RPS Update

Photo Caption: RHS seniors turn their tassels and throw their mortar boards in the air after Wednesday's graduation.

Congratulations to the RHS Class of 2023! That's a wrap, RPS! Have a good summer.

Please note the Board of Education meeting on June 26 is cancelled. We plan on sending out a BOE Update next week.

The full district calendar can be found here.

On Wednesday, the longest day of the year, families and staff gathered at Tiger Hollow to celebrate seniors. A bagpiper led the procession on an unseasonably cool June evening, seemingly designed for those in full-length graduation robes to stay comfortable. As the sun lingered, speakers offered messages of guidance, reflection, and love. To read the speeches, click on the links provided.

RHS Principal Dr. Jacob Greenwood talked about generations with special recognition of all the grandparents in the audience. English teacher Kevin Higgins, the faculty speaker, urged students to pursue self-knowledge. Superintendent Dr. Da Silva brought graduates and families back with the music and picture books that marked their milestones and offered take-home messages. Speeches by Valedictorian Ryan Williams, Student Speaker Georgia Keller, and Senior Class President Jacob Sakdinan testified to the poise and thoughtfulness bestowed by an RHS education.

As the sun set, students celebrated with friends and family before heading off to the Grad Party. RHS Graduations will take place at Tiger Hollow (or inside if rain) for the foreseeable future.

See more photos from day in the Graduation Gallery at the bottom of this newsletter.

Cornell, Dartmouth, McGill, Tufts, University of California, University of Colorado, UConn, and Washington University in St Louis are just some of the highly-selective colleges members of the Class of 2023 plan to attend next year.

Please see a full list here.

Last week's RPS Update reported on the top 10 students in the RHS Class of 2023.

The photo shows Valedictorian Ryan Williams addressing the class. The wind could not deter Ryan from his heartfelt address about the "boat" that helped him cross the rocky seas of high school.

Many members of the Class of 2023 received scholarships from local and national supporters. Thank you to all who support our students. Please see the list of seniors receiving scholarships here.

Celebration was the theme; Field Day was the inspiration. On Tuesday morning, RPS brought teachers together with "That's a Wrap!" Organized by Assistant Superintendent Cory Gillette with support from RHS senior interns, the end-of-the-year celebration featured games like pickleball and cornhole, food, a photo booth, face painting, and time for connection. The talents of students and teachers including select choruses from Branchville, Scotland, and Scotts Ridge, and an animation by Laura Kosky's Farmingville fifth graders were a big part of the festivities. The highlight of the morning might have been the music teachers' rendition of the Alice Cooper song, "School's Out for Summer," which started as a Renaissance acapella and ended in hard rock with a full backup band, and featured RPS-specific lyrics throughout. After the blowout, teachers met for reflection and planning for next year. Thank you, RPS teachers!!!!

The RPS Parent Curriculum site has an abundance of resources for Summer academic enrichment.

Check out:) the Ridgefield Library website for information about its summer reading program and events, including a dance party happening this weekend!

The Connecticut State Department of Education's new Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge (GSRC) is aligned to the national iRead summer challenge theme - “Find your Voice.” To find more information please look here: Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge Landing Page. We also wanted to call parents' attention to the Commissioner's Summer Math Challenge, which stresses the importance of maintaining math skills during the summer.

Many resources—events, support, and information—for local LGBTQ+ families can be found on the Ridgefield CT Pride website.

Ridgefield Public Schools announced today that Stephanie Cheung will become the Counseling Supervisor at Ridgefield High School. Ms. Cheung has been Chair of the Counseling Department at New Fairfield High School since 2018 and was a School Counselor since 2014.

Ridgefield High School Principal Dr. Jacob Greenwood writes, “Ms. Cheung distinguished herself at every step of the interview process. Her student-centered approach to school counseling was evident from the moment we spoke. Furthermore, her experiences with the college admissions process will prove to be a valuable asset to our students and families. We are excited to welcome her aboard!”

