RPS Update

Editor's Note: The RPS Update sent earlier this morning said that Teacher Appreciation Week started on Monday. That is incorrect. Teacher Appreciation Week is May 5-10. Stay tuned for communications from your PTA about ways to celebrate our great RPS teachers and staff.

The transition back to RPS from spring break has been busy for everyone, especially for our RHS seniors as they prepare for AP exams, internships, and finalize their college choices. All of our families can expect many exciting events at each of our schools as we get closer to culminating the school year.

Speaking of seniors (this time, senior citizens), tomorrow, you can find Dr. Hannaway at Ridgefield Parks & Recreation between the hours of 12-4:00 p.m. for the Ridgefield Commission on Aging’s Senior Spectacular Expo. This is a fantastic opportunity to explore a variety of resources, enjoy engaging activities, and connect with fellow community members—all completely free and tailored for Ridgefield seniors who want to learn more about what’s available locally. RPS is excited to support this event and our community partners! All are welcome; anyone who wants to register can still do so here. And speaking of Expos, on Wednesday, find Dr. Hannaway, RPS students, families, staff, and me at the RPS Inclusion Expo 2025! (All info, registration, and a podcast below.)

We are thrilled to announce that we are breaking ground on the new AHS/RTP school and look forward to all of the efforts to prepare the new space for our deserving students. Shovels officially hit the ground on April 30! We also hope to announce a name for the school soon.

For those of you who know families with students who plan to start school at RPS next year, whether in kindergarten or any other grade, we ask that you remind them to register if they have not already done so. This is helpful for many reasons, but most importantly, to ensure that we are able to maintain our wonderful faculty.

Susie

Susie Da Silva, Ed.D

Photo Captions: Above: Branchville student shows off the school's new Pollinator Pathway sign; read more about the BES Green Team in the Earth Day section below. Below: RHS Class of 2025; we miss you already!

Remember to check your school calendar for important dates and events. Don't miss Summer Bridge opportunities! The deadline for Elementary and Middle School Summer registration is May 1.

On this week’s episode of Ridgefield Tiger Talk, we’re excited to welcome back Dr. Tony Showah, Assistant Director of Special Services. He tells us about all the amazing things happening at next week’s Inclusion Expo at Ridgefield High School on April 30 at 5 PM. Click here for the flyer, and click here if you’d like to RSVP. Thanks for listening!

Question: Who is the Inclusion Expo on April 30 for?

Answer: Everyone!!!!

Please come and show your support for our inclusive community. Click here to RSVP to join us at the Expo! The goal of the Inclusion Expo is to celebrate the instructional practices that foster belonging and are the bedrock of RPS, where “all means all.” In this “expo” event, attendees will have the opportunity to listen to and engage with a variety of RPS staff who will showcase a small piece of their work with our students - work that fosters connectedness and meaningful engagement. Here, you’ll find a short and special invitation from Dr. Anthony Showah and Dr. Liz Hannaway from the RPS Special Services Department to what will inevitably be a special night of community connectedness.

Please check your school's calendar for art shows, concerts, field days, and other end-of-the-year events!

The Annual Town Meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 5, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. at the Ridgefield Playhouse. At this meeting, residents will have the opportunity to vote on budget items under $100,000. The Budget Referendum, which includes all other budget items, will be held on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, from 6:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Yanity Gym. As it gets closer, a sample ballot will be made public so that residents can familiarize themselves with the budget questions before voting day. The sample ballot will be available on the Town website and in the Town Clerk's Office.

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. Pride in the Park organizers are looking for volunteers. Please look in the e-Backpack or visit their website for more information on LGBTQ+ events and ways to get involved.

The RPS Teacher of the Year program recognizes and honors teacher excellence. It does not attempt to select the "best" teacher; rather to identify among many outstanding teachers, one teacher to serve as a visible and vocal representative of what is best in the profession. RPS's TOY 2025 is Barlow Mountain kindergarten teacher Lisa Whelan. In the following column, Ms. Whelan offers some reflection, advice to new teachers and parents, and small ways to show big appreciation to our teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week and throughout our students' years.

What has being TOY meant to your teaching practice? How have you been “all in” this year?

As this year's TOY it has been very important to me to continue to be a role model for my family, students and community. I feel responsible for sharing my commitment to teaching by inspiring others to do the best they can. I have been “all in” trying to inspire my students and families by modeling perseverance and healthy habits through training for and running a half marathon while balancing my teaching and family responsibilities. I ran the NYC 1/2 marathon in March and raised over $2000 for Safe Horizon, the largest victim services nonprofit organization in the US, providing social services for victims of abuse and violent crime.

