RPS Update

This has been a busy week for the Town Boards, including public hearings, budget discussions, and committee meetings; the BOE’s first Outreach Committee meeting was on Monday. The next step for our Board of Education will be Tuesday, March 31, when the Board of Finance will make a decision on the BOE's adopted budget.

As we continue to enjoy musicals across our schools, we are reminded of the importance of our budget in supporting the performing arts, beginning at the elementary level. I am happy to share a fun Ridgebury TV student report about the RES production of Finding Nemo, Jr., linked here. We are so grateful to our music teachers, principals, building staff, and parents for the time and resources they dedicate to supporting our performers. #bettertogether

At RHS, student achievement continues to stand out. Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) had 150 students compete, with 97 advancing to the National Leadership Conference. The RHS FBLA chapter is now the largest in Connecticut. Our EdRising and Investment Clubs also excelled, earning multiple first-place finishes. Congratulations to our students and teachers on these outstanding accomplishments!

Next week will be a shortened week, with early dismissal for students on Thursday, no school on Friday, followed by spring break. My next update will be on Thursday, April 2.

Warmly,

Susie

Susie Da Silva, Ed.D

“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less." —Marie Curie, SRMS LLC Women’s History Month display

Did your student just wrap up a musical and want more acting, dancing, music, writing, painting, or community? This week, Assistant Superintendent Cory Gillette highlighted some of the amazing Visual and Performing Arts options at every level—all taught by RPS faculty and built for fun. See some of the Grade 6-12 VPA options in the flyer and the elementary options below, and all the wonderful opportunities on the Summer Bridge site. Please note: We added some new options based on parent feedback. Make sure to register soon to get your first choice. Some offerings are already full!

School Year 2027 is rapidly approaching, and kindergarten planning is underway. Remember to register your rising kindergartener to be able to attend the orientation and mini-kindergarten events coming in May and June, as well as the Jump Start Kindergarten orientation program this summer. Please help RPS by reminding neighbors, friends, and coworkers who have kindergarten-eligible children to register ASAP. We can't wait to start this exciting rite of passage.

All registration information, including eligibility, can be found here.

Congratulations to Caitlin Schweigler, who earned her doctorate from Capella University. Dr. Schweigler has worked in the district for 10 years and has been an RPS Board Certified Behavior Analyst for 7 years. A BCBA works primarily with students receiving special education services to modify behavior that may be interfering with academic progress. All of the BCBAs in district are also responsible for helping to bridge the gap between all of the disciplines, helping students achieve academic independence and success. Dr. Schweigler works at Schotland, Branchville, and East Ridge.

See photos from The Addams Family dress rehearsal below. Don't miss this weekend of talent and fun! Everyone has worked SO hard, and the shows are SO good.

Please check your school calendar for early dismissal and school events.

Please help RPS go green by checking your students' e-Backpack weekly for important information.

Last week, a group of RHS students attended the 50th Annual UNIS-UN Conference: The Price of Progress: Rethinking the Next Fifty Years of the Global Economy. Meeting in the United Nations General Assembly Hall, students heard from experts and various speakers who discussed different economic, social, political, and environmental challenges posed by new developments like cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence, and the armed conflict in Iran.

These presentations led our students to engage in meaningful exchanges and debate throughout the two-day conference, as they had the opportunity to meet and hear from peers from around the world.

At the conclusion of the conference, Sherry Wu, Camille Wyatt, Samuel Turok, Claire Kim, Arushi Tripathi, and Leah Smuckler were recognized for their work in the Economic Council Simulation Project. Their proposal to introduce economic reforms to a hypothetical nation was recognized as one of the four best projects produced by students at the conference.

A group of sophomores—Aiden Aframe, Sophia Bran, Julia DeRoma, Aila Engel, Siobhan Ford, Vinnie Kovalsky, and Lexi Tiktin—attended the Human Rights Institute at Iona University last Wednesday to participate in workshops and engage in dialogue with students from neighboring schools on various topics associated with human rights. During the event, students had the opportunity to hear a presentation from Holocaust survivor Alfred Schoenfeld, gaining firsthand insight into the importance of historical remembrance.

