On October 8, Ridgefield School District officials recognized the October 2024 Employee and Students of the Month at the regular Board of Directors meeting. Congratulations to all of this month’s honorees!
Mateo Alonzo, pre-K at the Early Learning Center
Mateo is a shining example of kindness and hard work. He consistently lends a helping hand to his classmates and approaches every task with enthusiasm and determination. His positive attitude and willingness to learn make him a cherished member of our classroom community. Keep up the amazing work, Mateo! We’re so proud of you!
Emmett Jackson, 2nd Grade at South Ridge Elementary School
Emmett Jackson is one amazing second grader! He is curious, hard working, and full of genuine kindness. Emmett consistently models the 3 R’s in our classroom, but also on the playground. He is known to include everyone and loves to help. He is always the first person to jump up and help someone if they drop their Crayons or need help cleaning up from a project. When Emmett doesn’t understand something, he asks for help and works diligently until he gets the concept. On the flip side, when someone is needing help in our classroom, Emmett is the first to encourage that person and tell them they can do it. He never, ever gives up. His curiosity and eagerness to learn new things or facts about something motivates all of us to learn more. He has lots of wonderings! He is an exceptional student, friend, and person!
Barend Temple, 2nd Grade at Union Ridge Elementary School
Recently, staff witnessed a truly heartwarming moment that highlights Barend’s remarkable character. When a new student joined his class and struggled with English, Barend went out of his way to ensure she felt welcome. He thoughtfully created a card for her, using Google Translate to explain that he, too, had started school late and spoke another language (a little Dutch). He even offered to help her throughout the day and invited her to play with him during recess. Barend starts his day with a smile and ends it the same way. His kindness isn’t limited to just one instance. Last year, he consistently showed concern for a classmate who was emotionally struggling. Throughout the day, he would approach his teacher, asking how that student was doing and if she was okay. His compassionate nature extends to all his peers, making him a dedicated student who is always on task, kind, and supportive. Union Ridge staff can attest to Barend's numerous acts of kindness and positive influence on the school and classroom environment. His empathy, generosity, and consistent care for others make him a deserving Student of the Month!
Justin Paul, 5th Grade at Wisdom Ridge Academy
Justin enrolled at WRA when the school opened in the fall of 2021 and has been enrolled here ever since. He says he likes the flexibility of doing online school from home and says his favorite part of Wisdom Ridge is being able to come in for Enrichment and other activities and meet with other students his age. Mrs. Cox, Justin’s teacher the past two years, shared that “Justin is extremely thoughtful with and kind to all of his peers. He strives to lift others up, and looks for ways to be helpful and encouraging. In his online school work, Justin is extremely diligent, detailed, and enthusiastic. He regularly comments on his own work, reflecting on his experiences with that particular lesson or activity. Justin is just an all-around cool kid, with a great big heart and remarkable growth mindset.”
Speaking of Justin’s heart, that has been his biggest challenge in life. Justin was born with a congenital heart defect and has had two open-heart surgeries. Those struggles and Justin’s perseverance to overcome them have made Justin a compassionate person who looks after the needs of others. Justin’s favorite extracurricular activities are baseball and basketball. After high school (which is still a few years away), Justin hopes to go into construction, or maybe be a doctor or nurse after seeing all of the good work they’ve done for him, or maybe a police officer. We are honored to be a part of Justin’s academic journey and are proud that he represents Wisdom Ridge Academy as the October Student of the Month.
Hunter Hinsa, 6th Grade at Sunset Ridge Intermediate School
Hunter exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding student and a remarkable young individual. He consistently demonstrates exceptional diligence and a willingness to lend a hand, showing empathy and friendship, especially when someone is having a challenging day. His dedication and effort toward success are evident in everything he does. Recently, Hunter went above and beyond to assist a classmate in need. His patience, kindness, and helpful nature at this moment truly reflect his character—always stepping in with a positive and considerate attitude. Having Hunter in our school is a genuine privilege. His respectful demeanor, dependability, resilience, strong work ethic, determination, leadership, and compassionate heart make him an ideal candidate for Student of the Month. We are fortunate to have such an outstanding student in our school community.
Emmett Caine, 8th Grade at View Ridge Middle School
Emmett has been selected for this recognition due to his exemplary attitude, dedication, and positive impact on our school community. Emmett consistently challenges himself, particularly in his Spanish acquisition, where he demonstrates a strong commitment to improving his skills. He is an outstanding partner in the classroom, embodying the 3 R’s: respectful, responsible, and resilient. His kindness and attentiveness are evident in every interaction, and he consistently brings a positive energy that uplifts his peers. In both his English Language Arts and History classes, Emmett excels. He approaches his work with creativity and curiosity, going beyond simply completing assignments to truly deepen his understanding. His participation in class discussions is thoughtful and insightful, contributing significantly to the learning environment. Emmett’s work ethic and ability to focus on in-class activities have been remarkable, making him a positive influence in every class he attends. We are proud to recognize Emmett as an exceptional student and person, and we are lucky to have him as part of our community. Keep up the great work, Emmett!
Kim Babien, paraeducator at View Ridge Middle School
We are honored to nominate Kim Babien for Employee of the Month because of her outstanding contributions to the View Ridge Middle School STEM program and her unwavering dedication to both students and staff. Kim consistently goes above and beyond, offering patience and enthusiasm that makes even the most challenging topics feel accessible to students. Her commitment to student success is clear. She starts every day by checking in with STEM teachers to assess classroom needs and prioritizes where her support is most needed, adapting her approach as projects and student needs change. Kim's flexibility and focus on students are remarkable, and her tireless work ensures that every classroom receives the help it needs. Beyond the classroom, Kim’s impact extends to planning field trips and organizing materials, where her office experience has proven invaluable. Her logistical skills keep everything running smoothly, allowing teachers to focus more on instruction. Kim is also an exemplary team player, regularly collaborating with colleagues to share resources, ideas, and support, which enhances the overall learning experience for all students. She steps up whenever needed, whether it's mentoring new staff, volunteering for extracurricular activities, or assisting with school events. Her positivity and professionalism inspire everyone around her. Kim’s work ethic, creativity, and genuine care for others have left a lasting impact on our school community, and we are incredibly fortunate to have her on our team. She truly embodies what it means to be an exceptional educator and colleague. Congratulations, Kim!
Jason Lipscomb, Custodian (ABM) at Sunset Ridge/View Ridge
Jason is an invaluable member of the Sunset/View Ridge team, consistently bringing positive energy to our school. His dedication to fostering strong relationships with students is evident in every interaction. Whether he's greeting students in the lunchroom with a smile, a fist bump, or an encouraging word, Jason creates a welcoming environment for both our Coyotes and Herons. As our head custodian, Jason takes immense pride in keeping our building clean and well-maintained, and his attention to detail is second to none. His commitment to excellence not only ensures a safe and pleasant environment for students and staff but also serves as a model of hard work and pride in one’s job. We deeply appreciate all that Jason does to make Sunset/View Ridge a better place for everyone. His unwavering dedication and enthusiastic attitude are a true asset to our school community.