4-8-2023

Dear Rippowam families,

Happy Easter or Passover to all who celebrate.  Thank you to all our families who responded to the parent survey!  We had an internal goal of 300 responses and finished with 322!  I look forward to getting the results and using the feedback to create a stronger school climate for parents, staff and students.   We are moving quickly towards the end of the year - it is already 4th quarter!  See below for many events for both Rippowam students and families.

Sexual Violence Prevention Education for Rippowam Students starting April 11th
An email specific to this upcoming training went out on Thursday, April 6th for all parents.  Sarah Malhotra, Director of Education and Training at the Rowan Center, has been working with school based staff and the PTO in order to create a 3-part presentation designed for middle school students at Rippowam on prevention education that covers topics like physical and emotional boundaries, defining sexual harassment, exploring safe and unsafe behavior and how to report should they ever experience or witness this.  These workshops will be presented in student classes during the day by a trained Rowan Center educator and there will be a school-based mental health professional available during the sessions as well.   See linked outline for detailed information about each presentation to our young people:  Outline of Student Presentations 

The first presentations start on Tuesday, April 11th.  If you DO NOT want your child to participate in these presentations, please fill out the Rowan Center Prevention Education Opt Out form.

Rippowam Volleyball Games Begin this week hosted at Rippowam
Come cheer on the teams and check out our newly finished gymnasium floor!

• Tuesday, April 11th @ 3:15 vs. Scofield

• Monday, April 17th @ 3:15 vs. Strawberry Hill

• Tuesday, April 18th @ 3:15 vs. Dolan

• Thursday, April 20th @ 3:15 vs. Cloonan

• Thursday, April 27th @ 3:15 vs. TOR

Bingo Night hosted by our 6th graders on Thursday, April 20th from 5:30-8:00pm
Come enjoy a family fun night and raise money for our 6th graders!  Save the date.  More information to come.

Movie Night hosted by our 8th graders on Friday, April 21st from @ 5:00pm
Back by popular demand!  Students can enjoy a movie with friends on a Friday evening.  Permission slip with more information to be distributed in the upcoming week. 

Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month
April is Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month.  In honor of this, 6th, 7th and 8th grade student council members are working together with Stamford Education 4 Autism to bring awareness to the Rippowam Community.  They will be coloring in puzzle pieces and decorating the school with facts about Autism.  In addition, they will be selling items at lunch the weeks of April 17th and April 24th to raise money for Stamford Education 4 Autism.  On Friday, April 28th, we will wear blue for Autism Awareness. 

Summer school lists recommendations are available
Families have received notification if their child was recommended for summer school.  You have until 5/5 to confirm your child’s participation in PowerSchool.  If you have any questions about summer school, you can reach out to your child’s school counselor or call the main office.

Best,

Kristina Colmenares

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