A Few Bits from Ridgefield Public School Superintendent Dr. Susie Da Silva
Board of Education Meeting (Important)
In an effort to provide the most accessible experience for community members, beginning on 9/13/21, we are shifting our Board of Education meeting format to allow for video public comment, rather than written comment only. The directions on how to access the Board of Education meeting to watch only or to make your public comment are below:
To watch the board meeting use the Youtube link below.
YouTube Link here
View Agenda here
OR
If you would like to participate in Public Comment, use the link below to register.
Register here
Once registered you will receive an email to join the BOE meeting as an audience member. When it is your time to speak you will be promoted to address the board for three minutes.
- Be sure to have a working microphone/WebCam on your computer or device.
- You may register as early as today, however, be sure to access the link from your email on the day of the meeting
- If you are making a Public Comment, do not select both options above. Doing so will add an echo when you speak.
Health and Safety
The CT CSDE and DPH released updated quarantine and isolation guidelines for schools this week via
Addendum 5. RPS will be following this guidance, please take a moment to read it. Key components that families need to know are:
- Vaccinated and unvaccinated students and staff should stay home from school if you have symptoms; and contact your school nurse. You may return to school with a negative COVID-19 test after symptoms have resolved. Vaccinated and unvaccinated students who come to school with a symptom of COVID-19 will be sent home by the school nurse. Students who are sick should tend to their health and will not access quarantine learning.
- Fully vaccinated students and staff who have been exposed to COVID-19 and have not developed any symptoms may continue to come to school. Unvaccinated students and staff who have been exposed to COVID-19 must quarantine at home. They can get a test on day 5 after exposure, and return to school on day 8 if they remain free of symptoms. Students who are required to quarantine and are symptom free will have access to quarantine learning.
RPS is asking families who travel domestically or internationally to follow CDC travel guidance which can be found here.
According to data from the town of Ridgefield, 76.3% of 12-17 year olds in Ridgefield are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and 82.4% have received one dose. Twenty-six 12-17 year olds have initiated the process of vaccination this week alone.
The CDC and CT DPH continue to say that vaccination is the #1 mitigation strategy to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our schools. COVID-19 vaccines are available at many locations in the Town of Ridgefield including Bissell Pharmacy, RVNAhealth, CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens and Stop and Shop. Currently the Pfizer vaccine is the only vaccine approved for 12-17 year olds. For a complete list of vaccine locations please visit this website.
Open House/Back to School Nights
As we transition back to our fall events, you will notice that each level may have modified the structure to ensure the health and safety of all of our community members. You’ll notice that depending on the level, structure, and space limitations, events may be full in person or hybrid. We look forward to seeing you there!
Update on Quarantine Learning
Please see the attached link on “Quarantine Learning” for all three levels. Quarantine learning is available to students who are required to quarantine, and are not ill. Students who are experiencing any symptoms should tend to their health. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your school principal.
Teaching and Learning Updates
The Curriculum Department is in the process of creating parent workshops to be presented across the year. The workshops will serve the following purposes: to inform parents about processes (e.g. Math placement); to inform parents about RPS curriculum and instruction (e.g.. Reading Instruction, PK-12); and finally to support parents as they partner with their children through the learning process. All the workshops will be virtual and recorded. In addition, they will be designed to allow for questions before and during the workshop.
Parents can expect to receive a PK-12 Curriculum Department Newsletter in the fall, winter, and spring. In this newsletter curriculum leaders will share the work that is going on across levels as teachers work together to continue to study best practices from the leaders in our fields and work collaboratively on alignment and memorializing curriculum across levels and departments. As always, this work is done with the goal of providing the best educational experiences for the students in RPS.
Student Insurance
As part of the Districts Insurance Coverage we offer a School Sponsored voluntary Student Accident Insurance to parents who would like to purchase insurance for their child(ren). Kindly find attached some information as to what is offered. To sign up, or for more information, please visit their website here
Food ServiceOur Food Service group, Chartwells, is promoting Power Up with education on foods children eat which transform into energy and building blocks for their bodies. Your children will be offered various recipes that focus on eating healthy vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Benefits from eating these are reflected in the attachment here.
This coming week at Ridgefield High School, the ever popular Pasta Station will be offered with various meat choices including meatballs, and chicken. Each pasta meal will include a serving of whole grain garlic bread and a freshly made Caesar salad. Unlock your potential through food and Power Up!
Reminder: Weather Events
Our procedures can be found here.
2021-22 Chromebook Distribution
Chromebook distribution is now completed. If your child in grade 4-12 (high school students can choose to not take a district device) has not received a Chromebook, please contact helpdesk@ridgefieldps.net and include name, grade, and school.
For more information on this year's Chromebook distribution and policies. CLICK HERE
RPS News! You can find it here.
Follow us here:Twitter: @RPS_DaSilva and Instagram: rpssuper
SCHOOL PTAs
Each of our schools offer PTAs with a wealth of information and resources. Listed below are all of our schools and their individual PTA links. Have fun!
Joint Council link to all schools: Schools
Ridgefield PTA's and their websites:
Ridgefield HS PTA- click here
East Ridge Middle School PTA - click here
Scotts Ridge Middle School PTA- click here
Branchville Elementary School PTA- click here
Barlow Mountain Elementary School PTA- click here
Farmingville Elementary School PTA- click here
Ridgebury Elementary School PTA- click here
Scotland Elementary School PTA- click here
VP PTA- www.vppta.org
