12/7/2024

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.  As the temperatures continue to drop, please make sure your child is ready for the winter weather including a jacket and hats/gloves.  In HEART, students will continue to go outside except for inclement weather and/or temperatures under freezing. If your child needs any warm winter clothing (or any kind clothing), we have the Rippowam Caring closet.  Have them see a member of the mental health team or Mr. Davis and they will bring your child to choose necessary items in our caring closet like coats, sweatshirts, hats, gloves, etc. 

We have a lot of exciting events happening in the coming weeks!  Make sure you check out our Rippowam Events Calendar for upcoming and planned events.

Rippowam Club Basketball
We will host club basketball on Tuesdays after school for students who want to play non-competitively.  Permission slips are being passed out by the PE teachers.

Tickets on Sale Now for Stamford All-School Musical

Come aboard the S.S. American as the cast and crew of the 17th Annual Stamford All-School Musical present the delightful romantic musical comedy, Anything Goes. This year’s cast and crew features 58 SPS students and is held at Rippowam. Tickets are on sale now.  Performances are as follows:

• Saturday, December 7 at 7:30 pm

• Sunday, December 8 at 3:00 pm

• Friday, December 13 at 7:30 pm

• Saturday, December 14 at 7:30 pm

• Sunday, December 15 at 3:00 pm

Parent/Teacher Conferences
Parent/Teacher conferences are Wednesday, December 11th-Friday, December 13th for students who failed multiple classes in Q1.  Teams will be reaching out to schedule with families of students who are struggling academically in their classes.  If you would like to schedule a meeting with your child’s teachers and you were not called in for a conference, please reach out to your child’s counselor.

These are early release days at 11:45am for students.  There is no after school programming on these days.

Toys for Tots
8th grader Christopher Grant has partnered with the Stamford Police Department to collect new toys for children this holiday season.  Please donate a new, unwrapped toy by 12/13.  Check out the Amazon Wish List that Chris created to support Toys for Tots:  https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/12IN9IA0YOY30?ref_=wl_share

Please donate for our annual Holiday Bazaar
On Wednesday, December 11th, our cafeteria 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 9th.

Students will have an opportunity to shop on Wednesday the 11th and buy gifts for loved ones this holiday season.  All gifts are priced from $1-$5 and the event is cash only.

Schedule rotation Monday 12/9
In years past, we have rotated the specials and lunch blocks 2x a year so there is equity in when students eat and participate in their specials. We heard feedback from teachers and students that this felt confusing and not necessary now that the academic core classes rotate.  We decided as a staff not to change the specials/lunch periods and remain with the fall schedule for the entire school year. 

Friday, December 20th is an early release day
Winter break lasts from Monday, December 23rd to Wednesday, January 1st, 2025.  Students return to school on Thursday, January 2nd. 

Best,

Kristina Colmenares
Principal, Rippowam Middle School

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