Wilton Answer Book
Ridgefield Answer Book: Schools

Sep 19, 2007

What does the Board of Education do?
Board jobs include proposing a budget to run the schools, overseeing spending, setting policies and rules, hiring the superintendent, approving administrators, adopting books and courses, negotiating staff contracts, and hearing citizen appeals.

Where is the school district office?
The office is at 70 Prospect Street (431-2800) in the old high school. Central office administrators, including the superintendent of schools, work there. During the school year the office is open 8:30 to 4:30; summer hours are 8 to 3:30. The school Web site is ridgefield.org.

What public schools are in town and how many children attend each?
Ridgefield has six elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school. The following enrollments are approximate.
Ridgefield High School, 700 North Salem Road, 438-3785, Jeffrey Jaslow, principal; 1,750 students.
East Ridge Middle School, 10 East Ridge Road, 438-3744, Martin Fiedler, principal; 750 students.
Scotts Ridge Middle School, 750 North Salem Road, 894-3400, Marie M. Doyon, principal; 600 students.
Barlow Mountain Elementary School, 115 Barlow Mountain Road, 894-7700; (principal position vacant at press time); 450 students.
Branchville Elementary School, 40 Florida Road, 544-7980, Jason McKinnon, principal; 450 students.
Farmingville Elementary School, 324 Farmingville Road, 431-2830, Susan Gately, principal; 400 students.
Ridgebury Elementary School, 112 Bennetts Farm Road, 438-6555, Elizabeth Smith, principal; 450 students.
Scotland Elementary School, 111 Barlow Mountain Road, 438-6563, Mark H. Solomon, principal; 400 students.
Veterans Park Elementary School, 8 Governor Street, 438-6571, Julie Droller, principal; 350 students.

 Ridgefield Alternative High School is at Ballard Green and serves students who otherwise might not be successful at Ridgefield High School. A maximum of 20 students participate in 10th through 12th grade. They are considered Ridgefield High students and receive a Ridgefield High School diploma.

What are the hours of operation at the schools?
Ridgefield High School is open from 7:25 to 2:15; East Ridge and Scotts Ridge Middle Schools, 8:05 to 2:55; Scotland Elementary School, 8:05 to 2:55. The other elementary schools are open from 8:55 to 3:45.
Morning and afternoon kindergarten at Scotland Elementary School is from 8:05 to 10:45, and 12:15 to 2:55. At all other elementary schools, the morning session is 8:55 to 11:35, 1:05 to 3:45 in the afternoon.
Delayed openings are: Ridgefield High School, 8:55; East Ridge and Scotts Ridge Middle Schools, 9:35; Scotland Elementary School, 9:35; all other elementary schools, 10:25.
Early dismissals are: high school, noon; middle school and Scotland, 12:40; elementary schools, 1:30.

What are school holidays and vacations?
School for the 2007-08 year opens Aug. 28. The holidays and vacations are:   Labor Day, Sept. 3; Rosh Hashanah, Sept. 13;  Professional Development Day, Oct. 5; Columbus Day, Oct. 8; Professional Development Day/Election Day, Nov. 6; Veterans Day, Nov. 12; Thanksgiving, Nov. 22-23; Holiday Recess, Dec. 24-Jan. 1; Martin Luther King Birthday, Jan. 21; Presidents’ Weekend, Feb. 15-18; Good Friday, March 21; Spring Recess, April 14-18; Memorial Day, May 26; and Professional Development Day, May 27. The last day of school is scheduled for June 12, depending on the number of snow days used during the year. Storm closing days are added to the end of the school year.

What is the average class size in our elementary, middle and high schools?
Average class size is 18 students in kindergarten, 20 in first grade, and 22 in second through fifth grade.

What are the average SAT scores for the seniors at the high school?
The Class of 2006 was the first to take the expanded SAT, which replaced the verbal portion with separate reading and writing components. The mean scores were 581 reading, 586 writing, and 596 math for a total of 1763 out of a possible 2400.

How have students performed in the National Merit Scholarship program?
Among the Class of 2007, there were five National Merit semi-finalists and 25 commended students.

What testing is given to preschool children?
There is no formal testing, but a reading and math inventory is given, as well as a speech screening.

