[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6260672,"mediaKeyId","3128966-9643b492455be078df266d39e8f8f92c","parentId",3128966,"title","Greenwich Together presents biennial youth-survey findings; district plans public forum and focus groups","audioSeconds",1144,"startMs",4470000,"endMs",5614000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3128966-9643b492455be078df266d39e8f8f92c&start=4470&end=5614","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3128966-9643b492455be078df266d39e8f8f92c/thumbnail_4470000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6260672/Connecticut/Greenwich-Together-presents-biennial-youth-survey-findings-district-plans-public-forum-and-focus-groups","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260672-1241a2f1dffce2284ad5b889f189e3e5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770916594&Signature=RXeYVvUQc-zDgOM9DgFwIWZrcLDRpSx~hJxUwn2L7KgRxne-IJ2SCbFfHX41Ihe1ZwileCs3iRmOhAEgoqhqKw3H5XniCnhGXC49PJSVQOcPQILeCRd9rVd19zeyUUkmmQk48~ha-CVuY58M-WW2-~FcFTJkM4kWhTOv19bucrZMT2WlwRt6rOAsei43Ugx845u9ojTJ11FAdNXM5FkIy662nTPYc3OW12vxuHiTJPuO4pBDJmDADw2hB0KiGCR5tw6lr-l2K5Fm0kWgBVdDuIPv~pAUSeIVXqz76VVqwEoR-Frn7AQu9T32Yv9aVzZ1B8OvgJeJ1UekeqGqw4dW7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Greenwich School District","date","2025-04-26T04:37:50.887Z","article","Representatives from Greenwich Together presented the results of the coalition’s biennial youth survey, summarizing student responses about mental health, sleep, technology use and substance use.

Ellen Brozovsky, project director, and local evaluator Nina Chonana reported the survey is administered every two years across public and private schools in town. The parent survey was made available in English and Spanish; student surveys were administered in English with an opt-out option. Greenwich High School reported about 25 student opt-outs; private-school opt-outs were fewer than 10, presenters said.

Key takeaways included: improvements from peak post‑COVID measures in some mental-health indicators, persistent concerns about screen time and interrupted sleep, and continued prevalence of alcohol as the most-used substance. The data showed about 40% of students reported interrupted sleep because of cell phones; half of teens reported three hours per day on their phones and some reported five or more hours.

Board members and presenters discussed how the survey informs programming: Greenwich Together plans to rework its logic model and action plan, host a public meeting on May 12 at Town Hall to present results, and conduct focus groups with parents and youth to gather qualitative context. Initiatives already underway include a social-host campaign with police and liquor retailers for prom/graduation season, a “hidden-in-plain-sight” training for parents and the annual Hope Day anti‑stigma event.

Board members encouraged the coalition to pursue digital opt-out forms where schools found that method helpful and to consider additional survey items relating technology use to sleep and mental health for future cycles.

Greenwich Together will post the full report and slides to its website and will provide follow-up materials to the district ahead of the public forum.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","April 24, 2025 Board of Education Business Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Greenwich Together presented results from its biennial youth survey showing trends in student mental health, sleep, technology use and substance use. Organizers said they will host a townwide meeting and follow-up focus groups to translate results into prevention and support programs.","taxTitle","Greenwich School District, School Districts, Connecticut","taxId",38354,"location","Connecticut","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6260677,"Board reviews recommended textbooks for AP Physics, AP Psychology and Spanish; administrators note discontinued editions and online licensing",1099,3332000,4431000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3128966-9643b492455be078df266d39e8f8f92c&start=3332&end=4431","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3128966-9643b492455be078df266d39e8f8f92c/thumbnail_3332000.jpg","/articles/6260677/Connecticut/Board-reviews-recommended-textbooks-for-AP-Physics-AP-Psychology-and-Spanish-administrators-note-discontinued-editions-and-online-licensing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260677-8dc6b27d92cee7615a3d2907bcc4ea52/orig.mp4?Expires=1770916594&Signature=FnLt6DAEz8rwo2YdMz0g5K~rMTqZLCMvd~z22oRgtuRELBYk6KcHsf63tJP0zl0oU67dAWov7N7BLOlBpCM9OMqDf3ae2UgxNaFzHgcOPZZGchU4dWDwPqA-i9ynwnoOvddQ1F4ny~8di4nhk9IJYpys21PLSBMT~7ZFMyvEYe8f7Tf6zNfiRqqcRvks8dYz8Grc9cFkyQnCnUgsBPzV9Pun61VBQHXN6WEXNdg6kcT7lcMtpEDXQ7IxK-iZME9DBIZrJ1UCIgYepOPnDEnuc~35BIJGnjN-jF3XDvZ4nLzlxxSuFvQl0DxlYzi1BzLzIrdFS-fBgXKoiIx4A3T6OQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff presented three textbook recommendations for initial board review: new primary resources for AP Physics C, AP Psychology and secondary Spanish.