Additionally, a team of RHS juniors, Mae Carpenter, Natalie Chin, Lia Munoz-Rojas, and Leighton O’Brien, delivered a powerful presentation on Gender Equality in Education. RHS is proud of these students for their active participation and leadership in this important conversation. Sincere thanks to social studies teachers Jess DeMaio and Megan Osimanti for supporting our students in this experience.

Recently, Scotts Ridge sixth graders celebrated India Culture Day—a fun day of activities that is the culmination of their Social Studies unit on the Culture of India. Students play games of cricket; they visit India cultural sites using Virtual Reality, take Bollywood dance and yoga classes, dress up in traditional garb, learn to paint Madhubani, sample Indian foods, and more.

None of this would be possible without RPS parent volunteer Gauri Bahadur (photo right). SRMS social studies teacher Trish Dowd writes, “Many years ago, Gauri gave a presentation in my classroom on India, and it got me thinking about doing an India Cultural Day as India had become a focus in the 6th-grade curriculum. Gauri is still today our "India" consultant on food and the different activities, which keep evolving each year (this was our fifth year), even though both of her sons are in high school and college. Gauri reached out to the Indian community and found our restaurant (Jaipore) before it opened in Ridgefield, as well as our Bollywood instructors which the SRMS PTA pays for. .A cricket set was donated by her sons, and it is very popular during recess time. Marisa Thamm and I often pick Gauri's mind for new ideas or information that you can't get from a textbook. In fact, before this year’s culture day, Gauri gave us windchimes that were made in India. It was a great example to use when talking about India's economic growth and how microlending has helped modernize India for all citizens.”

Gauri isn’t just the resident expert on India. She still volunteers weekly in the SRMS LLC, even though her children have moved on from SRMS. Gauri also gets up at 4:30 am and tutors a young Indian girl in math online. Thank you to Gauri and all the volunteers making a difference day in and day out!

It’s been an exciting two weeks at our elementary schools. We were thrilled to welcome back Sarah Schaefer, co-creator of our math resource think!Mathematics and Developing Roots. After working with our 1st-3rd and 5th-grade teams this fall, Ms. Schaefer spent this visit diving into math with our kindergarten, 4th, 5th, and special education teachers and students.

In the photos, Ms. Schaefer uses concrete objects, storytelling, and muscle memory to reinforce math concepts with Barlow Mountain kindergarteners.

Last week, RPS schools celebrated Neurodiversity Awareness Week with morning meeting messages, spirit week, and class read-alouds. Ridgebury principal Mary Scalise writes, "Our goal was to raise awareness and help students understand that everyone’s brain works a little differently, and that’s what makes the world so colorful and exciting. We all think in our own special way, and that helps us bring our own amazing ideas and creativity to everything we do." On Tuesday, Scotland Elementary dressed as their passions. See SES's Neurodiversity Awareness themes in the graphic on the right. #bettertogether

Speech and Language Pathologist Colleen Howarth is the Veterans Park Elementary Teacher of the Year. VPES crowned its new TOY after school on Monday. Current District TOY, VPES school psychologist Jeffrey Lovelace, joined VPES staff and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Liz Hannaway (with Ms. Howarth in the photo above) for the passing of the torch.

RHS art teacher Dana Phelan submitted the photos below of her Studio Art 1 students. Some students are working on color mixing and color theory with gouache paint, while others work on compositional studies (inspired by Pierre Bonnard) with oil pastels. Students are encouraged to explore with joy and curiosity as they build skills and understanding and develop their unique artistic voices.

