GPS District Digest (v7, i03)
Stories, news, and updates from Greenwich Public Schools
Loyal readers of the GPS District Digest know how much we love feedback. The newsroom buzzes when we hear from you; after issue No. 2, you could have sworn there was a swarm of bees hanging out with us.
Our new video feature, "Get To Know Your Educator," was the cause. We always thought Riverside School's Ms. Hancock was a celebrity, but now you do too. Views of her profile on the district's YouTube channel reached triple digits!!
Lindsey E. told us in capital letters she thought it was "an AWESOME idea" and the word "LOVE' was also thrown around. Melina P. cannot get enough of our state of mind, but really, it is no dirt off our shoulder. She knows where we are from.
This issue, we are making you aware of Hamilton Avenue School's Ms. Jennifer Preiss' superstar status. And while you are here, find out more all good things GPS.
You will be glad you did.
Enjoy Issue No. 3 and thank you for your support.
GPS District Digest
Get to know Hamilton Avenue's Ms. Jennifer Preiss in the latest episode of "Get To Know Your Educator."
She could not wait to tell us why Ham Ave is such a special place and the advice she would give to those thinking about going into the education profession.
You said that we would still be friends.
Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones recently revealed the first honorees of the 2025-2026 school year in the return of the district’s initiative, “Difference Makers,” with a twist: “Difference Makers 2.0.”
Difference Maker award recipients are staff members who have made an overwhelming impact on the lives of others inside and outside of our classrooms. This year, we are honoring one from each school and one from each district department that are considered “unsung heroes.”
“Last year’s Difference Makers program was a massive success,” Dr. Jones said. “The inaugural class of Difference Makers are a special group, recognized by their peers and student family members, who are committed to develop students’ academic, personal, and interpersonal capacities. We expect this year’s Difference Makers to be equally as impressive.”
The Greenwich Public Schools “Difference Maker 2.0” 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. Honorees are officially nominated by principals and district senior leadership.
Sources embedded in the squash community recently told the GPS District Digest that four Greenwich High School students received the U.S. Squash Scholar Athlete Award for the 2024-25 season for excelling both in the classroom and on the squash court. Students who earn Scholar Athlete recognition demonstrate dedication to academics, achieving a 3.5 GPA or higher, while maintaining an active squash schedule. This award celebrates those who embody the values that are central to being a student-athlete.
The four commended Cardinals, and their current class, are: seniors Noah Chass and Parker Young; junior Youhan Liang; and sophomore Blake Natale.
The FairWest Public School Squash Association also recognized the following 2024-25 All-League players from Greenwich HS: seniors Mariam Fahimi and Parker Young; junior Nate Park; and sophomores Sebastien Fahimi and Grace Scharff.
Students interested in playing squash should contact gmssquashclub@gmail.com for elementary/middle school or greenwich.squash@gmail.com for high school.
Has a student been mentioned in the GPS District Digest more than than Ashley Malkin? By our count, this is number 10. It is double digits for Ms. Malkin, and she does not even go to school here anymore. We call her "Digest famous."
Ms. Malkin (class of 2025) was recently announced as a 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholar by the U.S. Department of Education.
“It is with excitement that I congratulate [all winners] on receiving this distinguished national recognition for their outstanding academic accomplishments,” Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont said. “These remarkable students exemplify the very best of Connecticut, and we take great pride in celebrating their success. I look forward to following their continued growth and future contributions in education, career, and community. Connecticut’s reputation for educational excellence is made possible by the dedicated teachers and school leaders across our state who work tirelessly to ensure every student has access to a high-quality education.”
The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964, by executive order of the President, to recognize and honor some of our nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors. In 1979, the program was extended to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, creative and performing arts. In 2015, the program was again extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields. Each year, up to 161 students are named as Presidential Scholars, one of the nation's highest honors for high school students.
Loyal readers of the Digest know Ms. Malkin well, but for you newcomers, she has won many national and international awards for her independent science research at the intersection of neuroscience and artificial intelligence. She is currently a freshman at Stanford University.
Late last month, the Greenwich High School Theater Arts program officially began its season of performances with "Comedy Tonight," one of four improvisational comedy performances spread throughout the year.
The performance was a great success, with many newcomers joining experienced performers to entertain the audience. Improvisation teaches spontaneous and creative thinking, keen audience awareness, an intrinsic understanding of dramatic structure, and a profound understanding of teamwork and strategy. It is enormous fun for both the performers and the audiences, even if you might realize it can be unnerving to go on stage without a script.
Improvisation, like all of Theater Arts at GHS, is taught in an environment which is continuously supportive and engaging, stimulating creativity and group connection. Improvisation training is one of the main pillars of the Theater Arts program, along with classical theatrical training and Shakespeare, performances of works of great literary merit, a workshop class producing a musical with as many as six different casts, a writing class cultivating the creation and performance of student written works for the stage, and finally a Broadway caliber musical in the spring.
