Shout Outs

 

Strawberry Hill’s Odyssey of the Mind Team Heads to World Finals!

After winning first place at the Connecticut Odyssey of the Mind competition, a team of seven sixth graders from Strawberry Hill qualified for the Odyssey of the Minds World Finals at Michigan State University. There, they performed their creative, original skit as well as used their problem solving and critical thinking skills to solve spontaneous problems. From pin trading with students from all over the world to trying different cuisines in a college dining hall, this was an experience that they’ll never forget!

Submitted by Tressa Kinahan

 

Fifth Grade Dance

KT Murphy’s Fifth Grade End-of-Year Dance was a joyful celebration marking the end of an important chapter for students. The school gym was transformed into a festive, themed dance hall complete with colorful decorations and a popular photo booth that students loved. With music filling the air, students danced, laughed, and enjoyed delicious food with their classmates. It was a fun-filled evening where friendships were celebrated. A big shout out to the KT Murphy staff, PTO, and Ms. O’Hagan for organizing another unforgettable event and keeping the cherished KT Murphy end-of-year tradition alive!

Submitted by Brendan Fox

 

Toquam’s Annual Fifth Grade vs. Staff Kickball Game Kicks Off!

Team TOQUAM! What an epic all school kickball game! Our fifth graders and staff played hard for 4 innings of kickball….but the winners…and STILL reigning defending champions Toquam FIFTH GRADE! Thank you to all who joined in the fun and a special thanks to our fourth graders in Ms. Leggiadro’s class for leading our all school 3rd inning dance stretch -the Macarena! Amazing day for all!

Submitted by Jenna Cinelli

 

Principal Lisa Saba-Price Honored as Local Empowerer!

On Saturday, May 31, Principal Lisa Saba-Price of Westover Magnet School received a well-deserved honor as the Local Empowerers Honoree at “Keys to Empowerment - A Dueling Piano Charity Night.” Held at the scenic Ponus Yacht Club in Stamford, this event celebrates educators who profoundly impact their students and champion mental health in their communities.

 

Hosted by Ready to Empower (RTE), the evening highlighted the essential role educators play in shaping not just minds, but also the well-being of their students. Principal Saba-Price truly embodies this, going above and beyond in education, while serving as a passionate advocate for mental health. Westover Magnet recently became a Choose Love certified school, a testament to her dedication, and Principal Saba-Price herself was named Connecticut’s Choose Love Ambassador.

 

Surrounded by loving family, friends, and colleagues—including Superintendent Dr. Lucero and Assistant Superintendent Mrs. Asaro—Principal Saba-Price delivered an inspiring and touching speech. She humbly shared that this accomplishment was a collective achievement for Westover, acknowledging everyone who has supported the Choose Love initiative.

 

Congratulations, Principal Saba-Price, and thank you for all you do to uplift and empower the Westover school community!

 

Westover Celebrates “Have A Lot of Fun Day”

Westover’s third annual “Have A Lot of Fun Day” on Friday, May 30, brought the entire school community together for a day of joy and connection, all while celebrating Choosing Love.

 

The morning was packed with traditional field day activities. Students gave their all in tug-of-war, showcased their speed in the 50-yard dash, and navigated a variety of other activities. It was wonderful to see dozens of parents cheering on our students!

 

The afternoon transitioned into a culmination of a year of social-emotional learning. Students participated in meaningful “Choose Love” activities in their classrooms, solidifying the lessons learned throughout the year.

 

This incredible day wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of many. A huge shout-out to the entire Choose Love Committee for their planning, especially Jessica Bucket, the Committee Chair, for her exceptional leadership. We’re also grateful to James Hart and Brian Halibozek for their help with organizing, setting up, and taking down the field day activities. A sincere thanks to all our APS teachers, support staff, and additional staff who ran stations, making the day so engaging for everyone. Finally, we appreciate our PTO volunteers and parents who generously supported the event and participated in the fun!

 

A Night of Music at Westover!

Westover’s auditorium was buzzing with excitement on Wednesday, June 4, as students, staff, and families gathered for a spectacular spring concert. The air was filled with music performed by our impressive fourth-grade chorus and the talented fourth, fifth, and sixth-grade band and orchestra.

