RPS Update

We all know that change is inevitable, and happens over time. The evolution of change sometimes requires a look back to understand the why. This week, while spending time at Barlow Mountain Elementary and enjoying the children on the playground, I noticed a small group of 2nd graders playing the game of “Hopscotch.” A (no-cost) playground game that has entertained school-age children for decades and decades. While there have been a few subtle changes, fundamentally, the game has stayed the same. Forty or so years later, the rules haven’t changed; and while going back in time, I realized how some things shouldn’t change. Simple, active, no frills, fun.

On the topic of change over time, social media is a highly-used method of communication, certainly different from when I grew up. Landlines, “total phone”, beepers, payphones….and fast forward a bit, AOL’s “you’ve got mail” was the communication technique I widely used. It had its downsides: capacity of reach, time, and yes, it was hard to find a dime for the payphone (and you needed to speak quickly.) The upside, however, is that communication was direct, personable, contextual, and likely more accurate. In the age of technology, which has its real benefits, comes with its own set of challenges. We ask that if there are any questions, reach out to our faculty and staff. Trust that our faculty, if able, will provide accurate information and answers to your questions. That said, there are topics that we are unable to communicate about due to privacy or confidential information. Please know, even when a social media post is inaccurate, or does not represent all the facts or perspectives, we will not weigh in on any social media platforms.

On Tuesday evening, September 27, we will have a Board of Education meeting. You can join us in person at 90 East Ridge Road, or you may also join us by way of YouTube by following the instructions below.

Many RPS families, faculty, and friends will observe Rosh Hashanah, also known as the Jewish New Year, beginning the evening of September 25, and ending the evening of September 27. Schools will be closed on Monday, September 26 in observance of Rosh Hashanah.

May you have a wonderful weekend,

Susie

Susie Da Silva, Ed.D

Instagram: rpssuper
Twitter: @RPS_DaSilva

"Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” Oscar Wilde

Please check your school calendar for all events.

The Board of Education meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 27, at 7:00 p.m. at 90 East Ridge Road. Attend the meeting in person or view online using this link. The meeting agenda can be found here.

Caption: BOE Chair Jonathan Steckler with Superintendent Da Silva

Since 2005, the Ridgefield Community Coalition Against Substance Abuse (RCCASA), which Superintendent Da Silva co-chairs with First Selectman Rudy Marconi, has been sponsoring Parent Circles. Circles provide an opportunity at key child development milestones (kindergarten, fifth, and eighth grade) to discuss parenting challenges with other parents in your child’s grade. A mental health professional who works with Ridgefield youth and their families facilitates the meetings. Kindergarten Parent Circles start in October with daytime, evening, and Zoom options. The attached flyer provides more detail and registration for K-Circles.

RHS senior Ryan Williams was one of 369 students in the world to have a perfect score on the Computer Science Advanced Placement test. Ryan, in photo with RHS Computer Science teacher, Dr. Steven Anton, had this to say for fellow AP Comp Sci students: "In terms of advice, all I can say is listen to Dr. Anton and give your projects as much effort as possible. Your success in the class is entirely based on how much you listen and contribute. In terms of test prep, the only prep I did was completing all of the projects thoroughly on time and doing the prep Dr. Anton provided. He teaches the course extremely well and will help you with anything you are confused about." Wow, Ryan! Wow, Dr. Anton!

Scotts Ridge Middle School Principal Tim Salem announced that sixth-grader Anna Yang was the top summer reader. Anna read dozens of books to earn the top prize of a $25 gift certificate to Books on the Common. Way to go, Anna!

The school year is off to an auspicious start for new RPS teacher Brendan Leslie. “I’m having so much fun,” he says from his cheerful, orderly sixth-grade classroom, festooned with writing tips, literary terms, and an Aaron Judge home run count. “Scotts Ridge has a great environment. Tim [Principal Tim Salem], Lisa [Assistant Lisa Frese], and Jen [English Chair Jen Bray] have laid such a sound foundation that I can slide in. I’m not on my own.”

Leslie displays an infectious enthusiasm for the teaching profession. “I was impacted by two great teachers,” the Brookfield resident says about pursuing a career in education. “I love English.” After college, he did a one-year ARC certification program and was a long-term substitute in his hometown last year. “It was a fantastic year,” he says. “I had so much fun and I learned that I’m good at connecting with the kids. I know what to say and how to make an impact.”

His ability with students is clear as he meets with groups of students making character maps about the story, “Tuesday of the Other June”. The students are respectful and show a calm focus that belies the fact that this is their first year in middle school. Efthimia Kutrubis is the SRMS special education teacher supporting students with IEPs in Mr. Leslie’s classes. “You can’t hide how much fun he is having,” Kutrubis says. “The energy and connection just show.”

