3/9/2024

Hi Rippowam families,

This week we started planning for end of year testing, field trips and other end of year events!  As we prepare to move the clocks ahead tonight, it means summer is around the corner.  Our school climate committee is planning another Community Day for students on Friday, March 22nd that will feature a school beautification activity, a workshop on creating an inclusive and positive school culture and a special performance by the NY Red Bull Soccer Team.  Our PE/Health teacher, Ms. Guidotti, wrote and was awarded a grant to have them come and perform as well as talk to our students about bullying.  In addition, we will be having our first Silent Auction Fundraiser this week where families can bid on things like lunch or other fun activities with certain teachers or principal for the day.  More details to follow. 

Parent Teacher Conferences
Please mark your calendars for our upcoming Parent Teacher Conferences on March 20, 21, and 22nd. These are half days for students with conferences in the afternoon.   Teams will be scheduling conferences with students they have identified as needing support academically or with attendance on Wednesday, March 20th and Thursday, March 21st.   Teams will be reaching out to families directly to schedule these conferences.  

Any parent can call and schedule a conference with their child’s team of teachers on Friday, March 22nd. You have the choice of in-person or virtual meetings. You can schedule 10 minute conferences by calling the main office at 203-977-5255 and Carla, Kathy or Claudia will support in signing you up for your desired conferences.  Claudia can support our Spanish speaking families at 203-977-4229.  Support staff also may reach out to schedule conferences with the parents of students that we see are in need of academic, behavioral or attendance support.  Please do not reply to this email.

When you contact the office to schedule a conference on Friday, please provide the following information

Conference times on Friday:

12:30-12:40

12:42-12:52

12:54-1:04

1:06-1:16

1:18-1:28

1:30-1:40

1:42-1:52

1:54-2:04

2:06-2:16

Guidance Counselor Update
Mr. Roberto, guidance counselor for Orange, Yellow and some Blue team members, will be out on leave for the next couple of months.  He is hopeful to return by the end of April or early May.  In the meantime, we are lucky to have Ms. Eleana Leiva join us as his leave replacement.  She was previously at Stamford High and before that had been working in NYC public schools.   She will be reaching out to families this week.  Her email address is:  ELeiva@StamfordCT.gov.

Spring Spirit Week March 18th-22nd
6th grade sponsored spring spirit week is March 18th - 22nd.  See below for daily themes:

Panorama Survey is coming
Stamford Public Schools will soon open its annual School Climate Survey for staff, students, and families.  The Survey will be available in English, Spanish, Haitian-Creole, and Ukrainian.  At Rippowam, we have been working on ensuring that each of your children has at least one (hopefully more) trusted adult in this building that they have a connection with.  A connection means that the adults care about not only your learning, but you as a person.  Please ask your child who their trusted adult(s) are at school!

 

Best,

Kristina Colmenares
Principal, Rippowam Middle School

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