October 17, 2022
Dear YES Families,
We have a few additional October updates to share with you this evening:
Wednesday, October 19: Unity Day - Wear Orange!
Every year on the third or fourth Wednesday in October, a very special event comes around — the Day of Unity, or Unity Day, as it is commonly called, which is celebrated on October 19 this year. This is the signature event of National Bullying Prevention Month, also celebrated in October. Multiple anti-bullying campaigns — of which Unity Day is one of them, are organized during this period. The key message of this month, and this day, is to unite for kindness, courage, and inclusion, to prevent students from being bullied.
In our SEL classes, school counselors spend time working with students on how to problem-solve in ways that are both peaceful and respectful. The aim is to increase focus on positive behaviors that reduce bullying and transform schools and the world for the better. On this day, our students and staff are encouraged to wear an article of clothing with the color orange to celebrate Unity Day and work together against bullying.
Thursday, October 20: Multilingual Learner Night 6:00- 7:30 pm
Yarmouth Elementary School will host a Multilingual Learner Evening on Thursday, October 20, 6 - 7:30 pm. Multilingual Learners in PreK - Grade 12 and their families have been invited. You are welcome to stop by (even just for a few minutes) to say hello and have some food - pizza, salad, and cake!
Interpreters will be available to provide language support for families. The Multilingual team will give a presentation of English language services in the Yarmouth Schools. Meg Pachuta and student volunteers will facilitate games for the younger students. All are invited!
Monday, October 31: Halloween- Pajama Day at YES & Community Meeting
On Monday, October 31 we hold "Pajama Day" at school to celebrate Halloween. It is expected that students will not be wearing costumes that day. For those who do celebrate the holiday please leave the costumes at home and save them for the evening!
Additionally, we will have our October YES Community Meeting for staff and students that day. This month our third-grade teachers and students will be leading the meeting. A highlight of this event is the "unveiling" of the pumpkins that each class in the school will be decorating over the next two weeks. Each classroom will choose a favorite book character to use as the inspiration for their pumpkin. Thank you to our third-grade teachers for leading this fun YES tradition!
Candy Buy Back
For those of you who enjoy the Halloween fun, but are not a fan of all that candy in your house, Dr. Michele Shems, a local dentist, has offered a "Candy Buy Back" program to support a charity for the past several years. Dr. Shems will donate $2.00 per pound (5 lb. limit) and will match dollar for dollar with all proceeds benefiting the Colon Cancer Coalition. They are open to the public November 1-3 8:30 am - 4:30 pm at her office located at 202 US Route 1 in Falmouth. Contact (207) 781-5655 for more information.
PTO Initiative - Build the Village
The Yarmouth PTO Welcome Committee is launching a new initiative, Build the Village, to help families connect around shared experiences, interests, and identity. This is not a fundraising effort. The goal is to form small group networks so that parents can share tips, tricks, and insights with others who may be navigating the same path.
If you are wondering if your child is the first one to come up against something they’re struggling with, or if you are wondering if you are the first parent to be uncertain of resources or next steps, chances are the answer is no.
If you recently made it through a process with your child that should have come with an instructional manual, then you are now a great resource for someone just setting out on that path.
To participate in Build the Village, please complete this survey. The PTO Welcome Committee will share your contact information specifically with other parents who selected the same area(s) of interest. Once the initial connections have been made, build your village in whatever way works best for your group.
Questions before signing up? Email: Mary Gaulladet, YES Welcome Committee Chair yarmouthpto04096@gmail.com
Best,
Ryan Gleason, YES Principal & Molly Kilpatrick, YES Assistant Principal