9/13/2025

Dear Rippowam families,

We’ve just wrapped up our first full five-day week of school, and it’s been a busy and exciting one! One-third of our 6th graders enjoyed a wonderful trip to Soundwaters, and the remaining groups will head out in the coming weeks. While academics are at the heart of what we do, middle school is also a time for social-emotional growth and building a sense of belonging. We encourage you to explore the many opportunities for students to get involved—both after school and through family engagement.

This week, intramural sports kick off with cross country and soccer, and after school enrichment programs are beginning as well. We’re also looking forward to our first Family Engagement Community Service Day. Be sure to check our 2025-2026 Rippowam Events calendar and read below for more details.

Open School Night is Tuesday, September 16th from 5:30-7:30
A separate email/Remind was sent regarding this event.  I will send another tomorrow and Monday as well.  We will have our first PTO meeting before the Open School Night at 5pm.  We will also have Rippowam Spirit Wear on sale.  We hope to see you there!

Rippowam After School Programming
Intramural sports starts Monday, September 15th:  Students can join Cross Country (running team with meets, 2 miles per practice) or Soccer (after school, split by grade: 6th–Mon, 7th–Tue, 8th–Thu). Permission slips are required—see your PE teacher to get one and return it signed.  After school buses are available.

ROSCCO Enrichment Program
ROSSCO after school program to start October 6th.  See linked parent letter here for more information and QR code.

Unified Sports Team:
Unified Sports, a program that brings students of all ability levels together on the same team for friendly competition, will start soon. Unified Sports will take place on Fridays DURING the school day. There will be an informational meeting for any interested student this Thursday, 9/18, after school. Students who want to participate must attend the meeting. Pick-up and late buses will be at 3:15 PM that day.

Community Service Opportunities
Join us at our first family community service opportunity of the year!  Help beautify our beaches Scan QR Code/Click Beach Clean Up on the Calendar for September 28/Click Sign Up.  If you need assistance, please contact Mr. Davis via email shawn.davis@unitedwaycwc.org.

Chromebook distribution starts THIS WEEK.  Please make sure you have the tech forms signed on Parent Portal
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.

Please read HERE for Rippowam’s Chromebook Policy

2026-27 Magnet School Lottery Opens September 15
The 2026-27 Magnet School Lottery Application opens on Monday, September 15. We’ve streamlined the process this year so the application deadlines, lottery drawing dates, and acceptance deadlines are the same for all seven magnet schools. Click here for complete details. 

High School Information for 8th grade families
Do you have an 8th grade student with an interest in agriculture? The Stamford Regional Agriscience Program is recruiting for the 2026-2027 school year! Watch our Recruitment Video, follow @StamfordFFA on Instagram, attend our Plant Sales for a Tour, and apply before January 1st to be considered in our first round of applications. We're growing places, are you?

Health Requirements
Students must be up-to-date on physicals and immunizations to attend school. Contact Nurse Edyta Zalewska at 203-977-4338 or ezalewska@stamfordct.gov with questions.

Best,

Kristina Colmenares
Principal, Rippowam Middle School

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