RPS Update

I pull inspiration for my leadership from everywhere. Some of it comes from inside our own organization—from the way we respond when things get hard, the way we react under pressure, the way we choose our words, and the way we show up for people. Some of it comes from students or parents who offer perspective at just the right time. Some of it comes from the small things: an article I scroll past and can’t stop thinking about, a quick vignette that lands in my chest, a family moment that resets my compass, a story from history that reminds me we’ve been here before.

Each week, our leadership team is provided with department updates, and Assistant Superintendent Cory Gillette often opens it with a reflection. Many of you know this already: Cory is a beautiful writer and speaker- and someone who can name what the rest of us are feeling, but haven’t quite found the language to say.

Lately, one topic I’ve found myself returning to—is emotion. The people who know me personally and professionally know that I can be deeply patient, that I try to lead with grace, and that I work hard to see situations through more than one lens. This isn’t always easy. They also know that emotion shows up for me in a very human way—sometimes, in tears, sometimes, in laughter.

So yesterday, when Cory shared her reflection, it stopped me. It moved me more than I expected, and in a way that felt both personal and clarifying. I’d encourage you to take a few minutes to watch the video linked below. Cory shared the historic speech that Jimmy Valvano (a famous college basketball player and coach) gave, two months before he died of cancer, in 1993. She was struck, not just by his strength and humility, but by his words’ relevance still today. Click here to see the entire speech. Cory shared a part of Jimmy Valvano's speech that she takes to heart. “To me, there are three things we all should do every day. Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day. Number two is think, you should spend some time in thought. And number three is you should have your emotions moved to tears. Could be happiness or joy, but think about it. If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special.” Coach Valvano’s words stayed with me because it captures something essential about leadership: we hold the human moments and we keep moving forward with the work in front of us—sometimes through tears, sometimes through laughter.

As important as our work is, we can’t lose the human moments.

The 2026-2027 school year budget planning has begun, and we are interested in what you have been thinking about as we approach this budget season. We invite you to share your thoughts on the budget by using this form. I will present the “Superintendent’s 2026-2027 Proposed Budget” on January 12, with a full-day cost presentation on Saturday, January 24. We look forward to your thoughts, questions, and attention during the next few months.

Tuesday’s weather was a good reminder for families to review these weather protocols and also ensure that all emergency contact information is up to date in PowerSchool. Some of our RHS friends had fun sharing their feelings with me about the lack of a snow day. Here are a couple of examples:

• I am worried about traveling home, maybe you can send us home early…just before my exam.

• It’s treacherous out there; I don’t think it is safe for the teachers to drive. It's best to cancel school.

I think our students have come to realize that I have a sense of humor; they absolutely made me smile. And while I thanked them for their advice, I was best advised to listen to the meteorologist.

Don’t forget to tune into our Board of Education meeting on Monday, December 8, 2025.

Warmly,

Susie

Susie Da Silva, Ed. D.

In this episode of Ridgefield Tiger Talk, we get to interview the Ridgefield High School's acclaimed chorus group, The Madrigals, who recently performed at the iconic Radio City Music Hall (also the Ridgefield Tree Lighting and Veterans Park Elementary). Under the guidance of Choir Director Lauren Verney-Fink, these talented young singers brought holiday cheer to the big stage. Elizabeth Campbell, Joseph Capone, Hazel Connally, and Jonathan Waymire share behind-the-scenes stories, what it felt like performing in such a legendary venue, and how this experience has inspired them. Keep a lookout for the Madrigals at this year’s Holiday Stroll in downtown Ridgefield, as well as other holiday events. Thanks for listening!

Thank you, RPS staff, families, and community members, for the RPS November Food Drive, which truly showed we are better together. Although we might have lost count after we surpassed 5,000 items collected, by all accounts, our Food Drive was a massive success. Farmingville Elementary alone collected over 1300 items for the Daily Bread Pantry and was rewarded with an in-school movie with popcorn. Scotts Ridge collections also totaled over 1,500 items collected for Ruby's Pantries. Students experienced the joy of giving and learned how the voice of one 16-year-old, Ruby Weiner, can make a big difference. As Helen Keller said, "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."

