December 7, 2021
Dear Rowe Families,
We hope you enjoyed the November break and got to enjoy time some relaxing family time. The children at Rowe learn about holidays around the world and the various traditions that families observe. We hope everyone has joyful holidays whether you have recently celebrated or will be in the coming weeks.
Kindergarten students have been learning how to use their superpowers when they read. This is basically a fun way for students to learn how to decode and apply early reading strategies. We recognize that they learn at their own pace and meet them wherever they may be in the process. First graders are reading some informational texts and are crafting stories to teach others about topics of interest to them.
In November, our lead math teacher Rachel Clark met with a small group of our staff who are newer to Rowe to provide some professional development in math. This was well received by the teachers who attended and they are already applying what they have learned in their classrooms.
We have Kathy Collins, a nationally renowned literacy consultant and author in the building for a day this week and next to do some professional development work in best literacy practices with teachers. Kathy is coming into classrooms to work directly with students. It is always exciting to get fresh ideas and the pandemic has made it difficult for teachers to get out to conferences. We are very excited about this opportunity!
School-wide Pajama Day on December 22nd please mark your calendars
We will be having a school-wide Pajama Day on Wednesday, December 22nd. This is the last day before the first winter break. It is a long-standing tradition at Rowe. This means children and adults who work here will wear their pajamas to school. We only ask that children wear their usual footwear such as sneakers, shoes, and/or boots but not slippers.
Late Arrivals:
We seem to have an increasing number of students who are late getting to school. The bell rings at 8:40 and children need to be in their classrooms at that time. Staff on duty in the morning come into the building at 8:40 promptly. We occasionally have a bus that runs late and we are working with drivers to resolve that issue as well. When children are late, it creates an unsettling start to their day. It also is disruptive to the morning flow with routines and makes it challenging for the day to begin on time. These routines are so very important for young children. Thanks in advance for your help with this.
Dismissal changes:
Please call the school office with dismissal changes by 2 pm. If you know you need to make a change in advance, be sure to email both the classroom teacher and Miriam Epstein, our administrative assistant. Teachers often don’t have time to check email during the school day and could potentially miss an email with time-sensitive information in it.
PikMyKid
Please be sure to announce your child each day in the PikMyKid app if you are picking your child up at the regular dismissal time. This is our record that your child has been dismissed and is necessary. Thank you!
Vaccine Information
Our next school vaccination clinic will be held on Monday, December 20th. Vaccine cards will be mailed home after the second vaccine for those getting vaccinated at school. A few families have reached out to ask if their child can receive the second dose of the vaccine at a school clinic after receiving the first shot elsewhere. Please contact Jennifer Chadwick, our school nurse for further information if you are unable to get your child’s second dose at the original site you visited. Her email is jennifer_chadwick@yarmouthschools.org.
Updating information if you have moved:
Please call or email Miriam Epstein (miriam_epstein@yarmouthschools.org) if you have moved recently. We need to be sure we have updated home addresses on all of our students for mailing purposes and to update bus rosters. Thanks in advance for the help!
Message from the School Nutrition Department
Milk costs .50 for students who are not taking a school lunch. Milk is free if taken with the school lunch. These are guidelines set forth by the federal government. We have some students who may be getting milk and assuming that it is free with a home lunch. Please email Blair Currier, our School Nutrition Director if you have questions regarding the settlement of any account charges you may have.
PTO NEWS
Missed our November Newsletter? You can find it here!
• 12/8 - Next Hannaford Gift Card load. Thank you to everyone who participates in this free-to-you fundraiser!
• 12/16 @4pm - December PTO Meeting. All are welcome! A zoom link will be posted on social media.
• 1/25 @6pm - We are excited to offer a free zoom presentation for parents and caregivers by National Education Consultant Kristi Bush on navigating the current social media landscape. To sign up for this event and learn more, click here: Social Media 101
Questions - Please reach out to Kim Tyau and Elaine Hughes at yarmouthpto04096@gmail.com
Dates to note:
Thursday, December 16th at 4:00 - Virtual PTO meeting - link will be posted on social media
Monday, December 20th - 2nd Covid Vaccination Clinic at Rowe
Wednesday, December 22nd - School-wide Pajama Day
December 23rd- January 2nd- Winter break- No School
Students return to school on Monday, January 3, 2022!
Monday, January 17th - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday - No School