Digital News & Updates - Summer Learning Parents Edition
Wilton Public Schools Digital Learning News & Updates

June 2024

Summer Learning/ Reading 2024

Wilton Public Schools are delighted to offer students a chance to immerse themselves in reading and learning all summer long through our Summer Learning program. This program, consisting of both print and online resources, can be accessed via our Sailing into Summer Website, readily available from our district website's home page (http://wiltonps.org).  We hope you'll have a delightful summer.

Summer Reading Lists:  We've curated a K-12 Summer Reading Booklet featuring a variety of titles. The direct link to our summer reading page is:  https://wiltonps.org/576188_3 Additionally, we've compiled a district-wide collection of eBooks accessible through Overdrive/Sora, ideal for students on-the-go this summer. Do check out the offerings at the Wilton Library as well.  Our e-books can be accessed through the Sora App (eBooks, Audio Books). Directions for eBooks Access - Sora App (eBooks, Audio Books) (SORA FAQs).  

Wilton Public Schools Summer Reading 2024 comes with some essential notes. Ensure you confirm with each school for any specific requirements.

Anyone interested may also participate in the Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge:  The link with resources for this challenge can be found at:  https://portal.ct.gov/sde/ctread/connecticut-reads  

For those with District-Provided Devices (Chromebooks), we encourage you to keep them over the summer. They'll be a valuable tool in accessing the eBooks and online resources featured on our website. Instructions for returning these devices will be issued at the start of the new school year.

Caring for the Chromebook:  The following contains a checklist titled “Caring for your Chromebook” to guide you on maintaining your device over the summer.

As you embark on your summer learning adventure, it's crucial to maintain your Chromebook's health and safety:

• Avoid exposing it to heat, direct sunlight, and water, 

• always plug it into a surge protector when not in use. 

• Families should continue to supervise home use as during the school year, 

• Remember that Gaggle monitoring  persists over the summer.

• If your Chromebook requires repair, contact the receptionist at the BOE office at 203-762-3381 to coordinate an exchange of the device during the summer.  Please do not attempt any repairs yourself. If your device is lost or damaged beyond repair, consult our replacement costs information on our website.

Practicing Digital Wellness During the Summer

Summer is a wonderful opportunity for students to embrace digital citizenship by finding a balance between online and offline activities. We encourage families to promote reading, engage in offline hobbies, and use this time to disconnect from screens more often and enjoy the summer!

We'd like to acknowledge the collaboration of our Library Learning Commons staff, the Wilton Library Teen and Children's Librarians, and our teachers of reading, writing, and English for curating the list of eBooks and resources. Should you have any queries, feel free to contact Lori Ellis, ellisl@wiltonps.org 

Wishing you a fantastic summer!

Best regards,

Fran Kompar
Director, Digital Learning & Instructional Technology

Wilton Public Schools have once again demonstrated their prowess in digital media and video production, securing numerous accolades at the prestigious A9CC Video Awards, sponsored by Altice. This year's competition saw exceptional performances from Wilton students across various categories, celebrating their creativity and storytelling skills.

Highlighting the achievements, Wilton High School's Danielle Westgate clinched the coveted John M. Repicky Award for her outstanding stop-motion animation, "The Sentence." This award, named in honor of former Wilton High School film teacher John Repicky, recognizes the best overall project among all first-place winners. Westgate's triumph marks the first time a high school student from Wilton has received this honor, continuing the legacy of excellence inspired by Repicky.

In addition to the John Repicky Award, Wilton Public Schools garnered several other awards:

High School - News Show

• Second Place: "Morning Warrior" by the Morning Warrior Club, Instructor: Donald Allers

High School - General Interest Story

• Second Place: "Wilton High Fire Department" by Henry Mangum, Instructor: Maria Breece

Elementary School - Adult Assisted News Show

• First Place: "Miller Driscoll Morning Show" by Miller Driscoll TV Club, Instructors: Bryan Ennis and Tim Ley

Elementary School - PSA

• Second Place: "Be Quiet in the Halls" by Amy McCabe, Aleena Gill, Keira Wax, and Hailey Kazen, Instructors: Nicole Ryan and Joseph Pullia

• Third Place: "Kids Need to Share" by Joann Vincent and Evan Twinker, Instructors: Nicole Ryan and Joseph Pullia

The success of Wilton's digital media programs can be attributed to the dedication of its instructors and the hard work of its students. "We have built an award-winning, robust program that improves every year. This year was no exception," said Fran Kompar, Wilton’s Director of Digital Learning. The A9CC Video Council's regional competition continues to inspire students to produce high-quality video content, with Wilton Public Schools leading the charge.

