October 4, 2022
Dear Rowe Families,
It is hard to believe that we have already been back to school for a month! It certainly is beginning to look and feel like fall. It's time to break out the fall/winter coats, hats, and gloves on these chilly mornings.
It was wonderful to see such an amazing turnout at our Open House last week and to welcome families back into the school. For those who couldn’t make it, there will be opportunities to check in with your child’s teacher at conferences later this fall and to attend other events as the year progresses.
COMMUNITY FIELD TRIPS AND SCHOOL VISITS
We had an EcoMaine presentation for first-grade classes in late September. Students learned about reducing, reusing, and recycling household waste. Please ask your child about what they learned in the presentation and from their visit to the Yarmouth Community Garden last week. This week they went to the Yarmouth Transfer Station and will be touring the Yarmouth Fire Station on October 11th.
Later this month, our first graders will be having an exciting presentation called Owls of Maine by the Chewonki Foundation, a nature-based education organization located in Wiscasset, Maine. This is part of the Owls unit taught in first grade and is an amazing opportunity for our children. In addition, kindergarten students will see a Chewonki program called Bats of the World. Kindergarten classes will also take a trip to Wolfe Neck Farm in Freeport. All of these programs will happen in the latter part of October.
Parent Conferences
Parent-Teacher conferences will be scheduled later this month and into November. Your child’s teacher will be in touch to schedule an appointment with you. Teachers schedule their own appointments individually.
Planned Family Absences
A planned family absence (PFA) for personal or educational purposes requires notification by parents to the school office and classroom teacher. Please note that family vacations outside of school holidays and vacation weeks are considered unexcused absences. Teachers are not obligated to gather school work to be completed during travel time; however, students are responsible to make up any missed work when they return.
Please use this form to notify the school any time you know in advance that your student will be missing a full day or more of school. Planned Family Absences (PFA) forms
COOLER WEATHER AND OUTERWEAR
The cooler temperatures will soon be upon us during the day as well as in the morning. Please be sure to label all of your child’s coats, hats, boots, and eventually snow pants with their name on the inside tags. We already have a collection of unclaimed sweaters and sweatshirts in the lost and found. Those that have names inside are much more likely to be returned to their owners promptly. Thanks for your help!
PTO Initiative - Build the Village
The Yarmouth PTO Welcome Committee is launching a new initiative, Build the Village, to help families connect around shared experiences, interests, and identities. This is not a fundraising effort. The goal is to form small group networks so that parents can share tips, tricks, and insights with others who may be navigating the same path. If you're wondering if your child is the first one to come up against something they're struggling with, or if you are the first parent to be uncertain of resources or next steps, chances are, the answer is no. If you recently made it through a process with your child that should have come with an instruction manual, then you are now a great resource for someone just setting out on that path.
To participate in Build the Village, please complete this survey. The PTO Welcome Committee will share your contact information specifically with other parents who selected the same area(s) of interest. Once the initial connections have been made, build your village in whatever way works best for your group.
Questions before signing up?
Email: Mary Gallaudet, YES Welcome Committee Chair
yarmouthpto04096@gmail.com
Important Dates to Note:
Friday, October 7th- No School for students - Staff Professional Development Day
Monday, October 10th- No School, Indigenous Peoples Day
Friday, November 11th No School- Veterans Day holiday
Wednesday, November 23rd - Friday, November 25th - Thanksgiving break
Sincerely,
Susan Lobel, Rowe School Principal
