Ridgefield honors employee, students for April

Ridgefield — Ridgefield School District’s board named the April students and employee of the month at its April 10 meeting. Denise Krause, secretary at View Ridge Middle School, was named Employee of the Month for her “tireless support to staff” and for developing “positive, empathetic relationships” with frequent visitors, according to a release from the district. Fourth-grader Dylan Benavidez was named South Ridge Elementary School student of the month for never balking at his share of work and tirelessly helping his partners if they are having trouble. Deven Hausinger-Barbo, a fourth-grader, was selected at Union Ridge Elementary for working hard to improve his community by being kind and always being safe. View Ridge Middle School’s student of the month was eighth-grader Maleah Heng, who was honored for her enthusiasm about learning. Sophomore Niyonzima Jean De Dieu earned the honor from Ridgefield High School for his resiliency after moving to Ridgefield from his home in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In the year-plus he has lived in Ridgefield, Jean De Dieu has learned English and adapted to life in Ridgefield by running cross-country and singing in the advanced choir.