Thank you, Ruby, for inspiring us and for allowing RPS to show the generous and caring community it is. A special shout-out to Rachael Penney, Arlene and Rachel Litt, Marie Delio, Grace Smyth, Brendan Leslie, Jen Armas, Kristi Wilkenloh, Tory Greene, Eileen Imperato, Jen Jasminski, school principals and security officers, Ezra Zimmerman, Debbie Rundlett, Ellen Rossini, Luke Queenan and his SRMS squad, Linda Queenan, Janelle Black, Jocelyn and SPHERE in Action, Mary Salgado, Lorraine Catalano, Colleen Broderick, Kelly Debald, PTAs, and the mother of the year, Patty Labozzo.

Families can continue to give by checking Ruby's Pantries and visiting the Ridgefield Social Services webpage. RPS families in need of help can reach out to their principals or the PTA council with confidence, knowing their communications will be kept confidential.

The newly elected Board of Education members hit the ground running with the first meeting on November 24. First on the agenda was electing a slate of officers. Tina Malhotra was re-elected as Chair, Jon Paradiso was elected as Vice Chair, and Christine More was elected as Secretary—all unanimously. BOE members have joined the Triboard tours of schools to see buildings firsthand as budget planning continues. Thank you to members of the RHS EdRising Club for their thoughtful presentation. Next BOE meeting is this Monday!

Ridgefield Public Schools had strong representation at the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Convention in Denver, Colorado, with three educators, Matthew Goetz (RHS), Julie Henderson (RHS), and Christine Schenzer (Branchville Elementary), presenting their instructional expertise to colleagues nationwide.

Mr. Goetz led a session on empowering students to take ownership of their learning. Educators who attended the session explored how subtle, everyday instructional decisions—from grading practices to lesson design—can transform a classroom into a collaborative, engaging environment. His workshop focused on concrete strategies that ignite student curiosity and promote their autonomy in meaningful academic participation.

Ms. Henderson’s session showcased how the student learning experience goes beyond the classroom and into your own town by partnering with the Ridgefield Historical Society’s Oral History Project. Her session showcased how an authentic research project fostered student mastery in critical thinking, collaboration, and communication through conducting interviews and practicing the social and ethical responsibility required for dealing with an individual's personal story. To learn more about how the oral histories projects aim to preserve diverse perspectives and voices at the Ridgefield Historical Society, click here.

Ms. Schenzer presented on the vital topic of Digital Literacy, highlighting approaches to help young students navigate and engage responsibly with digital resources. You can learn more about Ms. Schenzer’s Digital Citizenship collaboration by listening to this episode of the Tiger Talk Podcast.

Their sessions showcased the innovation of our teachers, the district’s commitment to strong instructional practice and ongoing professional learning, and how high-quality, student-led learning opportunities are a hallmark of the Ridgefield Public Schools.

It's a busy time of year. Please check your school calendar for Winter Concerts and other school events. Do not miss the RHS Winter Concert—free and open to the public—on December 17.

Students, staff, and families will help at the upcoming Historic House Tour, for the benefit of Tiger Hollow, Inc. and the Ridgefield Historical Society (RHS). Learn more about the house tour on the Ridgefield Historical Society website.

RPS is co-hosting an exhibition at the Ridgefield Public Library of about 20 pieces from the middle and high schools. Some of the young artists are planning a small reception on Saturday, December 13, from 2 - 3:30 pm. Come see the work and say hello in the ground-floor gallery at the Ridgefield Public Library.

Solstice Selections, RPS Grades 6-12

On View: December 13-January 7, 2026

Ridgefield Public Library

IYKYK, the RHS Winter Concert is both a great and affordable gift for anyone on your list and the best balm to any holiday blues. Performances by the Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Concert Choir, Madrigals, Concert Orchestra, and Symphonic Orchestra will warm hearts and lift spirits. This year will be extra special because the Chorus will be performing an original composition by RHS senior and four-year chorus member Leigh Kovalsky. DO NOT MISS THIS!

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. See new flyers from CT Pride in this week's eBackpack.

On the day before Thanksgiving, Scotts Ridge is filled with learning, creativity, and fun. Seventh-grade teachers Christian Petersen and Charlsie Vanderrest stand on the SRMS roof dropping student-made "turkeys" off. Team Tucana seventh graders and teachers Amanda Johnson, Shane Leury, and Efthimia Viera stand below, ready to measure how close the "birds", water bottles decorated for style and function, land to a target and how much liquid remains in the bottle on impact. No turkeys fly; in fact, some splat, while others float gently, depending on the physics.

