Together We Can

As we move through the spring season, I continue to be grateful for the strong partnership between our schools and families in supporting our students. Greenwich Public Schools is excited to invite families to attend the Greenwich Unified Family Field Day on Saturday, May 30. This special event is a wonderful opportunity for students, siblings, parents, and staff to come together for a day of fun, connection, and community celebration. Activities will include games, outdoor recreation, music, and opportunities to build friendships across our school community. I hope you will join us for this memorable event and encourage you to complete the registration information below. We look forward to celebrating with you and your family.

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.

Preschool students in Ms. Medico's classroom at Cos Cob School sang their hearts out to "Mat Man" to help them plan exactly where every head, tummy, and toe belongs. This fun building session gave everyone the "body-smart" blueprints they need to start drawing their very own self-portraits. Self-portraits are completed every month across preschool classrooms. It is so much fun to watch their artistic skills grow as they capture their unique smiles one month at a time.

Our little learners in Ms. Xhema's preschool class at Cos Cob School took center stage for a rhythmic round of floor-letter musical chairs. As the music played, the children circled the foam letters and practiced identifying the names and sounds of the letters they landed on when the beat dropped. It was a "sound" success that turned phonics practice into a total dance party.

Ms. Castellano's preschoolers at New Lebanon School explored the letter Y by getting hands-on with real-life treasures, like colorful yarn and bouncy yo-yos. While feeling the textures of "Y" objects, the children practiced their rhythm by clapping out every syllable they heard in each word. It was a wonderful way to extend our letter formation and sound connection.

Students at Cos Cob School kick off their math instruction with Number Corner, a daily routine that builds strong foundational skills through engaging, hands-on activities. This consistent practice helps students develop number sense, improve mental math, and make meaningful connections between mathematical concepts. By revisiting key skills in a structured yet interactive way, students gain confidence and fluency over time. Number Corner also fosters critical thinking and problem-solving, setting a positive tone for deeper math learning throughout the day.

Ms. Rubin engages students in Encore Math through hands-on learning experiences that foster confidence, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Using manipulatives such as counters and mathematical graphic organizers, students model their thinking, organize information, and approach problems in meaningful and accessible ways. These supports help make abstract math concepts more concrete. Through collaborative activities and personalized instruction, students strengthen foundational math skills, build perseverance, and grow in confidence as mathematicians. Encore Math supports academic growth by meeting students where they are and helping them reach their full potential.

Students at Riverside School participate in lessons designed to build understanding and empathy around autism. Through age-appropriate activities and discussions, students learn what autism is, how it may present differently from person to person, how certain environments or experiences may feel for autistic individuals, and how strengths, interests, and passions can vary and shine in unique ways. These elementary-level lessons help foster kindness, inclusion, and respect, while encouraging students to become thoughtful and supportive friends within their school community.

Students at Cos Cob School had a fun-filled Field Day. Activities like relay races, obstacle courses, and cooperative games gave children the opportunity to stay active while celebrating school spirit and community. Field Day is especially valuable because it encourages physical fitness, teamwork, communication, and confidence in a positive and inclusive environment. Beyond the games themselves, the day creates lasting memories, strengthens friendships, and reminds children of the importance of healthy play, perseverance, and supporting one another.

A huge shout-out to Dr. Castellon and Ms. Khoshaboo for their incredible work with Hamilton Avenue School's third graders this week. Standardized assessments can be a whirlwind of nerves, but thanks to their guidance, our students learned essential strategies to remain calm, focused, and confident while tackling their tests. We are so grateful for their dedication to our students' emotional well-being as much as their academic success. As the saying goes, it takes a village.

During their decoding sessions, students at Eastern Middle School focused on mastering words with suffixes and the doubling rule. In addition to honing these specific spelling patterns, they engaged in fluency practice to improve reading speed and accuracy. To support independence, instructors used guided prompts, such as asking for the "base word" or the applicable rule, whenever a student encountered a difficult term. These sessions are specifically designed to help students meet their individual IEP objectives.

In Ms. Barnett’s ELA class at Western Middle School, students are channeling their creativity into original end-of-year poems. Throughout the writing process, Ms. Barnett confers with each student to provide personalized feedback, helping them refine their work and elevate their use of descriptive language. The assignment focuses on incorporating literary devices like similes and metaphors to add depth and imagery. Working independently, students are also honing their structural skills by practicing a "one sentence per line" format to better understand the rhythm and flow of their poetry.

This past week, the Education and Wellness Center held a "Senior Send Off" to honor seniors heading into their internships for the next four weeks. Seniors were treated to a slideshow displaying pictures from the past four years, "Senior Superlative" awards, and snacks. Congratulations to these amazing seniors.

During the past month, students from the Windrose Program partnered with Barbara’s House to design and facilitate a three-part arts & crafts volunteer series for residents at the Parsonage Cottage in Greenwich. Led by student facilitator, John, alongside his peers and supported by the program’s social worker, Ms. Lehane, the initiative focused on creating meaningful, hands-on experiences through a nature-themed series of interactive activities.