What tests do students take?
The Connecticut State Mastery Test is a state-mandated, criteria-reference test. It is given to students in third through eighth grade. The Connecticut Academic Performance Test (CAPT) is the state-mandated test given in 10th grade. The Comprehensive Testing Program (CTP III) is given in third, fifth, and seventh grades. This is a norm-referenced test.
The Degrees of Reading Power test is given in grades three, four, and five. The Writing Assessment Program (WrAP) from ERB is given to all third graders. The Iowa Algebra Aptitude test, given in seventh grade, tests students’ abstract thinking and readiness for algebra. The Gates MacGinitie Reading Test will be given to first and second graders.

How have students fared on the Connecticut Mastery Test?
The Connecticut Mastery Test is given to students in third through eighth grade each year. Following are the percentages of Ridgefield students taking the  test in 2006 who achieved mastery level. These are the latest scores available.
Grade 3: Reading - 77.3%, Writing - 81.5%, Mathematics - 75.1%.
Grade 4: Reading - 85.8%, Writing - 86.2%, Mathematics - 78.8%.
Grade 5: Reading - 88%, Writing - 88%, Mathematics - 82.9%.
Grade 6: Reading - 85.2%, Writing - 76.4%, Mathematics - 75.9%.
Grade 7: Reading - 88.5%, Writing - 84.4%, Mathematics - 77.9%.
Grade 8: Reading - 90.1%, Writing - 88%, Mathematics - 89%.

How have students performed on the CAPTs?
The Connecticut Academic Performance Tests, known as the CAPTs, test for proficiency in math, science, reading, and writing. Taken in 2006 by the Ridgefield High School sophomore class, the percentage of students who achieved state goals are as follows:
math - 77%;
science - 74%;
reading - 81%;
writing - 83%.

What interscholastic sports are offered at the high school?
Varsity sports with more than one other level are:
boys baseball, JV and freshman;
boys and girls basketball, JV and freshman;
girls softball, JV and freshman;
boys football, JV and freshman;
boys and girls soccer, JV and freshman;
girls field hockey, JV and freshman;
boys and girls volleyball, JV and freshman girls;
boys and girls tennis, JV;
boys ice hockey, JV;
boys and girls lacrosse, JV and freshman;
girls cheerleading, JV;
girls swimming, JV and freshman.
Varsity-only sports are girls ice hockey, boys ski team, boys wrestling, boys and girls indoor and outdoor track, boys and girls golf, boys swimming, and boys and girls cross country.

What extracurricular activities are at the high school?
The choices are many and change from year to year: Anime Club, Art Students Association, Asian Culture, Beat Influence (Techno Music Club), Best Buddies, Captain’s Council, Chemistry Club, Chess Team, CAVC Club (Computer, Audio and Visual Communication), Cycling Club, Dance Team, Dance, Dance Revolution, Debate Team, DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America), Diversity Club, Docent Program Aldrich, Docent Program Keeler Tavern, Future Business Leaders of America, Guitar Club, Habitat for Humanity, Interact Club, International Thespian Society, International Club, Key Club, Latin Club, Lighting Club, Literary Group, Lodestar (literary magazine), Madrigals, Martial Arts Club, Math League, Mock Trial, Model U.N., Murals Club, Outreach Club, Peer Leadership Group, POWER (Project of Women’s Essential Rights), Quiz Bowl, Ridgefield Astronomy Club, Roots & Shoots,  Straight/Gay Alliance, STAND, Street Hockey, Tiger’s Roar (student newspaper),  Tiger’s Den (pep club), Wilderness Adventure Club, Yearbook (The Caudatowan), Youth American Cancer Society, and Youth to Youth.

What musical groups are at the high school?
The high school sponsors and supports the RHS Orchestra, Students for the Performing Arts, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Chamber Ensembles, Concert Choir, Madrigal Singers, and Pep Band.
A schedule of concerts is issued by the Student Activities office and also appears in The Ridgefield Press.

What is the ABC program?
A Better Chance is a national program that provides academically talented minority students access to good schools, both private and public, that they otherwise could not attend. In this area, Ridgefield, Wilton and New Canaan have ABC chapters. Ridgefield’s ABC has a house in town where the ABC students live during the school year, attending classes at Ridgefield High. For information, call Robin Keller at 438-7244.

Is there an education foundation?
Just this year the Ridgefield Education Foundation has been revived to enhance the education available to Ridgefield’s students with private, rather than taxpayer, money. For information, call Mary Pat Devine at 431-4526.

What is the current school budget?
The general fund budget for 2007-08 is $73 million.

