Principal rallies PTA to put up signs for Ridgefield teachers

RIDGEFIELD — South Ridge Elementary School Principal Jill Neyenhouse wanted to find a way to recognize teachers this year for their hard work. School looks different this year as students continue remote learning due to the pandemic. Inspired by yard signs that recognized the 2020 graduates at Ridgefield High School, Neyenhouse decided to do something similar for South Ridge teachers. “One of the things we do as we return to start school is reconnect with each other and build our community together,” Neyenhouse said. “It is so much harder to do all of that when we are in a remote setting.” She contacted the South Ridge Elementary School Parent Teacher Association to work on the project. They ordered then delivered 51 colorful yard signs. Each teacher also was given a gift bag with hand sanitizer, candy, a stress ball, bottled water, and a gift certificate for coffee. Neyenhouse hopes the signs will remind people of all the hard work teachers have put in and that teachers realize that they are appreciated. “I just want them to know that they are valued and seen. What they are doing is so much more monumental than usual and they deserve to be recognized for it. I am so proud of them and wanted to publicly acknowledge how amazing and awesome they are,” Neyenhouse said.