YES NOVEMBER 2022 NEWSLETTER
"Make it a habit to tell people thank you. To express your appreciation, sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return. Truly appreciate those around you, and you'll soon find many others around you. Truly appreciate life, and you'll find that you have more of it." -Ralph Marston
Each November we revisit this quote from Marston as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday. As a school community, we have so much to be thankful for and appreciative of!
We continue to be thankful for the opportunity to lead this amazing school. We are thankful that we get to work with the students, families, and staff at YES. Please know that all members of our school community have our gratitude for the role everyone plays in supporting the success and health of every student at our school.
Our November newsletter highlights many of the exciting things we have to look forward to in the month ahead.
PARENT CONFERENCES
Parents, thank you for actively participating in your child’s education by attending the fall conferences. Individual conferences will continue to take place over the coming weeks. Our teachers appreciate your support and look forward to working closely with you throughout this year.
NWEA MAP & MPG RESULTS
The NWEA MEA/MAP (Gr. 3, 4 & 5)) and MPG (Gr. 2) results are being mailed home to you on Monday. These results also include a letter that helps to explain the assessment and how we use this information to support instruction and help students to grow.
WINTER WEATHER GUIDELINES
Before we know it there will be snow on the ground! This is a good time to review some of our winter weather playground and clothing guidelines as we may get some snow before our December newsletter.
We will NOT go outside if the temperature is 5 degrees or below. Wind chill plays into this, but fluctuates within seconds. The effect of a consistent wind chill may also cause us to stay inside even if the temperature is above 5 degrees.
It is important that students come to school dressed for cold winter weather. Students who want to play in the snow and on snow banks must wear winter jackets, boots, and snow pants. If the temperature is below 40 degrees it is too cold for shorts, tee shirts, and no coats. If you are in need of winter weather clothing please reach out to Mrs. Murray, Mrs. Beckett or Mrs. Lokken in the counselors' office as we do have resources available for those in need to make sure that all students have the proper gear.
Thank you for your help with this to keep our children healthy and warm this winter!
SNOW DAYS/REMOTE LEARNING DAYS
Just like last school year, the first two days that we find winter weather impacting travel we will have traditional snow days held district-wide. That means no school for anyone.
After that we will plan, as best we can, to hold remote learning days in the event of winter weather occurring that makes road travel unsafe. We will monitor the weather forecast and send school iPads home with students the day before. Teachers will provide assignments through Seesaw, Google Classroom, and/or any written materials that are sent home. Google Meets will be held to provide virtual instruction and support. Students are expected to bring the school iPads back to school the next day school is in-person.
If we have a “surprise day” day that impacts the weather, or widespread power outages, then we will have a traditional snow day. This would be in the event that we were not able to send devices home ahead of time or if there is no power in homes to use the internet. The remote snow day information can be found here: YES Remote Snow Days 2022-23
CARTAG REMINDER
Over the past few weeks, we have noted that there is a growing number of student car pickups who are not displaying car tags or the PikMyKid app. This slows down the car loading process as we need to take time to verify and make sure that the adult is authorized to pick up that child. Please post the car tags on the lower side of the windshield towards the sidewalk to keep things both safe and efficient.
LOST AND FOUND
The Lost and Found area is located in the gym lobby and it is overflowing with coats and sweatshirts. If your child is missing an item please direct them to look for it there. It is always a good idea to write their name on these articles of clothing in the event that they are forgotten. We will be doing a donation for any unclaimed items as we get into December.
5th GRADE INTRAMURALS- THURSDAYS 7:45- 8:30 AM
Beginning on Thursday, November 3, fifth-grade teachers Mr. Smith and Mr. Wheeler will be leading some fun intramural activities for fifth-grade students every Thursday morning in the gym. No fee or sign-ups are necessary. All fifth-grade students are welcome to arrive early and join in the fun!
PTO NEWS
A huge thank you to our PTO for supporting our playground sheds, a new Gaga pit, recess radios, and the staff appreciation breakfast. It has been exciting to resume field trips this year and most of these experiences are sponsored by the PTO. On Monday, October 31 we celebrate at our Community Meeting with the long tradition of "Pumpkin Literacy Decorating" which would not be possible without PTO support. Here is the PTO news for November:
Boon Supply Catalog Fundraiser Sale runs through Nov 4!
