Weekly Message from the Superintendent

Superintendent's Weekly Message - May 2, 2025

Dear SPS Community:

Please join me in congratulating Westover Magnet School special education teacher George Rigakos, who has been named the 2025-26 Stamford Public Schools Teacher of the Year! The 2025-26 Teacher of the Year Cohort also includes Kimberly Balch (Stillmeadow), Gina Figliuzzi (STEPS), Leah Schwartz (Cloonan) and Danielle Weber (AITE). The Teacher of the Year Committee also recognized 34 teachers from 14 schools/programs as Spotlight on Teaching Honorees. Click here to see the full list of honorees.

It’s also my honor to share that Ron Griggs has been named the 2025-26 Stamford Public Schools Paraeducator of the Year! Mr. Griggs has served the students of Stamford Public Schools for 12 years, first at Westhill and at Stillmeadow since 2017. Mr. Griggs was recognized alongside the 1st and 2nd runners up Laura Scicchitano (Toquam) and Alexandra Velez (Rippowam).

Stamford High’s Ochoa named CSCA Administrator of the Year

Last week at the Connecticut School Counseling Association’s (CSCA) annual awards gala, Paola Ochoa was named Administrator of the Year for her work leading the Stamford High School Counseling Department. Ms. Ochoa was recognized for her work overseeing a team of 10 school counselors who provide support to more than 2,200 students. Ms. Ochoa is a bilingual educator with more than 15 years of dedicated service to Stamford Public Schools. Please join me in congratulating Paola on this well-deserved recognition from the CSCA!

Teacher Appreciation Week is May 5-9

Next week is National Teacher Appreciation Week. On behalf of the Board of Education and District Leadership Team including our school principals, I would like to take this opportunity to say Thank You to the more than 1,500 certified educators who work for Stamford Public Schools. Please know that your hard work and commitment to Stamford’s students is noticed and appreciated throughout the entire year.

Agriscience Program Spring Plant Show: May 3 and May 10

The Stamford Regional FFA at Westhill High School is hosting its annual Spring Plant Sale on Saturday, May 3 and Saturday, May 10 from 10 am to 3 pm in the AgriScience Building on the Westhill campus. The annual plant sale is a great way to stock up on flowers (annuals/perennials) and vegetables for your home garden. Students in the AgriScience Program organize and staff the plant sale and also will be giving tours to those who want to learn more about this rigorous high school program. Proceeds from the sale support the AgriScience Program. Follow Stamford FFA on Instagram for more details.

Final Weekend to See 42nd Street and Pippin

This weekend is your last chance to attend the annual high school musicals at Stamford High and Westhill.

Stamford High School’s Strawberry Hill Players will present 42nd Street at 7:30 pm on Friday and Saturday and 2 pm on Saturday. Tickets are $22.50 for adults and $17.30 for students and seniors. Purchase tickets online.

Westhill’s Northstar Playmakers will present Pippin at 7:30 pm on Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $22.50 for adults and $17.30 for students and seniors. Purchase tickets online (credit card) or at the door (cash or Venmo only).

Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy high-quality musical theatre while supporting our incredibly talented SPS students!

SPS Students Excel in Ferguson Library Literary Competition

The winners of the 40th Annual Friends of the Ferguson Library Literary Competition have been announced, and we’re excited to share that 50 SPS students were recognized for their work in fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. This annual competition is open to students in grades 3 to 12 who live in or attend school in Stamford. Students from Davenport, Hart, Newfield, Northeast, Roxbury, Rogers, Scofield, Strawberry Hill, Turn of River, AITE, Stamford High, and Westhill were recognized this year.

Kindergarten Registration Event: May 10

The Office of Family & Community Engagement is hosting a Kindergarten Registration Event on Saturday, May 10 from 10 am to 1 pm at the Welcome Center. Language support will be available for Spanish and Haitian-Creole speakers. Please attend if you need assistance and bring the following with you:

Photo ID of parent or legal guardian
Child’s birth certificate or other official documentation proving child's age and name of parents
Proof of address (2 forms)