February 3, 2020
Dear Rowe families,
Our school has been a busy place since returning from the holiday break! First graders have been hard at work writing persuasive letters. I and other staff members have received a number of requests for our school and many children have been writing to family members regarding changes they hope to see at home. One of the most important parts of writing the letters is coming up with a sufficient number of reasons why a change should occur. It is amazing to see what six and seven-year-olds create for reasons! Kindergarten children have been writing non-fiction pieces called How-To texts that teach their readers about a topic they have become an expert on. You should see some of this work coming home or posted on SeeSaw soon.
Our Community Meeting last week was hosted by Mrs. McFarland, Miss Cross, and Mrs. Boutin’s first-grade classes, with a special appearance by Mrs. Gross, our social worker. The theme was mindfulness and the children had a chance to practice some deep breathing and learn about the parts of their brains that are connected to emotions. They also were taught and practiced some yoga poses.
Parent/Teacher conferences will be held this year beginning in late February and going through the month of March. Individual teachers set up their own appointments, so the window of time when they are held is broad. Learning Profiles will go home on Friday, February 14th, just before the winter break.
Food Drive
Our food drive for the Yarmouth Food pantry is well underway. Thanks to all of the families who have already sent items in. We will be collecting food until Wednesday, February 12th. At our next Community Meeting on Friday, February 14th, we will reflect on the project and review the bar graph we have been keeping to monitor the amount of food we collect.
Kindergarten Registration
If you have a child who will be five on or before October 15, 2020, please call Rowe School (846-3771) after February 25 to register your child for Kindergarten for the fall of 2020.
(If you have a friend who has a potential 2020-2021 kindergartener, please remind him or her to give us a call, too!)
Cold weather gear
Please continue to send in snow pants, boots, hats, mittens, and gloves. Whether we have snow on the ground or not, we encourage the children to dress warmly. They can always leave unneeded items in their backpacks if the day warms up and they don’t need all of it. Thank you for your help!
Lending closet
We have a lending closet in the office with all types of winter gear in case a few children forget something at home. Please be sure to remind your child to return any borrowed items if something unfamiliar ends up in the backpack.
Construction and parking
We appreciate your patience as our construction project unfolds. There are days when it feels like parking spaces are limited. It has come to our attention, however, that there are sometimes people parking in handicapped spaces. We ask that you please refrain from this to allow for those who legitimately need those spaces to park there. Thanks in advance for your help!
PTO News
Hannaford: Next loads are Wed, Feb 5 & Feb 26, 12pm. To reload an existing card, write the card’s last 6 digits on your check’s memo line; no need to send in the card or form. Forms will be sent home. Thank you!
Box Tops Collection: Please bring in your Box Tops by Feb 12! You can send them with your student or drop them off at the school office. A reminder that Box Tops now has both scanned and clip-able box tops. Their app will instantly add cash to your school's earnings online.
PTO Meeting: Please join us for our next meeting in the YES library on Feb 27, 4-5 pm.
Bee House Building – Save the Date: Rowe, along with YES students, are invited to learn about bees and help support local bee populations on Saturday, March 21, at 10 am at Yarmouth Community House (179 E Main St, Yarmouth). We will make bee houses to donate to the Maine Audubon Society, and/or to keep at home in your own yard! Not a drop-off event. Hope to see you there!
Online Camp Packet: Wishing for a thorough compilation of camp information? Here you go! http://bit.ly/PTOCampPacket. The Welcome Committee also created and maintains a live document about local and state events, attractions, resources, and more: bit.ly/PTOWelcomePacket. If you have additional info to add, please send it to the PTO Welcome Committee at rebeccamaltaise@yahoo.com.
List of PTO Enrichments: Thank you, parents and guardians, for supporting our schools’ enrichments. Please contact Jessica Raimy and Christy Hayashida for any reason at yarmouthpto04096@gmail.com. We check email daily.
Events at Merrill Memorial Library
Saturday, February 8: Chinese New Year Celebration Craft Hour, 10:30 AM-11:30: Make a Family Tree Zodiac Banner for Year of the Rat, and get a lucky red envelope
February Break Events - all events are free and all-ages with no registration required unless noted otherwise
Tuesday, February 18, LEGO Free Build, 10:30-12 PM; Minecraft Drop-In, 3-4 PM
Wednesday, February 19, Pokemon Tournament, Participants arrive between 12:30-1 PM, Tournament from 1-4 PM. All participants will receive a new Pokemon card with prizes awarded to top scorers. Registration Required. Use this Google Form or email Jill at joconnor@yarmouthlibrary.org to register
Thursday, February 20, Maker Morning, 10:30 AM-12 PM; Minecraft Drop-In, 3-4 PM
Friday, February 21 and Saturday, February 22: Board Game Days, 10:30 AM-3 PM: Come play new board games from Island Treasure Toys
*Tale-Wagging Tales, Fridays, starting at 3:45: come read to a therapy dog, call 846-4763 or email Mary at mrandall@yarmouthlibrary.org to sign up for a 15-minute spot
And for a preview of March, we will be running Got Science? on Mondays in March from 3:45-4:45 and we will host our second Ukulele Jam on Saturday, March 7 from 10:30-11:30 AM
Dates to note:
Monday, February 17th-Friday, February 21st- Winter break, No School
Monday, February 24th- Kindergarten registration begins
Thursday, February 27th-PTO meeting in the YES library, 4:00-5:00
Tuesday, March 24th - First grade Rowe Music Show at the YPAC, students arrive by 6:15 for a 6:30 PM show.
Sincerely,
Susan Lobel, Principal