January 14, 2021
Dear Rowe Families,
Our first week and a half back from the break went smoothly. It feels like we got right into full swing and the children seem ready and eager to learn. The big event was the opening of our new addition last week. There are three first grade classes, all of our Learning Center with an expansion of two classroom spaces for K and first grade, an additional staff restroom and copy/breakroom, our RTI ed-tech team of four, and our Speech, Occupational, and Physical therapists all have new spaces. There are a couple of additional classrooms that will allow for future growth. As I mentioned earlier, the art and music classrooms are back inside the building as well. It is amazing to have this additional, much needed space. The portable classroom in the rear of the school has been moved, as it is no longer needed. We know that this would not have been possible without the support of this amazing community. We feel very grateful for your support!
Library books
We have had a slower start in taking out books from the school library mostly due to the pandemic. It took some time to acquire the additional help needed for book circulation in the absence of community and parent volunteers. We have a fairly good system going now and can allow for time before reshelving them. Please be sure your child returns his or her book(s) when it is due. You can send books back sooner even if it isn’t a library day. There is a bin for book returns that children can access on non-library days. We have to charge a fee for the replacement cost of any lost books. Thanks in advance for your help!
New phone system
We have a new phone system in our school now! When school is not in session (before and after hours, on weekends and vacations, etc), the "automatic attendant" will answer the phone and will direct families to either leave a message to report an absence to the office, or will offer the ability to reach the school counselor (Kristin Dunn), the school nurse, (Jill Webber) the school principal, (Susan Lobel) or leave a general message for the office (Amanda Murray). Please do not leave messages for teachers regarding a student's absence or dismissal changes on a given day, but instead, call the office to share this information.
News from the K-8 PTO
Parent Education – On January 26 from 6:30-8:00pm, we will hold a virtual parent education night with Anne Marie Read, a parenting education instructor from Washington state who works extensively with families and children on a range of parenting topics. We invite you to select which topics you’d most like to learn more about during this event.
PTO Meeting – Please feel free to join us at our next meeting on Thursday, Jan 21, 7 pm. Meeting log in information: ID-875 6916 1587, Passcode-691183. Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87569161587?pwd=Q25CVXpnQkduaEx6QTNNY29QdDRXZz09
PTO Enrichments – You can view a growing list of enrichments we’ve been able to provide through your donations. Thank you, parents!
Questions can be sent to Christy Hayashida and Jessica Raimy at yarmouthpto04096@gmail.com.
Dates to note:
Monday, January 18th- No School in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday
Thursday, January 21st- Virtual PTO mtg - 7pm
Tuesday, January 26th - Virtual Parent Education evening, 6:30-8:00pm (see details above from PTO)
Monday, February 15th-Friday, February 19th - Winter break
Sincerely,
Susan Lobel, Principal