Mister D’Amico, presenting on behalf of textbook review committees, said the current AP Physics C and Spanish primary resources have been discontinued by their publishers and AP Psychology no longer aligns with the College Board’s revised curriculum — prompting the recommendation to adopt up-to-date materials.

Teachers and committee members described trade-offs between hard-copy textbooks and e-book platforms. Margaret Jackins, a Spanish teacher at Greenwich High School, told the board that existing Spanish materials dated back to 2013 and ‘‘it’s time for Greenwich Public Schools to catch up with the rest of the language learning world and have product that help us build proficiency.’’ Administrators said an estimated five-year comprehensive Spanish license would cost roughly $208,000 and would include a limited number of hard copies for students who need them.

For AP Physics C the committee recommended exploring the OpenStax college-level resource (free online, optional purchase of printed copies), citing depth and cost-effectiveness for the course. Presenters said AP Classroom will remain an important companion resource for teachers in AP courses.

Board members asked about life-cycle timing (how often publishers update editions), the pedagogical differences between e-books and hard copies, and the district’s curriculum management plan for multi-year adoption cycles. Administrators said curriculum content coordinators monitor publication dates, alignment with standards and academic outcomes and that the district has been aggressive the past five years in updating aged primary resources.

The item was presented for first review and the board did not take an approval vote at this meeting; purchasing and any contract awards would follow board approval on a subsequent consent or action item.","Curriculum committees recommended new primary resources for AP Physics C, AP Psychology and Spanish because current materials are discontinued or no longer aligned to the College Board. The board heard cost and access rationale and asked about e-book versus hard-copy trade-offs.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6260682,"Parents, students and teachers urge board to protect Advanced Learning Program amid proposed cuts",8685,1113000,9798000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3128966-9643b492455be078df266d39e8f8f92c&start=1113&end=9798","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3128966-9643b492455be078df266d39e8f8f92c/thumbnail_1113000.jpg","/articles/6260682/Connecticut/Parents-students-and-teachers-urge-board-to-protect-Advanced-Learning-Program-amid-proposed-cuts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260682-da8f5d7749b3e9e3cb40489a476c62ef/orig.mp4?Expires=1770916594&Signature=ck4L3ylDS~fFZp5wtdeDSBgYkw5PaGgj267HsiSDfjffWyNeS88sd3y6v1kncHP5dax9OW2DXtIzoj796-75F9Fmij6eepkyxRZ0Mo0TO1hZHxHCyF86ghZvjx9Umj8MqWTykIIAcqsgfxShHzr3mvDwV7Oavkn9RR-XaphA2LOJKhRxs05KtYkoH-pEq4h8mpz0xfdRz3hYC2CZhGjJEYGZxwNmfGs-gF498uclAHjgrpBrA3itlOWp7hwUdpav4UQ4Y4wSkxvqt25V8PnVyAsapA7TZIuGOf874-GqcOX22U2sKRI3zWq7Y2vJe-E3HfMWAsAboJauHd5AKHDMYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public comment at the Board of Education meeting centered heavily on the district’s Advanced Learning Program after administrators listed potential reductions as one savings option.

Students, parents and teacher representatives described the program’s impact on motivation and instruction. Sabrina Hess, a fourth-grader at Cos Cob Elementary, told the board, “In ALP, I get to do challenging work that pushes me to explore topics more deeply.” Several other students and parents described ALP as both acceleration for participating students and a structure that helps classroom teachers differentiate instruction for other students.

Lillian Perrone, president of the Greenwich Education Association, said teachers and staff are “overworked” and urged the town to fund the BOE’s proposed operating budget rather than force cuts that would affect teaching positions and programs.

Administrators presented the arithmetic of potential reductions: eliminating second-grade ALP enrichment was listed as roughly 2.2 full-time-equivalent (FTE) positions (about $171,000); removing the grade 3–5 science ALP component was estimated at roughly $257,000. District staff noted those totals translate to about 5.5 FTE when expressed across multiple buildings and fractional assignments.

Several board members said they were reluctant to cut instructional programs. In the board discussion that followed the public comment period, multiple trustees said they would not support reductions to core instructional programs such as ALP. The board ultimately tabled final budget action to a follow-up meeting so administration can provide additional modeling and the public can submit input.