 

During the day, all Westover students and staff were treated to a special preview, and in the evening, the auditorium filled with proud families eager to cheer on their young musicians. The audience was captivated by the band’s rendition of the iconic Star Wars “Imperial March.” Many sang along as the orchestra played classics like “When You Wish Upon a Star” and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” The choir brought the house down with their energetic performance of Walk off the Earth’s “Bet on Me” and the inspiring hit “A Million Dreams” from The Greatest Showman.

 

A huge thank you to Westover’s dedicated music teachers—Jennifer Macklin (Chorus Director), Brian Ditchella (Band Director), and David Jones (Orchestra Director)—for their passion and commitment to nurturing our students’ musical talents and enriching the arts at Westover!

Submitted by Larissa Weir

 

The Anchor Post Newsletter

Shoutout to Ms. Nowlin and her students for publishing Anchor’s first-ever Community Newsletter – The Anchor Post. Students in her Multicultural Voices, Journalism, and Web Newspaper classes showcased their creativity and perspectives through original poetry, prose, and feature writing. They also conducted interviews with staff to highlight the individuals who shape our school community. The Newsletter not only promotes student voices but also strengthens connections within our Anchor family. Well done to everyone involved!

 

2024 - 2025 Anchor Yearbook

A shout-out to ELA teacher Ashley Johnson and art teacher Melissa Nesbitt for creating Anchor's 2024-2025 yearbook. What a fantastic job! Thank you for capturing and memorializing the wonderful experiences we provided for our students and transforming them into a book they can cherish. To the entire Anchor community, thank you for your participation in this project. 

Submitted by Sid Watson

 

After School Titans Celebrate!

The After-School Titans program ended the year with its annual Luau Family Night. We had over 150 students and families who attended the event; they didn’t let the rain stop the AST annual tradition. We celebrated the end of the year with the Reddi Rooster Food Truck and the Mister Softee Ice Cream Truck. The night was filled with games and prizes and then performances from AST Hip Hop, Drill, and Poetry Slam. Families enjoyed the night and look forward to upcoming family events. We even had parents of graduating students ask if they can still come to Family Night after they leave Turn of River!

Submitted by Patty Woods & Mark Bonasera

 

What is an SPS Shout Out?

An SPS Shout Out is a special recognition that acknowledges school communities, staff members or students who have inspired us with a unique project, an outstanding job or a special effort that had a positive impact on our students or community.  Each week we will celebrate a few by sharing with all SPS staff and posting on the district website. Please share any or all of these with your friends and families.   

SPS Administrators can submit Shout Outs for consideration through the link available in the Administrator Weekly. Please note the deadline, word limit, and photo limit. We look forward to seeing your submissions!

 

Totally Rockin’! Davenport Ridge Chorus Goes MTV 80s

The fourth and fifth grade chorus at Davenport Ridge cranked up the volume and turned back time with their epic MTV 80s-themed concert! From power ballads to pop hits, students rocked the stage like true music video stars—with neon flair, high energy, and a whole lotta love under the direction of Mr. Frank Merendino and Mr. Brandon Oberkrieser and choreography by Nancy Bocuzzi.

Submitted by Sandra Carlton

 

Field Day Fun!

Our amazing occupational therapists and physical therapists hosted a fantastic field day to wrap up our Balls and Exercise unit of study! Rain or shine, it was a blast—and so special to have families join us for all the fun. Thank you for all you do to support our students and bring our community together!

 

Celebrating Our Preschool Stars

What a fantastic way to wrap up the school year! We had a great night celebrating our amazing preschool students—both our proud graduates and those moving up to another year with us! A huge THANK YOU to our incredible APPLES PTA for hosting such a joyful event. Your dedication and hard work made the night truly special. Congrats to our little graduates—we’re so proud of you! And to those returning next year, we can’t wait to see you again soon!

