12/2/2023

Dear Rippowam families,

Happy December!  This is always an exciting and busy month as we gear up for the holiday season and end of the year.  In speaking with members of our leadership team and various committees, we are going to focus our Advisory work in December on tolerance and inclusion.   December is a great month to do this – not only are we honoring the work Ms. Guidotti is doing through the Unified Sports team (a team that pairs students with intellectual disabilities with their non-disabled peers to break down stereotypes), but this theme also honors the diversity in the upcoming holiday season that can be easily dominated by Christmas.  We have so many beliefs and cultures at Rippowam and it is important that we are aware and inclusive of all.   Also, instead of doing winter door decorating, an activity we have done in years past, we are working on an activity that will beautify our hallways but also celebrate our individual identities as well as our collective belief in inclusion. 

Parent Workshop:  Tuesday, December 5th 6:00 – 7:30pm @ Dolan Middle School Auditorium
Dolan, Turn of River and Rippowam have collaborated with The Center for Great Expectations to bring you a 3-part parent training on Growing Resilience in Your Children. This 3-part series is designed to help parents grow resiliency skills in their children and themselves. The sessions will include lectures from Chief Training Office Frank Picone, discussion, videos, and small group activities. Please access the link below for more information. We hope you can join us for Session 1 on Tuesday!

Parent Teacher Conferences
Please mark your calendars for our upcoming Parent Teacher Conferences on December 13th, 14th and 15th.   These are half days for students with conferences in the afternoon.    You have the choice of in-person or virtual meetings.   You will have the opportunity to meet with your child's entire team of teachers at once (English, Science, Math, Social Students, and Technology Lab or Literacy Lab).  You can also sign up for individual conferences with specials and other support classes (for example, math support, gym, ESL, Spanish, Art or Music).  You can schedule 10 minute conferences by calling the main office at 203-977-5255 and Carla, Kathy or Claudia will support in signing you up for your desired conferences.  Claudia can support our Spanish speaking families at 203-977-4229. Please do not reply to this email.  Support staff also may reach out to schedule conferences with the parents of students that we see are in need of academic, behavioral or attendance support.

 When you contact the office, please provide the following information:

• Date of desired conference

• Team/Encore teachers you wish to meet with

• Your preference of in-person or virtual

• Times and contact information

Conference time slots on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday are as follows:

Rippowam supports Toys for Tots
Rippowam is a local drop site for Toys for Tots.  Our very own 8th grader Brooke Healy serves as Connecticut’s first Toys for Tots Youth Ambassador and is now a mentor for other involved youth.  Bring an unwrapped toy and donate it in the main office. 

Get tickets to see Stamford’s All-School Musical Legally Blonde
The Stamford All-School Musical - Legally Blonde - opens this weekend featuring students from  AITE, Cloonan, Dolan, Rippowam, Stamford High, Turn of River, and Westhill.  Come cheer on our very own 8th grade student, Arnecia Flynn, representing Rippowam in this hilariously outrageous musical. Additionally, our 8th grader Leo Ross is representing the tech crew! Please note: this year's show is rated PG-13 due to some mature language; it is up to parents to decide if the show is appropriate for their child(ren). Performances take place at Westhill High School on December 2, 8 and 9 at 7:30 pm and December 3 and 10 at 3 pm. To order tickets online, visit www.stamfordallschoolmusical.org. Tickets also may be purchased at the school box office one hour prior to curtain.

Best,

Kristina Colmenares
Principal, Rippowam Middle School

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