2/15/2025

Dear Rippowam families,

Happy Valentine’s Day/Presidents Day weekend!  Thank you to our wonderful PTO president, Tracie Dinc, for organizing our annual carnation sale fundraiser.  Students were excited to give and get carnations with special notes in anticipation of Valentine’s Day.  Also, thanks to our 8th grade team for organizing a trip to New York City to see The Outsiders on Broadway!  Even with the delayed opening, the group was able to go and had a wonderful time.

A few parents have started to ask about end of year dates - usually step up ceremony dates are set in April once the chance of snow days have passed!  We will communicate these dates as soon as the district has determined them.

Schools closed Friday, February 14th and Monday, February 17th
Schools are closed for February break these days.

Volleyball tryouts are this week!
Students can see their PE teacher for a permission slip.  Practices are Monday and Thursday once the team has been determined.

• Thursday, February 20th - Girls tryouts

• Monday, February 24th - Boys tryouts

• Tuesday, February 25th - Girls tryouts

iReady family reports available
If your child has finished their assessment in Math and ELA, The iReady for Families Report is now accessible to parents. Log into your child’s Clever Account and click on the iReady icon to go to the iReady Dashboard. From the iReady Dashboard, click on the For Families dropdown and select the For Families Report. Enter District Report Code BX39PW to access your child’s report. You can ask your child to login into their clever at home.

• Directions in English for parents:

• Directions in Spanish for parents:

Pick up for confiscated devices is from 7-3 in the main office
If your child’s device is confiscated, please pick it up during the hours of 7-3.  We lock the phones after dismissal and office or administrative staff may not be available to retrieve them from the safe.  Please come during school hours of 7-3 or speak directly to an administrator.

Staff absences
Rippowam's staff, much like our student body, has been significantly affected by the recent widespread illnesses. While we are making every effort to maintain classroom coverage, we have occasionally needed to consolidate classes in the auditorium due to limited staff availability. We are hopeful that the worst of this period has passed, and we deeply appreciate your child's flexibility and understanding as our staff members recover.  If there is an issue with grading or questions about an assignment while the teacher is absent, students can reach out to their school counselor or administrator.  We will work together to support your child. 

February - April Attendance Challenge
Rippowam is celebrating student attendance from Tuesday, February 18th - Friday, April 11th.  Students who are present every day in the week have chances to be recognized first to get lunch and a seat of their choice in the cafeteria. Heart classes with the highest attendance will get called first for dismissal and teams that have the highest attendance overall will have prizes as well.

High School Program of Studies in available for 8th grade students
The 2025-26 High School Program of Studies is now available. The Program of Studies details the academic opportunities available to our nearly 5,000 students at AITE, Stamford High School, and Westhill High School. View/download the AITE Program of Studies and the Stamford High / Westhill Program of Studies or visit our website to view the content in 11 different world languages.  

Best,

Kristina Colmenares
Principal, Rippowam Middle School

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