GPS District Digest

That's right! It's issue No. 18 on the school year, and while the rhymes might be getting tougher, the content is so much easier to get. Tips from all over the District are pouring into the newsroom with amazing accomplishments, ceremonies, unveilings, and more! Our social media channels are burning up with great photographs and stories from across all of our schools. But only come here for positivity, please. Leave everything else at the door before you step in.

And every avid Digest reader knows how much we love feedback from you, the readers. Immediately after issue No. 17 was released, we heard from our No. 1 fan, Rachel K., to tell us, "🤗🤩."

Right back at ya'!

Enjoy Issue 18!

GPS District Digest

How much did you love the Distinguished Teachers ceremony last week at Central Middle School? Oh, you couldn't make it? That's OK because video of the ceremony in its entirety is below.

Read all about the history, the process, and the winners on our webpage dedicated to all things Distinguished Teachers.

If you child's favorite teacher was not honored, it is never too early to start thinking about next year!

Is there is a better way to spend your quiet Sunday time than reading Parkway School's newsletter, "The PEEK?" I think not. But if you missed it on May 1, we will fill you in on the big news.

In late April, they welcomed Greenwich First Selectman Fred Camillo for their Earth Day Celebration. Mr. Camillo read a proclamation from the State of Connecticut for Arbor Day and oversaw the planting of an American elm tree that was donated by the Greenwich Conservancy.

They also dedicated their garden, which will now be referred to as "Parkway's Veggietopia." The name was suggested, and then voted on, by their students.

The idea of a garden was first conceived by media specialist, and resident gardener, Lea Attanasio and finally came to fruition when a former Parkway student, Adrian Terrenoire, a then sophomore at GHS, approached them last year wanting to construct a garden as part of his requirements to attain the honor of Eagle Scout. Part of the financing for the garden comes from a grant won by Mrs. Attanasio, last year.

With the additional support of the PTA, donated materials, and the help of Adrian's scout mates and scout leaders, the garden was constructed over a couple of weekends last May and June.

Mrs. Attansio and Parkway students planted the garden in June and a series of devoted volunteers organized by Mrs. Clark and the Green Committee, watered, weeded, and cared for the garden over the summer, which in the end yielded a wonderful bounty of fruits and vegetables for students and staff to enjoy last fall.

Now, students experience the process from seed to harvest first hand. They are also learning about composting and how to cultivate healthy soil to support the growth of the plantings. All student were given their very own seed packet to take home with the hopes that they can begin the process of growing their own seedlings that can be planted in pots or in the garden at home.

GHS Senior Esme Merrill has been awarded one of the most highly selective merit scholarships in the nation. The Jefferson Scholars Foundation at the University of Virginia selected Esme as one of 40 recipients of the Jefferson Scholarship. She will commence her studies in the fall at Virginia.

In order to be named a Scholar, candidates must undergo a rigorous, highly competitive, multi-stage selection process. This year, nearly 2,200 students were nominated for the Scholarship, and 139 finalists were invited to take part in remote interviews conducted by Virginia alumni and faculty.

In addition to receiving the full cost of attending the University for four years, Jefferson Scholars benefit from a number of enrichment programs sponsored by the Foundation, including travel abroad, career networking activities, an outdoor challenge program, and a leadership speaker series.

GHS Junior Adam Kleshchelski was recently named the Connecticut State Winner of the Stockholm Junior Water Prize competition for his project entitled, "Remediation of Fire-Foam PFAs from Contaminated Water Using an Eco-Friendly and Reusable Water Filtration System." Say that five times fast!

The SJWP is the world's most prestigious symposium that specializes in high school student projects focusing on the creation and maintenance of potable water, a resource that we take for granted, but in other parts of the world, has become increasingly scarce. Each year, a SJWP project winner is selected from each state to participate in a National SJWP in June. The national winner is then invited to compete and participate in the International event, in Stockholm, Sweden, in the following fall.

"A great deal of thanks goes out to all that support Adam and the rest of the research students, as the skills needed to excel in our classes are a result of all of our hard work and efforts," GHS Science Research & ESL Chemistry Teacher Mr. Andy Bramante said. "Please join me in congratulating Adam on this tremendous achievement, and wish him luck in the upcoming national competition."

GHS Senior Sophia Crasto placed second and won $500 for her amazing poem, "The Waiting Game," in the 19th annual Hartford Healthcare Braindance Awards.

The Institute of Living at Hartford Hospital annually sponsors an academic and art competition designed to decrease the stigma of mental illness. The BrainDance Awards encourage high school students to gain knowledge about psychiatric diseases and develop a more tolerant and realistic perspective toward people with severe psychiatric problems. The competition also aims to promote students’ interest in careers in mental healthcare.

Please read "The Waiting Game" for yourself below by clicking on each image.

In celebration of the 150th Anniversary of National Arbor Day last month, the Green Schools Committee of Old Greenwich School and the Garden Club of Old Greenwich hosted a short educational presentation outside on the plaza for kindergarteners and second graders.

The Garden Club of Old Greenwich donated and distributed native small white pine tree saplings for students to take home and plant in their garden.

Families of students in primary grades and English language learners at New Lebanon School recently held an in-person parent education class entitled, "Resources & Strategies to Empower Language Learners."

"New Lebanon is so excited to be partnering with parents again in-person in order to support student success, academically, and socio-emotionally," Languages/ESOL Coordinator Adriane Klein said. "Participation by parents and our multilingual learners were very successful."

Eighteen parents learned about the importance of developing oral language as a stepping stone to learning literacy in any language. The presentation was made in both English and Spanish, with English being the main target language to expose parents to the types of activities their children do in school.

Spanish was used to summarize main points and examples of activities parents can do during everyday activities with their children. A partnership with the afterschool BANC program helped with the child care portion of the program. Students were invited to the gym to play games and watch short videos which promoted oral language skills. In summary, it was a successful reunion for our parents.

A second session is scheduled for tonight.

Recently, Greenwich Public Schools were selected to receive $5,000 worth of gift cards as part of the ACME Markets Foundation’s Nourishing Neighbors Program. The grant was provided from funds donated by customers at checkout stands and may be used to offset costs associated with preparation of school meals for students or provide meals to struggling families in the District.

Superintendent of Schools Toni Jones made the decision to donate these cards to community partner Neighbor to Neighbor Greenwich for distribution to families most in need. Neighbor to Neighbor Executive Director Margaret Goldberg stopped by the Havemeyer Building to show her gratitude.

Our friends are Neighbor to Neighbor tell us the funds will be directed towards their summer supplement program, which will provide additional food for nine weeks to all of their families with school-aged children.

Did you see all of the great things the WMS PTA did for Teacher Appreciation Week?

A sidewalk chalk art surprise welcomed staff on Monday morning before the Eishumaru ramen truck, owned by WMS alumni parents, stopped by for lunch. Current & WMS alumni parent-owned Coffee Luca stopped by on Tuesday to provide delicious pastries and coffees. Wednesday was a visit from Dominick’s ice cream truck. Thursday was a catered lunch from Longo’s Park Deli and Friday brought a medley of desserts.

Let's keep the staff of the GPS District Digest staff in mind next time for some sampling! 😀

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

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