November 1, 2018
Dear Rowe Families,
The first six weeks of school have passed swiftly by and it has been nice seeing many of you here to volunteer, to have lunch, and to attend parent-teacher conferences. Many teachers are still meeting with parents or will be doing so in the next week or two. It is always exciting to get an update on your child’s progress. If you haven’t done so already, please contact your child’s teacher to set up a conference.
On November 6th, students will be participating in a mock election to vote on a new piece of equipment for the playground. The teachers will be talking with them about this soon. We are excited to have this opportunity to teach the children about the process of voting.
November 6th School Facilities Vote
We encourage all Yarmouth residents to vote on the facilities bond questions on November 6. All four Yarmouth schools are in need of expansion due to growing student enrollment numbers. The proposed Rowe School expansion is part of the second question. Growth of the student population in Yarmouth has required that Rowe School’s designated Music and Art rooms be turned into classrooms, as we added an additional first grade classroom in 2017-2018, and a new kindergarten classroom in 2018-2019. As a result, Music classes have been taught in the library since September 2017, and this fall, Art classes have been taught from a cart while we await the completion of a portable classroom. The portable classroom will eventually house Art and some Music classes; however, this pales in comparison to having classroom spaces within the building dedicated to Art and Music. The facilities bond question also notes the projected need for additional classroom space as the population of school-age children in Yarmouth continues to grow. Here is the link if you would like to read more information about the school projects. https://www.yarmouthschools.org/facilities-committee.
Tulip Garden Project
On October 25th, Harrison Middle School seventh graders worked collaboratively with our first grade students to replenish the tulip garden in front of Rowe. Six years ago, those seventh grade students were first graders, and they were responsible for planting the original tulip garden. It has always been known as the “rainbow garden” due to the multi-colored tulips and the arc shape in which the bulbs are planted. It blooms each year in May and needed some attention, as bulbs die off over time and require replanting. A special thanks goes out to Amy Sinclair, the HMS parent of a current 7th grader who started the project six years ago! She, along with the first and seventh grade teachers, planned and carried out this special opportunity for our students.
Chewonki Foundation visits
Rowe students were treated to two special presentations by the Chewonki Foundation this week. Chewonki is a nature and science based educational organization located in Wiscasset, ME. My own children had Chewonki experiences as students and I have been sold on their mission ever since. For several years, they have been coming annually to present Owls of Maine to first grade students at Rowe. Our first graders once again enjoyed this presentation at Rowe on November 1. On October 30th, kindergarten children were also treated to a presentation about bats by the Chewonki Foundation, something which has not occurred for several years. It is wonderful to have them back for both kindergarten and first graders again. Please be sure to ask your children about these engaging programs and welcome them to share with you at least one fact they learned from them. A big thank you to our amazing PTO group, who partially funded these special visits.
Dismissal
When picking your child up at dismissal time, please be sure to sign him or her out in the office. It is imperative that you do this no matter how busy the office may be. This is the only way for us to make sure that all children are accounted for. Thank you in advance for your cooperation!
Cold weather gear
We have officially entered the period of the year when we are having some cold, raw days. If the temperature is below 50 degrees, we require children to wear a coat outside. Many children do a lot of running on the playground, so we recognize they may feel warm and allow them to unzip their coats if they are overheated. Hats, mittens, and gloves are welcome additions on cold days. Once the snow flies, we require boots and snow pants in order for them to play in the snow. If they come without them, they must stay on the plowed, paved area of the playground.
Message from YHS Interact Club
The Interact Club will be sponsoring another “Kid’s Night Out” movie on Friday, November 2 at the First Baptist Church on Main Street from 6-8 p.m. The movie will be Hotel Transylvania, and there will also be some games and activities for kids who prefer not to watch the movie. Please bring a pillow and sleeping bag. Pizza and popcorn will be available for $2 and cookies, other treats, and water for $1. Cost is $12 per child ($10 each additional sibling). All profits this month go to the Lunch Crunch program right here in Yarmouth!
