Dear YHS Families,

We live in a world with far too many emails, tweets, and notifications that keep us glued to our phones and laptops, and I usually attempt to limit the number of emails sent to parents from the school.  In this case, however, I must make an exception with a special Halloween Parent Note Edition.  Not only do I need to share some tremendously important information regarding the end of the quarter that will help students be successful academically, I would also like to share some tremendously exciting news regarding the success of our students outside the classroom.   

The end of the first quarter is next Friday, November 5.  It is important for our students to take care of their academic responsibilities as the quarter draws to an end, and I would encourage you to review PowerSchool to review your student’s progress.  Students will have additional time to work with their teachers during their Flextime blocks to complete assignments and finish the quarter on a strong note.    

Parent Teacher Conferences

This year, parents will have the opportunity to meet with teachers via video conference.  Our faculty members will be sending emails to schedule these online conferences, which will occur between Monday, November 8 and Wednesday, November 10.  We hope you will sign up for a conference with your student’s teachers if you have concerns or need ideas for how best to support your student in the teacher’s class.  We would ask that you consider an email check-in if you have no major concerns and simply want to make a connection with the teacher. Please look for emails from your student’s teachers with instructions for how to sign up for conferences (again, our apologies for the additional amount of messaging to schedule these conferences online). 

Photo Retakes are this Thursday, Nov. 4.  Please see this link for more information. 

Even though the temperatures are getting colder, events are heating up as our students continue to excel both inside and outside the classroom.  Weather notwithstanding, this is a wonderful weekend to see some terrific events at Yarmouth High School.  

First, just in time for this weekend’s Halloween celebrations, our YHS Playmakers will be taking the theatrical production of Shrek outdoors this evening, Friday, Oct. 29, at 6:30 p.m. The show will be held outside the West Elm Street entrance to the high school. All tickets are $5.00 and are available at the entrance. Cash and Venmo will be accepted. Wear a costume!!  Please dress warmly! Baked goods and warm beverages will be available! Parking is available in the Portland Street parking lot.  Bring a blanket as seating is limited.

Playoffs!?! Playoffs!?!  Oh yes, we have playoffs.

It has been an outstanding fall for our athletic programs.  Please check the YHS website for updated information as our teams will be participating in a “Super Saturday” of key matchups, as well as hosting the state volleyball championship on Monday.   Here is a listing of the upcoming events:

Cross Country - Several YHS students will be participating in the state meet in Belfast...a long trip, but a great adventure!  The girls’ race begins at 1:40, followed by the boys’ race at 2:20 pm.    

Girls Soccer will play at home at 1 pm versus Medomak Valley.

Boys Soccer will also play at home vs Freeport at 3:30 pm.  

And our Field Hockey team will be traveling to Cape for a 12 pm playoff match.  

Just in case this weekend’s events aren’t enough, Yarmouth High School will host this year’s Class B volleyball state championship.  Come cheer on the Clippers as they take on Cape Elizabeth at 6 pm.  

Winter Sports Night - As the fall season comes to an end, it is time to prepare for our winter sports season.  Winter Sports Information Night will be held on Monday, November 8 @ 6 pm. Please plan to attend if your son or daughter is planning to participate in a winter sport in order to meet with coaches about the upcoming season.  Note, too, that academic eligibility for winter sports, interscholastic clubs, and senior open campus is based on grades for the first quarter, which ends on November 5.  The athletic department will be sharing information with families next week.  

Finally, a reminder that there will be no school on Thursday, Nov. 11 and Friday, Nov. 12 in recognition of Veteran's Day.  

In Summary

--Shrek: The Outdoor Edition - Friday (tonight) at 6:30 pm. YHS

--Girls’ Soccer - Saturday 1 pm. YHS

--Girls’ Cross Country State Meet - Saturday 1:40 pm. Belfast

--Boys’ Cross Country State Meet - Saturday 2:20  pm. Belfast

--Boys’ Soccer - Saturday 3:30 pm. YHS

--Field Hockey - Saturday 12 pm. Cape Elizabeth

--Girls’ Volleyball State Championship - Monday  6 pm. YHS

--School Photo Retakes - Thursday, Nov. 4 YHS

--Winter Sports Information Night - Monday, 6 pm Nov. 8 (online)

--Parent Teacher Conferences - Monday, Nov. 8 through Wednesday, Nov. 10 (online)

--No School - Thursday, Nov. 11 and Friday, Nov. 12.  Veteran’s Day Recognition

Have a wonderful weekend,

Eric Klein - YHS Principal