GPS District Digest (v7, i14)
Stories, news, and updates from Greenwich Public Schools
Wait a second! Do you receive the GPS District Digest through your Gmail, see "View Entire Message" at the bottom, and then do not view the entire message? What are you, meshugah? Do you realize how much great content you have missed?
I implore you to head to the district's webpage dedicated to this newsletter's archive and catch up.
Not only could you have missed student achievements and staff recognitions, but maybe you did not see photos, videos, AI fun, and inside jokes you could not possibly get. We cracked ourselves up.
We miss ya', Freddy.
Enjoy Issue No. 14 and thank you for your support.
GPS District Digest
The GPS District Digest has exclusively learned that Greenwich High School senior, Riona McKersie, will be named the winner of the 2026 Fleishman Service Award. A formal announcement from the district is expected to be made in early April. Since 1986, one GHS student is celebrated each year for making significant contributions to their school and community.
Just like you, everyone here asked themselves, "What happened to past Fleishman Service Award winners? I wonder what they are up to."
Sit back, grab that hot cup of coffee, just the way you like it, and enjoy this newly released video to find out. But be prepared - this is not one of our regular 1-2 minute videos. It is 14 minutes of wonder.
Fourteen years ago, Ms. Alexa Bartlett felt that working at Greenwich Public Schools would be her dream job. Now, after almost a decade and a half at Glenville School, she exclusively confirmed for the GPS District Digest that she was right. Now, you can hear all about it in the next and final episode of this newsletter's favorite video feature, "Get To Know Your Educator."
Math techniques is a favorite of hers, and maybe the least favorite of everyone in the Digest newsroom. We may ask her for some help.
"Get To Know Your Educator" has been wildly popular. Before today, we featured 11 different teachers and a social worker. The videos have been seen more than 2,000 times on the district's YouTube channel. Head over there if you missed any of our episodes.
But first, Ms. Bartlett has something to say and we listened.
Take a deep breath as you walk through the doors.
The local media recently flocked to Hamilton Avenue School for its Read Across America Day celebration, with a special visit from Greenwich High School's student-athletes. Members of the Cardinals athletic teams visited Ham Ave wearing their Cardinal gear and spent the afternoon reading to students. Read Across America Day highlights the importance of literacy and the joy of storytelling.
The event was designed to celebrate the power of reading, while also inspiring Hamilton Avenue’s youngest learners. By partnering with high school athletes, Hamilton Avenue hoped to show students that dedication, perseverance, and a love of learning can help them achieve their goals both in the classroom and beyond.
“Our Huskies love seeing role models from the community,” said Principal Diane Fox. “When our students see Greenwich High School athletes reading to them, it sends a powerful message that hard work in school today can lead them to become future Cardinals tomorrow.”
The event reflected Hamilton Avenue School’s commitment to building strong readers, while also strengthening connections across Greenwich Public Schools, from the youngest Huskies to the future Cardinals of Greenwich HS.
Be sure to head to the Greenwich Free Press to see everyone in action.
We will never get tired of writing about our main man, Tyler Malkin. This Greenwich HS sophomore is at it again and shows no signs of slowing down.
Late last month, Tyler took first place as an oral presenter at the 63rd annual Connecticut High School Science and Humanities Symposium at UConn Health in Farmington for his work on a novel drug-delivery system for surfactant proteins to more safely and effectively prevent neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.
The event is a highly competitive oral and poster session format science fair, attracting nearly 300 of the best and brightest high school students from across the state of Connecticut to showcase and share their independent research projects.
Overall, five Cardinals participated:
Arnav Bhatia: CD44-Targeted Nanoparticle Co-Delivery of Simvastatin and Colchicine for Localized Treatment of Atherosclerotic Plaque Inflammation in Cardiovascular Disease (winner of the People’s Choice Award (STEM Poster Exhibition))
Hannah Dcruz: Microneedle-Contact Lens Co-Delivery of Azobenzene-Liposome Photoswitches and PEDF Neurotrophic Growth Factors to Repair the Effects of Macular Degeneration
Nishant Jain: A Novel Dual-Targeting Therapeutic Patch for Non-Addictive, Non-Opioid Pain Suppression via Selective Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) Modulation
Tyler Malkin: Development of a Novel Nanoparticle Drug Delivery System using OLAH Targeting to Deliver Surfactant Protein and Prevent Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome (scientist extraordinaire!)
Lula Wang: Design of a Novel, Dual-Functioning, T-Cell Engaging and Cytarabine-Based Nanotherapeutic for Acute Myeloid Leukemia Treatment
For more information, read the article on this event in UCONN Today.
Old Greenwich is a walking community. Correction! Old Greenwich is a walking and biking community.
This is awesome and unique, and has compelling health benefits. But bikers in OG know that there are some dangers: people in cars drive fast (we are talking to you) and drivers and students can be distracted. So the good folks at Old Greenwich School and their PTA are taking the opportunity to increase the safety of student bikers and walkers, while promoting independence, community, and accountability for safety.
They have a new program called GEAR UP OGS, which encourages kids to: Get moving, Embrace growth, Advance skills, and Ride smart. The training is based on the League of American Bicyclists curriculum and is led by Bob DeAngelo. The sessions take place in physical education classes and include interactive dialogue and hands on training and practice.
Heads up: Every Friday, starting on April 17, for parent-led bike trains through the end of the school year. Keep that speed down, whether there are cameras posted or not.
