January Newsletter

Dear Rowe Families,

We hope you all enjoyed a nice holiday break. Who would have thought we would need a snow day our first week back! I don’t mind the snow but am looking forward to warmer temperatures so we can all get outside and enjoy what Maine has to offer in the winter. As always, please send your child to school with full winter gear each day. Even if it is extremely cold in the morning, we try to get them outside as soon as the temperatures rise above 10 degrees.

We had many fun activities here at Rowe before the holiday break. It was wonderful to see so many kindergarten parents in the building for the gingerbread house making and the Gingerbread Baby plays. We also had a school-wide community meeting on December 20th led by our music teacher, Ms. Townsend, and our art teacher, Mrs. Landry. The theme was holiday celebrations around the world. We sang songs and watched a few short video clips of celebrations such as Kwanzaa, St. Lucia Day, and Hanukkah, among others.

Indoor Safety Drill

Later this week, our school will be practicing an indoor safety drill in classrooms. We do these drills in addition to fire drills at various points throughout the school year, as do all of the Yarmouth schools. It is a way for us to practice how we will handle ourselves in the event of any emergency. The children will be told that we would follow these procedures if a skunk or porcupine were to get into our school and we needed to stay clear of it until help arrived. It has been recommended by law enforcement that we explain it to our youngest children in this manner. We teach them to be quiet and follow directions during the drill practice so that they will take it seriously but don’t want to frighten them unnecessarily. Please reach out if you have questions.

Attendance Matters

Did you know?

• Starting in kindergarten, too many absences can cause children to fall behind in school.


• Missing 10 percent of the year (or about 18 days for the entire school year) can make it harder for children to learn to read.


• Students can still fall behind if they miss just a day or two every few weeks and can add up to 18 days very quickly.


• Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school and themselves. Start building this habit so they learn right away that going to school on time, every day is important.

What You Can DO!

• Set a regular bedtime and morning routine.


• Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.


• Don’t let your child stay home unless he or she is truly sick.


• Sometimes stomachaches can be a sign of anxiety and not a reason to stay home. If your child seems anxious about coming to school, talk to teachers, school counselors or other school staff for ways we can collaborate with you to help your child.


• Try to avoid medical appointments and extended trips when school is in session.

Good attendance will help your child do well in school, and eventually in college and at work. This was adapted with permission from Attendance Works at attendanceworks.org

PTO Event  - Circus Maine returns to Yarmouth!

On Friday, 1/26, your PTO is bringing Circus Maine back to Yarmouth! This year, Circus Maine will be presenting their Winter Solstice performance. A true celebration of celebrations, this is a fast­-paced and electrifying cabaret celebrating the evolution of circus arts through the ages. If you thought last year’s performance was magical, you will be blown away with what Circus Maine is bringing to town!

Tickets are $12/pp and are on sale starting 1/4 for Yarmouth families only! Starting on 1/15, this event will be open to the public. Tickets sold out quickly last year, so don't delay and purchase your tickets in advance at https://circusmaineyarmouthpto.

If you are interested in volunteering please visit http://signup.com/go/kBPfLkK. We need many sets of hands to make this event happen!! Event volunteers will receive free admission to the show.

For more information on this event please visit our website at http://www.yarmouthpto.org.

We look forward to seeing you at YHS on Friday, 1/26 for this spectacular evening filled with family fun and entertainment!

First grade music performance in April

The Rowe Show starring Rowe School first graders will be happening on Wednesday, April 11 at 6:30 pm. It will be held in the YPAC at Yarmouth High School. Our music teacher, Ms. Townsend is already planning and practicing for this fun evening of entertainment with the children now. Please save this date! If you have a child in kindergarten this year, he/she will have an opportunity to participate in the Rowe Show next year.Happy 2018!

Sincerely,

Susan Lobel, Principal


Important dates to note:

Monday, January 15                         Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday – No School

Thursday, January 18th             7:00 pm    PTO meeting in the YES library

Friday, January 26th –Special "Down Under the Sea" themed lunch in the cafeteria – Parents are invited to attend.  The times are: 11:45 for kindergarten and 12:10 for first grade.

Monday, Feb. 19th - Friday, Feb. 23rd    Winter Break –      No School

Wednesday, April 11th – 6:30 pm-  The Rowe Show starring our first grade students at the Yarmouth High School YPAC

52 School Street   *   Yarmouth, ME   *   04096   *   207.846.3771