GPS District Digest (v3, i11)

Four better than seven? A math problem? Is that the best rhyming headline we can come up with? Apparently. But let's move on...

Anyone that works in the education realm knows, loves, and appreciates acronyms. GPS = Greenwich Public Schools, PTAC = Parent Teacher Association Council, etc. When you finished reading the entire 2022-2023 Board of Education Proposed Budget (did you or TLDR = too long; didn't read), you can find 167 of those adorable abbreviations forming from the initial letters of other words. SFSG (so far, so good)?

In honor of the acronym, today we will use them FFF (frequently, freely, and fundamentally).

EIE! (Enjoy Issue 11)

GPS District Digest

Yesterday, GPS Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones announced the appointment of Dr. Stacey Heiligenthaler as chief officer of special education and student supports, removing her interim title.

Heiligenthaler, who has served as GPS’ interim chief officer of special education and student supports since July 1, 2021, works with the special education team to ignite a collaborative and supportive environment with families and students, monitors the implementation and compliance with State and Federal laws, regulations, and guidelines regarding Special Education and related services, and maintains strong student supports for social and emotional learning and the mental health of students. She has played a key role in leading the “Special Education Action Plan 2021-2024” to create positive change in culture, climate, process, instruction, and compliance.

She's also the editor of our sister newsletter, Together We Can. I hope you subscribe to that one too!

Congratulations are in order for the five outstanding GHS seniors named as candidates for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program by the United State Department of Education:

• Lucie Bai
• Steven Blank
• Benjamin Cooper
• Cecile Whittle
• Joanna Zhang

Each year, over 5,000 candidates are identified nation-wide for the component of the program that focuses on academic achievement and based on having scored exceptionally well on the SAT or the ACT.

Approximately 600 candidates are named semifinalists, and their names and supporting material are forwarded to the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars for further review. In April, the Commission reviews the applications of all the semifinalists, applying the same criteria used by the review committee. The Commission selects up to 161 U.S. Presidential Scholars each year.

LGC!

(Let's go Cardinals)

The Greenwich Alliance for Education does so much wonderful work for the students of GPS. Recently, they shared a wonderful email with the District Digest from GHS alumni and current Nova-Southeastern University nursing student, Emma Schuren. Please take a moment to read her story in her own words:

"My name is Emma Schuren and I am a 2019 AVID graduate of Greenwich High School. As I approached the end of my senior year, I had several doubts about where I would end up after high school. Many of these doubts were fueled by financial uncertainty. I had worked all throughout high school, saved money, and gotten good grades to qualify for scholarships, but coming from a single mother household put me at a disadvantage that even hard work and dedication could not overcome. I was prepared to make any sacrifice necessary to attend the school that would set me up best for future success, even if that meant private loans to be paid off in the following decades.

"Thankfully, due to the generosity of the Greenwich Alliance of Education, I have the ability to reallocate funds from working to pay for living expenses rather than for school. Because of this, I am able to work less hours during the school term, which enables me to thrive in my classes and have extra study time. The Greenwich Alliance has truly helped me not only financially, but in my overall quality of life.

"Their programs have a ripple effect into every aspect of my day. Greenwich Alliance not only provides financial assistance to AVID graduates, but engages them in mentor programs, webinars, and career building workshops. Building on the skills we learn in AVID during our college experiences proves invaluable, and I thank the Greenwich Alliance for providing these essential resources."

YAARS! (you are a rock star)

Wait a minute! That postcard below is of Town Hall. It isn't a Greenwich school.

Or is it?

For this installment of Turn Back the Clock, Greenwich History Society's John Bridge tells us that in 1926, this building on Field Point Road was hailed as "the finest in the northeast" for 900 Greenwich high school students. By the time Lorimer sent this postcard to Ms. Edith Stevens in Arlington, MA on September 2, 1949, the building was expanded by a five-story addition and courtyard. But we outgrew that place in 1970 and moved over to Hillside Road.

The District Digest's research department tells us that Ms. Stevens was born in 1899 and was one of the few women cartoonists of her day. She drew a cartoon called "Us Girls," first for The Boston Post and later The Boston Globe. "Us Girls" spanned a wide range of attitudes, opinions and styles about women. I hope you learn more about this pioneer, like we did.

The Greenwich Alliance for Education is holding "Trivia Challenge 2022" on Friday, March 4 from 7:00-9:00 PM. There will be six rounds of questions, including a “Final Jeopardy-type” round. Teams will collaborate via Zoom in dedicated break-out rooms. Winning teams announced at the end of the night.

And new this year, you can assign rankings to your answers based on confidence level to increase points and stay competitive. Prizes will be awarded to top two teams and best team name (last year’s winner: Quarantini – Shaken and Not Stirred).

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Email: communications@greenwich.k12.ct.us
Website: greenwichschools.org
Location: 290 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich, CT, USA
Phone: (203) 625-7415
Facebook: facebook.com/GreenwichPublicSchools
Twitter: @GPSDistrict