GPS District Digest (v7, i12)
Stories, news, and updates from Greenwich Public Schools
Three recesses down: Thanksgiving, Holiday, and Winter. We hope you, our loyal readers, had a fine break, but now it is time to get back to work.
When Connecticut's favorite school newsletter reaches your inbox every other Thursday at precisely 11:00 AM, you know that sharing all good things GPS is what you came for.
We recently heard from Yvonne who told us "she truly appreciates seeing this broader scope of the great work here at GPS." We hope we hear from her again - we accept compliments 24/7.
Enjoy Issue No. 12 and thank you for your support.
GPS District Digest
Feel down? Have the winter blahs? Need a pick me up?
The GPS District Digest has a solution to all of your problems. Ms. Kristen Walsh.
Within seconds of this episode of "Get To Know Your Educator," your frown will be quickly turned upside down. The English teacher from Eastern Middle School is a wave of positivity, joy, and happiness.
Want to know what her dream job was when she was growing up? You will never guess the answer.
I'm still the original me.
The GPS District Digest has learned that Greenwich High School junior, Lula Wang, has recently reached "Premier Distinction," the highest degree in the National Speech & Debate Association Honor Society. Fewer than 3% of NSDA members earn Premier Distinction prior to high school graduation. This milestone is a celebration of the hundreds of hours Lula has spent preparing, practicing, and competing to hone her communication and leadership skills.
"Lula Wang has joined the leadership team of the GHS Debate Team and provides wonderful guidance and support for our young debaters at Greenwich High School," GHS Debate Club Advisor and Social Studies Teacher Mr. Aaron Hull said. "Far beyond the purview of GPS, however, Lula and her father have gone to extraordinary lengths to build and develop her skills, traveling weekends around the country. Her recognition, akin to achieving Eagle Scout level in the BSA, is something to celebrate."
The National Speech & Debate Association was created in 1925 to provide recognition and support for high school students participating in speech and debate activities. It connects, supports, and inspires a diverse community committed to empowering students through speech and debate.
The West Point Concert Band, under the direction of Captain Philip Tappan, recently performed at Central Middle School for all Central, Eastern, and Western Middle Schools band students.
The 45+ minute program started with "The Star-Spangled Banner," with Staff Sgt. Francisco Aisporna on lead vocal.
Established in 1817, the West Point Concert Band is the Army’s oldest band and the oldest continuously-operating unit at West Point, tracing its lineage to the field musicians assigned by George Washington when he established the post in 1778. Since that time, the band has evolved into one of the most capable and versatile professional performing groups in the world. Through its 2,600 annual missions, the West Point Band continues to serve the nation as a piece of America’s living history.
Other magnificent pieces included: "Hudson Granite," "The Engulfed Cathedral," "Molly On The Shore," "You'll Be In My Heart," and "You Raise Me Up."
The program concluded with "The Stars and Stripes Forever."
Hamilton Avenue School launched a pilot program for extended day preschool this month, expanding access to high-quality early childhood education at no additional cost for local families. The program’s curriculum was designed as an extension of Greenwich United Way’s Early Childhood Achievement Gap Solutions (ECAGS).
Thanks to the generosity of a donor to the Greenwich United Way, families of Hamilton Avenue students now have the option of extending their preschooler’s day with a later dismissal, allowing more flexibility for working parents while students benefit from additional hours in the classroom with their teachers. The new program, PreK Play, debuted earlier this month with 16 students enrolled. The program is staffed by two GPS teachers as liaisons and three paraprofessionals provide instruction to the students.
“The PreK Play program at Hamilton Avenue is proving to be a vital success, transforming the hours after school into a launchpad for our youngest learners,” GPS' Program Coordinator for Preschool and Out-of-District Placements Kathryn Natale said. “By blending a safe, familiar environment with intentional play-based enrichment, we’re not just supporting working families, we're ensuring every child, regardless of background, gains the confidence and social-emotional foundation essential for long-term academic success.”
Working from its ECAGS expertise, Greenwich United Way collaborated with Greenwich Public Schools to develop the timing and structure of the PreK Play program. Greenwich United Way’s preschool instructional coach (PSIC) serves as an advisor with the goal of PreK Play mirroring
the school day curriculum.
