12/13/2025

Dear Rippowam families,

Thank you to our Community Schools Grant Manager, Shawn Davis, and to the many families and students who joined us for family games and time together this week. We also held our first-ever Winter Wonderland school beautification event, imagined by our School Beautification Committee. HEART classes created winter-themed hallway displays, PRIDE Council members taught students how to make and hang 3D snowflakes, and we were lucky to welcome Stamford’s own Mike Squires, who inspired students to give back to their community.

For two hours, our school was filled with beautiful chaos that turned into something truly magical. Check out the photos on the Rippowam PTO Instagram, with more to come in next week’s report. A big thank you to the families and staff who donated supplies.

Upcoming events:

• DEC 15th - 19th: WINTER SPIRIT WEEK

• DEC 19th:  HOLIDAY BAZAAR EVENT

• DEC 23rd:  EARLY RELEASE DAY

• DEC 24th - JAN 2nd:  WINTER RECESS

ROSCCO After school programing on break until January 2026
There will be no ROSCCO after school programming until we return from break in early January.  

Winter Spirit Week Monday, December 15th - Friday, December 19th

• Monday Dec. 15: Twin Day

• Tuesday Dec. 16: Swap Day --> Teachers dress like students, students dress like teachers

• Wednesday Dec.17: Jersey Day

• Thursday Dec. 18: Pajama Day

• Friday Dec. 19: Ugly Sweater Day

Friday, December 19th is our Holiday Bazaar
On Friday, December 19th, our media center becomes a holiday marketplace for our students to purchase items for loved ones at bargain prices. Please donate items for this event: we are collecting toys, games, housewares, accessories and small electronics, they can be gently used or brand new. Everything can be brought to the main office by December 15th.

Tuesday, December 23rd - Winter Community Day
On this early release day before winter break, we have our second annual community day featuring our talent show and Holiday Hoops sports event with players from our Basketball Team and our Unified Sports Team. It will be a great way to end the 2025 portion of our school year!

Toys for Tots
A huge thank you to Ripp Alumni Christopher Grant and all who donated toys for children this holiday season.  He collected the overflowing boxes on Friday!  Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

Thank You for Supporting Our Food Drive!
Our 6th Grade PRIDE Council recently sponsored a schoolwide food drive to benefit Inspirica, a local shelter serving SPS families. Thanks to the generosity of our students, families, and staff, we collected a large amount of food to donate to the shelter. Your contributions made a real difference in our community—thank you for helping us support those in need!

School Closings, Delays, and Early Dismissals
Winter weather brings school delays, early dismissals, and closures due to inclement weather. When poor weather is forecast for our area, Dr. Lucero remains in close contact with local meteorologists, the City of Stamford Operations and Public Safety Departments, First Student, our facilities team, and the superintendents from neighboring school districts. Our goal is to make decisions about closings and delays no later than 5:15 am. Decisions about early dismissals are generally made by 9 am.

Families will be notified via school messenger phone calls and emails using the contact information in PowerSchool. Staff will be notified via phone calls and emails. Early dismissals also will be announced in-building. More information about inclement weather protocols can be found here.

Friendly reminder from our school nurse:
As we head into the time of year when colds, flu, and other bugs start making their way around. If your child has a fever, vomiting or diarrhea, a sore throat with fever, persistent cough, red or crusty eyes, a new rash, stomachache with headache or nausea, or thick nasal discharge, please keep them home. Your child may return once they are fever-free and symptom-free for 24 hours without medication, have completed 24 hours of treatment for strep or pink eye if needed, have doctor clearance, and feel well enough to fully participate in school activities. Thank you for helping us keep our school healthy.

Best,

Kristina Colmenares
Principal, Rippowam Middle School

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