On May 9, Ridgefield School District officials recognized the May 2023 Employee and Students of the Month at the regular Board of Directors meeting. Congratulations to all of this month’s honorees!
\r\nKippi Barbouletos-Brink, Employee of the Month, Sunset Ridge Intermediate
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Kippi Barbouletos-Brink has a long-standing history of excellence in teaching with 24 years of experience for the Ridgefield School district. Kippi is someone you can always count on for a positive attitude and realistic perspective. Kippi is a strong advocate for students, paying close attention to what they need and then working hard to ensure they get it. Kippi does everything in her power to make sure that her team is well-supported and ready to administer quality teaching and learning. She goes out of her way to make sure that all of her team members know that they are important and appreciated. Kippi spends a lot of time both in the classroom and outside of school making sure that our lesson plans are the best they can be by researching, planning, and finding constant fresh content. Instructionally, Kippi engages students in rich learning experiences. She challenges students to dive deeper, think critically, and work collaboratively. She teaches with passion for her subject matter and is always willing to try new methods to best meet the needs of her students. She always has a kind word for everyone and lifts people's spirits. She has a heart of gold and is willing to help anyone. Kippi is a wonderful team member that goes out of her way to make learning engaging for students. She is always looking for new, interesting ways to engage students and teach the standards. She brings new ideas to the table and makes sure everyone's ideas are heard in positive ways. Kippi is wonderful! \t
\r\nBrynlee Emerick, Pre-K at the Early Learning Center
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The Ridgefield Early Learning Center is proud to announce Brynlee Emerick as our May Student of the Month. Brynlee has shown so much growth this year. She is so full of energy and always motivated to help her teachers and friends. She always has a smile on her face and greets her teachers and her peers every day with a big hug and a good morning wave, and always blows a kiss goodbye with a "see you tomorrow". Brynlee brings a ray of sunshine to our days! The pep in her step is contagious and much needed, and everyone should have the joy she has. Her peers are always excited to see her. The Early Learning Center staff love watching her engage with her peers. While she doesn't always have the words to express what she wants or how she's feeling, she certainly finds other ways to communicate. She is super funny and just such a pure joy to be around.
Cooper Olsen, Kindergarten at South Ridge Elementary School
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Cooper is a friend to all and always goes above and beyond to make sure his peers have a friend. Cooper always comes to class with a big smile on his face and is ready to learn. He sets a strong example for kindness and is always willing to lend a helping hand. Cooper has persevered through the school year when things felt challenging and is beaming with confidence in the skills he has built throughout the year. It is for these reasons and so many more that we are proud to honor Cooper as our South Ridge Elementary Student of the Month for May. Congratulations, Cooper!
Eli Driedger, Kindergarten at Union Ridge Elementary School
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Eli Driedger is the Union Ridge Student of the Month because of his excitement for learning, his responsibility, and his kindness. Every day, Eli comes to school with a smile on his face that spreads joy to those around him. His great attitude shines when he pushes himself to do his best work. Eli often goes the extra mile. An example of this is when his teacher asks him to challenge himself and write one more sentence, Eli will write two or more! Eli is also a great friend and looks out for others. His teacher said, "Eli is an excellent example of a student with a growth mindset who never gives up. When someone is hurt or sad, I can count on Eli to help them out. I am lucky to have him in my class!" Congratulations Eli!
Macaela Williams, 6th Grade at Sunset Ridge Intermediate School
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Macaela, also known as MJ, is awesome! She is just the best example of Ridgefield Schools’ three R's. She is consistently respectful and kind to each and every one of her teachers and every student in our school. MJ loves to help her classmates and her teachers. She will frequently take on the role of helper and work with students who need just a little more help to understand or fix something. She asks every single day if she can help someone in her class. MJ is responsible and completes all of her assignments both on time and to the best of her ability. She follows the school rules and expectations 100 percent of the time. And lastly, MJ is resilient. If she gets a grade she isn’t happy with, she fixes and resubmits her work. If she doesn't understand something, she asks for help. And if a classmate is grumpy, she is extra kind to that student for the day. MJ is a role model for her peers to follow and she completely deserves to be our Student of the Month.
Evan Yost, 8th Grade at View Ridge Middle School
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View Ridge is proud to name Evan Yost as our May Student of the Month. Some characteristics that all of Evan’s teachers mentioned was that he has a positive attitude, is enthusiastic, and is a leader in class. It should come as no surprise that Evan is View Ridge’s ASB President. His ASB advisors, Mrs. Stephens and Mr. Jequinto, said “Evan has stepped up to be our ASB President for both of his years at View Ridge. Evan is an enthusiastic and invested leader, and we have been lucky to have him on our ASB team. We know he is going to go on to do great things with his indomitable spirit!” In Band, Mrs. Bloom said, “Evan is a natural leader in class and in his section. He works hard to learn his parts and helps others. He is personable and talented.” Other qualities that Evan’s teachers mentioned were hard-working, motivated, enthusiastic, can-do attitude, persevering, and always striving to do his best. All of us know Evan’s smile and warmth, which is one reason he often gets to introduce new students to our school and show them around, while he makes them feel welcomed. Congratulations, Evan! View Ridge is very proud to name you as our May Student of the Month. You truly embody the qualities of a Heron!
\r\nCaleb Benedick, 10th Grade at Wisdom Ridge Academy
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Wisdom Ridge Academy is pleased to select sophomore Caleb Benedick as the May Student of the Month. Caleb came to WRA at the semester break this school year. To say he has adapted well to an online school program is an understatement. Caleb is nearly through all of his coursework. In fact, he completed his Photoshop course in only two weeks and earned an A (which is the same grade he is earning in all of his other courses). Caleb says he enjoys WRA because he can “move at my own pace.” Caleb enjoys the additional time he has as he is working on increasing his knowledge of fixing broken computers. Caleb’s favorite subject is math and he will be taking AP Calculus next year as a junior. Outside of school he enjoys programming competitions, playing keyboard at his church, working at summer camps, and has spent the last two summers building houses in Mexico. Caleb plans on attending Northwest Nazarene University to study computer programming. Caleb’s responsiveness to his teachers, his commitment to his studies, his kind and considerate ways, and his exemplary work ethic will carry him far in life.
Isabelle Sheley, 12th Grade at Ridgefield High School
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Ridgefield High School is honored to recognize Isabelle Sheley as our May Student of the Month. Isabelle consistently does the little things and puts in the commitment and effort to succeed. Not only does she work through failures and bounce back stronger, but she is accountable and meets challenges head-on. While Isabelle could be lauded for her perfect grade point average and outstanding academic record (she’s taken 9 AP classes!), she gives much of the credit for her academic success to Ms. Hemrich, who has been a role model for Isabelle as a woman in science and military, and to her mom, Katy Sheley. Isabelle said of her mom, “She has always challenged me and pushed me to achieve my dreams. As a kid, if I miserably screwed up, she didn’t get mad but instead asked me what I learned. She handles things with grace and patience and I wish to be like that.” Isabelle stays busy as a three-sport athlete in cross country, gymnastics and track and field; as the secretary in National Honor Society; and as a member of the Civil Air Patrol. All that, and she can make a mean cinnamon roll! As of June 29th, Isabelle will be enrolled and enlisted at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. She plans to major in Physics with an emphasis in Astrophysics and hopes to become a Fighter Pilot or Nuclear Surface Warfare Officer. Isabelle, the staff of Ridgefield High School could not be more proud or honored to call you a Spudder and we wish you much success in your future. Congratulations!