The Greenwich High School girls basketball team made history this season, winning the FCIAC Championship for the first time since 1988.
In the title game, a 65-49 victory over Staples, sophomore Zuri Faison led the Cardinals with 27 points and 11 rebounds, earning All-Tournament MVP honors. Senior Madi Utzinger added 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists, while senior Mikayla Kiernan contributed 9 points.
The Cardinals finished the regular season 18–2, earning FCIAC Western Conference Champions, overall FCIAC Regular Season Champions, and the No. 1 seed in the tournament. The team was also undefeated at home this season.
Earlier this week, the Cardinals defeated Hamden, 58-47, in the CIAC Division I girls basketball semifinals. They now advance to play in the state championship against Northwest Catholic at Mohegan Sun.
Be sure to see all of the amazing highlights on GHS streaming service, hudl.
Greenwich High School's talented 11th-grader, Sarah You, has been leading the charge against the "summer slide" with her innovative literacy program. Designed to be both fun and engaging, Sarah's initiative centers around a delightful plush bookworm named "Mr. Wiggles," which she personally crafted. This charming character encourages young students to read aloud and monitor their progress, thereby enhancing both their reading skills and enjoyment.
After achieving notable success at the Boys and Girls Club of Greenwich during the summer, Sarah's program has now expanded into Hamilton Avenue School. Each participating student received their very own Mr. Wiggles and a reading tracker to support their journey.
Sarah said that she would like to study to be a first-grade teacher after high school. The administration at Hamilton Avenue extended their heartfelt thanks to Sarah for choosing Ham Ave as the first school to welcome Mr. Wiggles and embark on this exciting literacy adventure.
The GPS District Digest has learned that Greenwich High School juniors Angelina Song and Yihan Shao independently competed in the CT History Day Contest and their efforts earned them first place in the Fairfield Regional Contest's Senior Exhibit category. They will now advance to the State Contest.
They chose to research a difficult topic: Eugenics. On their own, they put together a sophisticated project that addressed the topic's challenges while extending their research to other affected areas of society. Together, their hard work culminated in The Misguided Reform: How Progressive Era Eugenics Redefined Science, Law, and Human Rights.
"I cannot stress enough how much Angelina and Yihan deserve this recognition, as they undertook every step of this project on their own," GHS Social Studies Teacher Mr. Thomas Murphy said. "When they asked for resources to aid their research, they went above and beyond. This included traveling to Long Island to research the archives at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and reading entire books that were recommended. Angelina and Yihan exemplify the very best of GHS students."
The Greenwich High School Music Department, in partnership with the GHS Band Boosters, is proud to present the 39th Annual Essentially Ellington Jazz Festival on Saturday, March 21 at the Greenwich High School’s Performing Arts Center.
Tickets and additional event information - including the full schedule and access to the Facebook livestream - are available online. Attendees may purchase tickets or make a donation in advance.
For more information, be sure to read the full press release on the district's website.
Head to Central Middle School to see the theater arts production of Seussical the Musical on Friday, March 20 at 7:00 PM and Saturday, March 21 at 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM.
Seussical is a whimsical musical adaptation of Dr. Seuss's beloved stories, primarily merging Horton Hears a Who! and Horton Hatches the Egg. Narrated by the Cat in the Hat, the show follows the kind-hearted Horton the Elephant as he tries to protect the tiny Whos on a speck of dust and guard an abandoned egg.
Go online for more information, including how to purchase tickets.
On Friday, March 27 at 7:00 PM and Saturday, March 28 at 2:00 PM and & 7:00 PM, the Western Middle School Theater Club will present the SpongeBob Musical - Youth Edition. Students and staff have been hard at work on all aspects of the show since auditions began in November.
When a volcanic eruption threatens the peaceful daily life of the eccentric residents of Bikini Bottom, SpongeBob and his friends rally to save the day. Fans of Nickelodeon’s animated series will love seeing their favorite characters brought to life in this fast paced, colorful show filled with catchy songs, show stopping choreography and dazzling scenery.
Theater Club students also raise funds for the annual trip to see a Broadway show. All students that participate in the musical are eligible to attend. For many students, it is their first Broadway experience.
Tickets are $10 each for all shows and can be purchased at the door with cash or a check.
Join Greenwich Green & Clean for a fun family-friendly Earth Day weekend celebration at their annual Spring Beach Cleanup "Live Like Luke" on Saturday, April 25 from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM along the shores of Greenwich Point.
This event honors Luke Meyers (2004–2019): artist, environmental activist, barefoot runner, and passionate protector of all living things. Luke’s mom, Kerry Meyers, notes that Luke is remembered for his immeasurable kindness, creativity, and determination to make positive changes in the world.
In his final months, Luke partnered with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Greenwich's Bruce Museum to create an interactive, multimedia Climate Change Education Exhibit at the Seaside Center exploring sea-level rise and its impact on Long Island Sound marine life, and the actions we can all take to halt global warming. His legacy lives on, and this Earth Day weekend, you are invited to be part of the local movement that Luke spent much of his short life building.
All non-biodegradable debris will be tallied and reported to Save the Sound for submission to the Ocean Conservancy, which coordinates results from organizations throughout the world to analyze types and levels of pollution in the earth's waters.
Online registration is encouraged, or join them at the signup tables in the first parking lot. Community service certificates will be available. If you have questions, call (203) 531-0006 or email info@greenwichgreenandclean.org.