“Hamilton Avenue School’s extended preschool day reflects the type of evidence-based, partnership-driven solutions we aim to advance through our Early Childhood Achievement Gap Solutions program as we work to narrow the achievement gap in Greenwich,” Greenwich United Way's CEO David Rabin said. “High-quality early childhood experiences are among the strongest predictors of long-term academic success. By removing cost barriers and expanding access, we help ensure more Greenwich children enter kindergarten ready to thrive. The program will be evaluated throughout the school year to assess outcomes and explore opportunities for expansion to additional schools.”
Here in the Digest newsroom, we recently read about the International School at Dundee's annual Third Grade IB Showcase in the local media.
The Showcase is a multidisciplinary project that explores the IB unit, "How We Express Ourselves" with the central idea that "feelings, ideas, and beliefs can be expressed through movement." It is a collaboration between English and Language Arts, Music, Art, and Physical Education disciplines and is proudly funded by the ISD PTA.
During the previous several weeks, third grade students studied the narrative elements of folktales from all over the world. Through this lens, students identified learner profile traits that the central characters portrayed and in small groups selected a scene from their chosen book to work with. After weeks of writing, editing, painting, drawing, and dance rehearsals, students presented their final stories through art and movement, all while highlighting key IB characteristics of being risk-takers and communicators.
“The third grade showcase really highlights the transdisciplinary spirit that is at the heart of the instructional model here at ISD,” Principal Mr. Phil Hammack said. “By providing students the platform to tell stories through movement, they are able to make connections across disciplines and develop their own narrative voice. Working in groups also allows students to practice the essential teamwork and communication skills that are so essential both in school and outside our classrooms."
Connecticut Congressman Jim Himes named GHS sophomore Sierra Mendoza the winner of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge in Connecticut’s Fourth District. Her app, "Hermesian," is a web application for media literacy that uses artificial intelligence to assist users in critically analyzing news.
“The Washington Post headline, ‘First US Case of Potentially Deadly Chinese Coronavirus Confirmed in Washington State,’ sparked my interest in civic awareness and the Hermesian vision precisely four years ago," Sierra said. "That one instance helped me to fully comprehend the immediate and significant impact that news has on influencing public opinion, public policy, and our day-to-day existence. I came to see that awareness is the first and most important step toward an informed and functional society; it is not merely an abstract idea."
The 2025 Congressional App Challenge marked another record-setting year for the program. A total of 394 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives hosted App Challenges in their congressional districts, the highest level of participation in the program’s history. More than 13,800 students from across the country participated, submitting more than 4,600 original apps focused on real-world challenges ranging from health and accessibility to education, sustainability, and civic engagement.
The Congressional App Challenge is an official initiative of the U.S. House of Representatives that encourages middle school and high school students to learn to code, explore computer science, and build practical technology solutions for their communities. Each participating member of Congress selects a winning app from their district, and winning teams are invited to showcase their projects to Members of Congress, staff, and industry leaders at the annual #HouseOfCode celebration on Capitol Hill.
For more information, read the full press release.
By Gemma Hardwick
Special to the Digest
The Greenwich Girls Track and Field Team has had a tremendously successful start to their championship season. To start off, the girls won the FCIAC-Western Division Championship for the fourth year in a row.
Competing in the 2026 Indoor FCIAC Championship against Danbury, Ridgefield, Brien McMahon, Darien. Fairfield Warde, New Canaan, Trumbull, Wilton, Fairfield Ludlowe, Staples, Westhill, Norwalk, Bridgeport Central, and St Joseph, the girls scored 116 points, 51 more points than second place.
Starting off with the 4x200m relay, the girls team of Nina Silver, Ella Barber, Riley Barber, and Chloe Culver placed first and ran a season’s best time of 1:45.15. It was Connecticut's third best time of the season and a new meet record.
The girls 4x800m team of Orla Muir, Adriana Bozza, Maggie McCooe, and anchor leg Gemma Hardwick also placed first and ran 9:46.19. It was Connecticut's second best time and 74th in the country. In the 1000m, Ellie Daplyn placed first with 2:58.40.