Ms. Johnson reports that the Petersen Patriot homeroom snagged the big “W” in this Turkey Landing competition, turning the tide with an impressive performance. Though Mr. Petersen's homeroom started the day a bit slow in the creativity round, they came roaring back—dominating both the landing challenge and the liquid-measurement showdown to secure the top score overall.

The third annual Float Parade, brought to sixth graders by math teachers Leah Esposito, Andrew Hall, and Dr. Merryl Polak, asks students to combine their math, science, and artistic skills to create a float design, which a Sphero Bolt (a small, round robot) will transport. Students work in teams as programmers and designers to make their float travel the parade route in this fun STEAM tradition.

The Scholastic Book Fair is always a highlight at Barlow Mountain Elementary, and this year was no exception! The volunteers during the fair, the helpers who set it up and broke it down, and of course, all the eager shoppers made it the success it was.

Spreading this same joy throughout the community and beyond is important to the Bobcats. Thanks to the generosity of BMES families and the incredibly thoughtful students, who donated their loose change, the school raised $407 for Books for Everyone, a local organization that promotes literacy by delivering books to underserved areas across Fairfield County. These donations allowed BMES to purchase 50 books, which will be delivered this week—ensuring that every contribution goes directly into the hands of children who need them most this holiday season. This generosity reflects the very best of Barlow and makes us so proud of our Bobcats!

RHS Athletics sent out its Winter newsletter on Wednesday before the Football team upset Newtown in the first round of Playoffs (photo above). Tigers face off in the Semi-Finals away at Cheshire on December 8 at 6:30 pm. The newsletter shares an emotional video shot by the NFL featuring Christian McCaffrey's support for the Logan Project (filmed in part at RHS), the All-FCIAC football honorees, the House Tour benefiting Tiger Hollow this weekend, and more here. We can't wait for the new "Nutrition Notes" column by RHS nutrition partner, Jenn Giles, in upcoming newsletters. See photos from RHS alumni below.

East Ridge eighth-grader Lauren Lila has been cast in the lead role of Clara (also known as Marie) in The Nutcracker presented by Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance taking place at Ridgefield Playhouse. She will perform at the Ridgefield Playhouse from December 12–15. Lauren has been studying ballet at the Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance since she was five years old and has participated in the Nutcracker holiday showcases every year since.

In a police car...lucky Veterans Park students Henrik M. and James S. got to ride in Officer Mark Giglio's police cruiser this week. The photos below show the boys with their fathers, Officer Giglio, VPES principal Dr. Sheri Prendergast, and Assistant Principal Erica Ippoliti. Thank you to our PTA, parents, and Ridgefield Police Department for supporting this blue auction item!

Branchville fifth-grade teacher Katie Ruscoe embraced the spirit of Thanksgiving. Photo Credit: Betsy Anderson

Farmingville Elementary math specialist Amanda Cody, literacy coach Gina Santos, and math tutor/artist Ms. V, decorated their FES classroom door with holiday/musical and better-together spirit! We can't wait to be FES guests for their musical "Beauty and the Beast".

Champions! Last Sunday, Aerin Krys, RHS Class of 2022, captained her Northwestern University field hockey team to a D1 Championship. On the same day, Eleanor Luft, RHS '24, logged major minutes to take down Johns Hopkins in OT and earn the Tufts University Jumbos their first DIII Field Hockey Championship since 2014. Way to go!

Ridgefield Boys Hockey organized its annual Alumni Game, which invites current RHS varsity players to face off against past players in a fun, scramble. Boys soccer and lacrosse hosted their alumni games in the cold, honoring Brandon Gmelin, RHS Class of 2025.

On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, RHS welcomed graduates from the Class of 2025 to reflect on their post-graduation experience. These panels for RHS seniors offer invaluable insight into the college process and life after high school. RHS seniors found a moment to breathe and absorb advice from their older peers as they prepared for a much-needed break. Some of the panelists' advice and reflection: The worst RHS class could be the best practice for teaching yourself the material. Living with a roommate can be tough. Study for your AP tests even if you don't want to, because those credits have really helped me. Trust the college process; I didn't get in early to my first choice, but I am so happy I didn't; I can't imagine being anywhere else. Don't apply to 30 colleges like I did. College is 24/7; I'm happy, but I miss going home and not having to be on all the time. Schedule your classes in a way that works for you; I prefer morning classes so I can go to the gym, do homework, and see friends in the afternoon. Separate your laundry:) Thank you, panelists!

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.