Dear HMS parents, guardians, and caregivers,
Thank you so much for sharing your students with us. All of us here at HMS have enjoyed reconnecting with students during the opening weeks of school, and we recognize the significance of this transition for our families. This fall we welcomed 36 new students in grades 5-8, and we welcomed fifth graders and some sixth graders who had not yet had the chance to visit HMS prior to the first day of school. It has been an exciting start! In this update, you will find information about the following topics:
Open House Details
Health and Safety Reminders
Snacks, Breakfast, and Lunch
Gifted and Talented Update
HMS Athletics
HMS Extracurricular Activities
School Photos
Transportation Update
PTO Update
HMS Update #4 will be sent on September 24, 2021. 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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Open House Details
HMS Open Houses will be held virtually by grade level. Grade level teams will be reaching out directly to parents and guardians with information. There will be a live event happening along with additional information shared in the form of recorded videos and written details. Open Houses will happen on the following dates:
5th grade will be held on Tuesday, 9/14
7th grade will be held on Tuesday, 9/21
6th grade will be held on Wednesday, 9/22
8th grade will be held on Tuesday, 9/28
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Health and Safety Reminders
Thank you for your continued efforts in helping us maintain a healthy and safe learning environment at HMS as our community finds its way through the pandemic. If your child is sick, please keep them home. Continue to check your child for symptoms. The district website relaying Covid-relating information is linked here. We encourage all parents and guardians to consider enrolling their student in pooled testing. For more information, view Superintendent Dolloff’s letter here.
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Snacks, Breakfast, and Lunch
Students are being encouraged to take a snack break in the morning, so please send your student with a snack. Breakfast and lunch continue to be available for no fee due to the state of Maine providing the funding. Please reach out with any questions about snacks, breakfast, or lunch.
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Gifted and Talented Update
Due to missing the spring comprehensive screening (MAPs, CogAT, teacher recommendations and more) these last two years due to the pandemic, gifted and talented identification of students’ instructional support needs in grades four and five will be completed this fall.
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HMS Athletics
Our fall athletes have had a successful first week of practices and competitions! Coaches’ contact information is listed on the Yarmouth Schools Athletics website and linked directly here. View schedules by visiting this website and searching by date or sport. If you have not yet signed up for notifications when changes are made, view the directions to sign up for notifications here.
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HMS Extracurricular Activities
HMS Clubs and Activities are in the process of being updated for this school year. Some clubs and activities will be offered in person; some clubs and activities will be offered virtually through Google Meets. As soon as we have an updated schedule to share, we will be sure to do so. Currently, we have Intramurals happening for all students: Tuesdays are for 5th graders; Wednesdays are for 5th+6th graders; Thursdays are for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders.
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School Photos
Our School Photo Day will be on Wednesday, September 29th. To order photo packages online, go to www.geskusprint.com and use code N7US3RKP. Paper flyers will also be coming home with students soon.
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Transportation Update
Sandra Fecteau, our new Transportation Director, has been such a helpful addition to our team. We are continuing to check on transportation procedures, and we wanted to share this update. Due to the ongoing pandemic, students are not able to use bus notes to travel to other students’ houses. If you have any questions about this procedure, please reach out to the Transportation Department. The direct phone number is: 846-2338.
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PTO Update
The K-8 PTO hopes everyone had a wonderful start to the new school year! We would like to give a shout out to all the Yarmouth Schools staff who have worked hard to ensure a smooth and safe beginning. Thank you!
Helpful Documents and Upcoming Dates Below:
Introductory Letter - Want to support the PTO? This document will help connect you with us for information and volunteering. It also explains some of our easiest fundraisers including some that are free to you! We are grateful for all of your support in any way that you can give it!
Welcome Packet - This comprehensive, live document compiled by our Welcome Committee has info about local and state events, attractions, resources, and much more!
Hannaford Flyer - our next load is on 9/15. Print a flyer and send it to school with your child to participate in this amazing free to you fundraiser!
SPIRIT WEAR - Get ready to show off your Yarmouth spirit starting 9/13! Thank you to P&P Screen Printing for hosting this sale.
PTO MEETING - Our next meeting will be 9/16 at 7pm. All are welcome to attend this zoom meeting! Look for the link to the meeting, as well as the budget we will be voting on, on our social media pages.
PTO ONLINE: Stay in the loop by checking out our INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK pages well as our WEBSITE
QUESTIONS? Please reach out to Kim Tyau and Trisha Merrill at yarmouthpto04096@gmail.com and we will be happy to get back to you.