In the 600m, Gemma Hardwick placed first with a new personal best of 1:38.45 (CT #6 and US #81). Nina Silver placed third, also running a new personal best of 1:39.88 (CT #9).
Samaya Dawkins placed fourth in the 55m hurdles in 9.20, a season’s best time and CT #35. In the 55m dash, Ella Barber set a new personal best time of 7.34 (CT #12), placing second. Riley Barber placed third in 7:40, also setting a new personal best (CT #18).
In the 1600, Sophie Passalacqua placed second in 5:08.43, a new season’s best time that is now CT #3. The SMR relay team of Riley Barber, Chloe Culver, Maggie McCooe, and Ellie Daplyn placed first with 4:17.47, which not only is a new meet record, but is also CT #2 and US #26.
In the 300m dash, Ella Barber placed third, in 41.83, a PR and new CT #15. Nina Silver placed fifth in 42.85. In the 3200m, Sophie Passalacqua ran 11:06.41 to place second.
In the shot put, Theresa Knuth placed second in 39-09.00 which is the new third best in Connecticut and US #74.
Finally, in the 4x400m relay, Gemma Hardwick, Chloe Culver, Maggie McCooe and Ellie Daplyn won, running 4:09.64.
The International School at Dundee, in collaboration with its PTA, announced that registration will open on Tuesday for the 9th Annual Greenwich Color Challenge. A cherished community staple, this highly anticipated event will take place on Saturday, March 28, beginning at 9:00 AM at ISD, located at 55 Florence Road in Riverside. The event will be held rain or shine - with rain being part of the adventure.
The Greenwich Color Challenge is a 1.5-mile fun run and obstacle course featuring multiple challenge stations and six color powder stations, where participants are playfully “dusted” with safe, non-toxic, and washable colors. Those who prefer to bypass the color can simply run around the stations and enjoy tackling the obstacle course. The event is a celebration of community, fitness, and fun, welcoming participants of all ages to run, walk, jump, dodge, and enjoy an unforgettable experience.
"The Greenwich Color Challenge is a beloved community tradition that brings families, friends, and neighbors together to celebrate school spirit and kick off Spring,” said ISD PTA President Shruti Shah Mody. “What is unique is that our team and co-chairs bring their own special flair to the event each year. Kids love the messy, joyful color run and obstacle course, and families love that this one-of-a-kind event supports meaningful student enrichment while strengthening our Greenwich community."
Registration Details
- $40 per person (ages 5+): Includes a race pack with a 2026 event T-shirt, sunglasses, and a string backpack (while supplies last)
- Children 4 and under participate for free (race pack not included)
- Deadline to register: Discounts available for early registration or register by Wednesday, March 25 to guarantee a T-shirt
- Starting on Tuesday, sign up at GreenwichColorChallenge.com
From apple cores to pizza crusts, elementary school students at Greenwich Public Schools are closing the loop on wasted food, ensuring that today’s lunchroom scraps will fuel a greener future. According to a new report by Waste Free Greenwich and PTAC Green Schools, the district’s food scrap recycling program reached an impressive milestone, expanding to seven schools: New Lebanon, Cos Cob, Hamilton Avenue, Julian Curtiss, Old Greenwich, Parkway, and Riverside.
The results are nothing short of transformative. With the addition of food scrap recycling, these schools saw their waste diversion rates leap from 45% to 75% on average. Last school year, nearly 40,000 pounds of food scraps and non-recyclable paper were routed away from incinerators to higher use as renewable energy and nutrient-rich compost. The program prevented 91 tons of carbon emissions and saved 9 million gallons of water, the equivalent of 14 Olympic pools.
This initiative proves that simple cafeteria habits can have a big impact and serves as a powerful blueprint for how the broader Greenwich community can work toward a zero-waste future. Learn more on the district's webpage dedicated to the Zero Waste Schools program.
Do you know a teacher, social worker, school counselor, instructional coach, or specialist that deserves consideration for the 2026 Distinguished Teacher Awards? It is not too early to start the thorough process. The main emphasis in identifying a distinguished teacher is the quality of work with students. To learn more about the criteria and eligibility requirements, read the Nomination Instruction Packet online.
