3/22/2025

Dear Rippowam families,

This Friday we had our annual Spring Community Day featuring our postponed Black History Month presentation featuring student performances and guest speaker Rodney Bass, an art activity in HEART painting ceiling tiles to continue beautifying our Rippowam hallways and a volleyball and indoor soccer tournament to showcase the athletic talent at Ripp.  It was a beautiful day that celebrates that Rippowam is more than a school; we are a community that values and supports all aspects of student identity.  Check out our PTO social media for pictures and videos from the day.

Thanks to Mr. Orsino for organizing the 2nd annual Marion Kart tournament and congratulations to Alexi Monterola who was the winner this year.  

School Climate Survey is Open
We want your feedback! We use the information in this survey to inform our planning for next year, so your voice is very important to us.  The family survey is available in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, and Ukrainian. You may complete the survey on any internet-connected device (phone, tablet, or computer). The deadline to complete the survey is Friday, March 28. Click here for more information. 

Wednesday, March 26th is an early release day
Students will be released at 11:45 for teacher professional development.  There is no afterschool programming on these days.

Rippowam Spring Book Fair Schedule
Our PTO has brought back the book fair!   Members of the PTO were busy setting it up on Friday.  It will run Monday-Friday this week.  All HEART teachers will have a dedicated day to visit the book fair and students can also visit during classes if their teacher signs them up.  

SHS Band Presentation for Performance Music Classes Tuesday, March 25th
Stamford High School musicians are coming  to play for our performance music students on Tuesday, March 25th from 9:45-10:45.  Students in Band, Strings, Percussion and Chorus will be called down to enjoy this performance and inspire future high school musicians.  

SPD Internet Safety Presentation Tuesday, April 1st
The Stamford Police Department is visiting Rippowam on Tuesday, April 1st to discuss important topics related to internet use, social media, online safety and dangers of vaping at a school assembly.  We are thankful we have such dedicated officers committed to educating our youth.  

Grading for some music and art classes
Students that have had substitute teachers in Q3 in Ms. Gibson’s music and Ms. Kelly’s art class will receive an “NG” for quarter.  This stands for No Grade and will not impact the overall grade for the year.  We are hopeful the teachers will be back soon!  For Ms. Kelly’s Digital Art and Photography classes, we have a new long term sub named Mr. Demu who has experience in business and technology classes.  Mr. Russell has been covering Ms. Gibson’s class in her absence. 

Building One Community Supports families with new federal immigration laws
Click HERE to see the upcoming workshops for families to learn their rights.  They are working to support families in a variety of ways and empower families to understand their rights and be prepared in an encounter with ICE.  

Class of 2029 Parent Night at Westhill

If you have a child entering 9th grade at Westhill High School in August, please join Principal Rinaldi on Wednesday, March 26 from 6:30 to 7:45 pm for parent night. The event will begin in the main auditorium where Principal Rinaldi will welcome parents and introduce the Westhill administrators and department heads. Following a brief presentation in the main auditorium, parents will have the option to participate in a 10-15 minute school tour guided by the Westhill JROTC cadets. 

AITE will host parent night for incoming 9th grade parents on Thursday, May 1. Stamford High School will host parent night for incoming 9th graders on Thursday, May 8. 

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. 

Best,

Kristina Colmenares
Principal, Rippowam Middle School

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