GPS District Digest (v5, i16)
Stories, news, and updates from Greenwich Public Schools
We are in the stretch run. It is down to the wire. The finish line is getting close. It is the bottom of the ninth, fourth down and inches, the end of regulation. We will be finishing up the school year in just a few short weeks from now with even more clichés.
We decided to share issue No. 16 with everybody because some of you still have not subscribed. What are we doing here? Do not miss a single issue for all good things GPS!
And we know we have told you this before, but this issue is loaded. We have student achievements, staff recognitions, comings and goings, and alumni news. So jump on board!
Enjoy Issue No. 16 and thank you for your support.
GPS District Digest
Principal press releases abound in the month of April! Did you catch all three?
On April 11, Greenwich Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones announced the appointment of Eduardo Calderón as principal of Julian Curtiss School, effective July 1. Mr. Calderón will replace Ms. Trish McGuire, who announced her intention to retire at the end of the school year. Mr. Calderón is currently the principal of Cornerstone Academy for Social Action Middle School in New York City Department of Education’s District 11 in the Bronx, a position he has held since 2020.
The next next day, the appointment of Suzanne Coyne as principal of Western Middle School, effective July 1, was announced. Ms. Coyne had been named interim principal on March 13.
On April 19, the appointment of Jason Martín as principal of Riverside School, effective July 1, was announced. Mr. Martín will replace Mr. Christopher Weiss, who announced his departure from GPS in January. Since 2021, Mr. Martín has been the principal of West Gate K-8 School in Port Saint Lucie, FL, one of the district’s largest elementary schools consisting of grades PreK-8 with more than 1,600 students and 170 staff members.
Congrats to all!
It seems like everyone is doing a podcast nowadays, right? We have our favorites and you have yours. But do you know about the greatest podcast? You will now.
Fifth graders at Julian Curtiss School have been busy in the studio this year, spending early mornings, recess and MakerSpace time to conceptualize, organize, and manage the entire creative process for Julian Curtiss The Greatest Podcast.
The latest episode, "JC Interviews Adopt-A-Dog," does a deep dive into Adopt-A-Dog, an organization with a "mission is to save, secure, socialize, and find loving homes for the most vulnerable, unwanted, and abandoned dogs."
So, put in your AirPods and listen to these budding broadcasters and media stars!
Junior Cecilia McIntosh was the winner of this year's GHS Women's History Month Essay Contest. Her essay about singer, musician and pioneer Kathleen Hanna was said to be powerfully written, full of detail, and unique in its explanation as to why her music is an inspiration to her and to women in general.
Students were asked to write a letter to a notable woman, from anywhere around the world, from any time period, thanking her for the contributions she has made to women’s rights. The letter had to have been research-based, acknowledged why this woman’s achievements impact our world today, explained the significance of this woman’s work, and included their rationale for selection of this woman to thank them from a personal and/or a historical perspective.
Cecilia graciously allowed GPS District Digest readers to read her essay in full. Thanks Cecilia and congratulations!
The good folks over at Hamilton Avenue School sent the Digest a great tip about their recent visit from the Riverside Rangers.
The Rangers program is a way for fifth grade students to demonstrate leadership skills and to prepare for middle school. Rangers are leaders that practice the norms, greet students in the morning, help younger students in the café, lead cooperative games during morning meetings with younger students, and assist with special events. These are students that consistently demonstrate kindness and responsibility.
A group of 10 Riverside Rangers met with a group of prospective fifth-grade Ham Ave Rangers. Hamilton Avenue will now initiate an abbreviated Rangers Program with the hopes of launching their first full-year Rangers Program next fall. Both cohorts of Rangers exemplified true leadership and served as outstanding role models. All involved with the dual-school sharing session are certain that the Ham Ave Rangers program is sure to be a resounding success.
What a fantastic collaboration between two great schools!
Yesterday, the Distinguished Teachers Awards Committee (DTAC) named the winners of 2024 Distinguished Teachers Awards:
Ana Maria Fals, New Lebanon School, Grade 3
Johanna Kolar, Western Middle School, Math 8
Lian Lam, New Lebanon School, Special Education
Audrey Maurer, New Lebanon School, Music
Ilene Rietsch, North Street School, Kindergarten
Alyssa Stack, Greenwich High School, Social Studies
“As a committee, we reflected on our own education, it is the teachers we truly remember the most,” DTAC Chair Ms. Stacy Loveless said. “Teachers are the heart of education. Looking at the pool of exceptional teachers in Greenwich Public Schools, you cannot help but feel great hope and optimism for the future, nurtured by amazing teachers.”
The entire GPS community is welcome to celebrate our amazing teachers at the Distinguished Teachers Award ceremony, set for 4:30 PM on Thursday, May 9 at Central Middle School.
Did you catch the 2024 Community Service Awards ceremony at Greenwich High School’s Performing Arts Center last night? It was amazing!
Students were recognized for participation in service activities that help to improve both their school and the community.
Since 1986, students are annually selected from each elementary school to accept the award on behalf of the entire school for service activities and projects that they have participated in throughout the year. Community Service Awards are presented to middle school students, representing each of GPS’ three middle schools and five high school students, representing each GHS house. An additional high school student is also selected to receive the Fleishman Service Award. Dr. Ernest Fleishman, a former Greenwich Superintendent of Schools and the Community Service Awards founder, presents this award to a GHS student who has made significant contributions to their school and community.
For a full list of winners, head to the GPS website's news section.
Earlier this month, Greenwich High School's Luka Dolgov and Jack Glass were recognized at Connecticut Association of School's 29th Annual High School Outstanding Arts Awards Banquet in Plantsville, CT. The Connecticut High School Outstanding Arts Awards annually honor two seniors from each CAS member high school who excel in the performing or visual arts and possess qualities of scholarship and leadership.