The next budget meeting will be the venue for any formal proposals to reduce staff or programs; until then the administration will post detailed numbers and staffing implications so the board and community can review them.","Multiple public commenters, students and teacher/administrator groups urged the Board of Education not to cut the district’s Advanced Learning Program (ALP). Speakers described ALP’s effects on students, classroom teaching and equity and asked the board to prioritize academics when closing the budget gap.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6260687,"Greenwich Board of Education discusses $4 million shortfall, considers changing school start times and fees to close gap",7234,265000,7499000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3128966-9643b492455be078df266d39e8f8f92c&start=265&end=7499","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3128966-9643b492455be078df266d39e8f8f92c/thumbnail_265000.jpg","/articles/6260687/Connecticut/Greenwich-Board-of-Education-discusses-4-million-shortfall-considers-changing-school-start-times-and-fees-to-close-gap","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260687-2bc10a51ee5e0e0a5113a96bb7f8eb33/orig.mp4?Expires=1770916594&Signature=V-2OLA0xzonYZlA4zU5d8daj9eAAjf6TsjJ0NbCJg3juN9ZLTNKbtOwmShvtI8GXV6h1i~OWs4BpTxFUVR6a01hHg7SIFGxas3a07rLTLvfYLbXYvFJ~oNcdIUfzym6uI5F~HZN4VGt5m2EXXovYlP8eSpuWa-yrUNApDmeuszTtVdCvShVXqCMSlWljDZDAGnbFK~-kBy7wSAsZt0end0BR2uxwMZf56q5gV1kRYzkbHX7MVq8VNbnA0g9xkQ3EpqagtinrbMiMLzzYhU42umiyNY2Mg-UnxBBY54OUX4xTJzArEHcVrqyb7lfVkAVCpqydo44KdUAOsU-3YOU2lQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Greenwich Board of Education opened a lengthy public discussion on the roughly $4 million shortfall the district must close after a recent vote by the Board of Estimate and Taxation.

Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones told the board the district must identify about $4,000,005.87 to balance the fiscal 2026 budget beginning July 1, 2025. Chief financial staff presented five transportation scenarios that trade schedule disruption for savings: small bell-time adjustments that save about $108,000 up to a full high-school start-time rollback to 7:30 a.m. that they estimated could save roughly $2.25 million in annual transportation costs.

The scenarios ranged from minor schedule shifts that reduce one or a few buses to a plan that would return Greenwich High School to a 7:30 a.m. start — the time it had before the later-start policy was adopted — and reduce the bus fleet by 23 units. Administrators described a middle option (scenario 4) that would keep secondary start times unchanged while moving several elementary schools earlier; that plan produced about $1.3 million in savings in the district analysis.

Board members and members of the public raised practical and equity concerns. Several speakers said earlier elementary start times would help working parents who need morning care; others warned that moving high school start times earlier would reduce students’ sleep and could harm learning and wellbeing. Superintendent Jones and transportation coordinator Kayla Coker said the schedules are sensitive: even 5 to 10 minutes can reduce the number of buses that can be redeployed, so small changes can materially affect savings.

The board also discussed revenue options, including charging admission at some athletic events and a proposed “pay-to-play” fee for high-school sports; administrators noted admission revenue for athletics historically is small (administration cited roughly $194,000 in pre-COVID gate receipts) and that pay-to-play would require careful waiver policies for low-income families.

Members of the public and PTA leaders urged the board to seek alternatives that preserve instruction and programs. John Fisher, president of the Greenwich PTA Council, asked the Board of Education to request a reopening of the BET operating budget vote and to seek additional town funding to avoid program cuts. Lillian Perrone, president of the Greenwich Education Association, told the board, “BET, please fund our schools.” Several parents and students also delivered comments urging protection of programs that affect classroom instruction and extracurricular access.

To allow more public input and to give administration time to refine details, Chair Hirsch moved to table any action on the board’s proposed reductions until the board meets again Tuesday evening. Sophie (board member) seconded the motion; the board voted 8–0 to table the decision.

Next steps: administrators will post updated materials after the meeting and the board will hold the follow-up discussion and any vote during the coming week. The board also signaled it will continue to weigh combinations of transportation schedule changes, program reductions and revenue options while trying to preserve classroom staff and core programs.","Board and public commentators pressed the board to close a roughly $4 million shortfall created by a recent BET reduction. Administrators presented five transportation scenarios that would save between about $108,000 and $2.25 million; the board agreed to table final action until a follow-up meeting and seek further public input.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Greenwich Together presents biennial youth-survey findings; district plans public forum and focus groups

Board reviews recommended textbooks for AP Physics, AP Psychology and Spanish; administrators note discontinued editions and online licensing

Parents, students and teachers urge board to protect Advanced Learning Program amid proposed cuts

Greenwich Board of Education discusses $4 million shortfall, considers changing school start times and fees to close gap