on behalf of Wilton Youth Council

Wilton Youth Council is excited to partner with Wilton Public Schools to bring Rob Thorsen, Founder of the #HT40 Foundation. We invite you to listen to Rob’s presentation at 7pm on Wednesday, March 12th at the Little Theater in Wilton High School.

Rob is presenting to all Wilton High School students on March 12th. Rob will talk about his initiative Shoulder Check which is dedicated to bringing kids together through kindness and compassion and to inspire a culture of support through small actions that have a big impact. He will be introducing the concept of Shoulder Check, which encourages young people to be there for their peers through action-oriented initiatives that foster social connectedness. 

Then, Wednesday evening, all parents and other adults who support our community's kids will have the chance to hear more about Shoulder Check and be encouraged to think about how you can support them in fostering a culture of connection, kindness and support.

This program is brought to you by Wilton Youth Council in partnership with Wilton Public Schools and made possible by a grant from the County Assemblies.

Wilton Public Schools Presents: The Future of AI A Community Panel Discussion The Future of AI Tuesday, February 25, 2025 WHS Zellner Gallery 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Wilton Public Schools invites you to a thought-provoking panel presentation on artificial intelligence (AI) and its evolving role in our world. Join us for an engaging discussion featuring expert panelists from healthcare, business, industry, law, entertainment, higher education, and technology as they explore: The current impact of AI in their respective fields The future of AI and its implications for the workforce How Wilton Public Schools can best prepare students for an AI-driven future This event is an opportunity to gain valuable insights, ask questions, and collaborate as a community to ensure our students are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in an ever-changing world. Panelists Dr. Amy Ahasic - Chief of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and the Medical Director of Pulmonary Rehabilitation at Norwalk Hospital Dr. Tom Ellet Ph.D. - Chief Experience Officer at Quinnipiac overseeing all student-facing functions. Andy Judge - Director of Strategy and Chief of Staff, Wilton Management Team, ASML. Brian Lapreziosa - Art Director, CBS News Sunday Morning Matt Mervis - Directs AI strategy and EdAdvance and is the co-host of the AI in Education Podcast ChatEDU. Christopher Penner - Executive Leader focused on finance, innovation, strategy and operations. Jessica Richman Smith Esq. - Attorney who represents schools in a variety of education, labor relations and employment law matters.   Mark Shaner - Evolution IQ, Leading the AI transformation for insurance carriers.

Wilton Public Schools Embrace Reusables in Our Cafeterias If you haven’t heard, things have been changing in three of our school cafeterias.  In 2018, Wilton Go Green partnered with Wilton Public Schools to embark on a journey with the Zero Waste Schools program. This journey empowering students and staff to promote environmental consciousness and reduce waste in school cafeterias.   Our students have been helping to divert tons of recyclable material and food scraps to composting, as well as rescuing food for donation ever since. As we looked at other ways we could continue to reduce our waste throughout the past few years, switching from disposable items to reusables during lunch seemed the most logical next step.  Last summer, Wilton Go Green, with the support of the WPS, launched a Sustainable CT Community Match fundraiser to help Cider Mill School install a dishwasher. These funds were also used to purchase stainless steel reusable trays, and other essential equipment to move away from single-use products in alignment with that dishwasher purchase. In just three weeks, our Wilton community donated over $7,500! Matched by Sustainable CT, WPS was able to make the necessary purchases to bring a reusable program to students this school year.  Cider Mill students have been using reusable stainless steel trays, forks and spoons since November - eliminating over 50,000 disposable trays and cutlery from going into the trash  Wilton High School students began their reusable utensil program this month.  Last year, WHS Junior Danny Babashak worked with State Senator Ceci Maher (D-26) in order to secure funding for his $20,000 project under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The funds were used to purchase and install a dishwasher and purchase reusable utensils.   As a result of these programs, 131,040 single-use plastic utensils (1,114 pounds of plastic) will be eliminated from the waste stream every year, and $5,707 will be saved annually from not repurchasing disposable utensils. WPS partnered up with Plastic Free Restaurants, a 501(c)3 non-profit. This non-profit’s mission it is to reduce single-use plastics in schools and restaurants. The organization donated reusable utensils for Miller-Driscoll, Cider Mill and Wilton High School, through their subsidy program.  While Cider Mill and the High School were still in the construction phase at the start of this school year, Miller-Driscoll school began using reusable forks and spoons in their cafeteria on the first day thanks to an already existing dishwasher in their kitchen. Our reusable program would not be possible without the time, energy and support of so many in our community.  We’d like to take this opportunity to thank:  Wilton Public Schools Supervisor of Buildings & Grounds, Jose Figueroa and Assistant Karis Miller Assistant Director of Financial Planning and Operations, Laila Rudinas.   Wilton Go Green for leading the CM fundraising efforts and the work of our Zero Waste Schools Committee.  The Rotary Club of Wilton for their contributions to purchasing the Cider Mill stainless steel trays. Frendt-Masani Collaboration for their financial and in-kind contributions of additional kitchen and dishwasher supplies for Cider Mill. Cider Mill PTA for their grant of additional reusable utensils Wilton Public Schools staff and administration Chartwells Food Service If you would like to learn more about the Zero Waste Schools program click HERE.

	WILTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS 395 Danbury Road Wilton, Connecticut 06897

Due to the unanticipated snowfall, there will be transportation delays that will affect the timing of students returning home today. 

• We have been informed the intersection of Nod Hill and Olmstead Hill is closed.

• School Road is currently closed from the Route 7 side.

• Re-routing is planned for several buses. 

The following bus route will be impacted:

• Van #39 - Families have been notified

At this time, we are not canceling any after-school activities. 