We hope you’ll find Boon products (totes, wrapping paper, etc) perfect to give as gifts or keep for yourself. Browse the catalog and website, then place your order online! Most importantly, 40% of your purchase goes directly to Yarmouth K-8 PTO!
Go to boonsupply.com/967907. You will see "Yarmouth K-8 PTO." Click "Shop this Cause." Please leave "seller information" blank at checkout. Orders are shipped directly to your home - no need to pick anything up!
Build The Village
Thanks to all the families who have signed up to be part of Build the Village, the PTO's new peer support initiative for parents and their children! We appreciate your openness and engagement, and we have amended our original questionnaire to incorporate your feedback. If you are looking to connect with those who may be walking the same road, please complete this survey to be included in the program.
Responses will be compiled the first week of November, with introductory emails being sent out shortly thereafter. Once the initial connections are made, please build *your* village in whatever way works best for the group.
Questions? Contact Mary Gallaudet, PTO Welcome Committee: yarmouthpto04096@gmail.com
Coming Soon…The Make It Take It Craft Fair! Sunday, December 4th in the YES Cafeteria from 11-2. We are excited to once again host this fun event for our students!
The Make & Take committee is looking for crafty parents/grandparents to get involved! See SignUpGenius for all the available volunteer roles.
For any questions please contact Madeline Backman: Madeline.Backman@gmail.com
Fall Teacher Appreciation- The PTO coordinated breakfast from Claytons for our amazing teachers and staff on Friday, Oct 28. Thanks to all who helped in making sure breakfast was a success!
SCHOOL NURSE NOTES
November is Diabetes Awareness Month. According to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 5 million people in the U.S. are expected to have Type 1 Diabetes by 2050, including nearly 600,000 people under the age of 18. Type 1 Diabetes has no cure, and is considered a lifelong chronic illness with management around the clock. You can learn more HERE and HERE. Wear blue in November for Diabetes awareness.
Please consider donating gently used or new gender-neutral leggings or pants size 6-12 and or waterproof mittens to the health office.
Please continue to health screen your students prior to coming to school. The CDC is now recommending Bivalent COVID-19 boosters for children aged 5-11 years old. You can read more about the announcement HERE. And, HERE is a resource for locating a booster shot for yourself or your student.
In Health, Nurse Thomson
VACCINATION CLINIC
Yarmouth is hosting a clinic offering the Bivalent Covid Booster and other vaccines on Sunday November 6th, 2-5 PM
The vaccine clinic is for 6 months to adult.
Where: Yarmouth High School Gym (Portland Street entrance), Yarmouth, Maine
When: Sunday November 6 2022, 2-5 PM
We will be offering:
- Moderna Bivalent Booster Adult (Ages 12+)
- Moderna Bivalent Pediatric Booster (Ages 6 years - 11 years)
- Pfizer Bivalent Booster Adult (Ages 12+)
- Moderna Pediatric Primary Series (6 months - 5 years)
- Flu Shots will also be available
Please note - if you have had a Covid Booster or had Covid recently you must wait a minimum of 60 days before getting your Bivalent Booster. CDC's current recommendations allow for mixing and matching of vaccines, therefore an individual can receive whatever brand is available for their bivalent booster dose, even if their primary series or previous booster was with a different brand.
Appointments are encouraged but not required, and walk-ins are welcome.
To sign up or find out more information visit: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/yarmouth
COVID ABSENCES & SCHOOLWORK
We have had some questions regarding student absences and schoolwork in the event that a student tests positive for Covid.
As we move to the “endemic” phase, Covid will be treated like other infectious diseases that one might have like the flu or some other sickness. Students may be out of school for a few days, but teachers will not be sending assignments home. Just as it has historically occurred when students are out sick, we will not be creating lessons and work to send home.
Sending home a reading book or math journal might occur, but it is not expected that students will be replicating the work at home that they would be doing in school. The goal is for the student to rest, get well, and they will be caught up when they are able to return.
