2/7/2026

Dear Rippowam Families,

We survived yet another cold week! As winter weather continues, we want to remind families that if your child is in need of warm clothing, please let a staff member know. We have many options available through our Rippowam Caring Closet and are happy to support.

This week also marked the final week of our Coin War fundraiser. The winning team will be invited on Thursday to watch staff members—including all administrators—get a pie to the face. Students from the winning team will also have the chance to be the person to pie a staff member through raffle tickets. All other teams will watch the event live from their classrooms. Proceeds from the fundraiser will go directly toward supporting end-of-year field trips for our students.

Upcoming events:

• FEB 13th - 16th - FEBRUARY BREAK

• FEB 18th-20th - PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES (EARLY RELEASE DAYS FOR STUDENTS)

• FEB 25th - EARLY RELEASE DAY

• FEB 27th - SCHOOLWIDE BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION

No school Friday, February 12th and Monday, February 16th

We have an extended weekend for mid-winter break.  Students return to school on Tuesday, February 17th. 

Spirit Week for Sammy Lopez
Some of you may have heard about Sammy Lopez, a Rippowam 6th grader last year who continues to battle cancer and is currently in the hospital.  His mother has started a gofundme page - you can read more HERE  - but we also want to do something as a school to honor him.  Our PTO has created a Spirit Week for Sammy and we will also collect any donations as a school to add to the gofundme page.  See below for spirit week daily themes:

Parent/Teacher conferences  are Wednesday, February 18th - Friday, February 20th

These are early release days for students.  To make the most of conference time, we’ll be using a mixed format with options of both virtual & in person meetings:

• Wednesday: Teams/Exploratory Teachers will schedule 20-minute conferences with families. If appointments aren’t filled, they will open to other families 48 hours in advance.

• Thursday & Friday: Parents can sign up for individual 10-minute one-on-one conferences with their child’s teacher. Click on the link HERE and then click on the teacher/support staff name to schedule a conference. Please do not schedule a conference, if you have already been contacted about a team conference.

PTO Coin War Fundraiser has ended
Stay tuned for the winners to be announced this week as our wonderful PTO president Ms. Dinc counts coins and bills…it was a competitive last week!

School Climate Survey for Families Opens February 17
Get ready to share feedback about your child(ren)’s school(s) during the annual School Climate Survey. The family survey opens Tuesday, February 17. Information from the Climate Survey is used to make improvements in our schools. An email with links to the family survey will be sent on February 17.  Please note, teachers, staff, and students will have the opportunity to take the School Climate Survey in March. 

Social Emotional Learning Info Session is February 19
Social-emotional learning is the process through which individuals develop the skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set goals, show empathy, build healthy relationships, and make responsible decisions. Social-emotional learning competencies are crucial for success in school, at work, and in life.

Please join Coordinator of Access and Opportunity, Paola Ochoa, on Thursday, February 19 at 6:30 pm for a virtual SEL information session in collaboration with Urban Assembly.  During this session, parents will learn more about SEL and how it contributes to student success.

Don't miss this opportunity!  Click here to register.

Best,

Kristina Colmenares
Principal, Rippowam Middle School

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