Founding STEM Coordinator of Greenwich STEM to Stern
- YWCA Greenwich Gender & Racial Justice Scholarship winner
- Co-President of Greenwich High School's Debate and Model United Nations teams
- Selected by the League of Women Voters as the student moderator for Greenwich's State Senator & Representative Candidate Debate
Inspired?
More than 60 middle school ESL students recently participated in a field trip to the Anne Frank The Exhibition at the Center for Jewish History in New York City.
The immersive experience included a re-creation of Anne Frank's secret annex, artifacts from her life, and multimedia exhibits tracing her journey within the historical context of World War II.
This visit complemented prior classroom studies where students read short stories and novels. These texts explored themes of resilience, identity, and the Holocaust's historical context. The trip deepened students' understanding of prejudice, courage, and empathy, aligning with curriculum goals to foster critical thinking and cultural awareness.
Designed for audiences who may not have the opportunity to visit the Netherlands, the new exhibition in New York City is anticipated to draw extraordinary attendance for what will be among the most important presentations of Jewish historical content on view in the United States. Through the recreated annex; exhibition galleries immersing visitors in place and history through video, sound, photography, and animation; and more than 100 original collection items from the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, Anne Frank The Exhibition will provide an opportunity to learn about Anne Frank not as a victim but through the multifaceted lens of her life—as a girl, a writer, and a symbol of resilience and strength. This is a story inspired by one of the most translated books in the world.
Greenwich Girl Scouts and League of Women Voters Greenwich alerted us to a great event on Sunday, April 6 from 2:00-4:00 PM entitled, “Women in Government Workshop.” This engaging, drop-in event is open to the public and designed to spark the interest of our youngest citizens, particularly Girl Scouts in grades PK-5. Participating girls will learn about local, state, and national government, discover how young people can make a positive impact in their community, and earn a citizenship or democracy badge, aligning with their Girl Scout level. For more information, head to the webpage dedicated to this event.
For Women’s History Month, the Greenwich High School social studies department is remembering to look back to the past for inspiration and appreciation for what we have today. They say that in many ways, today’s women are standing on the shoulders of giants. Sometimes, contemporary people forget to take time out to acknowledge not just what, but more importantly, who has come before.
The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution, and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum are commemorating and encouraging the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American history.
If you are a GHS student, it is time to put on your thinking cap, take out that writing tablet, and get to work on this month's writing contest!
Your Task: Write to a notable woman, from anywhere around the world, from any time period, thanking her for the contributions she has made to women’s rights. Your writing should take the form of a letter addressed to the person or a letter addressed to the woman’s descendants.
For more information and to follow all of the requirements, read the contest's official rules. Your deadline is Tuesday, April 1.
The International School at Dundee, in collaboration with the ISD Parent Teacher Association, is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the 8th Annual Greenwich Color Challenge.
This highly anticipated community event will take place on Saturday, April 5, beginning at 9:00 AM at ISD. The event will be held rain or shine.
The Greenwich Color Challenge is a 1.5-mile fun run and obstacle course featuring multiple challenge stations and six color powder stations, where participants are playfully “dusted” with safe, non-toxic, and washable colors. Those who prefer to bypass the color can simply run around the stations. The event is a celebration of community, fitness, and fun, welcoming participants of all ages to run, walk, jump, dodge, and enjoy an unforgettable experience.
New this year, the event will feature a Best Spirit Contest, encouraging participants to dress in their most creative and colorful attire. From vibrant tutus to wacky socks and rainbow wigs, the two most spirited and dusted participants will be awarded prizes generously provided by Eugene Music Studio and OGRCC.
Following the race, attendees can continue the festivities with music, face painting, refreshments, and prize giveaways.
"The Greenwich Color Challenge is one of ISD’s most anticipated annual events, bringing together families, friends, and community members for a day of energy and excitement," ISD PTA Co-President Roli Agrawal said. "Beyond the fun, this event is crucial in supporting educational enrichment programs at ISD, benefiting our students and school community."
For more information, head to their website.
The good folks in the GPS District Digest newsroom love to hear from old friends. Imagine our excitement when Aaron J. reached out and shared an amazing interview he saw with Pro Football Hall of Famer, Steve Young.
For those that do not know, Young was enshrined at Canton in 2005, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest football players that ever lived. Oh, and he is also a product of Greenwich High School, class of 1980.
Young recently sat down with journalist, Graham Bensinger, to talk about his amazing career and life. His comments about his time as Greenwich High School were incredible.
"Greenwich High School was a great school, great teachers, and people that challenged me," Young said. [Distinguished Teacher Award winner] Terry Lowe was my honors calculus [teacher] in my senior year and he says, 'I know that you think you're some famous football player. I know you think you can come in here and try to get away with it. It ain't going to happen here.'
"...I earned an A from Terry Lowe, one of my greatest accomplishments."
More than a football player. It is worth a watch.
Is there anything better than good music blasting through your speakers? Here at the Digest, we say, "No!" Want to hear good tunes, come on by the newsroom.
Or if you want really good tunes, watch this amazing video supplied to us by the preschool musicians at Old Greenwich School.
The focus for the music department is to develop units of instruction and assessments for our four artistic processes: performing, creating, responding, and connecting. The first steps in music for preschool is developing singing and movement skills, and it is rich in traditional folk music. The design encourages students to be “tuneful, beatful, and artful.”
Rock on little ones, rock on.
Everyone here at the GPS District Digest loves when they hear from the good folks at the Bruce Museum. If you got the time, they got the events. It is where art meets science for children all ages (and adults, too).
- Science Solvers: Polar Bears (March 22-23)
- Bruce Beginnings: Spring Landscapes (March 25-26)
- Bruce Beginnings Junior: Hello Spring! (March 26)
- Art Adventures: Birthday Party (March 29-30)
- Bruce Beginnings: Hooray, Bruce Birthday! (April 1-2)
- Bruce Beginnings Junior: Hooray, Bruce Birthday! (April 2)
- Bruce Birthday Bash (April 5)
- Fred Elser First Sunday Science: Introduction to Shellfishing (April 6)
- Bruce Experiences: Tanka Poetry Reading and Translation (April 6)
- Bruce Experiences: French Film Series: Oceans Seen From the Heart (March 23)
- Bruce Socials: Trivia At The Bruce Tuesday (March 25)
- Lifetime of Looking: Women in Art (March 27, April 24, May 22, June 26)
- Sensory Friendly Mornings at the Bruce Museum (March 30, April 18)
For more details, make sure to head to their website loaded with wonder.
Social media, when done responsibly, can be a great tool to share information. Here at GPS, we use social media to give you a behind the scenes look at what is happening in our buildings, celebrate staff and student achievement, and to break news.
Are you one of our 2,160 followers on X (formerly known as Twitter)? If not, why aren't you? We know the world can be a very mean and nasty place and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. But here, it's all sunshine and rainbows.
Are you active on other social media platforms? Should the district join you? Let us know!
