RPS Update
January 20, 2023
Caption: The First Day of School by RHS student Julia Zhao.
Dear Families, Faculty, and Staff,
It has been an incredibly busy week as we button up our budget presentations for the Board
of Education and community. We hope you can join us (virtually) for a full-day budget meeting tomorrow, Saturday, January 21. You can find the agenda below. If you can’t join us, no worries, the meeting will be recorded and you will have the opportunity to ask questions via a Google form (or QR code).
I had the pleasure of spending time with our All-American soccer athlete Charlotte Kemp earlier today at RHS as she received a local award. Charlotte joined her All American Peers from across the country in Pennsylvania last week. Anyone who has spent time with Charlotte knows that her contributions go far beyond soccer. That said, GOOOOOAAALL Charlotte!
Have a wonderful weekend.
Susie
Susie Da Silva, Ed.D.
January Calendar
Here's a link to the Budget Reminder that was sent out on Wednesday. The agenda for tomorrow, Saturday, January 21 All-Day Workshop is below.
February Calendar
Health Teachers and District Impress Nationally Recognized Trainer
After spending the professional development afternoon with RPS health teachers Kristi Montemurro, Kelly Zurzola, and Ali Picarella, nationally recognized trainer Amanda Stanec gushed, "I love these health teachers more than words can explain. They are so intelligent, thoughtful, and professional.”
“They also feel so supported by the current leadership,” Stanec continued. “They know they are lucky to have support from the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent. You'll be so proud of their work. I'm so proud of how we are honoring their autonomy and professional experience. It gave me goosebumps .”
Stanec was at RPS to help guide the development of a new sixth-grade skills-based curriculum. The teachers decided that sixth graders would greatly benefit from learning about the skills of Communication and Practicing Self-Management.
Learn more about the sixth-grade health program below.
In this week’s podcast, we welcome Mike Yagid, Assistant Principal at RHS, and Eileen Stewart, teacher and Student Life Office (SLO) Coordinator. They tell us about the new block-style schedule; how it’s different from the previous schedule; the introduction of the new flex period; how a schedule can benefit overall well-being; and the innovative offerings that our teachers are providing to our students every morning. Make sure to have a listen!
Important District News and Reminders
NEW! RHS Girls Basketball Youth Night—TONIGHT
NEW! 2023-24 State BOE Student Member Search
The CT State Board of Education is beginning the search process for the 2023-24 student Board members. The application package can be downloaded from the Department’s website: SBE-Student-Application-2023-2024. Note: the deadline for application submission is February 24, 2023. If you have any questions, please contact the State Board Office at 860-713-6510.
Virtual Curriculum Presentation, K-12 Math Pathways
On Wednesday, January 25, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. the RPS Curriculum team will host a virtual presentation on k-12 Math Pathways. All RPS students receive enriching mathematical experiences through various pathways. While each pathway provides students with slightly different standards upon graduation, all students engage in core mathematical practices. This presentation will focus on these key practices and what a student’s mathematical experience will look like across K-12. Attendees will walk away knowing what these pathways are and how each prepares students for success upon graduation. We will have a separate virtual parent presentation on middle school math placement on February 8. Live and recorded here.
Internet Safety: A Presentation for Parents and Guardians
More information about the program can be found here.
The RPS Preschool Program is currently accepting Peer Model applications for the 2023-24 school year. Please go to the website for more information and click on the Peer Model Application to apply. Applications are due by March 1, 2023.
In the Classroom
Lights! Camera! Action!- FES Grade 5 Stop-Motion Films
Story edited by FES 5th Grade students Adriel, Avery, Grant, & Harper under the tutelage of Ms.Laura Kosky
What do a lonely chipmunk golfer, a lost musical note, and a worried extraterrestrial have in common? They are all stories brought to life by Farmingville Elementary fifth-grade students.
We have been hard at work in the library creating our very own stop-motion films. To begin the project, we worked in small groups to develop a storyboard. Next, we created our characters and sets out of different materials, including clay, paper, 3D pen designs, and tape. Once the characters and sets were complete, we used an iPad to take pictures of the characters. We took hundreds of pictures to create the illusion of movement. After that, we recorded our voices.
Throughout the project, we learned important skills such as teamwork, planning, problem-solving, and attention to detail. We also learned the creative process, from developing an idea to seeing it come to life on screen.
Here is a link to the FES stop-motion films. Don’t miss our FES Listen Loudly Podcast to learn more about our film projects. #RidgefieldImagines
Story Behind the Story
RPS Update learned about the FES Film Fest from Farmingville Art Teacher Rachael Penney who wrote, "The library media specialist at FES (Laura Kosky) has been doing some amazing things...I am just amazed at what she does with these kids and what she can get them to do." Thank you for the tip, Rachel! We agree!
