RPS Update

Dear Families, Faculty, and Staff,

Did you hear that? I did. Music was everywhere in Ridgefield including Ballard Park. The week was filled with concerts and the start of many end-of-year celebrations. Congratulations to the students and staff who work hard all year to bring us the joy of music- and there is more to come!

Yesterday, I met RHS seniors, First Selectperson Marconi, Police Chief Kreitz, Captain Raines, Fire Chief Myers, Dr. Greenwood, Ms. Anton (RHS Student Life Coordinator), and SRO Williams for the annual ceremony of raising the GRADD Flag (Government of Ridgefield Against Drunk Driving) at Town Hall on Main Street. This event is a reminder to students of the importance of responsibility, bravery, and leadership in their choices; not only during this celebratory time but as they journey to adulthood. A common theme: you are loved, have fun, make smart decisions, and be safe.

A bit later in the day, I joined another group of RHS seniors at the Ridgefield Emergency Operations Center where Mr. McEvoy and volunteers were training students at their Internship Program to be certified as Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members. This internship is a powerful way to build capacity within a community and develop a resume. RHS is always looking to grow their database for meaningful internship opportunities. If you have an opportunity that could be exciting for our interns next year, don’t hesitate to reach out to RHS.

In schools, we are reminded that a “digital life” isn’t limited to cell phones. Many electronic devices have the ability to duplicate what students experience using a smartphone (for example- iPads, MacBooks, etc.). When considering time limitations or “screen time”, it is important to consider all of the tools that students have access to, not to mention how they are using them. Are they: creating, curating, or consuming? Linked here are guidelines from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychology. I am the mom of teenagers; navigating this is not easy!

The Senior Prom is tonight! I did receive a “promposal” this year from a kind and funny group of seniors. Unfortunately, I did have to decline ... and wish our students an evening of music, memories, and celebration! Be safe…you are loved.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Warmly,

Susie

Susie Da Silva, Ed.D

RPS has Leveled UP! This is Ridgefield Tiger talk’s season finale for the 23-24 school year. On today’s show, host Dr. Wes DeSantis welcomes Cory Gillette, the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction. They discuss all of the amazing work that our teachers, students, and administrators have done this year to Level Up Ridgefield Public Schools. Even though there will be no new episodes of Tiger, talk this summer everyone here will be hard at work getting ready for the next school year. But don’t worry the show will return a few weeks into the 24-25 school year. Thanks for listening and have a great summer!

Branchville Elementary Psychologist Katie Greges gave a presentation about Social and Emotional Learning to parents in the BES Come Play School series. We are sharing her presentation here with her permission because of its practical and thorough approach. While today marks the end of Mental Health Awareness Month, the health of our students and staff is always at the forefront of our priorities. You are not alone!

June 3

6 PM

BOE Conference Room

90 East Ridge Rd

RSVP Here

One of the great RPS end-of-year traditions is the Senior Walk at each elementary school. Soon-to-be RHS alum, put on their caps and gowns and return to their elementary school hallways to the applause of their teachers and Grade K-5 students! Little desks and warm hugs bring tears to even our toughest seniors. Elementary principals have drafted this memo with important security and parking information. Parents and seniors need to register (link on memo) by June 5 to attend.

Please check your students' e-Backpack for important information. Organizations that meet the RPS policy may submit their request for inclusion to cmelagrano@ridgefieldps.net

As part of RHS' No Place for Hate initiative through the Anti-Defamation League, and through a partnership with local organizations Ridgefield Responds and KidsKonnectUkraine, sophomores attended the annual Hope in Humanity assembly last Wednesday where they were able to make connections with both students in Ukraine and Judith Altmann, who is a Holocaust survivor.

Owen Dulecki, President, and Seren Zaccone, Vice President, of the Interact Club welcomed Ukrainian teens and asked them student-generated questions via an international Zoom. The Ukrainian students spoke about the many hardships they face living in a war zone and the resilience they have had to build to cope with the changes.

After engaging live with Ukrainian students, our RHS students listened to Holocaust survivor Judith Altmann. Her message of “Be kind to everyone” certainly resonated as she recounted her experiences enduring the Holocaust, as well as her life before and after.

