RPS Update
May 29, 2026
Dear RPS Community
Wednesday morning at Ridgefield Town Hall, I had the privilege of speaking with the senior leaders of Ridgefield High School at the annual G.R.A.D.D. ceremony- Government of Ridgefield Against Drunk Driving. This longstanding community tradition serves as a reminder to students about the very real risks of end-of-year celebrations and their decisions as they transition to the next phase of their lives. This tradition began after the tragic loss of a Ridgefield High School student in an alcohol-related car accident; since then, our community has gathered each year to ensure those lessons are never forgotten.
The ceremony reflected the incredible support system that surrounds our students. Led by First Selectperson Rudy Marconi, Police Chief Jeff Kreitz, Fire Chief Rommie Duckworth, and Ridgefield High School School Resource Officer Kate Dardis, the event served as a reminder that our entire town is invested in the safety and well-being of our young people.
When I spoke to the students, I did not speak to them as their Superintendent. I spoke to them as a mom. As I looked out at them, I could not help but think about my own children and the worry that comes with loving them so deeply. I told our students that I wanted them to carry “a little worry” as they transition to greater independence and decision making—worry about themselves, worry about their friends, worry enough to make the difficult call, worry enough to lead, and worry enough to stay aware of the risks that may lie ahead. Dr. Jake Greenwood, principal of Ridgefield High School, echoed those sentiments beautifully. He shared that when he looks at our students, he too thinks of his own children. He wanted them to know how deeply they are cared for, how much he loves them, and how much the Ridgefield community loves and supports them. Throughout the ceremony, the message from our town was unmistakable. We are wrapping our arms around these students as they prepare to take their next steps.
I left Town Hall feeling hopeful, hopeful that our students heard not only the warnings, but also the love behind those words.
Enjoy the last weekend in May, and the RHS Senior Prom!
Warmly,
Susie
Dr. Susie Da Silva, Superintendent
Important District News and Reminders
Seniors, Check SLO Website for End of the Year Events
Grad Walks at Elementary Schools—REGISTER TO ATTEND
One of RPS's graduating seniors' favorite rituals is the Grad Walks at the elementary schools, and elementary staff and students look forward to them as well. Seniors put on their caps and gowns for a “victory lap” around the school where they began. Elementary students and staff line the hallways to cheer for their school alum. Some families come to relive the glory days.
Registration required: Senior families, please read this letter to learn all about your school's Grad Walk plans and to register for this celebratory rite of passage.
RHS Sports Update on the Tiger Talk Podcast
This week on Tiger Talk, we welcome back Dane Street, the Director of Athletics for RHS! Dane joins us to share exciting updates from across the department, including winter sports highlights in skiing and wrestling, and a recap of the spring season covering boys' rugby and volleyball just to name a few. We also dive into upcoming athletic initiatives and discuss how the Tigers are gearing up for the summer and next year's sports seasons. Thanks for listening!
June Calendar
Please check your school calendar for art shows, class events, and more.
Junior Families—REGISTER FOR CAMP COLLEGE APP
Please help RPS go green by checking your students' e-Backpack weekly for important information.
In Our Schools and Community
RHS Junior Book Awards
Last Friday, RHS celebrated the Junior Book Awards. Please see the full list of recipients here. Each year, the Student Life Office solicits participation from a spectrum of colleges and universities to help forge connections between our students and the institutions to which they may apply. Book award gifts range from popular literature to leather-bound histories of the college or university. Some awards are contingent upon the student satisfying specific criteria set by the college or university; others focus on more general areas of service, leadership, and/or scholarship. A team of RHS teachers, administrators, and counselors matches our students' qualifications with the generous gifts we receive from the participating schools.
Student Takes First Place in Chemistry Competition
Recently, sophomore Maddie Jaus was honored as a first-place winner in the first-year excellence competition hosted by the Western Connecticut chapter of the American Chemistry Society. Students had 100 minutes to complete an 80-question chemistry exam. The top five then moved on to the interview phase, where they were orally assessed on their chemistry knowledge. In the competition's history, this was the first time ever that three girls were finalists AND showed such equal brilliance that the board awarded all three a 1st-place scholarship.
16 RHS Latin Students Earn Recognition on National Exam
The National Latin Exam is administered annually to over 100,000 students in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and more than 26 other countries. This year at RHS, 25 students opted to take the exam in March. From those, 16 students earned awards. Receiving the Honor of Summa Cum Laude and a gold medal were: Henry Frates, William Knispel, Carrington Long, Wonyoung Lee, Riley Rotunno, and Richard Zhuang. Silver medal, Maxima Cum Laude, honorees were Maria Flor Mascarenhas, Wyatt Clifton, Jonathan Poulton, Kiryn Serrell, and Gracie Gallagher. Pearce Steele, Myles Parrish, Bryce Grenert, and Scarlett Giannettino received Magna Cum Laude distinction, and Carolina Coughlin earned a Cum Laude award. Congratulations!
