Superintendent's Students of the Month-March 2022

Bear Path School- Marco DiGioia
Marco is a kind boy who lights up the classroom with his sweet smile. Marco goes above and beyond in his daily tasks and does so with positivity and enthusiasm. He actively participates in class and comes in everyday excited to learn.

He is a great friend and always makes sure his peers feel included and safe. He is always doing the right thing and radiates positive energy.

Church Street School- Matthew Quichimbo
Our team chose Matthew Quichimbo as our student of the month. Matthew is kind, enthusiastic, respectful, and hard working. He is a friend to all, always willing to lend a helping hand or cheer up a friend who is feeling sad. Matthew is always ready to learn and he does it with joy. He gets so excited when he perseveres and is proud to announce, “I did it!”  Since the beginning of the year, Matthew has been a leader. He is focused and responsible.

Matthew embodies so much of what it means to be a Church Street Eagle. We are so proud of all of his accomplishments!

Dunbar Hill School- Daria Scalzo
Daria is kind, hard-working, and eager to learn.  Daria aspires to be a scientist and to specialize in outer space.  She recently taught the class what a nebula is.  For her Show and Tell Daria demonstrated an experiment that showed how you can change colors in a liquid. She explained how the colors combine to form new colors.  For instance, blue and yellow create green, and green and blue make teal. 

Her classmates were mesmerized and cheered for her.  Daria is also a problem solver.  She suggested that the maps in the classroom be moved lower on the wall so that she could look at them more closely.  Since then, she and her classmates read the maps carefully to find places they know.  We look forward to see where Daria's curiosity leads her, and we predict that she will change the world with her hard work and innovative problem solving.  
   

Helen Street School- Natalia Terrelonge
Natalia has shown an amazing commitment to her learning and her role as a Helen Street Citizen. She puts forth excellent effort in everything she does and pushes herself to excel in all academic areas. Natalia often shows leadership in our classroom by following rules and expectations and encouraging her peers to do the same.

Natalia regularly participates by sharing her thinking and asking questions, and she is always willing to help others. For all these reasons and more, she was an easy choice as the First Grade recipient of the Superintendent Student of the Month recognition. Helen Street is proud of you, Natalia!

Ridge Hill School- Stacia James
Choosing Stacia for the Superintendent Student of the Month was one of the easiest decisions that could be made. Stacia continuously shows her teachers and classmates what it looks like to be a role model each and every day. It really is amazing to see. Stacia will do and does the right thing no matter who is watching. 

She is quiet but kind. She is small but mighty. She is smart and hardworking. She is helpful. She is truly one of a kind.

Shepherd Glen School- Khloe Nguyen
This year is Chloe's first at SHG. It is amazing to see how quickly she picked up the routines of the building, follows all the rules of our classroom, and exemplifies what it means to be a Shepherd Glen Top Dog. Khloe gives her best effort in all that she does and constantly demonstrates a positive can-do attitude.

She has made tremendous progress this year in developing reading and phonics skills and is now able to apply them to her writing. I think what impresses me even more than her academic gains is her beautiful smile and kindness towards her classmates and the respect she shows to all adults she meets. Khloe is a beautiful role model and it has been an absolute pleasure to watch her blossom this year. Congratulations, little one!

Spring Glen School- Esther Van Tassell
The first grade team at Spring Glen School is very proud and excited to announce Esther Van Tassell as our Superintendent Student of the Month! Esther comes to school each day with a beautiful smile on her face and a positive attitude. Esther is excited and enthusiastic
about learning new things.

She understands her role as a student, takes her learning very seriously, and always trying her best. She is a kind, sweet girl who helps her classmates without being asked and always encourages them to do their best. Esther treats all others with respect and makes sure that everyone feels included. Esther is such a positive part of our school community and we can’t wait to watch her continue to grow!

West Woods School- Allison Romberg
It is an honor to nominate Allison Romberg for West Wood’s Superintendent Student of the Month for 1st grade. Allison has shown through hard work, kindness, and a great sense of responsibility that she is the perfect role model for all first graders! Allison comes to school
each day with an eagerness to learn, an enthusiasm to help others, and an ability to excel at all that she sets her mind to.

Allison is kind and caring to all of her friends and has shown compassion to others when they are in need. Allison comes to school and follows our P.A.C.K. expectations- she is positive and respectful, she acts responsibly, she cares for others,and she keeps safe. Congratulations to Allison on this well-deserved recognition!

Hamden Collaborative Learning Center- Daynasia Butler
Daynasia is an 11^th grade student who has excelled recently increasing her focus on several things at school.  She has upped her game academically but putting in the time (and extra time) to raise her grades.  Daynasia consistently attends her internship working with younger students at Wintergreen School. 

The staff and students there absolutely adore her.  Without even noticing, in her own subtle way, Daynasia has become a humble force that serves as an example for others.  She is setting the standard for how a student can shine without demanding the spotlight.  Congratulations, Daynasia, on an award earned by just being you!

Hamden Middle School- Matilda Ryder, Grade 8
The STEM teachers are proud to nominate Matilda Ryder as the HPS Superintendent Student of the Month. Of course, Matilda exceeds all Dragon Pride expectations. She is gracious, friendly to all and appreciative of the instructor. But what makes Matilda exceptional is one’s intellectual inquisitiveness, take charge leadership, diligence, organization skills and mature learning attitude.

Matilda created the strongest Bridge design of all the quarter 3 STEM classes, applying structural theory cleverly utilizing simulation software. Fabrication skills were grasped and implemented well, and Matilda was the assumed leader of one’s project team/ Consequently, the test results were similarly exceptional. Congratulations, Matilda!

Hamden Middle School- Chiara Troiano, Grade 8, House 2
Team Rocco proudly announces Chiara Troiano as our Superintendent’s Student of the Month. We have chosen Chiara based on her excellent all-around accomplishments inside and outside of the classroom. Chiara has proven herself to be an outstanding student. She goes above and beyond with all assignments and takes initiative in her education. Chiara’s work is meticulous and thoughtfully completed no matter the assignment. 

We can always count on Chiara to be engaged in daily lessons in the classroom and serve as a positive role model for her peers. She always contributes insightful information to class discussion that enhances the learning for all students. It is a pleasure to work with a dedicated student like Chiara. She has been a high honor student throughout her time at Hamden Middle School. In her free time, Chiara enjoys dancing, softball, speaking Italian with her family and being part of the HMS band. Be proud, Chiara!

In this challenging time when we are focused more than ever on school climate and school spirit, Souta is literally the walking, talking embodiment of Dragon Pride. In the hallways before school, he talks with teachers and students, brightening their days with his contagious smile and his earnest questions. His authentic efforts to connect with others, make people laugh, and foster friendships is refreshing and inspiring. He often can be seen carrying drawings of his friends and teachers through the halls, getting people to sign them. He has made it a goal to meet a diverse group of Hamden High students – and teachers. He is helping us build and maintain a sense of community.

Recently, Souta ran the most energetic campaign for president of the Class of 2023. He has been an active and committed member of the Class Committee all year, and he decided he wanted to lead it. His posters were original hand-drawn creations. He spent election day cheerfully reminding his classmates to vote. In the end, Souta came in a close second, garnering almost 80 votes in a five-way race.  Souta is an active member of different clubs at HHS, and he also got involved in athletics this year, running for the winter and spring track teams.

Souta Shimuzu fulfills our aspirations and expectations. He is a friend to all, a champion of the caring, and a true HHS Dragon.