May 4, 2023
Dear Rowe Families,
It is hard to believe how quickly the 2022-23 school year is coming to a close! We are screening our new Kindergarten students this week and incoming Pre-K students at the end of the month. It is always exciting to welcome our new students and very bittersweet to say goodbye to our rising second graders as they move on to new and exciting experiences at Yarmouth Elementary School. We will have a Step-Up Day for rising first and second-grade students on Tuesday, June 13th. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to meet their teacher, learn who will be in their class next year, and hopefully help with any anxiety that students may have about moving to the next grade. Placement letters will go home with students that day.
We will not have a step-up day for rising kindergarten children since not all students coming to kindergarten in the fall attended our Pre-K this year. Placement letters will go out for all 2023-24 kindergarten students in late June. All incoming kindergarten students will have an opportunity to come to an appointment day on either September 5th or 6th. The appointments last about one hour and provide children and their parents a chance to meet the teacher and to see the classroom. The teacher then gets some one on one time with each child to learn a bit about them and to conduct a couple of quick assessments. The Pre-K students for the 2023-24 school year will also have appointment days but they will look a bit different. More specific information about Pre-K appointments will follow soon.
Please note: If you are moving or anticipate that your child will not be attending Rowe next year, please reach out to us in the main office to help with our planning for student placement.
May 8-12: Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week
From May 8-12 we would like to show our thanks and gratitude to our fantastic staff. We hope that you will take the time to show your appreciation this week to the educators who work with your child. Often a simple note of thanks means the world to them. Our wonderful PTO will be providing them with some surprises on Wednesday, May 10th.
PTO News and Ice Cream Social Information
Please SAVE THE DATE for the PTO's annual Rowe Ice Cream Social: Wednesday, June 7th (with a rain date of Monday, June 12th). We look forward to welcoming incoming Pre-K and Kindergarten families as well as current Pre-K, Kindergarten, and first-grade families. For your planning purposes, rising Pre-K and Kindergarten families should plan to attend between 5-6 pm, and current Kindergarten and first-grade students and their families should plan to attend between 6-7 pm. If you have a child in two of these groups, come when it is most convenient for your family.
We need your help! As in years past there will be a variety of baskets to be raffled, but we need your help to fill the baskets! If you are able to make a contribution please see our signup genius here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0844a5a62ca0ff2-icecream3#/ . Items can be dropped off inside Rowe until May 26th. Additionally, for your planning purposes, raffle tickets will be available for purchase at the event with cash or check.
We are also looking for volunteers to help with the event. A variety of shifts are available. Please join us in making this event a success! To volunteer, see our signup genius here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0844a5a62ca0ff2-icecream2#/
The Yarmouth High School Softball and Tennis teams will be hosting a mattress sale fundraiser at Rowe this Sunday, May 7th from 10-4. A full showroom will be set up in the gym and the mattresses can be ordered for delivery to your home. Please come and check it out if you are in need of a mattress of any size. You can find more information on their Facebook page with this link:
https://www.facebook.com/events/596825585670307/permalink/620488213304044/?mibextid=SDPelY
Yarmouth Climate Action Task Force (YCAT):
On Friday, May 12th at 6 pm, YCAT is hosting a talk by Andrew Tufts, the Director of the Maine Audubon's "Bringing Nature Home" program. He will be talking about what measures one can take at home toward more sustainable gardening, including a focus on native plants and supporting local ecosystems. He will also give some information about a current initiative in South Portland, entitled "100 Resilient Yards," an interesting example of what a community can do to make a positive impact on local ecology. The talk will take place in the Founder's Hall of our community partner, 317 Main.
On Saturday, May 13th at 8:30 am, YCAT volunteer Anna Siegel and Andy Kapinos of the Maine Audubon will host a guided bird walk through Royal River Park. This is a great time to spot many different colorful birds in their migration season! Meet at the East Elm Street parking lot. Bring your binoculars and your questions.
At 10 am on Saturday, May 13th, YCAT will host a "Bugs, Birds & Bees" Family Fun Day at the Royal River Park Bandstand. Merrill Memorial Library children's librarian Paiten Price will lead songs and read books related to plants and birds, and we will follow with a series of pollinator-related crafts made from sustainable materials. Feel free to bring a picnic blanket and make a day of it!
Although the Climate Action Plan will not be completed until the Fall, YCAT hopes to begin now to engage folks in fun activities around a number of issues related to climate change and sustainable living. Yarmouth has a new Sustainability Director, Meddy Smith. The events will be staffed by members of YCAT and the Committee for Energy Efficiency & Sustainability (CEES), as well as other volunteers. This is the first of several such programs. We invited you to join us, and we welcome your feedback.
For more information, visit www.yarmouthclimateaction.org, or email yarmouthclimateaction@gmail.com.
Yarmouth Youth Football Registration
Flag Football (PreK-5) & Youth Tackle (5-6) Registration Info
Sign up by May 8th and your player will receive a free T-Shirt! And don’t forget to register your incoming Grade 2-6 player for Football Camp June 19-22!
How to Register:
STEP 1: Register online with Yarmouth Football Association YFA 2023 registration
This will ask for your contact information and T-Shirt Size and allow us to keep you posted on upcoming events.
STEP 2: Register online with Yarmouth Community Services https://www.yarmouthcommunitys... for "NFL Flag Football" or "Youth Tackle Football" by May 8th for FREE T-Shirt (final registration deadline is July 31st).
STEP 3: Print and complete these forms by August 21st 2023 Youth Football Forms 2023 Youth Football Forms and mail them to Yarmouth Football Association PO Box 387 Yarmouth ME 04096.
STEP 4: Sign up for the upcoming Youth Football Camp (grade 2-6) https://www.yarmouthcommunityservices.org/youth
Have some fun June 19-22 with Head Coach Jim Hartman and his 2022 State Champions!
Additional information about our upcoming Pre-K - High School programs here: https://www.yarmouthcommunitys...
Dates to note:
Wednesday, May 17th- Annual First Grade Rowe show at the Yarmouth Performing Arts Center, Yarmouth High School. Mrs. Kenlan has sent details about the event separately. Please email her with any questions at jessica_kenlan@yarmouthschools.org
Monday, May 29th- Memorial Day – No School
Wednesday, June 7th – Ice Cream Social for Rowe School students and families, rain date is Monday, June 12th
Wednesday, June 14th - Last day of school for Pre-K students
Thursday, June 15th- Last day of school. This will be a half day for students and dismissal will begin at 12:00.
Sincerely,
Susan Lobel, Rowe School Principal
