A Few Bits from RPS Superintendent Da Silva: Health and Safety, Quarantine Learning, and READ!

A Few Bits from Ridgefield Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Susie Da Silva

Health and Safety 

The CSDE has paired us with our K-6 screening test partner for unvaccinated students which will be Quest Diagnostics. We are in the early stages of planning and communicating with Quest. This webinar was given by Quest and answers many questions the community may have about the program.

Per the Governor’s executive order 13(D), all RPS staff and contractors who are not fully vaccinated by September 27, will be required to submit a weekly COVID-19 test.  A mandatory survey was sent to all RPS staff this week. Staff may upload their vaccine cards via the survey or indicate that they have not been vaccinated and plan to be tested weekly starting on the 27th. Those who are not vaccinated and do not submit a weekly test will not be permitted to come to work.

Over the last several weeks Connecticut has continued to have the lowest rate of new COVID-19 cases out of all 50 states. Our community's commitment to vaccination and mask wearing has slowed the spread of COVID-19 which gives our children the opportunity to spend more days in school. Thank you.

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

Our schools are up and running, classrooms are full, connections are being made and learning is happening! The new Curriculum Department Team is spending everyday in classrooms and with departments and grade level teams. 

One of the big focuses of returning to school is for teachers to determine where students are academically and socially and what they need. We use both standardized and non standardized assessments to do so. In the next few weeks we will be sharing what those standardized assessments are, what they are used for, and how they inform our instruction. In addition, we will share how we may be looking at student data differently this year than in previous years.

Read, Read, Read

This week, Kim Marshall highlighted the School Library Journal’s, Brigid Alverson, and a list of the graphic novels about overlooked historical figures and scientific phenomena. You can hover over the attached link for images and more information.  “(Previously) Untold Stories” 

• We Hereby Refuse: Japanese American Resistance to Wartime Incarceration by Frank Abe, Tamiko Nimura, Ross Ishikawa, and Matt Sasaki, grade 8 and up
• History Comics: The Wild Mustang by Chris Duffy and Falynn Koch, grade 4-6
• Yummy by Victoria Grace Elliott, grade 3-7
• The Bug Club by Elise Gravel, grade 1-2
• “Strange Fruit” by Joel Christian Gill, grade 7 and up
• Robert Smalls: Tales of the Talented Tenth by Joel Christian Gill, grade 7 and up
• Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales: Cold War Correspondent by Nathan Hale, grade 3-7
• History Comics: The National Parks by Falynn Koch, grade 4-8
• Expedition Backyard by Rosemary Mosco and Binglin Hu, grade 2 and up
• Science Comics: Dinosaurs by MK Reed and Joe Flood, grade 4-6
• Andy Warner’s Oddball Histories: Pests and Pets by Andy Warner, grade 3-7
• Brief Histories of Everyday Objects by Andy Warner, grade 7 and up

Food Service

Kindly find attached a parent letter to help clarify some questions that have been coming up.  This letter focuses on the free meals and allergies and important steps needed to protect our students.  In addition it explains that only a full meal is considered free and any items chosen outside of a full meal will be charged to the students account.  You can find the attachments here and here. We will also be placing these documents on the district website under the parent section, under food service.

Reminder: Weather Events

Our procedures can be found here. 

Reminder: 2021-22 Chromebook Distribution

Chromebook distribution is now completed. If your child 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.

Be social!

Twitter: @RPS_DaSilva 

Instagram: rpssuper