COUNSELORS CORNER/YARMOUTH FOOD PANTRY THANKSGIVING APPLICATIONS
The Yarmouth Food Pantry provides assistance to families who would like support with a Thanksgiving meal. There is more information attached to this email.
Yarmouth Food Pantry Thanksgiving Meal
Contact any of our school counseling team (Mrs. Murray, Mrs. Beckett, or Mrs. Lokken) as they can also help with any questions you may have.
GESKUS PICTURE RETAKE DAY- THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15
If your child was absent on school picture day or you would like to have a retake done, Geskus photographers will be back at YES on Tuesday, November 15.
PRE-K REGISTRATION FOR 2023-24
Yarmouth Public Pre-K is open for pre-registration for the fall of 2023. If you are interested in learning more about public Pre-K there will be an information session on Monday, November 7th at 6:00 pm at Rowe School. To be eligible, students must be four years old by October 15, 2023.
The curriculum is designed to actively engage students in their learning, and provide regular opportunities for hands-on activities and outdoor experiences. We believe that offering public Pre-K provides all students and families with the opportunity to equitably access high-quality, early childhood education. Programming is part-time (half day), Monday-Friday during either the morning or afternoon. Session times are as follows: Session 1, 8:40am - 11:25am Session 2, 12:40 pm - 3:25 pm. Transportation is available to and from school for all students. Buses can pick up and drop off at your home or child care providers within Yarmouth.
Click HERE here to complete the pre-registration form. Completing Pre-K pre-registration does not guarantee acceptance to the program. Please complete the preregistration by December 2, 2022. If there are more children registered than spaces available, priority will be given to those with academic or developmental needs. If interest in the morning or afternoon session exceeds capacity, or if more than 96 students pre-register, the remaining places will be determined by lottery. Notification of the placement will be provided by December 16, 2022.
If you have any registration questions, please contact Rowe School at 207-846-3771 or Amanda Murray at amanda_murray@yarmouthschools.org. If you have any programming questions, please contact Susan Lobel at susan_lobel@yarmouthschools.org. Please share this information with any Yarmouth friends or family you know who have children eligible for Pre-K in the fall of 2023.
Sincerely,
Susan Lobel, Rowe School Principal
MERRILL MEMORIAL LIBRARY NEWS
Monday, October 31, kids in grades K-12 who wear their costume and swing by the library from 3-5PM will get a free book (while supplies last).
Thursday, November 3, 6PM: Author night with the author of the HMS One Book, One School event, Varsha Bajaj. It will be a 20-minute Q&A session followed by a book signing. I have attached a flier for the event.
Saturday, Nov. 12, 3pm, virtual: Chopped Cooking Challenge. We choose a few special ingredients and seal them in a box, you come to the library and pick up the box, then you gather your friends or family members and open the box (as a group on Zoom) and cook something tasty. Sign up: https://forms.gle/7HoeUKXpLXLDuuZh7
Wednesday, Nov. 16, 5:30pm: FOR PARENTS OF TEENS: "Supporting the Mental Well-Being of the Teen(s) in Your Life" hosted by Valo, a local organization that works with teens to create space for them to explore their place in the world and to inspire them to find ways to live a hopeful life. The intention of this talk is to create a space for folks to talk about the ups and downs of supporting teens today.
Friday, Nov. 18, 7pm, at the library: Trivia Night. Come solo or grab a team and come to trivia night in the library. Registration is not required just preferred: https://forms.gle/EV32QfYeWHbzv4CR8
They can also get more information or sign up on our website: www.yarmouthlibrary.org/youth-services/
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11: NO SCHOOL- VETERANS DAY HOLIDAY
We would like to take this opportunity to personally thank our community Veterans for your dedicated service to the United States Armed Forces. We will forever be grateful for your bravery and sacrifices to protect our country’s freedom.
NO SCHOOL: WEDNESDAY, NOV. 23 - FRIDAY, NOV. 25: THANKSGIVING BREAK
On behalf of everyone at Yarmouth Elementary School, we wish all of our families a happy Thanksgiving and a wonderful start to the Holiday Season!
Best,
Ryan Gleason, YES Principal & Molly Kilpatrick, YES Assistant Principal