10/28/2023

Dear Rippowam families,

I wanted to inform you that earlier today a student reported finding two swastikas scrawled on the AITE/Rippowam tennis courts. This incident was reported to the Stamford Police Department and Stamford Public Schools officials, and these offensive symbols have been removed from the premises. As our campus is utilized by the larger community on evenings, weekends, and holidays when school is not in session, this deplorable act may have been perpetrated by someone outside our school community.

I want to reiterate that all hate speech and symbols of hate – including antisemitic symbols like the swastika – have no place in our community. Our faculty, students, and staff work hard to foster an atmosphere of tolerance and respect, and these deplorable symbols of hate do not represent the Rippowam community. I urge anyone with information about this incident, or any other incidents of bullying or hate speech directed at members of our school community, to reach out to me directly or to contact the Stamford Police Department. As a reminder, please know our school social workers and psychologists can assist any students who need support in response to current global events, and our entire staff of teachers, counselors, and administration are here to support the physical and social-emotional well-being of your children each and every day.

Community Day Success!
Our first Community Day was a beautiful day of celebrating the Rippowam Community.  We started in the auditorium with original songs by Mr. White, a recently hired staff member, and a dance competition.  Students competed in teams and advisories in activities like tug-of-war, cornhole and other activities.  Additionally, students wrote letters and thank you cards to veterans and sang some karaoke!  Thank you to the PTO volunteers that sold water and snacks and our School Climate Committee and Student Events Committee that collaborated to organize this event. 

8th grade is sponsoring our first Spirit week of the year from 10/30-11:3:

• Monday 10/30: Pajama Day

• Tuesday 10/31: Pink Out Day

• Wednesday 11/1: Twin Day

• Thursday 11/2: Jersey Day

• Friday 11/3: Team Color Day

1st Quarter ends Friday, November 3rd
Finalized grades in PowerSchool will be available on Friday, November 17th

High School Information Night for Eighth Graders

Stamford Public Schools offers rigorous, specialized high school programs that are open to students

regardless of their zoned high school, but many of these programs require students to apply for admission during eighth grade. To help families navigate this process, the Teaching and Learning Department will host a High School Information Night for eighth grade students and families on Wednesday, November 15 at 6 pm via zoom. Representatives from AITE, Wright Tech, the Academy of Finance (Westhill), the Stamford Regional Agriscience Program (Westhill), the Early College Studies Program (Stamford High), the High School of Business (Stamford High), the International Baccalaureate Programme (Stamford High School), and JROTC (Westhill High School) will participate.

High School Information for 8th graders
Please CLICK HERE for information on High School options created by Rippowam school counselors and CLICK HERE for the SPS website with information about High School programs for students. 

Rippowam demonstrates its Community spirit
It’s “SOCKTOBER” in Ms. Frangione’s 7th grade advisory.  Please donate socks, gloves and hats to the donation boxes in room 122 and the main office.  Donations will supplement our Rippowam Caring Closet to make sure our students have warm feet, hands and heads this year. 

Mr. Jouannou’s 6th grade advisory is organizing a Thanksgiving Food Drive.  Please bring non-perishable food items to the donation box in room 229 or the main office until 11/17. 

Ms. Guidotti is organizing Rippowam’s first Unified Sports Team to promote social inclusion through a grant from the Special Olympics.  These programs equip young people with tools and training to create sports, classroom and school climates of acceptance.  The goal is for students with disabilities to feel welcome and to be routinely included in, and feel a part of, all activities, opportunities and functions.  Learn more about Unified Sports here.  

Best,

Kristina Colmenares
Principal, Rippowam Middle School

If you didn’t see the Superintendent’s weekly message, please click HERE.