GPS District Digest (v5, i03)
Stories, news, and updates from Greenwich Public Schools
We can't believe that it is...
Nah, we are just playing with you. It is October, which comes right after September, and this is issue no. 3. You guessed it - it follows issue no. 2. Time waits for no one, and it won't wait for thee.
For those new to the GPS District Digest, you must know that we like to have a little fun, maybe quote a movie or TV show, or even recite some obscure song lyric. Find them all, if you can.
But we especially enjoy sharing all good things GPS with you, our loyal readers. Do you know of a recent student achievement, a staff accomplishment, or maybe an alumni success story? How about photos of cute puppies? We love puppies. So, what are you waiting for? Share it with us, so we can share it with our 2k+ subscribers and 5k+ readers.
Enjoy Issue No. 3 and thank you for your support.
GPS District Digest
Our friends at the Greenwich Historical Society alerted us that long-time Greenwich High School athletic coaches, Terry Lowe and Steve Lapham, will be honored during their "History in the Making" celebration on Thursday, October 12 at the Belle Haven Club. Coach Lowe is the Cardinals boys' swimming and diving coach, while Lapham recently retired as the girls' volleyball coach.
Our two Cardinal coaches, along with eight others from across Greenwich, are receiving "Career Achievement Awards" for having a positive impact on the lives of athletes and their sports for 10+ years, a record of championships for teams and individual athletes, and involvement in college recruitment processes and non-coaching volunteer activities.
For more information on the reception, head to the Greenwich Historical Society webpage dedicated to "History in the Making." If you attend, say hello to NBA All-Star, Olympic Gold Medalist, and honoree Allan Houston for us. He is a close and personal friend of the GPS District Digest.
The Greenwich Alliance for Education tells us that Turkey Trot 2023 registration is now open. Join them for a 5K and 1 mile run/walk, a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend tradition on Saturday, November 25 that begins at the Arch Street Teen Center and loops through Bruce Park. Start times are 9:30 AM for the 1 mile and 10:00 AM for the 5K. Sign up now to help your school win bragging rights in the school competition. Adult registration is $30 through October 31 and $40 after (race day $50). Children (13 and under) are $15. Prices exclude processing fees. T-shirts are guaranteed for everyone who registers by November 8.
What is on the menu today, Mr. Dave Nanarello? You must know by now that Mr. Nanarello is the district's food services director and the Digest's bosom buddy. Each issue, he gives us all an inside look at mealtime in our schools.
This issue features lunchtime at Parkway School. First Cook Maria Villao and Food Service Worker Ninel Kikot serve students a selection of penne pasta, served with homemade marinara sauce, fresh rolls or mini bagels, steamed fresh baby carrots with honey, local apples, cucumber rounds, celery sticks, grape tomatoes, and navel oranges. And let's not forget strawberry yogurt parfaits with crunchy granola, a choice of Boar's Head sliced turkey or ham on whole wheat bread.
To wash it all down, they 1% milk, orange juice, apple Juice, and bottled Poland Spring water. Snacks include baked chips or Smartfood popcorn.
And as always, Mr. Nanarello encourages families to use the Food Service Department as a resource in setting up lunch accounts, navigating menus, and of course, any allergy concerns. Reach out anytime!
There seems to be great news coming out of Greenwich High School all the time. Just recently, it was announced that the school earned a place on the College Board's AP School Honor Roll by earning "Silver" recognition for the 2022-2023 school year.
The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools that have done outstanding work to welcome more students into AP courses and support them on the path to college success. GHS met or exceeded the criteria for the Silver recognition level in College Culture, College Credit, and College Optimization.
In addition, GHS has been recognized with the AP Access Award, recognizing Greenwich High School as providing all students the chance to participate in AP, including students of underrepresented populations.
College Board is a mission-driven not-for-profit organization that connects students to college success and opportunity.
Do you know a teacher, social worker, guidance counselor, instructional coach, or specialist that deserves consideration for the 2024 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.
Can we encourage you to watch the 2023 Distinguished Teachers Awards ceremony on our YouTube channel? It will make you laugh. It will make you cry.
To learn more about the criteria and eligibility requirements, read last year’s Nomination Instruction Packet online. A 2024 version will be available in the coming weeks.
If you do not know Dan Habib, a critically acclaimed American documentary film director, producer, and cinematographer, you will almost certainly not forget him and his son Samuel if you participate in a special two-part Zoom presentation, hosted by the Special Education Advisory Council, in partnership with the Office of Special Education and Student Supports on October 10 and 17, both at 7:00 PM.
Part one of this wonderful event includes a screening of Mr. Habib's documentary, “Including Samuel,” with a live presentation with the nationally renowned disability rights advocate the following week.
You are asked to please register online for the October 10 Zoom.
Back in August, we were delighted to see some of our North Mianus School teachers on the front page of a local newspaper. One of those teachers, Ms. Alisa Lewis, is shown setting up her amazing first grade book collection in the classroom.
But did you know that Ms. Lewis not only helps her students read, but is an avid reader herself?
The Digest newsroom was just alerted that Ms. Lewis was the grand prize winner of the Perrot Memorial Library's Adult Summer Reading Program. For her amazing effort, she was presented with $100 from Library Director Kevin McCarthy.
The Perrot Library is a private, 501(c)(3) institution, owned by the Perrot Library Association affiliated (and share a catalog) with the larger Greenwich Public Library system. As of June 2021, Perrot Library has in its collection approximately 29,000 adult books and 29,000 children’s books as well as over 2,200 music CDs, 1,300 audiobooks, 4,000 DVDs and Blu-Rays, and subscriptions to 110 periodicals.
Way to go, Ms. Lewis!
Our friends at the Greenwich Fire Department recently came to Parkway School for their annual fire safety presentation with kindergarten and first grade students.
Students had the opportunity to learn about the special gear our firefighters wear, some of the equipment they use, and how they can stay safe in the event of a fire.
They practiced how to "Stop, Drop, and Roll" and were able to use the fire hose to put out a pretend fire.
Did you hear about the Town's newest public awareness campaign series aimed to educate and promote safe driving, walking, and bicycling? The Public Works and Police Departments recently launched "Greenwich Go," an initiative that will feature a series of road safety-related topics throughout the campaign.
The first topic teaches us all about sharrows, also known as Shared Lane Markings, that remind bicyclists and motorists that they must share the lane. Sharrows are painted on the roadway to improve bicycling safety on streets that are too narrow for traditional bike lanes.
Hey, let's be careful out there.
Our friends at the Foodshed Forum invite you to a panel discussion called, "A Tale of Two Towns: Addressing Food Insecurity in Greenwich," to be held at the Greenwich Town Hall Meeting Room on Tuesday, October 10 from 7:00-8:30 PM. The event is free and all are welcome.
The organizers kindly ask that attendees RSVP and submit questions in advance by emailing ali@thefoodshednetwork.org.
The Foodshed Forum, a program of The Foodshed Network, in partnership with Greenwich Conservation Commission, is a multi-platform educational and convening initiative that amplifies community-based organizations working towards food system transformation in Connecticut. It bridges initiatives throughout Fairfield County, and beyond, by strengthening the connections between food system community leaders and educating individuals on the ways they can be food system changemakers and support an equitable, resilient and regional food shed.
We love sharing good news with our 2,040 closest friends on the GPS X (Twitter) account, @GPSDistrict.
Are you following us? Good! You should be. But this feed is only for our families, students, staff, and community members that want to see all of the good things happening around the District. No negativity from us!
At the Digest, we love to show you some of our favorite posts from around the GPS social media world.
Do you have a favorite social media account? Let us know!