The next production will be William Shakespeare’s Hamlet this month in the GHS Black Box Theater. Buy your tickets online now.
Our nation's annual celebration of Constitution Week in September was all the more special this year as Greenwich Public Schools partnered up with the Horseneck Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and, for the first time, students from the Greenwich High School History Club, to present third graders with a program on the United States Constitution.
Students from six schools were treated to an in-depth discussion of the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
Following the presentation, students asked their principals to answer three questions about the Constitution, and to make their own "Third Grade Constitutions."
At North Street School, there was a quiz for the staff. "We the People of the Third Grade" stumped them. Would you be stumped too?
- Our country is turning 250, but how old is the U.S. Constitution?
- Which two states were the first and last to sign?
- Name at least one of the three signers from CT. Hint: A certain park in Greenwich bears part of a signer's name, as it is named for a signer's grandson and CT's 32nd Governor.
The Digest recently learned that being a "magnet school" has many different meanings over at Hamilton Avenue School.
The school's PTA recently presented a re-designed Ham Ave car magnet to Principal Diane Fox, while Dr. Daniel Hopemark, director of the Suzuki strings program was the first recipient of the school's specialized magnet.
VP of Communications and PTA Secretary Gina Graf designed the first-ever HAS Suzuki Strings magnet, celebrating the music program unique to Hamilton Avenue.
"Hamilton Avenue is one of the few schools in the country to have a Suzuki program and it is only possible because of the support of our parents, teachers and administration," Hopemark said. "I am grateful to be part of this community and proud of all that our students are able to accomplish."
Pick up your magnet today!
If there is an essay contest in the area, loyal readers know that the GPS District Digest will, like G.P. Sleuthhound, track it down.
Greenwich High School senior Alexandra Gusinski recently received high commendation at the John Locke Institute 2025 Global Essay Prize in Philosophy, held at the Grosvenor Ballroom in London.
Out of tens of thousands of essay submissions internationally, she was shortlisted and invited to attend the awards ceremony. Her essay explores the moral question of whether targeting civilians in war can ever be justified and concludes that it never can, drawing on the ideas of Kant, Walzer, and just war theory. It also reflects her growing interests in public service, human rights, community engagement, and advocacy - all areas she plans to continue studying and expanding upon in college next year.
We encourage you to read Alexandra's essay: "'When civilians are the main target, there's no need to consider the cause. That's terrorism; it's evil.' Is this correct?"
The John Locke Institute Global Essay Prize is considered to be one of the world’s most prestigious academic writing competitions for high school students. Submitted essays explore profound questions in philosophy, politics, economics, history, psychology, theology, and law. The competition encourages young people to think independently, reason clearly, and write persuasively about complex moral and social issues. Essays are judged by a panel of distinguished scholars from leading universities, including Oxford and Princeton, under the leadership of Professor Terence Kealey, Chairman of Examiners.
Did you read your September 25 issue of the Redding Sentinel yet? Get to it! Featured is our own Ms. Michelle Sandone, an art teacher at Central Middle School and Windrose Program.
Reporter Janice Rotchstein tells us that Ms. Sandone and her boyfriend are "breathing life into her family’s multi-generational Hilltop Farm which had fallen into disuse." Their maple syrup has been named USDA-certified organic, its processing awarded a National Audubon Society’s “bird-friendly” citation, and Redding Grange and Newtown’s Shortt’s Farm are featuring their produce and products.
We just started following the farm on Instagram (@hilltop.farm) and might even visit at the Redding Grange Agricultural Fair on Sunday, October 26.
Click your heels together three times.
When Dr. Jones tells graduating seniors at the commencement ceremony each year in June to come back and work at Greenwich Public Schools once they receive their degrees, she means it. They would not be alone.
In a recent informal poll of GPS employees, the GPS District Digest learned that at least 126 of them are products of Greenwich Public Schools. Represented in that group are folks from every school, every department, and from almost every working position. You Cardinals represent well!
Occasionally, we will share a few yearbook photos from yesteryear. Take a guess who they are, if you dare. Correct answers could win you the GPS District Digest grand prize: 10,000 zooby points and a ride in my helio-copter.
Do you have a copy of a yearbook with a current GPS employee as a student? Share it with us!
Do you know a teacher, social worker, guidance counselor, instructional coach, or specialist that deserves consideration for the 2026 Distinguished Teacher Awards? It is not too early to start the thorough process. The main emphasis in identifying a distinguished teacher is the quality of work with students. To learn more about the criteria and eligibility requirements, read the 2025 Nomination Instruction Packet online. The 2026 Nomination Instruction Packet will be posted soon.
Tell me Michael, how could 2,204 people be wrong?
That is how many close friends we have reading what we post on social media. It can be a great tool to share information when done responsibly. 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 active on other social media platforms? Should the district join you? Let us know!
