December

December 1, 2022

Dear Rowe Families,

We hope you enjoyed the November break and got to enjoy some relaxing family time. We had our first Community Meeting of the year on Tuesday, November 22nd. This is a time when the whole school gathers together in the gym to do an activity led by appointed staff. Mrs. Elder’s class hosted our November meeting and she taught everyone her infamous Mrs. Turkey Bird song. Children also had an opportunity to share something they are grateful for with at least one peer. It was wonderful to have our whole school community together in one room!

As I visit classrooms, I see many happy, engaged learners. First graders are currently working on All About writing. This is an opportunity for them to teach others about a topic they feel like an expert on. Students at all grade levels, Pre-K through first, are partnering up with a classmate in a variety of settings throughout the day. Since we know that oral language and discussion enrich their learning, this is not only fun work for them but is actually critically important. Teachers help them to deepen these conversations over time through coaching and modeling.

In this next month, the children at Rowe learn about holidays around the world and the various traditions that families observe. Kindergarten students engage in a variety of books and activities linked to all things related to gingerbread. We hope everyone has joyful holidays whether you have recently celebrated or will in the coming weeks.

School Cancellations due to inclement weather:

We have two traditional snow days to start the season. These are no school days where students simply get the day off and the time is made up at the end of the year in June by adding a day for each storm day. After we have used two days, we will shift to remote school days when possible for inclement weather. I have attached an outline of the plan. If there are widespread power outages, the remote day may be canceled and a traditional snow day would take its place. Remote Snow Day Plan

School-wide Pajama Day

It is a Rowe tradition to have a school-wide pajama day on the last day before the December break. This year, all staff and students are invited to wear their pajamas to school on Thursday, December 22nd. We ask that students wear boots, shoes, and/or sneakers. No slippers, please. 

Message from Emma Carey, STEM Education Specialist at Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance (MMSA). 

Do you have creative youth in your life who are interested in problem-solving, self-expression, and becoming a part of a team? Are you looking to immerse your students in more STEAM-based programming? Maine Destination Imagination (DI) is looking for parents, caregivers, and educators that are interested in becoming Team Managers, and facilitating the problem-solving process with students ages PreK-12. In DI, teams of 2-7 students work together to create a unique solution to one of six Team Challenges, before presenting their solutions at the Maine State Tournament on March 11th in Belfast. Along the way, students learn to harness each other’s strengths, try new things, think creatively, and strengthen social-emotional learning skills. Come guide a group of young learners through a creative, STEAM-focused team competition

Feeling unsure? Learn more about how DI changes lives in this short video. This year, in addition to the training provided by DI Headquarters, if you start a team, you will have the opportunity to connect with other Team Managers to reflect on your practice and strengthen your own facilitation skills in a special Maine DI ACRES cohort. Contact Emma Carey at ecarey@mmsa.org to learn more about how to make DI a part of your community! Become a Team Manager today!

PTO NEWS:

Fall staff appreciation was held across the three schools on Oct 21 (HMS), Oct 28 (YES) and Nov 4 (Rowe) A breakfast from Claytons was provided at each school for our amazing teachers & staff.  Thanks to parents who also pitched in to help with setup!

We appreciate your support of the Boon Supply Fundraiser, we raised $2,100 for our PTO. 

December PTO Event:

Make It Take It Craft Fair will be held Sunday, December 4th at Y.E.S Cafeteria from 11-2, come whenever it suits your schedule. PLEASE NOTE: We still need to fill a lot of craft helpers.  We also are looking for bake sale donations or those willing to work the tables!

Please take a minute to see where we need help! The Make It Take It Sign Up Genius link makes it easy to add your name.

For any questions please contact Madeline at: Madeline.Backman@gmail.com

Next PTO meeting: December 15, 4 pm, YES Library. All are welcome to attend!

Dates to note:

Thursday, December 15th at 4:00 - Virtual PTO meeting - link will be posted on social media

Thursday, December 22nd - School-wide Pajama Day

December 23rd- January 2nd- Winter break- No School

Students return to school on Tuesday, January 3, 2023!

Monday, January 16th - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday - No School

Sincerely,

Susan Lobel, Rowe School Principal