Submitted by Brooke Pelli

 

 

Fourth Grade Poetry Café 

Our fourth grade students participated in piloting the CKLA Poetry unit that concluded with the opening of their own cafés! The fourth grade teachers, Mrs. Origi, Mrs. Goad, and Mrs. Marsh-Olive, assisted by Ms. Latajah Pierce and Mrs. Lilly Terentino worked with their students to help their writing and vision come alive! Students created list poems, form poetry, and autobiographical poems using both literal and figurative language. The classrooms were transformed into Minecraft, Runway, and Under the Sea Cafés. Parents joined the classes for the Poetry Cafés where students shared their published poems.

Submitted by Angela Plateroti

 

Annual Battle of the Books!

Hart Magnet’s Fifth Graders celebrated Battle of the Books on Friday, May 30. However, this year was not Hart’s traditional Battle of the Books event. Maura Lugo, Hart’s LSS, Jenn Smyth, Hart’s MMS, and our Grade 5 teachers: Michelle Cain, John Calo, Miriam Little, Kate McKenna, Anthony Speriglio and Julie Vlosky collaborated on making this year‘s Battle of the Books a little more interactive. Students had opportunities to work in groups to act out books and create skits, use technology to advertise a book, or use artistic skills to create a poster. Altogether 1,625 books were read. Students read books across a variety of genres, such as fiction, non-fiction, biographies, graphic novels, fantasy, and many more. 

 

Throughout the month, our school was able to see which class was reading the most books in “real time” which was streamed on our daily digital TV monitors throughout the building. Ms. Cain’s class was this year's Battle of the Books winner. Her class read a total of 397 books in 30 days. They will celebrate with a fun picnic party. Thank you to our PTO for the delicious celebratory cupcakes! Thank you to all our teachers, staff, administration and PTO for their support and encouragement. Each of you are an inspiration. This was a successful and memorable event that sparked the love of reading for all! 

 

Jonathan Cubit from Channel 12 News Visits Grade 3 Students

On Monday, June 2, Hart third graders received a special visit from Jonathan Cubit at Channel 12 News. Mr. Cubit took us through a day in the life of a meteorologist. We learned about weather and weather patterns in our area and around us. Our third graders had the opportunity to experience what it was like to broadcast the weather on live TV as they reported this week’s weather. This is an opportunity that they’ll always remember. Thank you to Lori Golias News 12 photographer/editor/truck op for your support and to all who made this opportunity possible for our students.

Submitted by Maria Guzda

 

Colonial America Competition

Fifth grade students at Stark set off on an exciting adventure to the New World, led by knowledgeable travel agents from England. They imagined what it would be like to discover the 13 colonies, the land, people, and new experiences. Each student shared their ideas and dreams about this amazing journey, filled with fun and learning. They learned about the history, culture, and challenges of life in the colonies. It was a wonderful experience that inspired their curiosity and love for learning!

Many thanks to the teachers and paraeducators: Scott Jones, Lou Ann Finch, Katelyn Tavolacci, Jacque Latif-Scully, Nikki Pease, Desiree Coker. 

 

Celebrating our Parent Meetings

The Stark school community thanks Ms. Karina Brea, Stark Parent Facilitator for her hard work in strengthening our school-home partnership. Her dedication has made a big difference in bringing our families closer to the school. The monthly meetings she organized were informative and allowed parents to learn more about what is happening at Stark and how they can be involved in our mission. 

 

SHS National Honor Society Volunteers

This past Friday, third and fourth grade students had an exciting visit from the CT Science Center! With help from the Stamford High School Science National Honor Society, students discovered the fun of bubbles, air pressure, and polymers. A BIG thank you goes to the SHS National Honor Society, led by teacher William Halmeck, for making this special day possible! Stark School hopes to have more science experiences with SHS in the future. 

 

We also want to thank our custodial team, Mr. Mark Fox and Paul Franco, for their support and Mrs. Calorossi for being the Program Liaison. Thank you to all the volunteers: Naisha Joseph, Einjie Cayo, Mia Calorossi, Nick Vallejo, Angelina Perez, Melanie Diaz, Joey Wargo, and Nabeeha Nafey.

Submitted by Iuliana Roata

 

STEAM Night & Science Fair

Shout-Out to the Specialized Programs Team at Stillmeadow Elementary! Our

Core/Team classes taught by Mrs. Thakkar, Mrs. Horne, Ms. Koproski, and Mr. Dedaj hosted a science fair with their students, based on the Attainments Early Science Curriculum. The team collaborated with their speech and language pathologists, Erin Sapia and Abby Enright, Special Education Administrator Marshell Medley, and Art Teacher Ms. Dugan to support students in creating engaging and educational science projects. They proudly presented their projects to families, staff, and peers.