Congratulations to all the winners and participants for their remarkable achievements and contributions to the school's rich tradition of excellence in digital media.

For more information on the A9CC Video Awards and to view the winning entries, visit A9CC Ed Access.

June 3, 2024

Dear Parents, Guardians, Caregivers, and Staff, 

As you may know, Middlebrook School was placed into a secure protocol today due to an object that was found in the batting cages behind the building.  At approximately 1:05 p.m., a staff member became aware of an object that appeared to be a hand grenade.  The staff member did not touch the object and noted that it appeared to be hollow based on a visible hole in the bottom of it.  It was unclear as to whether this object was real or a facsimile. The staff member promptly alerted an administrator to this finding. The administrator immediately initiated a secure protocol and notified the Wilton Police Department.  Any students and staff outside the building at that time were ushered inside as the school moved into the secure protocol.  Students whose classrooms were in close proximity to the fields moved to a separate part of the building as per the Wilton Police Department.  The Wilton Police Department assessed the situation, determined that a secure protocol continued to be appropriate, and out of an abundance of caution, enlisted the support of the Stamford Bomb Squad.  Upon closer examination, the Stamford Bomb Squad determined that the object was empty and posed no threat.  The object was removed and the secure protocol was lifted at approximately 2:15 p.m.  Students resumed their typical day and moved to their last period class.  While we recognize that such a finding may be unsettling, we want to highlight the quick response of the Middlebrook staff, the Wilton Police Department, and the Stamford Bomb Squad, all of which acted quickly out of an abundance of caution to ensure the safety of students and staff.  

Thank you, 

The Wilton Public Schools 

	WILTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS 395 Danbury Road Wilton, Connecticut 06897

Kevin Smith, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools

Charles Smith, Ed.D. Assistant Superintendent Curriculum and Instruction

Andrea Leonardi Assistant Superintendent Special Services

Maria Coleman Director, Human Resources and General Administration

Dawn Norton Chief Financial Officer

April 9, 2024


Dear Parents, Guardians, Caregivers, and Staff, 
 
Please see the message below regarding an incident that occurred at Middlebrook School today.  Out of an abundance of caution, neighboring Cider Mill School and Wilton High School were placed in "secure" for a short period of time.  

Dear Middlebrook Staff, Parents, Families, and Caregivers, 

As a follow-up to my communication at approximately 1:58 p.m. today, I am writing to share additional information about our initiation of the standard response protocol.  At approximately 12:47 p.m. today, we received a report of a potential weapon in a vehicle whose location was unknown at the time.  We immediately contacted police, and shortly thereafter the responding officer arrived on site and located a car matching the reported description and the driver of the car, who was immediately detained by the police.   The responding officers assessed the situation and advised us to initiate a “secure” protocol in our building while the matter was being evaluated further. The police department’s investigation led them to believe that there was no weapon and no threat to the school community; however, we moved into a “hold” protocol to keep students within classrooms and to avoid potential worry for anyone seeing additional police vehicles on site.  After their careful assessment, the police department gave the “all clear” at 2:05 p.m. for activity to continue consistent with the typical school day.  Students and staff were cooperative and adhered to our emergency procedures throughout this period of time. While I realize that a report of a potential weapon on campus can be unsettling, I want to reassure you that we encourage students and staff to report any potentially suspicious activity; we take all reports seriously; and we respond to all reports thoroughly in close collaboration with law enforcement.  

Sincerely, 

Jory Higgins

Principal Middlebrook School

Our district's Standard Response Protocol is include below for your reference.  

Sincerely, 

Kevin J. Smith, Ph.D.

