4/27/2024

Hi Rippowam families,

It’s hard to believe April is over this coming week!  We have less than 7 school weeks left until summer break.  Your child’s core team of teachers is busy planning their end of year field trips and fun activities.  You will hear more from each grade level about the plans and expectations for these events.  I have also included our general field trip expectations in this weekly newsletter.

April is also Autism awareness month!  Rippowam will wear blue on Tuesday, April 30th, to raise awareness and acceptance about Autism. 

Monday is the first day of SBA testing for ELA.  Please make sure your child is on time and comes with a charged Chromebook and their charger.  See below in the newsletter for testing dates and reminders.

8th Grade Information:
8th grade moving up ceremony is Friday, June 14th at 9am.  Each student receives 2 tickets.  We will have a waitlist for additional guests who are present and will be seated if there are additional seats available.  We have a large graduating class and limited space in the
auditorium.  We are also planning on live-streaming the ceremony as well. 

Staffing Updates:
We had two staff members return from a leave this week!  We are so happy to welcome back Matt Roberto, School Counselor, and Marcela Charles, Spanish teacher.  Ms. Charles’s classes will continue with Edgenuity but she will be the point person for the program and support her students with the coursework.

Upcoming Assessment Information

Assessment   Date(s)

SBA ELA (Parents, check out THIS SITE 4/29-5/1

to search sample tests and questions.)

SBA Math (Parents, check out THIS SITE 5/6-5/8

to search sample tests and questions.)

iReady Math and ELA TBD (late May)

Please talk about the importance of taking this test seriously with your child.  See some key points below:

• On testing days, students will report to their assigned testing room at 7:30 after announcements.  Please be on time.

• Any electronic device (cell phone, smart watch, etc) must be turned off and placed in their book bags that will be left along the front wall of the classroom.  Students cannot have access to these devices during testing.

• If students finish testing, they can read a book or rest - they cannot be on their laptop or talk while other students are testing.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Rippowam aims to help in the prevention, early intervention & access to resources to promote mental wellness throughout our school community. This topic will be our advisory focus for the month we will host an assembly with presenters from the National Alliance on Mental Health on 5/16.  Lastly, our very own TISS, Mr. Orsino, has designed a signature Rippowam T-shirt to raise awareness and money for mental health resources! All proceeds will be donated to the Stamford Youth Mental Health Alliance!  Click HERE to see the shirt and for the order form. 

8th grade sponsored book fair this Friday!
Two 8th grade students, Mira Paul and Yana Muzyka, organized a book drive with their advisories.  They are hosting a book fair this Friday, May 3rd to sell children’s and young adult books to raise money for the 8th grade end of year trip. 

Field Trip Expectations:
Field trips are an extension of classroom learning into the greater world; therefore, exemplary behavior is expected.  At the discretion of the administration, students who have exhibited problematic behavior may be excluded from attending field trips. Reasons for exclusion may include, but are not limited to: suspensions, poor academic standing in any subject, and poor attendance.  Those students who are in jeopardy of not attending field trips will be advised of their status in hopes that their behavior/academic standing will improve.  Students who are excluded from the privilege of taking field trips will be notified in advance as will their parent(s)/guardian(s). Children who are not eligible for trips are expected to be at school for academic curricular programs.

Best,

Kristina Colmenares
Principal, Rippowam Middle School

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