GPS District Digest (v8, i02)
Stories, news, and updates from Greenwich Public Schools
Issue 2 of the new school year already? That came fast, or did it?
I know all loyal readers of the GPS District Digest were wondering just how many of you are out there. To be honest, here in the newsroom, we check everyday, sometimes every hour. Last time we looked, issue No. 1 garnered almost 15,000 views. And on average, you all spent around 11 minutes reading, watching videos, and admiring the photography.
We had you at hello.
If you thought the last issue was solid, get ready for No. 2 because it is loaded with all good things GPS.
If you have not already, hit that little subscribe button on the bottom of this newsletter so you do not miss a single issue. You will be glad you did.
Enjoy Issue No. 2 and thank you for your support.
GPS District Digest
Mrs. Colón did it again and it does not seem like she is stopping anytime soon. We hope not.
Greenwich High School Special Education Teacher Mrs. Joy Colón was recently named a 2027 Travelers Awards for Teaching Excellence recipient. Back in issue 18 of volume 7 of this very publication, we told you she was presented with the Connecticut Education Association’s highest teaching award, the John McCormack Award for Teaching Excellence.
"I want to express my sincere gratitude for the support and encouragement I have received from Greenwich Public Schools since my arrival," Mrs. Colón said. "This recognition is meaningful to me not only as an individual educator, but also as a reflection of the incredible students, families, colleagues, and community I have had the privilege of working alongside. My work in Special Education has always been centered on helping students recognize their strengths, build confidence, and know that they belong. I am deeply grateful to be part of a school community that values that work and provides educators with opportunities to grow, advocate, and make a difference.
"I am especially proud to represent Greenwich Public Schools through this honor," she added, "and look forward to sharing the recognition with our broader school community."
Conferred annually by the National Education Association Foundation since 2001, this award recognizes K-12 public school educators from around the country for excellence in the classroom, dedication to family and community engagement, a commitment to equity and diversity, and advocacy for the teaching profession. This year’s awards will be formally presented at the Salute to Excellence in Education in Washington, DC in February.
Semifinalists
Fifteen Greenwich High School seniors have been recognized as 2027 National Merit® Scholarship Program Semifinalists. These students will now have the opportunity to continue in the competition for approximately 6,700 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $24 million that will be offered in the spring.
The National Merit Scholarship Program is an annual academic competition for recognition and college undergraduate scholarships based on their Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®) scores. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of all U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state.
GHS' 2027 Semifinalists are: William (Liam) Dozier, Rhea Fan, Amelia Foell, Hiroya Karube, Youhan Liang, Dane Paulson, Ellie Podoshev, Edward Puskar, Kaitlyn Qin, Angelina Song, Isaac Southworth, Nora Stern, Lelin Tsai, Benjamin Varghese, and Karolina Zientek.
In the past six years, an amazing 78 Greenwich HS students were named National Merit Scholarship Program Semifinalists.
Greenwich Public Schools recently hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to unveil the completion of phases 1, 2, and 3 of Julian Curtiss School’s renovation. Comments were shared from those that were essential in making this project successful. Brief tours were also available.
The Julian Curtiss School project included a cafeteria and kitchen update; an entry redesign for ADA accessibility, including ramps and automated doors; security entrance design with two sets of secure doors, routing guests through the office; main office redesign for security, efficiency, and space, and a new elevator. All alterations and the additions were approached in a manner that were sensitive to and respected the existing building: a vintage late 1940’s brick Georgian style 2-story school building.
Hamilton Avenue School is bringing its magnet theme, "Harmony in Learning," to life by embedding AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) strategies and executive functioning skills into daily classroom routines. A major focus this school year is helping students master time management by learning to physically see time elapse. While digital clocks present time as isolated, changing numbers, analog clocks and color-slice visual timers convert time into spatial distance transforming an abstract concept into a clear visual pie chart.
When students can watch time move, deadlines become concrete. Seeing a red quarter-slice on a timer intuitively communicates "15 minutes remaining" at a glance, removing the cognitive friction of constant mental math. This simple visual cue reduces transition anxiety, combats "time blindness," and empowers students to self-regulate and pace themselves during independent work blocks.
By incorporating these visual tools throughout Hamilton Avenue, teachers are equipping students with lifelong self-management habits that foster confidence and academic independence. Families can easily support this strategy at home by pairing homework blocks or reading time with visual timers, creating a seamless bridge between school and home as learners find focus and harmony in their daily routines.
North Mianus School students recently got an up-close look at some incredible feathered friends when Christine’s Critters came to visit.
The program featured a fascinating lineup of live birds of prey, including hawks, owls, and falcons. Students learned the unique rescue story behind each bird while discovering how these amazing animals contribute to healthy ecosystems. They also learned about wildlife conservation and simple ways they can help protect wildlife in their own communities.
Beyond the excitement of seeing these magnificent birds up close, the visit also supported an important mission. Christine’s Critters is a Connecticut-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and caring for injured birds of prey throughout the state. Every program helps provide much-needed support for these remarkable animals.
It was an educational experience filled with feathers, fascinating facts, and a few very impressive talons.
When Greenwich High School juniors Yachi Chen and Cal Nobay get together, you know something good is going to happen. During most of October, these two are exhibiting their amazing art in the McArdle Community Room at the Cos Cob Library on Sinawoy Road. The opening reception is on Monday, October 5.
Be sure to swing by to view, appreciate, and gaze at the work of two talented Cardinals.
Loyal readers of the GPS District Digest know about the Federal Reserve System High School Fed Challenge and of the amazing successes of Greenwich High School's teams in the past, led by Mr. Ian Tiedemann. As recent as issue 1 of this school year in this very publication, we showed you that our Cardinals' work was in the 2026 issue of the Journal of Future Economists.
Recently, the New York Fed President and CEO John Williams appeared in a social media reel that recognized the Federal Reserve Second District teams that were published in the 2026 Journal of Future Economists – Economics of Music – and announced the new theme for 2027.
The Greenwich HS team and its published paper had the honor of being featured in the reel across all of the New York Fed social media. Watch it for yourself.
Western Middle School is hosting their seventh annual breast cancer awareness fundraising events this October. From October 5-9, the WMS community and volleyball team, led by seventh grade social studies teacher and WMS volleyball coach, Ms. Olivia Traina, will host various events to raise awareness. In the last six years, they have raised more than $6,800. Their goal this year is to raise at least $1,400.
On Tuesday, October 6, the volleyball team will host their annual "Dig Pink" game against Central MS at 3:30 PM in the Western MS gym. Entry is a $1 minimum donation. They will have snacks and pink gear for sale for fans to wear.
On Friday, October 9, WMS will be a sea of pink, as students and staff will all dress up for the annual Western MS Pink Day.
Interested in supporting WMS fundraising efforts? Go online to make a donation.
Greenwich Alliance for Education is 20 years old and its celebration kicks off on Friday, September 25 with Greenwich Alliance Day.
On Greenwich Alliance Day, all GPS students will participate in a district-wide art activity showcasing the Alliance’s 20 year commitment to the arts. Students will create a small piece of art at school to be used to construct a massive mosaic column, representing (quite literally) how we are all better together. The final art piece will take all of the student’s work, woven together with the mission, vision, and values of the Greenwich Alliance, to create a story in the round.
The Developing Artist Program will bring all of these pieces together to create the column.
Greenwich Alliance for Education is our town’s public education foundation. For 20 years the Alliance has been a pillar of partnership with GPS and the community, supporting the arts, funding innovation, and expanding opportunities for all students.
