8/14/25

Hello Rippowam families,

This summer, our team has been working with great care and enthusiasm to prepare for a year that will not only challenge and inspire your child academically, but also nurture their social and emotional growth. We are truly excited to welcome your child(ren) to our school community very soon!

Please review all information below and in the linked documents, including our Rippowam Student/Family Handbook.  Most questions can be answered by reading through the documents provided in this communication.  If you need additional support,  please know that our office is open from 7:30 am to 3:00 pm or you can call (203) 977-4410.  

Stamford Public Schools also released its updated Family Guide that provides parents with important information about Stamford Public Schools and select Stamford Board of Education (BOE) policies and regulations.

• SPS Family Guide English

• SPS Family Guide Spanish

• SPS Family Guide Haitian Creole

• SPS Family Guide Ukrainian

Important upcoming dates:

• Tuesday, August 19th from 8:30-1:00pm:  Jumpstart Your Year Event @ Rippowam outside the auditorium.  Come meet Claudia, our Parent Facilitator, and learn about PowerSchool and other resources from community based organizations like Filling in the Blanks, Cradle to Career and our School Based Health Center.  See links below for more information in the following languages:

  • English

  • Spanish

  • Haitian Creole

  • Ukrainian

• Wednesday, August 20th:  Student schedules will be visible on PowerSchool Parent Portal in the afternoon.  Please note that schedules are subject to change before or at the start of the school year. 

• Friday, August 22nd:  Student bus assignments will be visible on PowerSchool Parent Portal.

• Tuesday, August 26th: 6th grade orientation is from 7:30-9:30 for students only (see below for more information)

• Wednesday, August 27th:  The first day of school for all students

Supply lists and important information

In lieu of mailing a welcome packet we are sharing documents electronically.  Important links and/or documents are as follows:

• Rippowam Student/Family Handbook

• Welcome letter in English and Spanish from our Parent Facilitator, Claudia Vettorazzi

• 6th grade welcome letter and supply list  ENGLISH

• 6th grade welcome letter and supply list SPANISH

• 7th grade welcome letter and supply list ENGLISH

• 7th grade welcome letter and supply list SPANISH

• 8th grade welcome letter and supply list ENGLISH

• 8th grade welcome letter and supply list SPANISH

• School-Based Health Center (SBHC) Information

  • English Enrollment Form

  • Spanish Enrollment Form

• SPS District Calendar 2025-2026

We also have some wonderful new additions to our Rippowam family.  Please join me in welcoming the following staff members:

• Cindy Frieder – 7th Grade Math, Yellow Team

• Ron Guillaume – Social Worker

• Aemir Lopez Medina – Social Worker for New Arrivals/EL students

• West Lyles - 6th grade Special Education Teacher, Red Team

• Christie Robinson – Assistant Principal of Specialized Instruction (Rippowam and AITE)

• Zidao Watt – Paraeducator

• Russell White - moving to CORE classroom Special Education Teacher

We have recommended a candidate for our Drama and Journalism classes and will share once it is official!

6th Grade Student Orientation is Tuesday, August 26th
For all 6th grade students, we will be hosting an in-person orientation on Tuesday, August 26th from 7:30 am until 9:30 am.  Orientation will be for students only - parents will not be permitted to attend.  Students will report directly to the Auditorium when they arrive (either from the bus, walking or parent/guardian drop off).  We will have staff available at the entrances to assist all students with navigating the building.

Buses will be operating for 6th grade orientation if your child will be a bus rider.  Bus information will be uploaded to the Parent Portal on Thursday, August 22nd. 

We look forward to a year filled with learning, growth, and shared accomplishments.

Best,

Kristina Colmenares
Principal, Rippowam Middle School