Superintendent of Schools

Dear Miller-Driscoll families,

Thank YOU for the book donations to the MD Green Book Fair.

On Monday April 8th, 2024, students will have the opportunity to shop for these gently used books.  All students will shop during their regularly scheduled weekly library class time. All books are $1.00 each. Should you want your child to shop at this Green Book Fair, please be sure to send them with up to $5.00 cash in a sealed envelope marked "Green Book Fair" with their name and teacher's name on it.  Money raised goes toward the purchase of brand new student requested books for the MD Library.

Sincerely,

Miller-Driscoll Library Learning Commons and the Miller-Driscoll PTA

	WILTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS 395 Danbury Road Wilton, Connecticut 06897

Kevin Smith, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools

Charles Smith, Ed.D. Assistant Superintendent Curriculum and Instruction

Andrea Leonardi Assistant Superintendent Special Services

Maria Coleman Director, Human Resources and General Administration

Dawn Norton Chief Financial Officer

Dear Parents, Families, Caregivers, and Staff, 

We write to inform you that, according to the US Geological survey, a 4.8 magnitude earthquake occurred in New Jersey at 10:23 this morning.  Due to our close proximity, we felt tremors within the school buildings for several seconds.  No injuries or damage have been reported, and students and staff are safe. 

Administrators made announcements in each building to allay any concerns students had about the event, and instruction continues.  We do not anticipate any disruptions to our school day but will keep you apprised should there be any further updates. 

Sincerely, 

Kevin J. Smith, Ph.D.

Superintendent of Schools

	WILTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS 395 Danbury Road Wilton, Connecticut 06897

Kevin Smith, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools

Charles Smith, Ed.D. Assistant Superintendent Curriculum and Instruction

Andrea Leonardi Assistant Superintendent Special Services

Maria Coleman Director, Human Resources and General Administration

Dawn Norton Chief Financial Officer

April 2, 2024

Dear Parents, Guardians and Caregivers: 

As you may be aware, next Monday, April 8th, we will have the opportunity to experience a rare solar eclipse (the next solar eclipse Connecticut will occur on May 1, 2079!). The moon will start to move in front of the sun at approximately 2:13pm and maximum coverage (for our region about 92% of the sun will be covered by the moon) will occur around 3:27pm. At the peak of the eclipse, light levels will be comparable to dusk. 

In recognition of this unique event, lessons will be presented to students at each of our schools including information about safe viewing.  The district has purchased and will distribute on Monday solar eclipse glasses for all students and staff at Miller-Driscoll, Cider Mill, and Middlebrook, and a limited number for staff and students at Wilton High School. These are specialized glasses that meet the transmission requirements of ISO 12312-2 to enable safe viewing. 

The timing of the eclipse makes it difficult to accommodate viewing at all of our schools. The eclipse will occur during dismissal at Cider Mill. Staff members at Miller-Driscoll and Middlebrook will bring students outside so they may view the eclipse using the glasses we are providing. Wilton High School science teachers are excited to teach about this event and will also take their classes out to experience it. 

Please join us in reinforcing the message for students that the only safe way to view the eclipse is through specialized glasses or a handheld solar viewer. 

We have no plans to alter our after school schedules and encourage you to reach out to building administrators with any specific questions. 

Below please find some additional resources about solar eclipses. We hope that you will also be able to take some time from your busy schedules to observe and appreciate this special phenomenon. 

• NASA Eclipse Resources

• NASA Eclipse Time and Path

• NASA Eclipse Safety

• OER Eclipse Resources

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyf5JF_VxwM  (Animated video)

• CSDE Eclipse Memo

Sincerely, 

Kevin J. Smith, Ph.D.

Superintendent of Schools

From the ​Miller-Driscoll Library Learning Commons:

LAST CHANCE TO ORDER! Award winning author, Susan Hood, will be visiting Miller Driscoll students Prek-2nd grade on April 25, 2024.  

Should you wish to purchase an autographed copy of a book for your child, 
please do so at the following link prior to March 28th, 2024; https://susan-hood-book-order-copy-10886.cheddarup.com/   

No purchases will be allowed after this date. This purchase will help to benefit Miller Driscoll School. Happy Reading!