Amelia's Jar
RHS Student’s Initiative Calls Attention to Elementary Mental Health
RHS sophomore Alana Ward wants elementary students to have a safe space to share their thoughts, feelings, and worries. She created “Amelia’s Jar,” a simple idea with the potential to have a big impact. Alana’s mom is Scotland Elementary fifth-grade teacher, Lisa Ward. During an SES faculty meeting earlier this spring, Alana shared mason jars with SES teachers. She asked the SES faculty to put a jar in their classrooms with paper strips for students to write out their feelings.
The mission of Amelia’s Jar is to raise awareness among teachers and educators that elementary students are struggling with a variety of emotions, and to give students a way to identify and share their struggles so they feel less alone. Students in Grades 3-5 frequently experience overwhelming feelings and often lack the skills to understand and cope. Alana hopes that the “Amelia’s Jar” initiative will support RPS elementary students and families struggling with mental health.
Recently, Alana met with SES students to gain valuable insight into ways to improve this initiative. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and an important time to remind families and students that you are never alone. Thank you, Alana!
Scotts Ridge Welcomes One Book Two Schools Partner
Students at Scotts Ridge Middle School and Ponus Ridge STEAM Academy in Norwalk recently joined together for the grand finale of the 2026 One Book Two Schools inter-district reading exchange.
Students read Torrey Maldonado's novel, "What Lane?" this year. The book was divided into parts and we met at monthly school meetings. Some of these were virtual with both schools. The highlight of the year was our Spring meetings at each school! Students connected both with the characters in the story and one another through the lens of a book.
Visiting students participate in icebreakers, community-building activities, book-based discussions, and student-guided tours. During the Ponus Ridge visit to Scotts Ridge recently, SRMS librarians Janine Johnson and Emily Shiller shocked all the students with a surprise video call with author Torrey Maldonado!
When asked what they like most about the program, students always mention the school visits first, followed by the ability to become great friends with students they might never otherwise meet. Through shared, open discussions, students are reminded that, though things about them may be different, they are all navigating the same middle school experiences.
This year marks the fifth anniversary of One Book, Two Schools, an initiative that sprang from a community read-aloud after the summer of 2020. The school originally partnered with Rogers Park Middle School in Danbury for the first two years, followed by three successful years with Ponus Ridge STEAM Academy.
“Now we are considering what year six looks like," said Janine Johnson, the Scotts Ridge Library Media Specialist. "We hope to partner with other middle schools in this region to bring more students together through literature."
Get Outside and Play for Children's Mental Health Day
Scotts Ridge Middle School health and PE students enjoyed a beautiful day outside on Tuesday to celebrate "Get Outside and Play for Children's Mental Health Day" with health teacher Kelly Zurzola and PE teachers Carrie Torpey, Gillian Kane, and Devin Sullivan. Yay!
The HeART of RPS
RHS Kicks Off Concert in the Park Series
If Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer, the first CHIRP concert in Ballard Park kept the summer vibes rolling. On Tuesday night, under beautiful summer skies, the RHS Jazz Band, directed by George Beratis, started the evening with dazzling repertoire—percussionists swung, the horns sang, and soloists shined. The RHS Pops Orchestra directed by Shane Peters and George Beratis, followed with pops favorites. Student soloists senior Elizabeth Campbell, first-year Bradan Janso, and senior Knox Roy sang favorites from Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Guns N’ Roses, Prince, and more, with local vocalist Zully Ramos. So much talent! The audience was wowed when our music teachers joined in the performance—elementary strings teacher Josh Sette on the keyboard, retired teacher Mr. Bennett on the drums, Mr. Peters’ guitar licks, and Mr. Beratis’s virtuosic saxophone. They thanked CHIRP champion Barbara Manners and the broader RPS community and music parents for their support of our truly exemplary public school music program. RHS, you killed it!!!
And the Halo Goes to...RHS Theater!
On Wednesday night, the RHS Theater cast and crew dressed up to attend the annual Halo Awards— the high school equivalent of the Tonys. RHS earned an impressive 17 Halos nominations for the RHS Fall Play, Puffs, and the Spring musical, The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Please see the full list of nominations here. At the Halo Awards ceremony, students performed the song "There You Are" from The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Senior Casey Fischer took home a Halo for her performance as The Chairman in that musical. Congrats to Casey and our talented and hard-working students, staff, and families.
Beyond the Classroom
RHS Literary Maagazine
The 2026 issue of Lodestar, the RHS literary magazine, dropped this week. HERE is a link to the Google Site, which has stories, poetry, and art. To buy a printed copy, please reach out to faculty advisor Kevin Higgins.
The RHS Geography Club Shines in State Competition
Recently, the RHS Geography Club finished in second place at the 2026 Connecticut Geographic Challenge at Central Connecticut State University! Pictured left to right: Daschel Sferra, Matthew Collins, Ben Pearl, Kaitan Gupta, Ryan Turberfield, and Faculty Advisor Nick Fraticelli.