 

To support this initiative, the team applied for and received a grant through CELF (Children’s Environmental Literacy Foundation), which helped fund materials and resources for the science fair, which included the publication of a book with contributions from each student on their learning!

 

Thank you to Cara Garzancich, our Math Support Teacher, for organizing a successful STEAM Night, where students had the opportunity to present projects, and participate in a variety of STEAM related activities with their families. An additional shout out to art teachers Kelley Dugan and Molly Jacobson for organizing a beautiful display of student artwork for all to enjoy!  

 

Celebrating our Mentorship Program

A HUGE thank you to the Stillmeadow teachers, paraprofessionals, and custodians that volunteered their time as a mentor to students in need of support. The mentorship program expanded this year to include 38 staff members mentoring 44 students. Their weekly meeting time included a “lunch bunch,” fun activities, or quality time to make students feel included and create a sense of belonging to the Stillmeadow community. A big shout out to Melissa Hoch and Jennifer Grant for coordinating this program, providing a breakfast for the mentors, and gifting framed pictures of each mentor and mentee pair. 

Submitted by Kathleen Kelley

 

First Grade Learning in Action: From Research to Dioramas!

Strawberry Hill’s First Grade Inquirers showcased their learning in their annual Animal Convention! They showed their understanding from their PYP “How the World Works” unit of inquiry on animal adaptations, and CKLA literacy unit, “Animals and Habitats.” Students wrote an animal research report and created dioramas showing an animal in its natural habitat. We are proud of our students for their learning and hard work!  

 

STS Celebrates Completion

Today we celebrated our students who have completed Stamford Transition Services (they remain with us until June 13). We would like to celebrate Thea Gagarin, Kevin Dube, Nancy Stambaugh, Christian Bermeo, and Lydia Petruso. We thank our amazing teachers Mr. Brian and Ms. Jeanne and our SLP Ms. Sarah who helped these students greatly over the years!

Submitted by Steven Angelo

 

Davenport Art Show GLOWS!

Guests stepped into a vibrant underwater world brought to life by the creative minds of our K–5 artists! The exhibit showcased a stunning collection of student artwork, including a special neon glow section that transformed the ocean into a magical seascape.

 

Bravo Davenport Ridge! A Night of Young Notes & Big Sounds

Our talented fourth and fifth grade musicians took the stage under the inspiring direction of Mr. James Darling and delivered a performance that left parents cheering for more! Featuring both band and orchestra, the evening was filled with rhythm, harmony, and heart as our young performers wowed the audience with their hard work and passion.

Submitted by Sandra Carlton

 

Toquam Fourth & Fifth Graders Enjoy An Author Visit from Vaunda Micheaux Nelson!

Toquam Magnet School had the privilege of meeting Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, author of the book Small Shoes, Great Strides, a story about three brave girls that opened doors to school equality in the 1960’s. This amazing opportunity was provided by 100 Black Men of Stamford. Mr. Battle from 100 Black Men provided a signed copy to each student in attendance. Vaunda Micheaux Nelson credits her love of books to her mother and father, who faithfully read to her every night. As a writer, she hopes to give young people some of what her parents gave her — opportunities to grow through story. Vaunda’s love of history and family is reflected in many of her award-winning books.

Submitted by Jenna Cinelli

 

KPMG visits Hart Magnet Elementary School

We thank our KPMG partners for supporting Hart and providing our students with books and school supplies throughout the year. This week, their team spent time reading aloud to our Kindergarten and Grade 1 classes. They handed each student a book and a bookmark to keep and share with their families as part of their family literacy initiative. KPMG has had over a ten year community partnership with Hart Magnet Elementary School. This is a popular event cherished by our students and teachers alike. 

 

Hart Magnet Thanks Our JCC Volunteers!

We want to thank our JCC Reading Partners who wrapped up another successful year with our first graders. They volunteer their time each week to come in and read with our young readers. Thank you for your partnership with SPS!