On Tuesday, The Blues and Beyond came to the RHS Auditorium to give two performances. First, RHS eleventh graders enjoyed the talented trio and their lessons on African American history through music. The group played a wide range of music from spirituals to Bruno Mars. Then, East Ridge and Scotts Ridge eighth graders experienced an engaging, age-appropriate assembly that reflected African American music and history during the periods of US History they had studied. After the performances, students complimented the group. "This was amazing. The guitarist was incredible," raved one of the eleventh graders.

First and second-graders at Veterans Park Elementary enjoyed a penpal partnership with their sixth-grade friends at East Ridge Middle School. Students exchanged letters and photos throughout the year. This week, sixth-grade Team Andes went to meet with their "buddies" at VPES for a day of service. On their walk to VPES, they picked up trash around East Ridge. At VPES, they made treats for the Danbury Animal Welfare Society, sandwiches for a homeless shelter in Danbury, and centerpieces for the Meals on Wheels Fourth of July program. The connection culminated in a wonderful lunch and playtime celebration.

What a week! Concerts! Debuts! Alum! Art shows! RPS, you have talent.

On a picture-perfect evening in Ballard Park, the RHS Concert Orchestra, directed by Michael McNamara, opened the Town's CHIRP Concert Series, with an evening of Pops. Michael Shofi (RHS Class of 2016) sang "My Way," accompanied by the orchestra. Jennifer Cintrón was a guest on vocals as a substitute for a former RHS alum who had to back out because she started touring with "Wicked" just a couple of weeks ago. Jen sang "Never Enough" from The Greatest Showman and "Feelin' Good" as performed by Nina Simone. Touré Richardson sang "Purple Rain." Mr. McNamara writes, "As part of our dress rehearsal, both guests addressed the orchestra about their musical paths and how they continue to perform and monetize their musical skills even though they have other careers, and what a source of enjoyment it is for them. It was a wonderful message for our students to hear."

The entire concert was wonderful to hear!

Oh, what a night! Wednesday was the Middle School Chamber and Symphonic Orchestras Spring Concert—a mind-blowing evening featuring East Ridge and Scotts Ridge students, musical connection, and the debut of a piece commissioned especially for the middle school Symphonic Orchestra.

Orchestra Director, East Ridge teacher Shane Peters introduced his colleague, Juliana Chetcuti, who was new to RPS last fall, reflecting the popularity of strings at the Middle Schools. Seventh-grader Julie McNamara was the Concert Master. First, the Chamber Orchestra played three pieces, including the fun, “Plink, Plank, Plunk!” pizzicato piece by Leroy Anderson.

Then, the Symphonic Orchestra took the stage—90+ students strong—playing the “Finale from Symphony No. 9” by Mozart. Ms. Chetcuti described her special connection with “The Young Prince and Young Princess,” a piece about 1001 Nights, which marked her decision to continue playing her instrument when she was younger. Mr. Peters presented Jaden Deland as the East Ridge orchestra student of the year. Ms. Chetcuti presented Maddie Jaus as the Scotts Ridge orchestra student of the year.

The finale of the concert was the debut of “Blue Hour,” a piece commissioned specially for RPS. The composer of “Blue Hour,” Jessica Meyer, was in the East Ridge auditorium and introduced her composition, describing the Montauk, Long Island beaches in the early morning—the blue hour—as the inspiration.

Meyer, who had spent a day with these students in April, praised the performance, saying the group was one of the best Middle School orchestras she had ever heard. She also remembered playing the Rimsky-Korsakov piece about Scheherazade and the 1001 Nights as a young teen.

After the performance, students approached Ms. Meyer to share the significance of the night to them. “I’m going to write my college applications about this,” said an enthusiastic and future-thinking seventh grader. “It was great.”

The evening couldn’t have happened without the commitment of Mr. Peters and the partnership between RPS and Ridgefield Music Parents, a local nonprofit that helped fund this commission and provided the delicious refreshments at the reception afterward. What an amazing opportunity for the students, staff, and families.

Barlow Mountain Elementary mascot Bobby the Bobcat was a proud docent at the annual art show last night, reflecting pride in the creativity and artistic growth students displayed this year. Art teacher Alison Anderson pulled together a wonderful showcase of student art and a scavenger hunt to encourage participants to find a landscape, an animal, and their favorite artwork. How can you decide?! Thank you to music teacher Colleen McGuirk for assembling her talented musicians. Great work, Barlow Mountain.