At 22 years old, Leslie was aware when he interviewed at RPS that he might not have the experience for such a desirable district. “Excellence is the standard here,” Leslie says. “The small details make it great. I felt it in the first interview. Since I was hired, I have been so impressed. If the district can pull off that Convocation, they can do anything.”

Principal Salem delights in recounting how auspicious hiring Leslie was for RPS: “Isn’t he great?” Salem exclaims. “Did he tell you that he hit a hole-in-one the day he interviewed? It was a good sign!”

An avid golfer, an amateur chess player, a Yankees fan, Leslie says that starting the district was like hitting a hole-in-one. “I know I’m in the right profession and the right place. They hired me for the teacher that I would become.”

Students in Áine Kapells Forensics class worked in teams of four to process a crime scene. "Each member of the team has a specific task—photographer, note taker, sketcher, and evidence collector," Kapells writes. "Students research their task independently and put together a procedure on how to complete that task correctly prior to processing the crime scene. Then, they process their crime scene as a team. Students really enjoy this lab and take their roles very seriously. Police Officer Louis (with students in photo) visits the crime scenes every year to help the students with their forensic detective work." Who done it, RPS?

September 15 marked the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month, which celebrates the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. RHS students in Sra. Lourenso's class made papel picado (trans. punched paper) to celebrate the kick off the month-long celebration. RPS libraries are celebrating the lives of well-known hispanic Americans like Lin Manuel Miranda, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Senator Marco Rubio, and baseball great Roberto Clemente, as well as lesser known figures like astronaut Ellen Ochoa and activist Dolores Huerta.

Theater/Musical Enthusiasts…Ridgefield High School is looking for a Vocal Director and a Pit Conductor for their upcoming production. This is a paid position. Please contact Sherry Cox at scox@ridgefieldps.net for more information.

Last Thursday, Megan Kounnas shared a lesson with her fellow elementary art teachers: Alison Anderson, Rachael Penney, and Jennifer Zeyer. Then, they made gel prints with leaves and Jean-Michel Basquiat-inspired portraits with symbols. Ms. Penney writes, "Megan did an amazing job presenting. We have two great lessons to share with our students. And, beautiful leaf prints and portraits!"

Please see a grid of prints by Scotland Elementary fifth graders below following the same lesson the teachers did. All are leaves from Connecticut trees. Happy Fall!

On Saturday, the Varsity Field Hockey team wore t-shirts with butterflies as part of an effort to call attention to the stigma surrounding mental health within the student-athlete community, empower those who suffer in silence and support those who feel alone. That’s the Mission of Morgan’s Message, an organization inspired by Morgan Rodgers, a Duke University lacrosse player who died by suicide in July 2019.

Ridgefield High School sophomore Gabby Lauretani organized the Dedication Game. “I decided to become an Ambassador for Morgan's Message last spring and organized the Ridgefield Chapter of Morgan's Message,” Gabby writes. “Dedication games are a popular way to promote Morgan's Message and I felt organizing one for the lacrosse team last spring was a great way to start raising awareness. My goal this year is to hold a dedication game for each sport that I play—field hockey, basketball, and lacrosse.”

Prior to the event, Gabby reached out to the Greenwich High School coaches, and the Cardinals team jumped right in. Gabby’s brother CJ helped edit the video below that includes photos of Morgan and important messages about mental health from both teams.

Gabby writes, “My coaches have all been so supportive. When I organized the lacrosse dedication game against New Fairfield, their coach, a guidance counselor at the school, loved the idea so much, that he had a chapter started at New Fairfield High School. Game Time CT wrote an article last spring about mental health amongst student-athletes and included our game in its article, which brought a lot of attention to the foundation locally. I hope to continue building the awareness that has come from these events.”

The game ended in a gutsy, come-from-behind victory for the Ridgefield Tigers with a game-winner after overtime by senior captain Isabella Tuccio.

On Sunday, October 2, the White family will host the 3rd annual Team Teddy 5k to support the charity Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy. Join Team Teddy at Barlow Mountain Elementary at 9:00 am for a 9:30 am start time. The course is a run/walk 5K out and back on North Street. 2 Blue Hens Art Room will sponsor a kid's sensory art activity. Find more about Team Teddy and this event by clicking here! Please register ASAP.

RPS UPDATE EDITORS NOTE: Last week's newsletter showed a photo of BMES kindergartener Teddy White alongside SRMS student Conner Curran in a story about the Curran family’s KOMD fundraiser event. Both Conner and Teddy suffer from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Please view a fun clip of Drew Barrymore sharing her admiration for the partnership between Guiding Eyes of Westchester and Scotts Ridge here.

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.