Last week, East Ridge student Ivy Chen showed us this adorable bunny that she made. We had to learn more, so we reached out to East Ridge Knit and Crochet Club faculty co-advisors Marjorie Mosia and Sara Dalton. Ms. Dalton writes, "On Monday afternoons, you will find a group of students in a cozy corner at ERMS sipping hot chocolate, eating popcorn, and crocheting amigurumi--small toys and figures made from yarn. The room is filled with joy and connection as students make new friends, learn new skills, and create beautiful items to keep or share with others. The ERMS Knit and Crochet Club is the perfect spot for a calming, creative outlet for managing stress. This year, we have had more than 30 students participate, and we welcome new members interested in learning to knit and crochet at any time! To help keep our needles clicking and hooks moving, the club gratefully accepts donations of yarn, knitting needles, or crochet hooks from the community."

Elementary Invention Conventions wrapped up last week, and RPS is sending eight inventions to the State Competition in May. Thank you to all involved in providing opportunities for students to think creatively, engineer solutions, and practice presenting. One judge reported that choosing a winner out of a slew of impressive inventions was nearly impossible. Let's go, RPS!

BMES parent and RES faculty member Ellen Paradiso headed up Barlow Mountain Elementary's first Invention Convention. Ms. Paradiso credits Ridgebury parent Rocio Perez and Scotts Ridge student Evelyn Klimowicz with their guidance in making the BMES IC go off with nary a glitch or hitch. Evelyn joined Dr. Wes DeSantis, Ben Evans (district tech), Stacey Petzold (BMES substitute), and Ken Dartley (parent) as judges. The judges selected inventions by Remy Crossley and the team of Adam Alperovich and Mick Tsai to move on to the State competition.

How fun to see the many categories Branchville recognizes with awards. Noah Chu and Owen Sommerer are the two Branchville finalists advancing to States.

Ridgebury parent Rocio Perez keeps students' gears turning and ideas coming. We love seeing her write-ups of the inventions: So much creativity and curiosity!

Vera Wynne and Pranavi Marapareddy (5th Grade): The O O Overlay, a reusable, arm cover for arts and craft (Winner)

- Nikalina Scholnick and Wesley Bouchia (3rd Grade): Magnetic Glove, a wearable glove for people with disabilities to assist with writing (Winner)

- Daniela Coto-Perez and Joy Huang (5th Grade): D.J.'s Pro-Saver, a biopolymer-based device to prolong produce shelf-life and reduce food waste

- Chase Bauer and Theodore Wynne (3rd Grade): Cheo's Fire Starter, an environmentally-friendly fire-starter with recyclable materials for camping or home fireplaces.

- Aaron Torres (4th Grade): Chill It Up, an on-the-go portable beverage and/or snack container that maintains your drink or snack fresh and cool.

- Kaira Balegar (4th Grade): Sentiment Selector, a web-app based application to help you navigate your feelings and guide you in fun, constructive activities.

Participants in the 2026 VPES Invention Convention presented their projects the first week of March. Fifth-graders Reese Griffin and Madeleine Elliott earned the opportunity to represent VPES at the State Finals at UCONN. VPES principal Dr. Sheri Prendergast thanked PTA President Suzanne Laswell, Eugene Zhang for leading the program with the support of Mike Elliot, and the judges—Tom Grace, Assistant Principal at East Ridge; Brian Piechowicz, VPES PE teacher; and Erica Ippoliti, VPES Assistant Principal.

Last week, Farmingville put on Beauty and the Beast, hosting a performance for the ages. It is astounding to see the incredible talent in just one elementary school. PE teacher Steve Ethier made an excellent baker in his annual cameo, and congratulations to staff producers, Amanda Cody, Tyler Langworthy, and FES principal Nancy Caron. Please see all the actors, crew, and shoutouts in the musical's Playbill.

The East Ridge Middle School Student vs Staff Basketball is an annual March Spirit Week highlight. This year, the staff took students to double overtime before sealing the deal and bringing home the trophy for the older generations. Students and staff packed the bleachers for this fun after-school event.

Will Morticia, Uncle Fester, and the extended Addams family act "normal" long enough for their daughter, Wednesday, to marry the man of her dreams? That's the question in this adorable family-friendly musical happening at East Ridge this weekend. The acting, singing, and sets are so good. DON'T MISS!!!! Tickets and info available in the calendar section above.

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.