Luka was recognized for his extraordinary talents in the orchestra on viola and Jack for his high level of excellence in all aspects of theater.
Next year Luka will be attending Yale University and Jack will be going to Dartmouth College.
Go Big Red!
I know all loyal GPS District Digest readers followed the district's social media account when Western Middle School’s library media specialist, Ms. Pia Ledina, took over at WMS Career Day 2024 recently. These takeovers are famous for giving our followers a great behind-the-scenes look at what is happening in our schools.
As an AVID school, Western MS emphasizes the importance of college and career readiness. Career day welcomed dozens of amazing presenters.
We included in the Digest some of our favorite postings, but to see ALL of them, head to the WMS website.
Our partners at Waste Free Greenwich and the Greenwich Sustainability Committee honored GHS teacher Mr. Bob Conlan and PTAC Green School Co-Chair Ms. Angie Hartofilis, among other green champions, as recipients of its Sustainability Awards during the third annual ReThink Waste Fair earlier this month.
Also included in the prestigious list of honorees were Greenwich HS juniors Zara Haque, Sameera Madan, Jacklyn Pizzella, and our main man Thomas "The Tank" McKinney.
Sources told the GPS District Digest about the filming of a public service announcement at New Lebanon School recently. While most details were under wraps, the film crew and equipment in the school's cafeteria were hard to ignore.
The Digest learned exclusively that Waste Free Greenwich and PTAC's Green Schools Committee are teaming up to continue their great work in our buildings to engage, educate and empower to waste less through prevention, recycling and diversion.
Be on the look out for the final cut!
Riverside School is hosting its 39th annual Riverside Run on Saturday, May 11, rain or shine. This community event takes runners on a scenic three-mile course through the neighborhood of Riverside.
The Riverside Run includes the main run/walk, as well as a series of “Fun Runs” for children in kindergarten through fifth grade in front of Riverside School. All participating children will receive ribbons, and trophies will be given to those who earn top places.
The races will begin at 8:30 AM for the three-mile run and 9:30 AM for the Kids Fun Run.
"The Riverside Run is a beloved tradition for both our school and community," Interim Principal Gordon Beinstein said. "It is a time when students, families, and community members come together to participate, support one another, and volunteer. We eagerly anticipate hosting this wonderful event every year."
The first 500 participants will receive a race T-shirt and gift bag. Timing mats will be at the start and finish lines to ensure accurate timing for the main run.
Online registration is now open to the public. The event also accepts “day of” registration until 30 minutes before race time. The registration fee for the three-mile run is $30, and the registration fee for the Kids Fun Run is $15. Event proceeds will benefit PTA programs that enrich classroom curriculum and support teachers and staff.
Greenwich Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones announced recently the appointment of Mr. Ben Branyan as chief financial and administrative officer, effective June 10. Mr. Branyan replaces Mr. Blaize Levitan, who will leave GPS at the end of the month. Mr. Branyan is well-known in the Town of Greenwich for serving in a lead role as the town administrator and chief operating officer since 2015. He will serve as the district’s leader in finance, business services, safety and security, and facilities.
Mr. Branyan has a long history working with both school systems and town government, serving as an assistant town manager in Stratford and Michigan’s East Grand Rapids. In addition, Mr. Branyan served as the chief operating officer for Stratford Public Schools and managing director of operations for Greenwich Public Schools.
“Ben Branyan has proven through the years to be a collaborative team leader and tremendous asset to the Greenwich community,” Dr. Jones said. “Greenwich Public Schools will benefit from his expertise in operations management, program development, project execution, and budget administration. We are extremely pleased to welcome him back in a more senior role.”
For the past 13 years, Mr. Branyan has proudly served the Town of Greenwich. As the town administrator and COO for nine years, he led the management of many essential governmental services, such as law enforcement, firefighting, public works, parks and recreation, and administration. In addition, Mr. Branyan developed and maintained a 15-year capital plan and annual operational budget.
“Rejoining Greenwich Public Schools is an exciting opportunity for me to partner with Superintendent Dr. Jones and the administration team to provide operational leadership to one of the nation's premier K-12 school districts,” Mr. Branyan said. “For the past 13 years, I have helped shape the delivery of town services to provide a high quality of life for the residents of Greenwich. In this role I will have the opportunity to focus on strengthening the delivery of education services across the community.”
Every loyal GPS District Digest reader knows how much we love to catch up with alumni. Word in the newsroom recently was spread about Wyatt Radzin, former Hamilton Avenue School, Western Middle School, and Greenwich High School (class of 2021) student. We hear that not only is Ms. Radzin having a successful college career overseas at Oxford University, but she is thriving! With graduation coming in July, there is so much good stuff, it says here in these pages, that we can only give you a small portion of what she is up to:
- Elected to the Oxford Brasenose Junior Common Room (student government) as Environment & Ethics Officer
- Awarded the Oxford Uehiro Prize in Practical Ethics
- Finalist for the inaugural Bernard Williams Essay Prize at the Oxford Institute for Ethics in AI
- Offered and accepted the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences Graduate School Fellowship at the University of Southern California
Think her parents are proud?
We love sharing good news with our 2,153 closest friends on the GPS X (Twitter) account, @GPSDistrict. Can we get to 3k by the end of the school year?
Follow us, but only do it if you are family, student, staff, or community member that wants to see all of the good things happening around the District. No negativity from us!
At the Digest, we love to show you some of our favorite posts from around the GPS social media world, including from some new accounts on Instagram.
Do you have a favorite social media account? Let us know!
