Ridgefield math teacher among state finalists for presidential award FacebookTwitterEmail Scotts Ridge Middle School sent 25 student and seven staff members into quarantine as a result of potential exposure Tuesday, Nov. 10.Macklin Reid / Hearst Connecticut Media RIDGEFIELD — A Scotts Ridge Middle School math teacher is among three state finalists for a presidential award in math and science teaching. Merryl Polak was chosen along with two educators from Hartford and Newington as Connecticut’s finalists in the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. The announcement was made through EdAdvance, a nonprofit organization established under state statute to support school districts.