January 21, 2022
Dear HMS parents, guardians, and caregivers,
We hope this message finds you healthy and enjoying the month of January as it passes far too quickly. Our students are enjoying the fun activities connected to our school fundraiser: the Glow Run! We want to give a huge shout out to our PTO, students, and families for helping raise funds that directly support teaching and learning at HMS. Students have enjoyed getting the chance to silly string an educator of their choice, so please encourage your child to continue to gain pledges in order to be eligible to do so. The Glow Run in-person event is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, January 26. Thank you all for your support of this important fundraiser!
In this update, you will find information about the following topics:
SEL Resource
Next Storm Day
Pooled Testing - Registration Information
Covid 19 Positive Case Reporting Form
Covid Symptoms
PTO Update
Dates to Remember
HMS Update #13 will be sent on February 4, 2022. Please continue to reach out with any questions.
With gratitude,
Mandy Lewis and Tom McDowell
HMS Administrative Team
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SEL Resource
“Building Positive Conditions for Learning at Home” was first shared in April of 2020 and still provides relevant information for families to use when considering the home learning environment. Whether your child is learning while in isolation or completing academic tasks at the end of a school day, here are some helpful tips for you to consider.
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Next Storm Day
If we have another storm day, the plan is for students to learn from home, as long as there are no significant power outages. This will mean that our 5th and 6th graders will bring home their school-issued laptops, if a storm is likely. If your child is in 5th or 6th grade, please note that they will not bring home a charger for the laptop. We keep laptops as close to fully charged as possible, and the amount of charge that remains on the laptop will support a remote learning day. Laptops should be used specifically for educational purposes.
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Pooled Testing - Registration Information
Pooled PCR testing is a tool – along with masking, vaccination, handwashing, ventilation, distancing, and isolating individuals with COVID-19 – to keep communities safe, reduce transmission, and build confidence in school safety. Many people with COVID-19, especially children and teens, are less likely to have symptoms, though they can still spread the virus. Regular testing helps find people who have the virus before it can spread to others, whether in the school or in the community. This benefit is important for children who are not yet eligible for COVID-19 vaccination, families and staff with younger children at home, those at risk for experiencing severe COVID-19 illness, and those who are not yet fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Pooled testing continues to be one of the layered strategies that schools may use. Here is how to register your child for pooled testing :
1. Make note of the following organization code: Yarmouthharrison (for Harrison Middle School students)
2. Log into the Concentric by Ginko consent form at the following link: https://testcenter.concentricbyginkgo.com/minor-consent/
3. Complete the form and submit.
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Covid 19 Positive Case Reporting Form
Superintendent Dolloff shared an update this week that includes new procedures for reporting positive cases. If your child/children experience a positive case, please use this form to report important information.
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Covid Symptoms
We recognize that it can be confusing to know what to do if your child is exhibiting Covid symptoms. We have found the chart below to be a helpful resource for navigating that situation. One change in our procedures to note: the CDC now allows us to accept the results of home tests, so your child does not need to go to a testing site for results that “count” for school purposes.
If you have considered your options and are still not sure what to do, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our school nurse, Kristina Truesdale: kristina_truesdale@yarmouthschools.org or 846-2499.
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PTO Update
HMS Glow Run – The Glow Run is back at HMS! This fundraiser works like a fun run - family and friends sponsor student laps around the gym. This type of fundraiser helps build community around a common cause and allows our students to move and have fun, providing some safe normalcy during this strange time. The Glow Run event takes place in school on Wed., Jan 26. You can pledge your student now or over the next couple weeks by going to www.funrun.com and following the prompts. Directions provided here if needed. Questions? Please contact us at yarmouthpto04096@gmail.com.
Parent Ed – Tuesday, Jan 25 at 6:00 pm Kristi Bush, National Education Consultant, will present information about children and social media. Topics include: best ages for cell phones, apps/games that pose the most danger, monitoring systems, online predators, inappropriate picture distribution, cyber-bullying laws. Please note: children are not allowed due to the sensitive nature of topics discussed. To receive the Zoom link, please enter your email here.
Hannaford Gift Card – Next load date is Wednesday, Jan 26 at noon.
Online PTO Directory – You can now access the online PTO Directory at https://yarmouthschools.membershiptoolkit.com. If you haven’t already done so, the directory will prompt you to verify and update your information. Questions? Contact us at yarmouthpto04096@gmail.com.
Summer Camps – Dreaming about summer and wondering where to find Yarmouth area summer camps? You can access this Camp Packet for local camp information. Contact rebeccamaltais@yahoo.com if you have questions or additional camp info.
PTO Meeting – Please join us online Thursday, February 17, 4:00 pm. Zoom link will be posted on our FB page closer to the date.
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Dates to Remember
January 26th - PTO Glow Run at HMS
February 21-25 - Winter Break - no school
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