Together We Can

Welcome back to a new school year! As we begin the 2026-2027 academic year, I am thrilled to welcome our students, families, and community back to Greenwich Public Schools. For me, this is starting my sixth year serving this incredible community as your Chief Officer of Special Education. Reflecting on our shared journey, I am so proud of the progress we have made together, the inclusive environments we continue to build, and the deep partnerships we have forged to ensure every student thrives.

Whether your child is taking their first steps in our pre-K programs or preparing for life after high school, our SESS team is dedicated to supporting their academic, social, and emotional growth every step of the way. Thank you for your continued trust, collaboration, and dedication to our students. I am looking forward to an incredible year!

Best,

Stacey

Stacey Heiligenthaler, Ph.D.

Chief Officer of Special Education and Student Supports

stacey_heiligenthaler@greenwich.k12.ct.us

Classrooms and programs portrayed in these summaries and photographs

represent the district as a whole, including students in

general education and special education settings.

All SESS staff had a dynamic start to the year. We started off in the Greenwich High School Student Center to do a keynote and review new updates. The team members self selected options based on their role to attend further professional development on. Staff were engaged and eager to get the year started.

The district hired more than 40 new paraeducators over the summer. All new paraeducators participated in a day long introduction to GPS at the Havemeyer Building. Welcome to GPS!

Paraeducators spent last Wednesday in professional development. Topics included supporting and de-escalating challenging behaviors and supporting students in the general education classroom using assistive technology.

The district’s speech and language therapists attended a hands-on workshop focused on effective goal development. Throughout the session, the team analyzed actual IEPs to refine their skills in writing data-driven present levels, establishing efficient data collection methods, aligning goals with educational standards, and tailoring individual plans to truly reflect each student's unique needs.

Special Education teachers from all grade levels participated in training on progress monitoring. Thank you to Dr. Debra Perry, elementary SESS coordinator, who ran the break out session.

Mrs. George's preschool classroom at Hamilton Avenue School kicked off their first day learning their morning welcome song and dance moves. Routines and schedules are very important in preschool so we make sure to teach each element and have some fun while doing it. All members of our preschool classroom are included, especially our professional assistants.

Every preschooler needs some accessories to celebrate the first day of school. In Ms. Medico's preschool classroom at Cos Cob School, students designed special headwear to kick off the school year in style.

Returning to school is even better with new friends. Our preschool "veterans" in Mrs. Malone's class at New Lebanon School, loved welcoming new classmates today by reading books together and exploring pretend play.

Following the Ringing of the Bell ceremony, excitement filled the air as Parkway School's kindergarteners joined their teachers, Mr. Catalano and Mr. Sweeney, and took their first steps into the new school year. With smiles, enthusiasm, and a sense of wonder, students eagerly began their kindergarten journey. The year ahead promises to be filled with learning, growth, friendship, and discovery.

Students in Julian Curtiss School's fifth grade were welcomed back with a read aloud. There was a discussion about students identifying their class as family. Students reviewed values and ways to treat each other. We are excited to see everyone grow throughout the year.

On their first day back at Glenville School, students worked collaboratively in small groups to problem-solve, strategize, and develop solutions together. Through these shared experiences, students practiced listening to others’ ideas, communicating their own thinking, and building on the strengths of their peers. Group collaboration and peer interaction are especially valuable as students return to school, helping them reconnect with one another while strengthening important social, communication, and problem-solving skills. These opportunities create a positive and supportive foundation for a successful school year.

North Mianus School started their day with the typical pom pom welcome. Once students were greeted and settled in classrooms, they transitioned to the gym. A school-wide assembly reviewed school-wide norms and did a show and tell of how morning announcements sound daily. Welcome Back!

Students at North Street School entered the new school year with enthusiasm, optimism, and a sense of belonging. As they reconnect with friends and teachers and welcome new members to the school community, students are coming together to create a positive and supportive environment. Through collaboration, kindness, and meaningful peer interactions, they are building connections that will help make North Street a welcoming place for everyone. It is a wonderful start to a year filled with learning, growth, and community.

During sixth grade academic lab, students in Mrs. Cheney's room at Eastern Middle School determined what they would be expected to do during academic lab. The activity was, "What is Academic Lab?" The students learned that academic lab is small group lessons, asking questions, independent work, working on goals, and it is not working on homework or big group lessons.

Mrs. Kane's Community class at Central Middle School kicked off with a small-group morning meeting, where students introduced themselves and checked the daily calendar and weather. Afterward, the group focused on blending consonant sounds to build functional life-skills vocabulary.

On Thursday, August 27, sixth graders at Eastern Middle School gathered in the cafeteria for their first shared lunch period. The break gave students a valuable opportunity to connect with old friends and meet new classmates, helping them build social skills and adapt to middle school life.

Greenwich High School hosted a club fair for incoming ninth graders and new students. This particular group of students in the photo were promoting the Theater Arts Club! GHS offers approximately 150 student clubs and activities, providing students with an exceptionally broad range of opportunities to get involved beyond the classroom. Clubs span academic and STEM interests, cultural and international organizations, community service and advocacy, student leadership, the arts, music and theater, publications, business and entrepreneurship, and a wide variety of special-interest groups.

Students in Ms. Donovan and Ms. Lotstein's Activities of Daily Living Class at Greenwich High School used visuals of everyday household and gardening items to practice identifying prices, estimating costs, and calculating the approximate total needed to make a purchase. This hands-on lesson helped students connect classroom math skills to everyday tasks such as shopping, budgeting, and making informed purchasing decisions.

Students and staff explored the Greenwich community though a scavenger hunt. Do you know the name of a street you can find the hospital sign or how many columns are in front of Town Hall? Our Community Connections students and staff do.

With Jessica McEviliy

The start of a new school year can bring excitement, but it can also bring some nervousness and anxiety. Good news: that is completely normal! A healthy amount of anxiety is a natural part of adjusting to something new and can actually help us prepare, stay alert, and navigate unfamiliar situations. It is normal for students to have some butterflies in their stomach, worry about making friends, or feel unsure about a new teacher or routine.

As children settle into new routines, expectations, teachers, and social dynamics, these feelings will often lessen with time, reassurance, and familiarity. Families can help by establishing predictable routines, making space for conversation, and listening to concerns without immediately trying to solve them. A simple message such as, “It makes sense that you are feeling nervous. It takes time to get comfortable with something new,” can help children feel understood and supported.

That said, if worries are significantly affecting school attendance, sleep, friendships, family life, academics, or your child’s ability to participate in activities they typically enjoy, it may be time to seek additional support. You should not wait for a concern to become a crisis. Connecting with your child’s school team early can help provide reassurance, strategies, and support.

Each of our schools has a team of professionals available to support students and families. At the elementary level, every school has a school psychologist and a school social worker. Our middle schools have two school psychologists, a school social worker, grade-level school counselors, and a Teen Talk counselor. At the high school level, each house is supported by a school psychologist, school social worker, three school counselors, and a dean of students. If you think your child needs support, reach out to your school's administrative assistant by calling the main number to make an appointment. All of these professionals are here to listen, support, and help connect your child with the resources they need.

Want to learn more?

Please visit the new Special Education and Student Supports Department webpage on the Greenwich Public School Website. Information about Special Education supports and services as well as contact information is provided

Email: stacey_heiligenthaler@greenwich.k12.ct.us
Website: https://www.greenwichschools.org/teaching-learning/special-education
Location: 290 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich, CT
Phone: (203) 625-7493