October 3, 2019
Dear Rowe Families,
It was wonderful to see so many of you at Open House on September 26th. For those of you who were unable to attend, do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher if you have questions pertaining to the classroom. I shared a couple of documents via email recently that were available that night as well.
Rowe School is on Twitter
We have a school Twitter account. I post school events and photos a couple of times each month. I do not post photos of any children who have asked us not to do so. Sometimes I post student work such as writing or art. Feel free to follow us @YarmouthRowe.
September Community meeting
Our first community meeting was hosted by Mrs. Gross and me. We introduced all of the classroom teachers and heard about an activity that each of them enjoys outside of school. We sang our school song based on our core values- Safe, Kind, Helpful, and Polite. We did some singing and dancing to the Go Bananas song led by Mrs. Gross. Our Community Meeting for October will be a presentation by the Yarmouth Fire Department on fire safety.
Facilities Project
As I mentioned in my last newsletter, the addition to our school will begin later this month. We do not have the exact date yet but should know within another week. We are looking forward to expanding our building to better accommodate the needs of our growing student population. I will keep you updated as the project progresses.
Alfond grants for higher education
There are grants available in the amount of $500.00 for babies born in Maine since 2013. There were limited grants available between 2008-2012. Here's a link to information about the program. Alfond Grant information
Clothing and other items
Please be sure to label all coats, sweatshirts, sweaters, and water bottles. A first initial and full last name is most helpful. Once we get into the winter season, we often have many pairs of snow pants and boots that look very similar, sometimes within the same classroom. It is critical that these items be labeled. Please remind your child to check the Lost and Found if they are missing anything. Thanks for the help!
Morning Drop Off
Please be aware of the proper use of the single lane drop off that runs along the side of the parking lot. We ask that you do not park there, as it is strictly for drop off. You can watch your child walk to the gate where an adult is there to greet them. It is important to use it only to drop off to allow other families access in as efficient a manner as possible.
The arrival bell rings at 8:40. If you arrive after 8:40, please do not have your child try to find his or her class as the lines are filing in from outside. You can walk your child inside and wait in the atrium by the wooden bench for his or her class to walk by. If the class has already gone down, they can head to class on their own from the atrium. We do not mark children tardy if they arrive before all of the lines are inside. Thank you for your cooperation!
Update from the Health Office:
If your child is still finishing up their immunizations, please remember to get those to the nurse as soon as possible. The nurse has to submit a report to the State by the end of September.
Rowe will be having a flu vaccination clinic on Wednesday, October 9th. You should have received an information packet in your child’s home/school folder. Please sign and return the permission form to the school. It is important to fully complete the permission form for your child. Please reach out to the school nurse, Jill Webber, if you have any questions or concerns. We sent an email earlier today with the necessary forms attached.
Lice have already been found in a couple of classrooms. Even if it is not in your child’s class, it would be a good idea to start checking your child’s head on a weekly basis. More information about how to check your child’s head can be found on the nurse’s website. Please reach out to the school nurse, Jill Webber, if you have any questions or concerns.
Message from Merrill Memorial Library
Visit our new MML-Kids Facebook page for information about programs along with book recommendations and reviews. Follow this link and then like us: https://www.facebook.com/merrillmemorialkids/
· You can also sign up for our e-newsletter for info about both children and adult programs, visit www.yarmouth library.org, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the Subscribe button.
· The Spooky STEAM program is up and running for grades K-2. There are still 2 spots and it runs for 3 more weeks, Wednesdays, October 2, 9, and 16.
· Read to a Dog! Every Friday, MML has a friendly, lovable dog in the library waiting to be read to. Sign up is required and there are 15-minute spots from 3:45-4:30. Sign up at the circulation desk or call 846-4763.
· Saturday, October 26, 10:30-11:30, Origami with August. Drop-in and learn some Halloween-themed folds.
· There will be a daytime Monster Mash Story Time for children ages birth to 4 on Thursday, October 31 at 11:15 AM. Children are welcome to come in costume, hear a story, trick-or-treat in the library, and do a Halloween-themed craft.
Message from Yarmouth Education Foundation
Blue Jean Ball tickets are now on sale! Please join us for the Yarmouth Education Foundation’s largest fundraiser of the year. The 9th Annual BJB will be held on Saturday, October 19. It will be at AMVETS on North Road from 6:30-10:30 PM.
Enjoy food from Binga’s Wingas. Dance to the music of Yarmouth bands, The Loose Threads and Fight at the Family Picnic. No silent auction this year, and we can’t wait to show off our incredible raffle prizes instead. Join us for a fun night out celebrating our great schools! Tickets are $50 per person or join our 2019 Host Committee.
Tickets and more information are available on the YEF website: yarmoutheducationfoundation.org
If you have questions, please email us at info@yarmoutheducationfoundation.org
PTO NEWS
· Hannaford Gift Card – The next load is October 9 by noon. Flyers will come home in your child’s folder or you can access one here, HGC flyer.
· Boon Supply - Boon Supply is in place of our traditional Close Buy sale, which is not operational this year. We hope you’ll find Boon products perfect to give as gifts or keep for yourself. Delivery will be in time for the holidays, and 40% of your purchase goes directly to Yarmouth K-8 PTO! Info coming home soon. The sale is officially Oct 2-23, but you can order online now by pasting boonsupply.com/967907 into your browser.
· Staff Appreciation – Help us celebrate our teachers and staff! On October 23, we will provide teachers with a delicious luncheon to say thank you! Sign-up by school below:
· Make-It Take-It Craft Fair – We are looking for volunteers to help with our annual Make-It Take-It Craft Fair, Sunday, November 17, 11 am - 2 pm. You can sign up to provide snacks/baked goods. Or sign up to help at the craft fair (help children put together a craft, supply your own craft idea, set up, clean up). High schoolers can earn community hours!
· Rowe Mom’s Night Out – Rowe Moms are invited to Maine Beer Company, 525 US Route 1, Freeport, on Tuesday, October 22, 6-8 pm. Feel free to stop by any time! Individuals are responsible for their food and beverages. Hope to see you there! Contact Becca Maltais with questions, rebeccamaltais@yahoo.com.
· Box Tops – Our next submission is Nov 1; please send in your box tops by Fri, Oct 25. YES & Rowe students-send in your child’s folder. HMS students-send to the school office. For info on how to earn money for schools with digital box tops, go to https://yarmouthpto.org/event/box-tops-october-round-up/.
· Online Welcome Packet – This comprehensive live document compiled by our Welcome Committee has info about local and state events, attractions, resources, and much more: bit.ly/PTOWelcomePacket
· Getting Involved – Please fill out our 2-minute volunteer survey if you’re curious about what we do and how to help. If you’d rather help with funding, you can write a check to Yarmouth K-8 PTO and send to PO Box 262 in Yarmouth or visit our website and click “Donate Now.”
· Questions or Comments? Please contact Jessica Raimy and Christy Hayashida at yarmouthpto04096@gmail.com.
Important dates to note:
Friday, October 11th - Staff Inservice day - No School
Monday, October 14th-Indigenous Peoples day, No School
Monday, November 11th-Veterans Day holiday – No School
Wednesday, November 27th-Friday, November 29th – Thanksgiving holiday, No School
Students return to school on Monday, December 2nd
Sincerely,
Susan Lobel, Principal