Ms. Cheung’s references spoke to her creativity, hard work, flexibility, and ability to meet the diverse needs of students. Principal of New Fairfield High School James D’Amico writes, “You will not meet any candidate who exceeds her open-mindedness and tenaciousness. This will be an immense loss to New Fairfield.”

Ms. Cheung writes, “I am thrilled to join the Ridgefield High School community as a part of the dynamic leadership team. I am eager to embark on this new journey, fostering collaboration with students and their families, as well as the faculty and staff of the Ridgefield High School Community, while we continue supporting all students with important and timely school counseling programming and initiatives.”

Ms. Cheung will begin on July 1, 2023.

Do you want to see the RHS Class of 2023 turn their tassels or hear Branchville Elementary's rendition of "The Rainbow Connection" or keep up with new hires? Make sure to follow us on Social Media. Teachers and parents please tag us with what you or your kids are doing (or reading).

The partnership between families and schools is imperative. Having parents back in the schools after the pandemic was one of the gifts of this year. Day in and day out, PTAs went above and beyond to provide enriching activities for students and appreciation for staff. From the labor-intensive and highly rewarding student musicals and plays to field days to time in the cafeteria to art shows to teacher appreciation week, parents have made a difference with their creativity and generosity. Thank you to all the parent leaders and volunteers.

In the finale of this year's Tiger Talk podcast aired earlier in June, Dr. Wes DeSantis welcomed both RPS Assistant Superintendents, Cory Gillette (Curriculum and Instruction) and Dr. Elizabeth Hannaway (Special Services). They talked about the many activities happening at RPS this summer. Please catch up with this episode of Tiger Talk and consider bingeing those you missed here.

A belated congratulations to Angela King, RHS Special Education Supervisor, who recently earned her Doctor of Philosophy with a specialization in special education from National University!

Congratulations, Dr. King!

Last Saturday, the boys track relay team of Isaac Graber, Ethan Walls, Magnus Manley, and Steven Hergenrother won a National title in the Distance Relay. Junior Hergenrother ran the anchor leg in a blistering-fast, come-from-behind 4.01 minute-mile. This is the team's third title in six years and a school record, which is also the second all-time fastest distance relay in Connecticut history. Watch this amazing race here. Congratulations!!!

On Tuesday, RHS Seniors gathered in the Student Center for a graduation rehearsal. Senior leaders Georgia Keller, Lizzy Garson, and Jacob Sakdinan presented flowers to class advisors Molly Helmes and Mike Truong.

Wednesday was a special day. Seniors gathered in the afternoon in the student center to prepare to process to Tiger Hollow. The merriment as graduates fixed robes and mortar boards, posed for selfies with their teachers, and reflected on their years in RPS was palpable. RHS's magazine Ridgefielder staff posed with advisor James Reed. English teacher Melissa Rivera asked students about their lasting RHS memories. Seniors Charlotte Kemp and Matt Weiner remembered their victory in the balloon toss in third grade. Hockey players Gavin White and Henry Ertl replayed last year's FCIAC championship win. Smiles...and some tears abound.

Brains, beauty, heart, and soul...

Moving on...

Celebrating together...

Where's Eileen? The Grad Squad isn't complete without Student Life Coordinator Eileen Stewart.

The doctors are in...

RPS staff who had family in the graduating class joined their students on stage, including Principal Greenwood whose son is Class of 2023, Personnel Director Karen Dewing, and Assistant Director of Special Services Dr. Anthony Showah. Dr. Showah's daughter Brooklyn used her skills as an RHS cheerleader to fire up her classmates.

RPS family members sat behind the stage waiting for their student.

Board of Education, friends, and families at Graduation.

The Grad Party is an annual tradition that allows freshly minted RHS alumni the chance to celebrate together. Thank you to all who donated and volunteered for this wonderful evening.

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.