RPS Update

And just like that, it’s November, despite the fact that the weather doesn’t feel that way!

Schools will be closed for students on Election Day, November 5. RPS Staff will be engaged in a full day of learning on that day. We recognize and anticipate that on Tuesday and the days following there may be heightened emotions. That said, our schools will continue to do the work that represents our values which is to ensure that our schools are calm, inclusive spaces, where respectful discourse is welcomed, nurtured and modeled.

If you haven't purchased your ticket to the RHS Fall Performance, Peter and the Starcatcher (November 7-9) you can do so now, right here!

Have a wonderful weekend.

Warmly,

Susie

Susie Da Silva, Ed.D

“If we shield ourselves from feedback we stop growing.” —Brene’ Brown

Earlier in the week, the Director of Security sent out a communication about an event that was taking place in a nearby community. Generally, we will only send out these types of communications if there is something actionable and/or there is a heightened level of inquiries from our own community, making it necessary to provide information. As a reminder, we have structures and systems in place to ensure that our students are as safe as possible and understand what to do in an emergency situation.

The RHS Boys Cross Country team won two championships this week—the State Open yesterday and the Class LL State Championship last weekend. For the second year in a row, an RHS student crossed the finish line first during the LL State Championship. Senior Magnus Manley is the X-C State Champion, leading his teammates, who also finished strong. Magnus cited RHS 2024 valedictorian and last year's state champ, Steven Hergenrother, as his role model. Congratulations!

Please check your school calendar for early dismissals and other school events.

Connecticut General Statute, July 1, 2024, requires that children who turn five years old on or before September 1 of the school year enroll in kindergarten. According to this statute, a child who is not five years old on or before September 1 of the school year may be admitted:

• Upon written request by the child’s parent or guardian to the school principal, and;

• After the principal and an appropriate certified staff member conduct an assessment of the child to ensure that admitting the child to kindergarten is developmentally appropriate.

The Ridgefield Public Schools has and will continue to support all students according to their academic, emotional, and social needs with the understanding that students are unique regardless of age. Therefore, to request a waiver for admittance early entrance to kindergarten a child’s parent or guardian will need to contact the building principal of the child’s neighborhood school.

While we are offering a waiver process for early admittance for the upcoming school year, it is essential that families understand that this is not a path to retention or an additional year of preschool. All applicable policies remain in effect. The program offered to children who turn five after September 1 is kindergarten, and students are expected to progress through the year and to first grade.

RPS sent an email to families about a series of "Virtual House Calls" offered by the Connecticut State Department of Education. The third part, Protecting Our Youth: A Community Approach to Suicide Prevention is coming up on November 7. Please learn more and register below.

Ridgefield CT Pride and Kids in Crisis Lighthouse Program run a FREE LGBTQ+ Youth Group on the 2nd Thursday of the month at the Teen Barn from 5:30-7pm, games, conversation, dinner. Open to students in grades 6 - 12. RSVP preferred.

LGBTQ+ Youth Group

Thursday, Nov. 14th, 5:30-7pm

(2nd Thursday of the Month)

Register for the LGBTQ+ Youth Group

For additional information about the group email ridgefieldctpride@gmail.com

LGBTQ+ Game Night & Pot Luck

Thursday, November 21

(3rd Thursdays of the month)

RSVP appreciated: email ridgefieldctpride@gmail.com

This is a pot luck event and is a great time.

Branchville educators Caitlin Schweigler and Dr. Traci Casey were the BOE Showcase this week. The educators, shown here with BES Principal Keith Margolus, presented on CLUE (Children Learning to Understand Everyone. Please watch their presentation and the rest of the BOE meeting on the BOE Webpage (Showcase at 38 minute mark).

Please help RPS go green by checking your students' e-Backpack weekly for important information. Organizations that meet the RPS policy may submit their request for inclusion to cmelagrano@ridgefieldps.net

On Halloween, East Ridge sixth graders from Sara Dalton and Charles Stewart's classes are in the library focused on data. Cowgirls, cats, devils, sharks, sports fans, and fairies all put their heads together for a Halloween-themed lesson on Mean, Median, and Mode. Nary a candy was consumed, but many posters were made, and impressive focus was shown even with the anticipation of the day and evening's festivities.

Voting is happening at Veterans Park Elementary. Librarian Liza Bullard collaborated with fifth-grade teachers to learn about the voting process. Teachers Matt Hoey and Amanda Pasquarella taught the Integrated Studies lessons titled, "What does it mean to be an American?" and Ms. Bullard focused on the specific lesson, "How do Americans participate in our government?"

In Wevideo or Wixie, students made voter registration cards, ballots, and ballot boxes. The fifth graders decided what the younger grade levels would vote on—candidates included candy, mascots, or animals. Before the first vote, they presented the voting process to the younger grades.

"We learned so much! I didn't know what democracy meant until these lessons!" said a fifth grader.

"Voting is private," said a second grader when asked what they would vote for.

5th graders did not get to have their own VP vote but are participating in the CT Kids Governor election in mid-November. Go to https://ct.kidgovernor.org/ for more information.

Leads for the RHS fall play, "Peter and the Starcatcher" have been performing in the community recently—including the Ridgefield Library, a local restaurant, and a business. Shows November 7, 8, and 9 at 7 pm. There is a special sensory and family-friendly show on November 9 at 1 pm. Get your tickets.

RHS Seniors Jake Travaglini, Micah Cohen, Catherine Thompson, spoke to the local American Legion chapter about their experience at Boys and Girls State this summer. These seniors as well as Hannah Agwu and Julia Knispel attended the programs, which are nationwide civics leadership programs, sponsored at the State level. They are always looking for interested juniors! Please learn more about this great opportunity at American Legion.

Thank you to Barlow Mountain Elementary educator and RPS parent Marisa Nicolo, who reached out to share her Barlow Mountain Elementary colleague Melissa Miller's leadership in reviving a girls youth hockey program. Please find Ms. Miller's inspiring story and all the information about facing off in this Hamlet Hub article.

From Pre-School to High School, RPS celebrates Halloween! So much fun with parades, singing, costume contests, and decorations. Farmingville staff paved the way for its musical with Mary Poppins-themed costumes. Barlow Mountain staff showed their true colors as "Care Bears" and Veterans Park did the same as Superheroes. East Ridge counseling office is spicy and Scotts Ridge goes Inside Out. The RHS Math Department counted with Taylor Swift eras. Please see some of the fun below!

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.