9/7/2024

Dear Rippowam families,

We are excited to share our Rippowam PRIDE value matrix with you - Positivity, Respect, Integrity, Determination and Empathy.  These are the values we will support and celebrate throughout the school year.  Students learned about the matrix in HEART this week.  Click HERE to see the activity and see the matrix below.

We had our first safety drill and an emergency protocol the same day.  As I mentioned in my Remind message shortly after the unplanned emergency protocol, the shelter in place was due to a medical issue.  Our community followed directions and this person was able to get the medical attention they needed.  In any unplanned emergency protocol, we will communicate with you as soon as possible via Remind. 

Check out our Rippowam Events Calendar for upcoming and planned events.

Chromebook distribution begins the week of September 16th

Students will have a lesson on responsible technology use on Monday in the HEART class and will then take a brief assessment to demonstrate understanding.  Once they have a passing assessment and the two forms below signed by parents/guardians on the Parent Portal, they will receive their school-issued Chromebook.

Please read HERE for Rippowam’s Chromebook Policy

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.

Schedule changes
Your child may experience schedule changes in the next couple of weeks if we learn they need a certain intervention or support class in their program.  Students will have the opportunity to request exploratory (specials) class changes using this form in HEART this week.   We ask that parents sign this form as well.  This form is a request and not a guarantee.  Placement in the requested class depends on seat and schedule availability.  We cannot change core academic classes, intervention classes or teams.  If you have a question about your child’s intervention classes like Reading or Math Lab, please reach out to their counselor:

• Ms. Shelley  (Red, Yellow, Blue Teams)

• Mr. Roberto  (Orange, Aqua, Purple Teams) 

6th grade trip to SoundWaters
6th graders will attend a field trip to SoundWaters to enrich learning in their science classes.  Your child will be coming home with a permission slip for one of the following dates:  September 16th, 17th or 20th.  We love taking our students out of the building and our behavior expectations remain the same as if they are in the building.  Please use the above PRIDE behavior matrix to talk about expected behaviors with your child on field trips and in school. 

Save the Date:  Open School Night is Tuesday, September 17th from 5:30-7:30
Rippowam’s open school night will feature various time sessions to meet with your child's team of teachers as well as their exploratory teachers, the administrative team, PTO, support staff and others.  More detailed information will be sent in a separate communication.

After school programming to begin on September 30th
Rippowam has many after school activities through our 21st Century grant, ESH grant, Community Schools grant and Intramural and club sports.  Information will be shared in the coming week about how to sign up for the various after school programs. 

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

Best,

Kristina Colmenares
Principal, Rippowam Middle School

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