March 4, 2022
Dear HMS parents, guardians, and caregivers,
We hope this update finds you well. We are excited to share that the HMS Alpine Ski Team had a successful end to their season, and the team (pictured here) earned 1st Place as a team in Giant Slalom and Slalom for both Boys and Girls at the CCC Championship Race this past Tuesday. Well done, HMS skiers!
In this update you will find information about the following topics:
HMS Spelling Bee - Cumberland County Winner
Optional Masking - Procedural Updates
Transportation Information
Course Registration
HMS Update #16 will be sent on March 18, 2022. Please continue to reach out with any questions.
With gratitude,
Mandy Lewis and Tom McDowell
HMS Administrative Team
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HMS Spelling Bee - Cumberland County Winner
We are excited to share that Adam Majewski, HMS 8th grader, is the Cumberland County Spelling Bee Winner! Congratulations, Adam!
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Optional Masking - Procedural Updates
As Superintendent Dolloff shared in a message earlier this week (linked here), Monday, March 7 is the beginning of optional masking in Yarmouth Schools. Teachers reviewed some updated information with their homerooms today, and we wanted to share it with you as well.
Start and end of day procedures will remain the same: Students should continue to head right to the cafeteria for breakfast or directly to their advisor’s classroom/space, and students will continue to be dismissed in waves to help with the number of students transitioning at one time.
Lunch procedures will remain the same: For the next week, lunches will continue as currently structured, including assigned seats. Adjustments will be made at the start of the third trimester on March 14, and more information will be shared at that time.
Respecting personal choices: We are emphasizing the importance of respecting individual choices around masking. As a core value, respect is at the center of our school community. As Superintendent Dolloff shared: “While we know there are many who will support this change, we are also aware that some students and staff will want to continue to wear face coverings in school buildings. It is vital that we support others in this personal choice.”
“Enforcing Masking”: We have received some requests asking that we “enforce” a parent’s desire for their child to mask. We are not able to follow this request, as we are no longer a mask-mandated school. We encourage families to discuss their choices and agree to follow through with those choices together.
Classroom atmosphere: Students will continue to interact in a variety of ways in our classrooms, and classrooms will continue to be set up to encourage social distancing. We are not making changes to the ways we approach teaching and learning as we transition to an optional masking school community. Students will interact with each other regardless of whether or not they are choosing to mask.
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Transportation Information
Students should continue to ride their designated buses to and from school if they are riding school transportation. Currently, students are not able to ride a different bus. If there are changes made to this procedure, we will communicate with parents and guardians.
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Course Registration
All HMS students are in the process of learning about course information for the 2022-2023 school year. Separate communication will be coming from HMS for current 5th, 6th, and 7th graders; separate communication will be coming from YHS regarding course registration for current 8th graders.
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