 

Submitted by Maria Guzda

 

Kindergarten Celebration

Students, families, and teachers came together to celebrate their love for reading at a special reading celebration. This celebration not only highlighted the importance of reading but also brought the community closer. Everyone felt proud of their achievements, and the smiles on the children’s faces showed how much they enjoyed learning. It was a beautiful day that reminded everyone how wonderful it is to read and learn together as a community. Kudos to Mrs. Tracy Chichester, Mrs. Kathy Joyce, and Mrs. Stacia Graves for organizing this celebration. 

 

Multicultural Festival

Julia A. Stark Elementary held our Annual Multicultural Festival, a wonderful event that celebrated many different cultures. The festival featured a series of activities, including World Flag Day, where students learned about flags from various countries, and Sports Around the World. The main event was Multicultural Festival Day, where families shared traditions through history, music, and dance. 

 

Many thanks to all the students, families, and staff who joined in and made the celebration special. A big shoutout goes to the Multicultural Festival Committee members led by Karina Brea and Cyndal Wilmot, for their hard work in organizing this fantastic event. It was a great opportunity for everyone to learn about and appreciate the richness of our diverse backgrounds.

Submitted by Iuliana Roata

 

Westover Sixth Grade Students Create Artwork for Ziggy Marley

Sixth grade students at Westover made artwork for Ziggy Marley. After listening to his music students were asked to draw, sketch, or color how it made them feel. Dana Willinger, sixth grade science teacher, presented the artwork to the Grammy award winning artist over the weekend. Willinger and Marley have worked together for years supporting kids in need throughout the world through an educational charity, Unlimited Resource Giving Enlightenment (URGE). Ziggy loved our kids’ artwork!

 

Westover’s Fifth Graders Attend Nature’s Classroom

On Tuesday, May 27 our fifth graders spent the day outdoors at Nature’s Classroom in Ivoryton, CT.  Students hiked the beautiful property, built bridges, learned wilderness survival, created nature art, and launched water rockets. Special thank you to fifth grade teachers, Adriana DeCarlo - Team Leader, Stephanie Borgella, Jacqueline Sanchez, Gabrielle Rago, Heather Stramandinoli, and Amanda Bogdanowicz, and the paraeducators who hosted events this year to raise funds to offset the cost of the trip. We appreciate the entire fifth grade team and additional staff members George Rigakos, Jessica Buckett, and Taylor Wilson who helped chaperone the trip. The day was a wonderful and memorable culminating experience!

 

Westover Hosts Family STEAM Night & Art Show

Over 300 people attended Westover’s Family STEAM Night and Art Show on Thursday. May 29. This fantastic event was a night full of learning and fun using chemical reactions to make a volcano, creating thinking jars, planting succulents, and hands-on math games. Thank you to all of the Westover staff and teachers that volunteered to run these engaging activities. The night was a huge success due to the many community partners who supported stations including Animal Embassy, Code Ninjas, Lucky Penny Pottery, Mad Science, MakeInspires, Mathnasium, Mill River Park, and Snapology. Guests enjoyed a bite to eat from the local Stamford favorite food truck, Avellino Family Barbecue. And if the evening wasn’t fun enough there was breathtaking Westover student artwork on display for all to see. The gallery included clay pendant necklaces, ceramic decorated cupcakes, pet portrait pottery, showcase scenery, weaving pieces, and so much more. It was also impressive to read the accompanying statements, which offered insights into the artist’s creative process. 

 

Special thank you to Megan Busby, second grade Team Leader, for organizing the Family STEAM Night. And we are so thankful for Westover’s talented art teachers, Cathy McElroy and Brooke DiCapua, who curated the spectacular Art Show.

Submitted by Larissa Weir

 

2025 Volleyball Champions

The Scofield Magnet Middle School 2025 Girls Volleyball Team won the City Middle School Volleyball Championship in a 2-1 win over Strawberry Hill. Their overall record was 7-1. The team was made up of the following students: Giada Andreana, Alessia Bruno, Tarajii' Ellison, Emilia Geca, Olivia Hourihan, Norah Manual, Sharon Parzuza, Karolina Preneta, Liv Simmer, Julie Tiberio, Valerie Yefremova, Hannah Zelazny (JV: Brittany Martinez, Savannah Moulen, and Karolina Stepien). The team was coached by Lindsey Lamb with assistant coaches: Alina Yelin, Kelin Lorenzo, and Maria Krause.

