We have been getting great feedback about the GPS District Digest recently as thousands of Greenwich eyes have been upon us, reading our newsletter with great passion. The most common question we get around here is, "Can you keep up the rhyming in the first title?" We are not totally sure if we can keep that up, but we do feel confident about wheeling and dealing Greenwich Public School news every two weeks. Could we be charismatic, dramatic, and acrobatic? Maybe we can be poets and really not know it.

When you get the time, we recommend watching the videos below from some of our Veterans Day celebrations throughout the District. It is not only heartwarming, but feelings of gratitude will overwhelm you. November 11 should not be the only day you thank those that have served this country.

And a special thanks to Bob L. who wrote to the GPS District Digest on Monday letting us know that the newsletter is both "very nicely done and informative!!" With two exclamation points, we have decided to vote Bob as our biggest fan!!

And one more thing...there are many ways to view the GPS District Digest: on your computer, on your phone, or even old school it up by printing a PDF. How do you read it?

Enjoy Issue 6!

GPS District Digest

Last week, fourth and fifth graders from Cos Cob School assembled gift bags that were delivered by PTA volunteers to dozens of local veterans around town. The bags included a gift from the PTA, cards from the students, some sweet treats, and a copy of an incredible Veterans Day video filled with songs, poems, and gratitude. CC Music Teacher Ms. Chris Powers had an amazing vision for the student performers. Take a look for yourself, but do not forget to stand, if you are able, and remove your hat for the singing of the Star Spangled Banner.

The Greenwich HS social studies department once again used creative technology to recognize and celebrate the amazing service of our country's veterans. Program Associate for Social Studies Mr. Frank Kovac organized the second annual virtual Veterans Day panel discussion, led by students Sophie Jaeger, Theresa Dobbins, and Reagan Sernick.

“We are all so proud of our veterans' service and their willingness and enthusiasm to share their experiences," Mr. Kovac said. "The veterans that joined us made this a very special event.”

The panel welcomed back veterans Lieutenant Commander James Waters, Major Matthew Carstensen, and Major Timothy Rose. Newcomers Ms. Ryan Macleod and Mr. Eliot Joel Bier, U.S. Navy (active duty 1952-1956) joined them.

All veterans shared incredible stories of service and strong local ties to the Town of Greenwich. The second annual virtual Veterans Day celebration not only recognized and celebrated the stellar service of our veterans, but it can now be used as a reference for any student interested in military service as a career path.

GHS ninth graders Ashley Malkin and Zara Haque took first place in the Novice Division at Connecticut Debate Association’s extemporaneous policy debate for high school students on Saturday. Students did not receive the topic, “This house regrets the rise in space tourism,” prior to the tournament and had only one hour to prepare both affirmative and negative cases.

"We are so excited about our accomplishment this past Saturday! We love debate because it gives us an opportunity to explore fascinating topics and broaden our horizons," Ashley and Zara said in a joint statement. "Considering perspectives we may not personally agree with is a skill we are grateful to have the chance to develop."

Ashley (second) and Zara (fifth) also took home Top Speaker awards. Eleventh-grader Austin O'Connell earned a third-place Speaker award.

"I am so proud to see our new and younger debaters successfully transition from middle school to high school debate,” Debate Team Advisor Aaron Johnson said. “Their successes can be attributed to their personal interests, varsity mentors, and teachers."

Click on the images below to see what our administrators and others have been sharing on social media!

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