Dear HMS parents and caregivers,
We are so excited to be planning for our students’ return to school on September 1, 2021! Our staff will be back at HMS on August 25, 26, and 31 preparing for school opening, and this will be the first of several “back to school” communications. In the details below, you will find information about:
School website and access to information
5th and 6th Grade Meet and Greet
Student schedules
School supplies
New staff at HMS
Student arrival and dismissal information
Nutrition information
PTO Updates
We recognize that with the start of each school year, there is much information to share! Our intent is to provide you with all of the information needed for your student to start the year successfully. The next HMS Update will be sent next Friday, August 27, and will provide information on our community learning philosophy, our student handbook, our safety procedures, Powerschool access and use, and additional general information. Once school is officially in session, HMS updates will be provided every two weeks to limit and maximize the flow of information. Please continue to reach out with any questions. We look forward to seeing you soon!
With gratitude,
Mandy Lewis and Tom McDowell
HMS Administrative Team
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HMS Homepage Please access the live link for information on HMS News, Events/Calendar, and our Live Feed. Superintendent Dolloff provided our school community with an update regarding school reopening, and that update is linked here. This website also includes a list of Frequently Asked Questions.
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5th and 6th Grade Meet and Greet: On August 31, 2021, our fifth and sixth grade teachers will be available for a “meet and greet” style event from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Students may visit with their parents/guardians for a few minutes to explore the classroom setting at HMS and meet their teacher. Please limit your visit to five minutes.
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Student Schedules: For students entering grades 6, 7, and 8, schedules are available in Powerschool. Fifth grade students will review their schedules with their teachers on the first day of school.
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School Supplies are listed by grade level at this link on our website.
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New Staff: we are excited to welcome the following new staff and the staff who are shifting roles!
Colleen Gridley, 8th grade Math/Science - Colleen brings ten years of middle school teaching experience to this role. She was most recently teaching 7th and 8th grade science at the Durham Community School. She taught science to students in the same grade levels for the Creighton School District in Phoenix, AZ. Colleen also taught 5th grade science in MA.
Crystal Found, 6th grade Math/Science - Crystal has 21 years of teaching experience overall. She has worked with students at various grade levels during her career. Crystal taught 4th grade at St. Brigid's for 16 years and was with us at HMS last year teaching 5th grade reading, social studies and science.
Chelsea Collupy - Social Worker - Chelsea is a licensed clinical social worker. She brings her expertise and knowledge to this role having spent time at Wellpath as a behavioral health clinician and Preble Street Teen Services as a supervisor. Chelsea also worked at Preble Street Clinical Intervention Program as a community case worker.
Tom Snow - Band Director role at HMS and YES. Tom is an incredibly accomplished musician who brings a wealth of experience to this position having spent 13 years at Bates College as a lecturer, jazz band director, and piano instructor and two years as music faculty at USM. Tom taught piano at Philips Exeter and was the music director at Cheverus High School. Tom is also a graduate of Yarmouth High School.
Zac Wheeler, 5th grade Math/Science/Social Studies - Zac brings wonderful passion and energy to this position. He taught 6th grade language arts and social studies at HMS last year and has worked at Biddeford Middle School as an Educational Technician, providing small group and whole-class instruction to students with special needs. Zac has also spent time as a BHP, supporting students with behavioral needs. He completed his student teaching at Mt. Blue Middle School where he taught 6th grade English.
Burgess LePage - Language Arts Lead Teacher. Burgess brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to this position having taught high school English in Scarborough and Denver, Colorado, and middle school English, grades 6 - 8, in Denver. She also spent time as an instructional coach.
Jason Henry - 8th grade Science and Social Studies teacher. Jason is joining us from Old Orchard Beach High School, where he has taught for the past five years. Prior to OOB, Jason taught Science in Norton, Massachusetts and was the lead teacher, facilitating the work of 13 middle and high school teachers in providing a high quality Science curriculum.
Karen Jagolinzer - Karen has shifted from a grade level teacher to HMS Gifted and Talented Math Teacher.
Megan Rice - Megan has shifted from a grade level teacher to HMS Technology Integrator.
Zack Glenn, a graduate of Yarmouth High School, and Brian Trelegan are joining HMS as Ed Techs!
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Arrival and dismissal information: We are limiting access to our school during the pandemic. Students may arrive at school between 7:40 a.m. and 7:55 a.m. Our afternoon dismissal will begin at 2:45 p.m. for students taking the bus home. Those students riding bicycles and those students walking home will be dismissed after the busses depart. Students being picked up by parents/guardians will be dismissed a couple of minutes before 3:00 p.m.
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Our Nutrition Letter is linked here.
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PTO Information:
Welcome back! The Yarmouth K-8 PTO is looking forward to another year of educational enrichment for our students, appreciation for our wonderful Yarmouth school staff, and opportunities for community building. This year may look different than usual as we brainstorm ways to adapt our events to be safe and in line with district guidance, but we are grateful for all of the support our school community has shown us over the past year. Thank you! We couldn’t do what we do without you. To see a list of some of the things we have been able to accomplish through your generous donations, click HERE.
Below are some resources and dates to get the year started:
ONLINE WELCOME PACKET: This amazing, comprehensive, live DOCUMENT compiled by our Welcome Committee has info about local and state events, attractions, resources, and much more!
PTO ONLINE: Stay in the loop by checking out our WEBSITE, as well as our FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM pages.
VOLUNTEER SURVEY: Want to get involved? Fill out this SURVEY and join us!
Sep 15 - HANNAFORD GIFT CARDS: FORMS will be sent home before each load date. Click the link to learn more about this fabulous FREE to you fundraiser!
Sep 17 @7pm - FIRST PTO MEETING: A zoom link will be posted to our website and social media pages closer to the date. Anyone can attend, so we hope to see you there!
QUESTIONS: Please reach out to Kim Tyau and Trisha Merrill at yarmouthpto04096@gmail.com and we will be happy to get back to you.