Approximately 8-10 residents participated in each session, engaging in activities such as decorating birdhouses, guided painting projects, and collaborative arts and crafts centered around nature. Students played an active role not only in facilitating the sessions, but also in developing the curriculum and planning materials, demonstrating leadership, empathy, and strong organizational skills throughout the process.

This partnership provided Windrose students with a valuable opportunity to engage in community service while building relationships with our senior residents. Both the Windrose students and the Parsonage Cottage residents benefited from the interactive, social, and creative experiences that supported their well-being. Most importantly, this collaboration reflected the importance of having purposeful intergenerational programming that emphasizes the importance of community connection and shared experiences in our school district.

Raising Resilient Kids: Practical Strategies for Supporting Your Child's Mental Health and Well-Being

Greenwich SEAC Spring Community Speaker Series | May 6, 2026

In this community conversation, Jen Libby, MSW, LCSW — Founder and CEO of Promly — joined the Greenwich Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) and the Office of Special Education and Student Supports (SESS) for an engaging and practical discussion on one of the most pressing challenges facing families today: supporting children's mental health and emotional well-being in an increasingly demanding world.

Parents and educators are navigating rising levels of anxiety, academic pressure, and social stress among children and teens. This session provides real strategies you can use immediately, including how to recognize early signs of stress and anxiety, strengthen communication with children and teens, and help kids build resilience, confidence, and a sense of purpose.

[Watch the Recording] | [Download the Presentation Slides]

Presented by the Greenwich Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) and the Office of Special Education and Student Supports (SESS), in collaboration with Promly

Unified Family Field Day

With Jessica McEviliy

As we observe Mental Health Awareness Month this May, we are reminded that well-being is a collective effort. Schools will be celebrating Mental Health Awareness month on or around May 26 by deliberately taking time to unplug and get outdoors. We encourage our families to do the same.

The demands of daily life such as navigating schedules, supporting our children’s growth, and managing household responsibilities can often lead us to overlook our own mental and emotional needs. However, prioritizing "self-care" is not a luxury; it is a foundational practice that allows us to show up fully for those we love.

When caregivers model healthy emotional boundaries and intentional rest, they provide their children with a powerful blueprint for resilience. This month, we encourage every member of our community to find small, sustainable ways to nurture their mental health.

Here are a few low-pressure ways to integrate mental wellness into your family's routine:

• The "Micro-Break": You do not need an hour. Even three minutes of intentional breathing or stepping outside for fresh air can reset your nervous system.

• Sensory Check-ins: Create moments of calm at home by dimming the lights, playing soft music, or utilizing quiet spaces to decompress together after a long day.

• Give Yourself Grace: Sometimes self-care is simply deciding that a non-essential chore can wait so you can get an extra 20 minutes of rest. Give yourself permission to prioritize your peace over productivity.

For practical advice on integrating wellness into a busy schedule, we recommend this article from the Child Mind Institute, 8 Self-Care Tips for Parents: Practical Advice. This article offers evidence-based tips for caregivers on how to maintain their own well-being while supporting their family.

With Rachel Rubin

Have you seen the new Disney Animation’s Songs in Sign Language on Disney+ yet? Last month, The Walt Disney Company introduced an exciting new project celebrating accessibility, inclusion, and the beauty of language. In honor of National Deaf History Month, Disney+ released Disney Animation’s Songs in Sign Language, animated musical sequences from beloved Disney films that have been reimagined in American Sign Language (ASL).

The featured songs include:

• “The Next Right Thing” from Frozen II

• “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” from Encanto

• “Beyond” from Moana 2

This project was created through a collaboration between Disney animators and the team at Deaf West Theatre, a Tony Award-winning Deaf theater company. Rather than translating lyrics word-for-word, the creators thoughtfully reimagined each song through ASL by focusing on emotion, storytelling, and connection.

One of the project’s directors, Hyrum Osmond, whose father is Deaf, shared that he hopes these animated songs help “bring down barriers and allow us to connect in a special way.”

Why This Matters

Representation matters. Accessibility matters. Opportunities for all children to see themselves reflected in stories matter.

Projects like this help:

• Increase visibility and appreciation for Deaf culture and ASL

• Encourage empathy and understanding among children and families

• Highlight that communication can look different for everyone

• Show students that inclusion benefits all learners

For students who are Deaf or hard of hearing, seeing ASL integrated into mainstream media can be incredibly affirming. For hearing students, it provides meaningful exposure to another language and way of communicating.

Family Connection Ideas

Here are a few ways families can continue the conversation at home:

Try Learning a Few Signs Together

Pick a favorite Disney song and learn signs for words like:

• Friend

• Family

• Love

• Help

• Brave

Talk About Different Ways People Communicate

Discuss how people communicate using:

• Spoken language

• Sign language

• Gestures

• AAC devices

• Facial expressions and body language

Celebrate Strengths and Differences

Ask your child:

• “What makes communication easier for you?”

• “How can we include everyone in conversations and activities?”

Head to YouTube to view a video about this first-of-its-kind project.

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