Lessons from Martin Luther King, Jr. at RPS
Scotland Elementary Celebrates MLK, Jr.
Scotty first graders made portraits of Martin Luther King, Jr., and shared their dreams.
In fourth grade, students paired up and read famous Martin Luther King, Jr. quotes. Students then discussed the meaning of each quote and how they were still relevant today.
In library class, Scotland Elementary students viewed a video about Dr. King's life and brainstormed about one positive step they could take now to make the world (our school, home, etc.) a better place.
ERMS Class Studies Dr. King's Great Speech
Andrea Donigian's East Ridge Middle School students watched a short video about Martin Luther King Jr. from the Biography channel, which gave an overview of his life. Students read and then listened to King's "I Have a Dream" speech to hear the emotion in his voice. Students shared their favorite line/part of his speech and explained why they chose that part. Please read more of their inspired and inspiring reflections here.
Health Teachers Focus on Communication and Self-Management
Continued from above
The RPS Health teachers decided that sixth graders would benefit from learning about the skills of Communication and Practicing Self-Management. Communication is the first skill in the middle school health curriculum because it can set students up for success academically and socially. The unit consists of participatory methods where students have opportunities to practice communicating (verbally and nonverbally, negotiating and standing up for oneself) with partners and in small groups so they feel comfortable, and so they can form new friendships during their first year of middle school.
Throughout the Self Management Unit, students identify the areas in their life where they need to take personal responsibility and develop the necessary health practices to maintain and improve their health. The ability to manage oneself includes accepting personal responsibility for health and utilizing practices that avoid or reduce health risks.
Students are taking the skills they have learned during class and have been putting them into action outside the classroom—whether it be in other classes, the cafeteria, recess, the hallways, at home, or out in the community. We love seeing the “ah ha!” moment with our students when they apply their skills and share their experiences.
“Amanda Stanec has been wonderful at guiding us through developing this new curriculum and at the same time allowing us to make it our own,” write the three teachers, returning the compliments. “She recognizes that we know what will benefit our students most and has been a great support and sounding board throughout this ongoing process.”
The HeARTS of RPS
Combined Chorus Celebrates Music
On January 12, the Scotts Ridge and East Ridge Middle Schools eighth-grade choruses and Ridgefield High School choir students presented a combined concert to celebrate choral music. Each school performed a few tunes and then the students combined for a final number. Congratulations to all singers!
RHS Artists Shine at the Scholastic Art Awards
RHS art teacher Dana Phelan reports that a number of students entered the Scholastic Art Awards this year and several won top awards. Julia Zhao won a Gold Key for painting The First Day of School (shown at the top of the newsletter). Hannah Levine won a Gold Key for her painting The Fight for Air and a Silver Key for her painting Her Perfect Camellias. Donnelly Rodgers won an Honorable Mention for his drawing Shattered, but NOT Broken. The exhibit will be on view in the Silpe Gallery on the University of Hartford campus from January 17 - February 2, 2023 from Monday to Friday 12 - 4 p.m. and Saturday & Sunday from 12 - 5 p.m.
The Fight for Air by Hannah Levine
Her Perfect Camellias by Hannah Levine
Shattered, but NOT Broken by Donnelly Rodgers
RHS Theater Show "Winter Briefs"—TICKETS AVAILABLE
The Ridgefield High School Theater Department invites you to "Winter Briefs," Four short plays to help you warm up from the cold. This PG-13 show will run on February 3 and 4 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available here.
Save the Date for the RHS Spring Musical
The Ridgefield High School spring musical, "Into the Woods," will run March 10, 11, 17, and 18. More information to come!
Beyond the Classroom
RHS Senior Commits to Swim (and Be a Nurse) at Providence
RHS senior swim team captain Caroline Kelly committed to continue her swimming career at Providence College. Caroline led the powerhouse team to an undefeated season winning an FCIAC and two state championships for the Tigers! A true student-athlete, Caroline will attend Providence's School of Nursing. Congratulations, Caroline!
More Photos from the Week
Rising Ninth Grade RHS Orientation
Ridgefield eighth graders visited RHS for a taste of the amazing academic and extra-curricular offerings they'll enjoy next year. Thank you to all RHS students who took time out of mid-term exam prep to share their interests.
Friends Not Food
RHS Roisin McCann visited history teacher Megan Osimanti's fish Champa.
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.