May 31, 2019
Dear Parents and Guardians-
We are proud and inspired to share this update about our HMS Civil Rights team-our thanks to Charlotte Agell for this write up of their experience:
The 18 member HMS Civil Rights Team attended the statewide conference in Augusta on May 17th. The aim of the conference was to get students thinking about how to respect differences in others, and make their schools a welcoming community for all. More than 600 students from 73 schools all across Maine participated in the day. The HMS team presented twice to other middle school teams on how to invite staff participation in our mission to reduce bias-based behaviors and harassment in school, a well-received workshop. A highlight of the conference was hearing Leila Tati Pambou, accompanied by Ingrid Isaro, read her award winning poem: I'm a Black Girl, Take Two to the entire Civic Center, as well as seeing Evie King receive the top prize for her art, entitled Human (on display in the HMS office until the year's end). The YHS Civil Rights Team participated too and the two teams enjoyed traveling up together. The conference brings together civil rights teams at local schools, which aim to increase safety for students by reducing bias-based behaviors and harassment in school. We appreciate this team and their advisors, Mrs. Mike and Mrs. Agell, for their ongoing work in support of our community.
Bike Safety: We have received some concerning reports about unsafe behavior by students who bike to school. These reports include students not stopping at stop signs, and darting into traffic without warning. Community members have also let us know that some students who ride their bikes to school on one of the paths move out into the road without stopping or obeying the traffic rules. Safety is our number one priority for all students. To that end, we have included information related to bike safety below; we will also share this information with all HMS parents. Students who choose not to follow these rules will lose the privilege of keeping their bikes at school during the school day. Thanks very much for talking with your children about this and supporting bike safety for our community.
From the Yarmouth Town website:
RIDE SAFE. If riding in the street, cyclists should ride in the same direction as motor vehicles. Use hand signals when turning and stopping. Obey all traffic signs and signals. If riding on a sidewalk or path, ride slowly and be prepared to stop quickly.
Bike Safety Tips from The American Academy of Family Physicians:
Know traffic rules. In general, bicyclists follow the same traffic rules as cars. Obey streetlights and signs, and ride with the flow of traffic. You should know the guidelines to follow with other bicyclists, as well. For example, how to signal when passing bikers, changing lanes, or turning. Learn who has the right of away: cars, bikes, or people walking. Try not to make sudden movements.
Your Chance To Vote On Next Year’s School Budget: A reminder from Superintendent Dolloff:
As the 2018-19 school year comes to a close, we are eager to approve the school budget for 2019-20. This is a two-step process required by Maine law, and your voice and vote is important at both steps.
1. Town Meeting - Tuesday, June 4 at 7:00 p.m. at YARMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL. (Please note the change in venue - we will no longer be at HMS, but will hold the meeting in the YPAC at YHS.) At this meeting, residents will be provided the opportunity to vote on the line-item articles of the school budget.
2. Referendum - Tuesday, June 11, from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Boyd AmVets Hall on North Road. All registered voters will be asked to cast a ballot regarding the total school budget that comes out of the Town Meeting.
Your presence is requested at the Town Meeting on June 4 at YHS, and your vote is important to the democratic process at referendum on June 11. Please consider participating on both dates, as everyone's voice and perspective is important. For more information on the proposed school budget, click here.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
-Music Booster Meeting - June 3 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the HMS Band Room
-PTO Meeting - June 13 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the YES library
Thanks very much-
Joan Adler and Tom McDowell
HMS Administrative Team