Please use caution when driving.

Sincerely, 

Kevin J. Smith, Ph.D.

Superintendent of Schools

	WILTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS 395 Danbury Road Wilton, Connecticut 06897

Dear Parents, Guardians and Caregivers:

We’ve had a really terrific opening of school and  now that we are coming to the close of the first quarter, I’d like to take the opportunity again to emphasize the importance of regular attendance. School is better with your child here!

Getting into the habit of daily attendance is more important than ever. Going to school is an opportunity for your child to:  

●  build routines that help reduce stress and anxiety

●  connect with friends and teachers

●  engage in learning and develop a sense of belonging 

Parents and guardians of students marked with unexcused absences or unexcused tardies will receive notifications through ParentSquare. As part of our communication plan, we have added communication regarding tardiness as this can have a significant impact on student learning.  Please check the PowerSchool Parent Portal to ensure we have your correct email and the best phone numbers where you can be reached.

Several years ago the state legislature enacted a law allowing students to take two “mental health wellness days.”Public Act 21-46, An Act Concerning Social Equity and the Health Safety and Education of Children, Section 19 (a) and (b), defines and allows students to have two Mental Health Wellness (MHW) Days in a school year. "Mental health wellness day" describes a school day during which a student attends to such student's emotional and psychological well-being in lieu of attending school. These days are considered excused absences, may not be taken consecutively, and a school counselor may reach out to the student.   

Please reach out to your child’s school counselor if you or your child needs support with ensuring regular attendance. Additionally, each school has an administrator responsible for supporting student attendance. For your convenience we have also provided a set of additional resources which you can access by clicking on the link.

We continue to strive to make our school environment a welcoming and safe place where everyone feels they belong. We look forward to our continued partnership to ensure that all of our children have a successful year. 

Sincerely,
Kevin J. Smith, Ph.D.

Superintendent of Schools

 

Together for Teens: Expert Insights into Challenges our Kids Face Today

Tuesday, October 22 @ 7 PM

Riverbrook Regional YMCA

Are you curious about what’s really on the minds of our teens? Come find out at Together for Teens: Insights into Challenges our Kids Face today on Tuesday, October 22 at 7 pm at the Riverbrook Regional YMCA. 

This insightful event featuring a panel discussion and audience question and answer period features, EJ DiNunzio, Youth to Youth & WHS Varsity Football Coach, Dr. Rebecca LePage, Pediatrician, Cassandra Lucien, Kids In Crisis and Chandra Ring, Wilton Youth Council and WHS JV Field Hockey Coach. 

These panelists each have a unique perspective to offer.  They’ll explore the challenges teens face, share what they wish parents understood, and provide strategies for better supporting our youth.  Registrants will have the opportunity to submit questions in advance so we can be sure we address parents' most pressing concerns. 

Following the panel, connect with local service providers at our resource fair, where you can find valuable tools and support for your family. Register in advance and submit questions to the panelists at https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/553b8526-544f-4c51-8d16-1fae6774eaab.

This program is brought to you by Wilton Youth Council and Riverbrook Regional YMCA.

	WILTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS 395 Danbury Road Wilton, Connecticut 06897

Dear Wilton Community,

We wanted to provide you with an update on the status of Fujitani Field.

Thank you to Fire Chief Jim Blanchfield and his crew who were out early this week hosing down the track and to Doug Katz and his crew at P&R who were cleaning out the drainage systems surrounding the field! 

Shaw Sports Turf began work on the field this week and are currently extracting all of the infill from the affected areas of the turf. These are the same contractors who were on-site in Fall 2021 and are familiar with our facility.

The new infill has already been ordered and is on its way to WHS. As soon as the cleanup is completed, the process of re-adding infill and grooming the field will begin. While we are hopeful for a swift resolution, we also recognize that unexpected factors, including weather, could affect the timeline. At this stage, it is too early to provide an exact date for when Fujitani Field will be ready, but we are committed to keeping you informed as more information becomes available.

We will continue to adjust football and field hockey schedules as necessary and will share any changes in time or location for games with you as soon as they are confirmed.

Thank you for your continued support, and as always, Go Blue-White!

Sincerely, 

Kevin Smith                                                     Bobby Rushton

Superintendent of Schools                            Athletic Director

Susanna Estes, WHS Arts teacher and designer of the previous FAPA website, has been working with one of our parents, Sarah Beach, to update the FAPA website. The FAPA Instructional Leaders (Sue Brandt, Michael Gordon, Malcolm Karlan, and Susan LaBarbera) are extremely grateful to Sarah for volunteering her professional services and working with us to create a site that is more engaging for visitors, more aligned with the design of the District site, and more connected.

Visitors to the site will experience all aspects of the Wilton FAPA and the WHS Theater programs. It is designed to help everyone understand the full K-12 continuum of Wilton FAPA.

The FAPA site is a portal to view students engaged in the various stages of creating, performing, responding, and making connections through artistic expression. The FAPA site showcases students being socially-sensitive active citizens, balanced & healthy human beings, contemporary multiliterate scholars, self-navigating expert learners, courageous ethical thinkers, and creative entrepreneurial designers.

The FAPA calendar, which can be customized, will keep visitors informed of the many events and ceremonies that highlight students' passions for the Arts. Site visitors can view awards received by students, galleries displaying students' artistic work, in addition to past art shows, music performances, and theater productions.

With a social media connection to keep visitors updated in near real-time, the FAPA site is the place to go for information related to important dates, staff members, programs in each building, opportunities, forms, and FAQs.  The FAPA site is another step in our journey to be more inclusive than ever before. 

Visit us at fapawilton.com and tag us on social media @fapa_wilton