How much is spent on salaries?
For  2007-08, approximately $42 million will be spent on salaries ($35 million for certified teacher and administrative salaries), accounting for 62.3% of the total budget.

What is the starting range for teachers?
For the 2007-08 school year, the starting salary for a beginning teacher is $43,086. At the opposite end of the spectrum, the highest salary (for a teacher with 18 years experience and 48 credits beyond a master’s degree) is $96,246.

Who is the superintendent of schools and how much does she earn?
Deborah Low joined Ridgefield public schools as superintendent in July 2007, signing a three-year contract. Previously, she served as assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction in Wilton. Her base salary is $185,000 per year. In addition, she will receive an annuity, or tax-deferred income, of $15,000 per year as well as incentive compensation, which will be between zero and $11,000, to be determined at the end of the year by the board of education.

How and when do I register a child for school?
To register, call the school, talk to the secretary, and acquire the necessary forms. Kindergarten registration takes place in late February/early March. Children in private kindergartens who will attend first grade in a public school should be registered in May at the school they will attend. Kindergarten orientation takes play in May.
If your child is to be enrolled in an elementary school and you do not know the district, call the transportation department at 431-2800.
To register a high school student schedule an appointment with a guidance counselor through the guidance secretary. Bring proof of residency and proof of immunization.

What kind of information does the school require for registration?
For kindergarten, the schools require proof of address, a birth certificate with raised seal, and proof of immunization. Children who live in the town go through a pre-kindergarten screening in May.
Those moving in after May must register at the school they’ll attend.
For transferring students, the schools require a copy of their transcript or report card and their medical forms, proof of address and immunization.

When can my child enter kindergarten?
Any child who turns 5 before Jan. 1 during a given calendar year may enter kindergarten that fall; otherwise they enroll the next year. Parents may hold a child back, particularly if the child was born late in the year.
Parents should discuss the situation with their school principal. The decision is left up to the parents.

How can I find out if school is canceled because of bad weather?
Announcements are made between 6 and 8 a.m. on WLAD 800 AM, WCBS 880 AM, WRCH 100.5 FM,  WEBE 107.9 FM, Channel 3, Channel 8, and Channel 30. On the Internet, check ctweather.com and click on school cancellations; scroll down to Ridgefield. You may also go to the school Web site at ridgefield.org.
Ridgefield Public Schools also offer voicemail notification for emergency and unanticipated early dismissal information, and e-mail notification for official school communications. For information, visit the school district Web site, click on District Calendar and scroll down to Official Information Sources for Closings & Delays.

What is the school system’s policy for providing school bus service? Will a bus pick up my children in front of my house?
The school does not provide door-to-door service. It may happen that a bus stop is outside someone’s house, but in general the maximum walking distance for a stop is one mile. Schools try to deliver kindergartners as close as possible to their homes.

What is special education? Who does it help?
Special education includes a variety of programs to deal with things that prevent children from achieving academically or functioning in a regular classroom. Among those helped by special education are children with learning disabilities, physical handicaps and emotional problems, and mentally challenged children. Special education is federally mandated, but the town pays about 96% of the cost of programs.

How can I find out if my child should have special education?
Call the school guidance counselor, or talk to your classroom teacher, to discuss whether your child may need special education. Parents can also call the special education PTA, called ROSE for information about procedural aspects of special education.

What should I do if the school system says my child doesn’t need special ed, and I disagree?
Call the director of special education, Janie Friedlander (438-2800), for a consultation.

What special education resources are in the area?
SPED*NET is the Special Education Network, a monthly forum for discussing special education and section 504 issues. It is an independent nonprofit. Information is available on the Web site at spednet.org, or by calling Anne Eason at 966-9709.
The Connecticut Birth to Three System helps families meet the developmental and health-related needs of their infants and toddlers who have delays or disabilities. For information, call the Child Development Infoline at 1-800-505-7000 or visit online at birth23.org.

Is there a PTA in town? What does the PTA do?
Each school has its own Parent Teacher Association. The PTAs are made up of parents and teachers (and, at the high school, students) and raise money, support school events, and try to further the interests of the schools. The Ridgefield Joint Council of PTAs supports and coordinates the separate PTA groups. For the names of PTA presidents, call the school. For general information, visit the district Web site, ridgefield.org, and click on the individual schools.

Can I rent space in a school to give a night course or a special program?
A non-profit organization may inquire with the school principal about renting space.