The hallways weren't the only places displaying creativity at the Branchville Elementary Art Show last week. Principal Keith Margolus wore a technicolor coat and art teacher Jen Zeyer was head to sneaker in marvelous color. Of course, Branchville students were the main event, providing musical accompaniment to the wonderful art. Thank you, Ms. Zeyer, music teacher Betsy Anderson, and the students for sharing your talents with us!

Ridgebury Elementary also hosted its Art Show last week. This week's issue of the school's newsletter has a virtual presentation of that show, which gives substantive examples of the lessons and student work. What is clear is the thought art teachers Megan Kounnas and Rachael Penney put into creating lessons and supporting student creativity, expression, and growth. Incredible! See some installation photos and examples below, and the full RES newsletter here.

David Zaslavsky, RHS eleventh grader, earned the distinction of a Magna Cum Laude award with a ribbon and a certificate for his achievement on the National Medusa Mythology Exam. The American Classical League administers this exam annually; this year’s theme was “What Happens in Tartarus.“ David was the only student from Ridgefield High School who opted to take the exam this year. Congratulations, David!

Select RHS Juniors were celebrated Wednesday for their dedication in academics as well as achievements in leadership.

Held in the Black Box Theater, the award ceremony started at 7:30 a.m., with RHS Principal, Dr. Jacob Greenwood’s, opening remarks. Two AP U.S. History teachers followed. Ms. Denise Barret and Ms. Jennifer DeJulio announced the names of each 37 celebrated students, as well as the awards they received.

There were three different types of recognition each student could have gotten. Firstly, there was the Book Awards, which took a specific university’s donated book (that was anywhere from popular literature to a leatherbound history of the school) and gave it to the student whose qualifications aligned most with the university's given criteria.

Secondly, there was the Rensselaer medal for outstanding Juniors in mathematics and the sciences. It is awarded to promising secondary school students who have distinguished themselves in mathematics and science.

Lastly, there was the University of Rochester High School Awards. They sponsor four awards to recognize high school juniors’ outstanding achievements in leadership and academics.

To gain this recognition, students filled out applications and a team of teachers, administrators, and counselors matched each student to the gifts from the participating schools.

“It is so wonderful to celebrate the leadership and achievements of our Juniors. I love being a part of it every year,” DeJulio says.

The RHS Theater squad headed to the Palace Theater in Waterbury this week for the Halo Awards—a celebration of Connecticut High School theater excellence. RHS had earned 15 Halo nominations for their productions of The Play That Went Wrong and Little Women. In addition to earning the RPS Update nod for Best Dressed, Most Talented, and Best People, they snagged Halos for Best Performance by a Cast in an Ensemble Production and Best Stage Management.

They performed "Five Forever" from Little Women.

Congratulations to links all-star Arabella Lopez on winning the inaugural FCIAC Girls Golf Individual Invitational. Athletic Director Dane Street writes that Lopez "fired a 2-over-par 72 to top a strong field of golfers at the Country Club of New Canaan."

Amazing, Arabella!

After newsworthy Boys and Girls dual FCIAC championships for the RHS Track Teams, RHS runners did great at the State team meet. Out of many exemplary finishes, senior Lainey Matthews was the sole RHS State Champion, winning the 300 meter hurdle. She also helped her team win third in very competitive match-up.

Way to go, Lainey!

Former Veterans Park principal Ellen Tuckner and secretary Peggy Ford returned to the district this week with a barbershop quartet and bagels to celebrate secretary Ann Callahan and nurse Judy Gallagher, retiring after 25 and 31 years respectively. These are mighty big shoes to fill!

The RHS Senior Internship program is a capstone in the RPS program of study. Senior choices are as diverse as the graduates. Below are some of the internships engaging the Class of 2024. Schools, television, Town Hall, the Meeting House, local businesses, and Main Street flowers are just a selection of the real-life work sites where you can find our students learning and growing.

Yesterday, Jen Schwartz, RHS Class of 2016, was the first alum keynote speaker at the Science Research Symposium. Stay tuned to next week's RPS Update for a more in depth report on this outstanding evening. The photo below is Ms. Schwartz with Science Research teachers Ryan Gleason and Patrick Hughes.

The "Shaping Our Future" bulletin board with our Pre-K students' bold art shows that we can do anything together. RPS stands for Inclusion, Growth, and Excellence.

We would love to hear from you! Families and staff can submit stories, comments, or corrections to RPS Communications. Please follow us on Social Media with links below.