A Few Bits from Ridgefield Public School Superintendent Dr. Susie Da Silva
Important Board of Education Budget Dates:
- Monday, March 15- The Board of Finance will hold a BOF Public Hearing on the Town and Board of Education 2021-22 Budgets.
- Thursday, March 18- The Board of Education will present their budget to the Board of Finance.
- Saturday, April 24- Annual Town Meeting on the Town and Board of Education 2021-22 Budgets.
- Tuesday, May 11- Town Referendum on the Town and Board of Education Budgets.
Updates from Governor Lamont
Governor Lamont has announced easing some of COVID-19 restrictions in CT. We will inform you of any implications on schools as soon we have additional information. You can read the Governor’s update here.
Asynchronous Learning Day
Reminder:
March 15- change for elementary students only. Elementary students will engage in a full day of asynchronous learning rather than a half-day. The reason for this change is due to CSDE requiring teachers to be assessed in the Foundations of Reading Survey. Teachers will be taking this proctored assessment on March 15.
As a special treat on this asynchronous day-elementary students will have the opportunity to engage in a pre-recorded science show performed by DOKTOR KABOOM. Click here to see his website. Thanks to our PTA and the Ridgefield Education Foundation, our students will have time assigned during the day to watch the show that was recorded at the Ridgefield Playhouse this week.
March 15 will remain as an asynchronous ‘afternoon only’ for all students in grades 6-12.
School Status
Beginning this coming week, I will only send an update if there are changes in the learning model of our schools. We are reviewing the trends happening in the state and in our community and will keep you informed on the implications for our school status at the secondary level in the weeks ahead.
Week of March 8: Elementary school students will continue in the full in-person learning model. SRMS and ERMS continue to remain in hybrid. RHS also remains hybrid; however, due to the number of families who are opting for Temporary Remote Cohort C, families choosing in-person cohort A/B are able to attend five days in person, so long as RHS attendance rates remain low and can accommodate this option. Families should contact their child's school counselor at RHS with any questions.
Standardized Testing
On Monday, March 8, Cory Gillette, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, will present an update to the Board of Education on standardized testing administration in the spring. In addition, the K-12 Administrative Team will provide an informational session for parents on March 18. Look for specific communication next week on day and evening session times and links. The sessions will be recorded for parents who are not able to attend.
We are thrilled to present our new Elementary Director, Linda Johnson. You can find the press release here.
Farmingville Principal Search has begun- we will keep families updated as we move through the process. Educators and parents will be engaged in the process.
Food Service
East Ridge Middle School will have pickup meals available between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday next week. In addition, our weekend meal program at SES and BMES will continue next week. We thank the students and families that are supporting our program by choosing to take advantage of the wonderful lunches being offered in all our schools, and in receiving meals through our weekend and afternoon meal distributions. Kindly see the food service social media post here.
RPS Highlights
Enjoy the RPS News here!
Ridgefield Tiger Talk: We are excited to have Allison Anderson on this week’s episode. Allison is an elementary art teacher at Barlow Mountain and Scotland Elementary Schools. She helped bring the Memory Project to our Schools. We talk about art enrichment of elementary age children, this project’s ability to produce amazing experiences, and the reception of our students’ art across the world. Thanks for listening. Link to Memory Project video