How many nursery schools are in town?
Nursery schools are: All For Two’s, 438-0732; Almost Home Child Care and Preschool, 438-6118; Almost Home II, 894-8208; All for Kids, 438-0766; Children’s Corner, 438-3737; Georgetown Learning Center, 544-8198; T he Growing Tree, 431-6152; The Enchanted Garden, 431-3350; Kaleidoscope Kids, 748-1177; Kids Time Preschool, 544-1266; Littleville Pre-School (at Parks and Rec), 431-2755; Methodist Nursery School, 438-9204; My Nursery School, 438-0802; The Pre-School at Ridgefield Academy, 894-1800; Ridgefield Community Kindergarten, 438-3025; Ridgefield Montessori School, 431-4181; St. Mary’s Early Education Center, 431-4635; St. Stephen’s Nursery School, 438-6806; and Wizards and Rainbows, 438-4317.

What private elementary or secondary schools, including Catholic schools, are available?
St. Mary’s Regional Catholic School (438-7288/stmaryschoolridgefield.org) on High Ridge offers kindergarten (full-day) through eighth grade. Ridgefield Academy (894-1800/ridgefieldacademy.com) offers preschool through eighth grade at 223 West Mountain Road.
  Maimonides Academy in Danbury (748-7129) is a Jewish day school with programs for pre-kindergarten through grade five. Our Lady of Fatima in Wilton (762-8100/olfrs.org) is a Catholic school for pre-school through eighth grade; it has an all-day kindergarten. The Wooster School in Danbury (830-3915/woosterschool.org) has kindergarten through 12th grade. The Harvey School (914-232-3161/harveyschool.org) in Katonah has sixth through 12th grades. In New Canaan, St. Luke’s (966-5612/stlukesct.org) has grades five through 12 and New Canaan Country School (972-0771/countryschool.net) grades kindergarten through nine. Immaculate High School (744-1510/immaculatehs.org) is a Catholic coed high school in Danbury. Catholic schools reported that non-Catholic students are welcome.

Is there an adult education program here?
The Ridgefield Adult Education program runs evening classes for those 16 and older during the fall, winter and spring. Catalogues are mailed to all households. Students 62 and older and the disabled qualify for a discount. Call 431-9995 for details or e-mail ridgefieldadulteducation@yahoo.com. Course descriptions are online at ridgefield.org.

Where can I take college courses nearby?
Western Connecticut State University (837-8200) in Danbury offers both graduate and undergraduate courses as does the University of Connecticut in Stamford (322-3466) and Fairfield University (254-4000) in Fairfield. Norwalk Community College (857-7000) also offers a complete degree program. Many students commute to schools in Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven, New York City and White Plains.

Is there an art school nearby?
  The Ridgefield Guild of Artists (438-8863/rgoa.org) on Halpin Lane off Prospect Ridge offers instruction for beginners and advanced students, as well as many children’s programs.
The Wooster Community Art Center (744-4825/wcaonline.net) in Danbury offers art courses. Silvermine School of Art (966-6668) is in New Canaan.

Is there a dance school in the area?
Hot Shoes (431-6414/hotshoesdance.com), 424R Main Street ; The Ridgefield School of Dance (431-6134/theridgefieldschoolofdance.com), 66 Grove Street; The Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance (438-5597/ridgefielddance.org), 444 Main Street; Enchanted Garden Conservatory of the Arts (894-1987/enchantedgardenarts.com), 529 Ethan Allen Highway (Route 7); Ridgefield School of Performing Arts (431-8728/rspaonline.com), 15 Danbury Road; Walter Schalk School of Dance (762-7508/walterschalk.com), and the MacDonald-Pin Dancers (744-2279) are all in town and offer classes in a variety of dance forms.

Where is the nearest vocational school?
Henry Abbott Regional Vocational and Technical School (797-4460) on Hayestown Road in Danbury offers an academic curriculum leading to a high school diploma along with programs in automotive repair and body work, automotive technology, carpentry, culinary arts, drafting, electrical, electronics, graphics technology, hairdressing and barbering, HVAC, manufacturing technology, and plumbing and heating. There is no cost for Ridgefield residents, and bus transportation is provided. An eighth-grade transcript is required.
Post-graduates and adults interested in a program may call 797-4460, ext. 4427 for information. The school’s Web site is cttech.org/abbott.

© Copyright 2007 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers