YARMOUTH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Dear YES Families, 

We are now beginning the month of February and it’s hard to believe that we are officially past the halfway point of the school year. As we reflect on this school year at YES our students are working hard and making strong gains in their learning. To our students, keep up the great work! Parents, your ongoing support of your child’s learning has been vital to their success.

February marks a month-long celebration known as “Black History Month”. It is an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the history and achievements of African Americans. The celebration takes place in February to commemorate the birthdays of two Americans who greatly influenced the lives of African Americans: former President Abraham Lincoln and abolitionist Frederick Douglass. Our Responsive Classroom practices, YES core values, and ongoing Intercultural Competence work continue to support a nationwide theme of celebrating peace and tolerance during this important month. 

CONFERENCES, REPORT CARDS, & NWEA                                                                                

As we shared in the January newsletter, parent conferencing occurs just after the mid-way point of our school year. Classroom teachers are in the process of beginning to schedule these meetings and hold conferences. They will be sharing with you how students are progressing and growing in regards to the YES learning standards that have been taught. 

Just a reminder that the conferencing window for teachers runs from now through March. Your child's teacher will communicate with you directly on when they will hold these meetings. Teachers will provide you with a copy of the report card prior to, or at the conference. 

It is important to remember that our progress reports are reporting out on end-of-year grade level common core standards. It is not uncommon that many students are at a "beginning" or "developing" level in their progress towards these standards at this point in the school year. In many cases we would not expect students to be at a "meets the standard" until the end of the school year. The report card is always an "invitation to a conversation" as the conference will share all the work going on for your child in the classroom.

We are finishing makeup testing this week in all grades for the NWEA winter assessment. Once those are completed we will be mailing home those results to you. 

Once again, your collaboration and support are greatly appreciated!

VALENTINES DAY CARDS

Classroom teachers will be in touch with you regarding their plans to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Once again this year students may send/exchange paper valentines’ only- there should not be any attached items (candy, erasers. etc.)  More specifics will come soon.

PARENT PICK UP: CAR TAG REMINDER 

At this point in the school year, the parent pick-up process is running smoothly.  Recently we have noticed people forgetting to post the car tag prominently in their vehicles. The process goes much more efficiently when this is posted in the right-hand corner of your windshield or another place on the right-hand side of your vehicle. Smartphone app tags are more difficult to see but if you have them ready to show when you pull in that is also a big help.  Thank you for your support with this!

LOST & FOUND REMINDER

There are many items in the lost and found area. On February 18 any items that have not been picked up will be donated to a local charity. Please make sure that your children pick up any missing items before then!

SCHOOL NURSE NEWS  

To report a COVID-19 case for Yarmouth Elementary School, please use the district-wide COVID-19 reporting form. Thank you for your help with this.

Please remind your student to wear a well-fitting mask to school each day. Well-fitting means that it covers the mouth and nose while talking. Students grow and masks that fit in September may not fit now additionally, the CDC recommends surgical or KN95 masks. However, the mask your student will wear consistently and that they find comfortable is the best one for them.

Please remember to bring a refillable water bottle to school each day.  I have a few if they forget, but not an endless supply

Please remember to complete the health screening tool prior to sending students to school each day.

The nurse's office would benefit from gently used waterproof mittens and gloves for when students' mittens get lost or too wet to wear for a second recess.  

Finally, testing is available each Monday by the Yarmouth Community Taskforce from 8 am-10 am at 56 North Rd. You can find more information HERE.

Please reach out at any time. 846-3391 or alison_thomson@yarmouthschools.org

Nurse Thomson                                                                    

2022-23 YARMOUTH KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION

If you have a child who will be age 5 on or before October 15, 2022, contact Rowe School at (207) 846-3771 starting February 28th to register for Kindergarten. www.yarmouthschools.org

PTO NEWS                                                                                   

• Hannaford Gift Card – Next load date is Wednesday, Jan 26 at noon.
• Online PTO Directory – You can now access the online PTO Directory at https://yarmouthschools.membershiptoolkit.com. If you haven’t already done so, the directory will prompt you to verify and update your information. Questions? Contact us at yarmouthpto04096@gmail.com. 
• Summer Camps – Dreaming about summer and wondering where to find Yarmouth area summer camps? You can access this Camp Packet for local camp information. Contact  rebeccamaltais@yahoo.com if you have questions or additional camp info.
• PTO Meeting – Please join us online Thursday, February 17, 4:00 pm. The zoom link will be posted on our FB page closer to the date.

YARMOUTH’S GOT TALENT NEWS

Yarmouth Music Boosters is excited to share that this year's Yarmouth's Got Talent will take place on Friday, April 1, and will highlight some of Yarmouth's remarkably talented students from grades K-12. Auditions will be hosted by Mrs. Troy on Monday, March 28. If you would like to try out, fill out a YGT entry form at YarmouthsGotTalent.org. Entry forms are due by Thursday, March 17.   Yarmouth Music Boosters is planning for a live show this year so acts should be able to be performed on the Yarmouth Performing Arts Center stage.  If Health and Safety conditions don't allow for in-person attendance, the show will be recorded and shared with the community via Vimeo. All acts must follow school COVID requirements: all performers must wear masks, maintain spacing to the greatest extent possible, and use instrument filters.   For more details, visit YarmouthsGotTalent.org.   

FEBRUARY DATES TO REMEMBER 

Friday, February 11: Sock Drive/Wacky Sock Day!

On this day we will celebrate the YES core values of caring and citizenship.  Students who wish to participate are asked to bring in one or more new pairs of socks. Socks will be collected that day. Everyone is also encouraged to wear wacky socks to school that day to show their school spirit. You can wear unique-looking socks, mismatched socks, socks pulled up over the outside of your pant legs, etc.   

As we approach our 100th day of school, we'd like to see if we can collect 100 or more pairs of socks to donate to people in need. We are proud to share with you that all socks collected will be delivered to the Preble Street Shelter in Portland. Way to go YES!

February 21 to February 25: Winter Break- No School

Monday, February 28: School Resumes 

As always, please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions, concerns, or feedback you would like to share.  We hope that your family has a healthy start to February and a nice winter break.

Best,

Ryan Gleason, YES Principal & Molly Kilpatrick, YES Assistant Principal