2/17/2024

Hi Rippowam families,

We had an exciting week with our Valentine’s Day carnation delivery on Wednesday and a Black History Month assembly and our Pie in the Face fundraiser celebration.  A HUGE thank you to our Community Schools Grant Manager, Shawn Davis, for organizing a panel of speakers from African American sorority and fraternity members, including his twin brother!  Audience members  asked questions about everything from how to get into a fraternity or sorority to how panelists handle hearing racialized language.  Another HUGE thank you to our PTO president, Tracie Dinc, for organizing our Penny Wars Fundraiser (and counting all of those coins!) and the celebration Pie in the Face.  Rippowam raised over $1000 for end of year field trips, and the wining contributor, the Yellow Team, was invited to the auditorium where student names were pulled to see what lucky student got to choose who to pie:  me, Mr. Langworth, Mr. Biko, Ms. Guidotti, Ms. Pawson, Mr. Davis and Mr. Joe.  We look forward to seeing everyone back on Wednesday, February 21st!

Meet our Mental Health/Student Support Team on Friday, February 23rd
Rippowam is hosting a family engagement opportunity during school hours on Friday, February 23rd from 7:30-9:30am to discuss the resources and support we have available for your child.  Meet members of our team, resources available at the school AND meet community partners that can offer support for your family.  Attendance letters will be provided for those who may need to miss work.  

Spanish Class update
Interviews to find coverage for our two Spanish teachers have proved unsuccessful.  We are aware that this is frustrating for both students and parents alike and are working with our Teaching & Learning department to use Edgenuity, a web-based program that offers credit-bearing courses that are aligned to the Connecticut State and Common Core Standards. Instruction is provided to the student through a series of videos, written text, and activities for practice. The self-paced program evaluates the student and provides an overall grade. SPS content teachers will be assigned to work with students after school to support their progress in Edgenuity coursework. 

7th grade dental screenings
The dental screenings for students in 7th grade attending Rippowam Middle School  will be taking place during the weeks of   02/21/2024 - 4/26/2024 The licensed dental hygienist will perform a basic screening of your child’s mouth, teeth and gums in the school based licensed dental clinic. This screening is a visual and manual assessment of your child’s mouth with the use of a sterile mirror and explorer. When the dental hygienist finds dental concerns, the parent/guardian will be given a written referral to a dentist of their choice.If you do not wish to have your child screened, send a written note to your school’s dental hygienist listed below:

Dental Hygienist:   CBaranowski, RDH
Contact number:  203 - 977 - 4890
EMAIL:  cbaranowski@stamfordct.gov

Best,

Kristina Colmenares
Principal, Rippowam Middle School

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