GPS District Digest

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Enjoy Issue No. 11 and thanks for reading!

GPS District Digest

Earlier this month, at New Canaan High School, GHS juniors Connor Hone and Aubrey Niederhoffer took first place in the varsity division in a tournament of the Parliamentary Debate League for High Schools, Connecticut Debate Association. The tournament featured 248 debaters from 25 schools.

The resolution was, "This house would allow public sector unions to strike," and debaters argued for the pro or government side. They had three main arguments:

• Striking is a human right of all workers
• The threat of strike encourages public institutions to reform
• Legalization of a strike will make strikes less severe.

This was GHS's second victory of the year, and the team's coach, Mr. Aaron Johnson tells the Digest that they are looking forward to competing at the State Tournament in late March.

The Digest was so grateful to receive some amazing photos of Parkway School students and families participating in the ninth annual "Valentines for Vets" project, sponsored by Congressman and Greenwich resident Jim Himes.

Families and students were invited to come out early last week to show veterans they are in their thoughts by creating valentines that will be delivered to Bridgeport's Veteran Affairs Hospital, Home of the Brave, and various other veterans service organizations, on Valentine's Day.

Amazing work!

On November 17, in Issue No. 6 of the Digest, we told you about Greenwich High School's first "Signing Day" of the year. Ready for Signing Day Part II?

Last week, five Cardinals celebrated the second Signing Day. For many sports, especially in Division I, a National Signing Day has become a celebrated event for those student-athletes that expect to attend Division I and Division II colleges and universities next year.

Congratulations to our student-athletes!

Pictured (l to r): Gianluca Bianchi, track and field, Princeton University; Sean Cowie, football, Bryant University; Belle Bordier, rowing, University of Southern California; Sophia Neitzell, lacrosse, United States Naval Academy; and Whitaker Grover, diving, Yale University.

Dedicated Digest readers know how much we love to check in with Mr. Dave Nanarello, the District's Food Service Director, because he sends us photos of smiling faces, enjoying healthy, tasty meals.

This issue, he passed along GHS' cafeteria celebration of the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Rabbit. Chef Niko and staff set up a themed food station featuring a choice of General Tso's chicken, chicken stir fry with orange sauce, vegetable fried rice, chicken and vegetable dumplings, vegetable egg rolls, and fortune cookies.

A mirror station was also set up for the teachers and staff, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

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. He also wants to remind you that it's never too late to fill out the free and reduced application forms. Reach out anytime!

Media Assistant Ms. Janet Ginise at Eastern Middle School recently told the Digest how she creates captivating displays to include and encourage all readers.

A proud EMS parent sent us photo of one in particular that motivates a wide variety of students to "read their favorite movie."

"It is fun to see students reactions when they realize the book came first," Ms. Ginise said. "And it is interesting to hear them compare and contrast the film versus the book. It is vital to read different genres in middle school and have fun at the same time."

Nine Greenwich High School seniors were selected as candidates for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, one of the Nation's highest honors for high school students. The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964, by executive order of the President, to recognize and honor some of our nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors. Each year, up to 161 students are named as Presidential Scholars.

The candidates from Greenwich High School are: Stephanie Chang, Sophie Citron, Angie Fogarty, Ambika Grover, Noah Kim, Arjun Kishore, Yurika Sakai, Emil Schaumburg, and Brandon Yu.

The selection of more than 5,000 general program candidates, for the most part, are made based on SAT and ACT scores. Test scores in each of the states/jurisdictions are reviewed, and the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (ERW) and Math SAT score is compared to the ACT English, Reading and Math score.

Approximately 650 candidates are named semifinalists and forwarded to the Commission for further review. In April, the Commission selects up to 161 U.S Presidential Scholars each year. All scholars are honored for their accomplishments during the online National Recognition Program. U.S Presidential Scholars are awarded the U.S. Presidential Scholars medallion each June.

A nation-wide list of the 2023 candidates was released by the US Department of Education.

Who doesn't love a middle school squash update? We know we do!

The Digest heard that last month, the Greenwich MS Squad Club, comprised of Greenwich middle school students across the District, competed in Middle School Team Nationals at the Arlen Specter US Squash Center in Philadelphia, along with 65 other teams across five divisions. The boys team were Division 2 Finalists, while the girls team came in seventh in Division 2.

Congratulations for a great effort to James Tesei, Blake Natale, James Geiger, Ryder Garcia and Alex Duda and to Marion Lindsay, Karen Tian-yi Chen, Maisy Young, Grace Scharff, Youhan Liang, and Terra McDonnell.

The camaraderie and sportsmanship shown throughout the season by the GMSSC team was excellent, and we were told that they cannot wait to come back even stronger next year.

Also, capping off a great season, last Saturday, the Greenwich Middle School A team won the FairWest Division 1 Squash Championships for the first time in the league’s 15 year history!

GMSSC practices twice a week at the Greenwich Water Club’s Squash House, and all of the players are coached by SquashEd instructors.

The Cardinals were victorious at the 2022-23 FCIAC Indoor Track and Field Championships earlier this month. At the Floyd Little Athletic Center in New Haven, the girls team edged out Westport's Staples HS team for first place, while the boys handily took home their team championship.

The Digest has been told that this marks the fourth time the Greenwich Girls Indoor Track and Field Team has won the FCIAC Championship since the first Girls Indoor Track FCIAC Championship was held in 1976. The other times Greenwich has won was 1980, 2012, and 2018. The boys were victorious for the first time since the 1980s!

Individual first place finishes included:

• Girls 4×800 relay: Julia Gustafsson, Eliana Daplyn, Margaret McCooe, Kate Friedman (10:04.69)
• Girls mile run: Kate Friedman (5:26.45)
• Girls sprint medley relay: Noelle Wilkinson, Skylar Aysseh, Gemma Hardwick, Esme Daplyn (4:21.53)
• Boys 4×200 relay: Caleb You, Gianluca Bianchi, Cameron Williams, Harrison Goldenberg (1:33.06)
• Boys 300-meter dash: Gianluca Bianchi (35.41) *meet record
• Boys 4×400 relay: Cameron Williams, Gianluca Bianchi, Antonio Ciccarelli, Harrison Goldenberg (3:29.00) *meet record

Full results from last week can be found on the FCIAC website.

Next up is the State LL Championship at New Haven's James Hillhouse High School on Saturday February 11. Go Cardinals!

Do you know a teacher, guidance counselor, specialist, instructional coach, social worker, or any member of the Greenwich Education Association who touches a child’s life with dedicated support and gives selflessly to serve their students?

Listen to what the 2022 winners have to say. They are video stars that the Buggles would be proud of!

Makes sure to go on the webpage dedicated to the Distinguished Teachers Award and start working on the nomination packet!

***

Currently, the source of funding for the program is primarily the DTAC committee members, PTAs, Greenwich Organization of School Administrators and Greenwich Education Association. DTAC relies on contributions each year to fund monetary awards to the six Distinguished Teacher Award recipients, in addition to an awards ceremony.

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• Are you playing the newest game that is sweeping Greenwich, "Where's Winston?" A photograph of the cutest American foxhound has been placed strategically in the Digest for a second straight time. It is your job to find him.