Submitted by Lindsey Lamb

 

A Standing Ovation for Creativity and Collaboration!

The “Emotional Support Songs” Concert and performance from our fourth and fifth grade band, strings, and Rockestra was nothing short of magical—an unforgettable celebration of student voice, creativity, and emotional connection through music. With standing room only, the packed audience was a testament to the excitement and community support surrounding this beautiful event.

 

A huge round of applause goes to Graham Leftwich, Dania Corsello, Frank Merendino, Paul Riccio, and Sara Defilippo for the incredible collaboration, organization, and heart they poured into every aspect of the performance. From song selection and student preparation to the flow of the show and the emotional resonance of the music, every detail was thoughtfully crafted. The concert not only showcased the students’ talents, but also created space for emotional expression, connection, and joy.

 

This performance was a shining example of what’s possible when creativity and teamwork come together in service of students. Thank you to the entire fourth and fifth grade teams and supporting staff for creating such a meaningful and memorable moment for our community—you brought the house down in the best possible way!

 

Roxbury students Showcase What They Learned About Habitats and Ecosystems

A big shout out to our amazing ML teachers, Lisa Pomerance and Rose-Anne Vonella, paraeducator, Ms. Mariah, and first grade ML students at Roxbury for completing their Habitat Unit culminating project. Using their background knowledge and academic vocabulary acquired during the unit, students researched and created 3D dioramas on one habitat. They wrote a summary of their habitat, which included a description and explanation of the animals that live there and how they survive. Students presented their work to the ML class, and Principal Sandra Ehlers and Dr. Lahiri Hoherchak were special guests. We are proud of our ML students!

Submitted by Sandra Ehlers

 

AITE’s Annual Math, Science, Spanish, Latin, Slavic and National Honors Societies Ceremony Draws a Large Crowd

On Thursday, May 22, AITE held its annual ceremony for the Math, Science, Spanish, Latin, Slavic and National Honors Societies at Rippowam Auditorium. This event recognized the achievements of those students who had upheld the virtues of citizenship and community, while maintaining stellar academic marks in their various classes. It was an evening filled with joy and pride as some of these students were first-time inductees and were receiving their certificates, while the senior members were being given their cords and tassels for graduation. Remarks were given by Principal Rivera, several faculty members, as well as the different student officers that emphasized the importance of scholarship and service. There was a large crowd present to witness this special occasion as parents and family members alike showed up to celebrate the success of these wonderful students.

 

Submitted by Tina Rivera 

 

Eighth Grade Raptors Take Over Boston

Our eighth graders just returned from an incredible trip to Boston, a perfect blend of history, culture, and fun!

 

The adventure began with a step back in time at Plymouth Rock, where students connected with the origins of American history. They then delved into the heart of the American Revolution at the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, where they explored replica 18th-century ships and even got to throw tea overboard, experiencing this pivotal moment firsthand! From there, it was a home run to Fenway Park for an exciting Red Sox vs. Mets game, an unforgettable experience for all, whether they were die-hard baseball fans or just soaking in the electric atmosphere. The trip wrapped up with some lively exploration and souvenir hunting at Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall, where students enjoyed the vibrant marketplace and historical surroundings.

 

This trip was a fantastic opportunity for our students to learn outside the classroom, create lasting memories, and strengthen friendships. We're so proud of their enthusiastic participation and excellent conduct throughout the journey!

Submitted by Heather Macura

 

 

What is an SPS Shout Out?

An SPS Shout Out is a special recognition that acknowledges school communities, staff members or students who have inspired us with a unique project, an outstanding job or a special effort that had a positive impact on our students or community.  Each week we will celebrate a few by sharing with all SPS staff and posting on the district website. Please share any or all of these with your friends and families.   

SPS Administrators can submit Shout Outs for consideration through the link available in the Administrator Weekly. Please note the deadline, word limit, and photo limit. We look forward to seeing your submissions!