The students compete in four categories.
- Orienteering & GPS: Navigating with map reading and compass skills.
- Map Challenge: Interpreting geographic data using modern mapping platforms.
- Problem Solving: Completing puzzle-based challenges focused on a specific geographic theme (such as movement, fresh water, or putting food on the map).
- Quiz Bowl: A rapid-fire trivia round focused on geographic and cultural knowledge
RHS Athletes
The photo above is from Tuesday's CT Girls Rugby Barbarians Tournament. 17 RHS students play on this growing club team.
The RHS Athletic Department released its newsletter this week, which includes relevant information for incoming RHS ninth graders, playoff schedules, and more. Please view the newsletter here. Visit the RHS Athletics webpage for playoff schedules, SY 2026-27 start dates, coaching vacancies, and so much more.
Track Gives Back
The RHS Boys Track and Field team "ran" a very successful toiletry drive for the Daily Bread Food Pantry during a recent meet. Between the in-person donations and online orders through the Amazon Wish List, students have collectively donated more than 500 items for families in need. The Daily Bread Food Pantry is very grateful for all the donations and for the Track and Field team’s support of this great cause!
RHS Rowers Qualify for US Youth National Championships
Submitted by Special Correspondent Simon Mendez
The U.S. Rowing Northeast Youth Championships recently took place on Lake Mercer in Princeton, NJ, with 10 RHS athletes posting strong times to qualify for the US Rowing Youth National Championship in Sarasota, FL, this June. Please see the results below:
Womens Youth 4+ Katie Estabrook, Connecticut Boat Club
Womens Youth U16 8+ Sloane Keane, 2nd Place Connecticut Boat Club
Womens Youth U17 4X Iris Kent, 1st Place Maritime Rowing Club
Womens Youth 2V 4X Olivia Macaluso, 1st Place Connecticut Boat Club
Womens Youth U17 4+ Ella Mendez, 2nd Place Connecticut Boat Club
Womens Youth U16 4X+ Olivia Poletto, 1st Place Maritime Rowing Club
Womens Youth U17 4+ Kate Surrette, 2nd Place Connecticut Boat Club
Womens Youth 4+ Norah Surrette, Connecticut Boat Club
Womens Youth 4- Layla Sisca, 1st Place Connecticut Boat Club
Mens Youth 2V8+ Samuel Turok, 3rd Place Saugatuck Rowing Club
Incredible!!! Let's row, Tigers:)!!!
Special Senior Internship Section
Edited By Senior Correspondent Claire Burns
New Crew Members Added to Our Local Fire Department
Interns Charlotte Foley, Kiera Hinkley, and Vedika Menon are boots on the ground at our local fire department. Together, our three interns and our town's finest respond to calls from community members. These interns have been fully immersed in the world of a first responder's daily tasks and life, which many people do not see from the outside. The fire department's interns are fully EMT certified. This not only allows them to be more than just observers of our emergency responders but also to work hands-on and assist during emergencies. Some of the tasks these interns perform include assisting with paperwork and taking vital signs, including blood pressure and heart rate. The new crew members at our fire department are additionally focused on conducting inspections around town and cleaning up the firehouse. Ridgefield's first responders take the time to train these interns through real-world scenarios, preparing them for future endeavors in the medical field.
Hold Your Horses!!
Ridgebury Elementary Interns Hard At Work
Last Thursday, RPS Communication Interns visited Ridgebury Elementary School in preparation for the following night's art show. During our visit, we had the pleasure of talking with Brooke Ross, Marc Cabán, and Zoe Efkarpidis. Ridgebury's three interns connect with young learners and build relationships with teachers.
A Visit to the Prospect Ridge Construction Site
Submitted by Senior Correspondents Andrew Carter and Henry Neligan
Ridgefield's Alternative High School and Transition Program is getting the right home, thanks to the families and students who pushed for it. Ridgefield's new Alternative High School and Transition Program building is going up fast, with completion expected before the start of the fall school year. A ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Prospect Ridge building is planned for a date to be announced.
Interns toured the new facility this week with Superintendent Dr. Susie Da Silva and Town Director of Facilities, Jake Muller. The new facility is fully ADA-compliant, with elevators and accessibility throughout, a direct result of advocacy from students and families who pushed for a space that met their needs. While the current Alternative High School is a single room, the new building offers far greater resources. Thank you to Dr. Da Silva and Mr. Muller for taking the time to show us this exciting construction project.
More Images from Internships around Ridgefield
Internships are underway, and so is our coverage. Last Friday, RPS invited Veterans Park and Central Office interns to attend the annual Memorial Day Ceremony to honor fallen heroes and freedoms. Scotland Elementary interns joined the whole school in a fun concert celebration, singing and clapping along to all of the songs! ReviveX interns help keep the community strong and thriving. Meanwhile, Silver Spring interns set up and cleaned the pool for opening day. If you missed last week’s Intern column, click here, and follow the RPS Instagram for daily stories.
