12/6/2025

Dear Rippowam families,

As we head into the holiday season, there are many exciting events happening at Rippowam. This weekend is the opening of Annie, the Stamford All-School Musical being performed here at Rippowam. It runs for two weekends and features students from grades 5–12 across many SPS schools. Congratulations to our two Rippowam 6th graders, Harper O’Niell and Leila Lear, who are performing as two of the orphans. We hope you’ll come out and support them and all the talented students in the cast.

On Thursday, December 11 at 5:30 PM, we welcome all families to our Holiday Family Game Night in the cafeteria. Come enjoy holiday-themed games and take a family photo at our festive photo booth.

Finally, on Friday, December 12, our students will be transforming Rippowam into a winter wonderland. During our special activity schedule, students will work together to decorate the walls with winter scenes and hang 3-D snowflakes throughout the building. Stamford local Mike Squires will join us to talk with students about the importance of beautifying our community. If you can donate decoration supplies, please see the list below.

Upcoming events:

• DEC 11th:  HOLIDAY FAMILY GAME NIGHT with PHOTO BOOTH

• DEC 23rd:  EARLY RELEASE DAY

• DEC 24th - JAN 2nd:  WINTER RECESS

Tickets on Sale Now for Stamford All-School Musical

This year’s All-School Musical is Annie, the heartwarming, high-energy Broadway musical filled with unforgettable characters, songs, humor, and heart! The 18th annual All-School Musical features 87 Stamford residents in the cast and crew, including some of our Rippowam students!  Come cheer them and all the students on and enjoy this show. Annie opens on Saturday, December 6 and runs through Sunday, December 14. All performances are at Rippowam. Tickets are on sale now!

Toys for Tots
Ripp Alumni Christopher Grant has partnered 6th grader Sapphire Ross and with the Stamford Police Department to collect new toys for children this holiday season.  Please donate a new, unwrapped toy by 12/12.  Collection bins are in the main office.

Rippowam Food Drive
Our 6th Grade PRIDE Council is proud to sponsor a schoolwide food drive to support Inspirica, a local shelter serving families in our community. Collection boxes are located in the Media Center and Main Office. Please consider donating non-perishable food items now through Friday, December 12. Thank you for helping us make a difference!
 

Holiday Game Night at Rippowam!
Join us for a fun-filled Holiday Game Night on Thursday, December 11 at 5:30 PM in the Café! Enjoy board games, bingo, video games, chess, and a special Family Winter Wonderland photo opportunity. Please sign up using the QR code on the flyer below. We hope to see our Raptor families there for an evening of celebration and community!

Winter Wonderland School Beautification
On Friday, December 12th the entire school will engage in school-wide event that beautifies our building, builds a positive school climate and brings a festive Winter Wonderland feel in advance of the holidays. Students will design displays that celebrate what they love about winter and help create a welcoming environment across all grade-level hallways and common areas.  We kindly ask you to inform us if you have any materials you would like to DONATE that may be found in your garages or attics, to help transform our hallways into a seasonal wonderland.  You can send with your child or bring to the main office:  Garland, Tinsel, Wrapping Paper, Plastic, wood, or paper ornaments, battery operated lights, Pompoms, Specialty glitter paper, bows, ribbon, fake snow spray or bag of fake snow, winter characters or decorations, white cotton balls, clear cellophane paper, all types of tape.

Please donate for our annual Holiday Bazaar
In mid-December, 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.

Best,

Kristina Colmenares
Principal, Rippowam Middle School

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