8/31/2024

Dear Rippowam families,

It was a seemingly smooth and positive first few days of the school year!  Students were genuinely happy to be back and see their teachers and friends. Our administration team visited the classrooms daily and saw students engaging in icebreakers, reviewing classroom expectations, taking learning surveys, playing games relevant to their content area and demonstrating what they already know about the subject area. 

At Rippowam, we value having strong relationships with students and parents and want your child to have at least one (but hopefully more) trusted adult in our building.  In HEART, we spent the first few days getting to know your child and hosting activities that allowed them to learn about their teachers and peers.

We will begin after school activities at the end of September or early October.  More information will follow shortly. Make sure to follow us on Instagram @rippowamPTO for news, events and photos.

No school on Monday, September 2nd for Labor Day

Technology Reminder - Please make sure the required forms are filled out! - Responsible Use Agreement and SPS Technology Device Agreement Forms
When you log into the Parent Portal you will find a navigation menu on the left side of the screen.  Within this menu is a link to Forms.  All forms included in the section must be filled out and submitted for your child to receive a Chromebook.  If you need help,  contact our Parent Facilitator - Claudia Vettorazzi - at 203-977-4229/ cvettorazzi@stamfordct.gov.

Open School Night is Tuesday, September 17th from 5:30-7:30
More details about timing and schedule to follow.

All-School Musical Auditions are NEXT WEEK!
Student auditions for the All-School Musical's Production of “Anything Goes” are coming next week!  Click HERE for more information or to sign up for an audition time. 

• AUDITION WORKSHOP

  • Tuesday, September 5 4:00-6:00 pm @ Rippowam  (auditorium)

• AUDITIONS

  • Thursday, September 7 2:30-6:00 pm @ Rippowam (auditorium)

  • Friday, September 8 2:30-6:00 pm @ Rippowam  (auditorium)

Rippowam Community Service Opportunity
Join Team Ripp in keeping our beaches clean and beautiful at 1pm on Sunday, 9/15 as we volunteer with Kids Helping Kids and SoundWaters at Cummings Beach. 

Join the Middle School Debate Team @ AITE:
Join the A.I.T.E. MIDDLE SCHOOL DEBATE TEAM! This program is open to students from ALL Stamford Public Middle Schools grades 6-8 and is FREE.  

• WHERE: AITE Cafeteria

• WHEN: Every Tuesday and Thursday, 3:30-5:00 We start on 9/17/24. There will be three in person tournaments, and one in person championship tournament for those who qualify this year.

If you are interested, email Mr. Dalton, the AITE Middle School Debate Coach: jdalton@Stamfordpublicschools.org

Safety at Rippowam Middle School:

• Our school-based security team:  We are excited to welcome back our school safety team of Joe, Christian and Tina and supported by our SRO, Officer Blake-Jarvis.  You will see them at parent pick-up, visitor check-in or in the hallways.  Officer Blake-Jarvis is constantly visiting the school so don't be alarmed if you see a police car or officer around!

• One main entrance for all visitors:  The front entrance along High Ridge Road will be the only entrance for visitors.  The back entrance will be open in the morning and afternoon for bus arrival/dismissal and will be manned by a member of the school safety team.  All parents, guests, and visitors will enter at the front entrance, show photo ID and be signed in by security.

• 3 lunch waves and separate cafeterias for teams:  You may have heard your child mention they are sitting by HEART rooms in the lunchroom - we will continue this for at least a few weeks for students to get to know each other.

• Safety drills to begin soon:  At SPS, we practice safety drills in the unlikely event of an emergency.  We will review the protocols with students and then begin drills in the near future.  We will communicate any necessary information via school messenger and Remind.

Best,

Kristina Colmenares
Principal, Rippowam Middle School

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