Sincerely, Susan Lobel
Rowe School Principal
Dates to note:
Tuesday, November 6 Election Day and bond vote
Monday, November 12 Veterans Day holiday
Tuesday, November 13 School photo retake day
Thursday, November 15 PTO meeting @ 7PM in the YES library
Wednesday- Friday, November 21-23 Thanksgiving break
Monday, Dec. 24- Tuesday, Jan. 1 - Winter holiday break
News from the K-8 PTO
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Your support has been amazing! We are so grateful to you. If you have time, this gracious note is worth a read, describing one of the ways your contributions impacts our students.
Hannaford Gift Cards - Next Due Date is Wed, Nov 7 @ noon
Two record months for HGC - thanks to you! If you’re able, please keep up the support, as that is what makes these enrichments possible.
Welcome Committee - Friendly Waves
The Welcome Committee helps familiarize new families with existing school families and the town. Check out this amazing and thorough online Welcome Packet full of valuable information such as local services, annual activities, events throughout Maine, and more. This live document will be updated as events in the community change; its link is also available on the PTO website. Below are a couple upcoming events organized by this PTO committee:
· New(ish) YES Families - New to Yarmouth schools or just looking to make new connections with other families? Your entire family is invited to a fun, casual night of games, pizza, snacks, and time with friends on Friday, Nov 9, 6:30-8:30 pm in the YES gym! If you’d like to bring a snack or help during the event, please sign up here.
· Rowe School Moms, join us Nov 13, 7:30 pm at Gather to chat and get to know one another! We have reserved the community table for this event. (Individuals cover their own food and drink.) Space is limited, so please RSVP to Christina Copsey at tina.copsey@gmail.com as soon as you can.
Make-it Take-it Craft Fair Join us Sunday, Nov 18, from 11am-2pm in the YES gym! At this beloved event, children make crafts to give away (or keep) as holiday gifts, spend time with friends, and enjoy a pizza lunch and snacks. Our Welcome Committee will have a bake sale and coffee corner to meet with other families if you like. If you could spare just a bit of time in one of the following ways, we would be grateful. · Craft Table Assistants - If you can swing by for even just an hour between 11:30 and 1:30, we would love extra hands to help kids assemble crafts. Please contact Jill Tucker and Hannah Albright at info@yarmouthpto.org if you can help. · Bake Sale - If you’d like to add to our baked goods table, please sign up here.
Movie Nights
We are holding a movie night for each school! The first movie will be shown at HMS for HMS students only on Friday, Nov 30th, time TBD. Movies for YES and Rowe students will occur later in the year; stay tuned!
Online Directory Coming Soon!
Due to parent requests, our directory is online this year. More info coming soon!
Many Thanks · Parent Leaders – Thank you to Jen McDonald and Sarah Day for leading our Close Buy fundraiser, and to Jen Laneau for making sure HGC reminders make it home to parents!
· Close Buy Distribution - Thanks for your Close Buy sale support! We will distribute from the Rowe School library the second week of December. Stay tuned for dates and times. · Box Tops - Thanks to you, we’ve already collected over 2500 Box Tops, earning $250 for the PTO! Please keep sending them into the schools!
· Teacher Appreciation - You filled the teacher breakfast slots in record time, providing our staff with a delicious back-to-school breakfast. We received numerous notes of appreciation from Yarmouth staff, and we extend the thanks to you!
PTO Meeting Please join us Nov 15 @ 7pm in the YES library.
Looking for Ways to Give?
We’d love to work with you! Fill out our (short) volunteer survey or just send us an email. If you’d rather just donate to fund enrichments, you can write a check to Yarmouth K-8 PTO and send it to PO Box 262 in Yarmouth.
Thank you again for your support! Please contact us at info@yarmouthpto.org for any reason.
Christy Hayashida and Heather Meier Yarmouth K-8 PTO Co-Presidents