What would you tell first-year teachers?

My advice to first-year teachers is to be patient with yourself. Find joy and laughter in everything you do, even the mistakes, because there will be. Mistakes are proof that you are trying. Be flexible yet consistent and set high expectations for yourself and your students. Make sure you get to know the custodian, secretary, and cafeteria staff. They will all help you in more ways than you realize. Ask for help. Invite other teachers into your room and go into other teachers' classrooms. Watch how other teachers interact with students. Greet your students at the door every day. Before you know it, you will be a veteran teacher. Smile!

What is your advice to parents?

Enjoy your children. Spend time with them. Play with them. Talk with them. Read to your child every day. Set boundaries and be consistent. You are your child's best advocate. Know them and know their strengths and weaknesses. Help them and support them. Be a role model for them. Foster independence. Remember, “Independently means all by yourself!” Praise their efforts. Encourage persistence, kindness, and trying something new.

Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week. How can we celebrate the teaching profession?

Most teachers do what they do because they love children and want to make a lasting impression. We generally don’t need or want a lot of fanfare or celebration. I love it when former students come back to visit me. It means a lot that they have taken the time to remember me. When parents write me notes of appreciation and let me know the impact I have had on their child, it touches me. Simple gestures that express gratitude show teachers they are honored and recognized.

Who will be the RPS TOY 2026? Stay tuned to RPS Update for the announcement coming soon!

The sun shone for East Ridge's eighth-grade trip to New York. Students watched &Juliet on Broadway, ate lunch at Bubba Gump Shrimp, and posed for a group photo with the New York Public Library lions Patience and Fortitude.

The RPS Update from April 14 featured an article about the Barlow Mountain volunteer garden party, which had an editing error. Our apologies! Here is the corrected version with updates on recent garden activities.

Barlow Mountain families hosted a volunteer party to kick off the spring gardening season. The weather foiled their original plans, but they ultimately had almost 30 people attend. Parent Lauren Crossley reports that the kids had a blast planting pansies, sowing rainbow carrot seeds, mixing compost into the plots, and testing the pH levels of the soil. In between gardening activities, families enjoyed Levain Bakery cookies and lemonade. BMES volunteers were especially thrilled to unveil the Barlow Garden’s Little Free Library, donated by a generous Barlow family! They have filled the library with books celebrating nature, kindness, adventure, inclusivity, strength and resilience, gardening, science and poetry. This week, garden volunteers added a sign to the library and planted veggie seeds, including sugar snap peas, radishes, and carrots!

On Thursday, Branchville Elementary hosted Math Night—a fun and relaxed way for families and staff to play math games, see the math skills students have learned, and enjoy each other!

The RHS Band Concert on Wednesday was a thumping showcase of RHS talent. In the photo above, Band Director George Beratis poses with seniors. Class of 2025, you will be missed!

Big announcement: Ridgefield High School Madrigals will open for the Rockettes' "Christmas Spectacular" show on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. at Radio City Music Hall! Choral Director Lauren Verney-Fink writes, "We're honored to receive this invitation and are excited to sing during the pre-show time from this iconic stage!" Madrigals is RHS's select vocal ensemble. Auditions are open to those who sing or play in a daytime RHS choir, band, or orchestra.

Thanks to the Ridgefield Music Parents and Manheimer Productions, our RHS Madrigals recorded "Valerie" as a keepsake and way to spread their wonderful singing to earbuds around the community! Soloist: Hazel Connally, Beatboxer: Bradan Janso, "Valerie" arranged by Jake Odmark. Click link below and be amazed!

Spring is a great time to catch an RHS game, match, or meet. Please see the RHS Athletics website for more information and schedules.

On Monday, Ridgefield Girls Softball (RGS) families watched the RHS Varsity Softball team defeat Westhill High School. It was RGS Day—an opportunity to connect girls through sports. The youth girls met the high school players, ran the bases, enjoyed icy treats from a truck, and posed for pictures with their high school role models.

This week, the dynamic lacrosse duo of Grace Winkler and Gabby Lauretani achieved milestone status. Grace notched her 250th career point, and Gabby controlled her 350th draw. The teammates are bringing their stick skills and smiles to the University of North Carolina next year.

RPS families celebrated bus drivers with notes, treats, and hugs this week. Three cheers to RPS bus drivers for keeping our students safe! Thank you to the Scotland Elementary PTA for providing lunch on Tuesday. Please remember to never pass a school bus when its lights are on, be patient with students getting on and off buses, and remind teen drivers about speed control and safety. It's never too late to thank a school bus driver.

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.