October 29th Parent Note

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Tonight's note starts with another round of celebration, further recognizing student accomplishments in the world of music and athletics.   First, we would like to offer congratulations to the following students for their acceptance into the MMEA District 2 Instrumental Honors Festival, which will take place on January 19th and 20th at Oxford Hills High School.

• Orchestra - Lydia Dustin

• Band - Evan Lucca, Eli Anderson, Emi Ruth, and Parker Harnett.

• Honors Treble Choir - Gabby Colby-George, Izabel Cox-Faxon, Olivia Feeley, Lydia Dustin, Parker Harnett, Abby Hill, and Vicky Williams

• Honors Mixed Choir - Bay Hanson, Miles Hagedorn, Max Kempler, Evan Lucca, Ian MacGillivray, Nick Prato, and Wes Pratt.

We would also like to recognize the girls' cross country team as state champions, led by Sophie Laukli and Anneka Murrin, who finished 2nd and 4th respectively.  Congratulations to our boys' cross country team who finished 2nd overall, led by Luke Laverdiere's first place finish.  Playoff action continues this week, with our soccer teams playing in regional finals on Wednesday November 1st.   

End of the Quarter - Friday, November 3rd.  We would encourage you to review your student's progress on PowerSchool.  A reminder that Cornerstones are the assessments designed by Yarmouth High School teachers that connect directly to the learning area and school-wide expectations.  Students need to pass all of the cornerstones in a course with a grade of 80 or above in order to pass the course.   Students who do not reach that grade on the first try will have multiple opportunities to meet the required score.  Should a cornerstone not be successfully completed, a "CINC" (cornerstone incomplete) will be listed in their grade report.  As soon as students have retaken their assessment(s) and successfully demonstrated proficiency with a score of 80 or above, the incomplete "CINC" marker will be removed from their grade report.    

Winter Sports Info Night - With the end of the fall season almost at hand,  it is time to prepare for winter sports.  Winter Sports Information Night will be held on Monday, November 6th @ 6 pm.  Please plan to attend if your son or daughter is participating in a winter sport in order to meet with coaches. Locations for each team will be posted at both entrances to the school.

November 7th, 8th - Learning Area Conferences - The Yarmouth High School version of Parent-Teacher Conferences is around the corner.  Individual appointments are not made ahead of time; rather these conferences are held in the cafeteria and gym where teachers provide quick updates (about 5 minutes) of your child's progress.  Our student ambassadors will be on site to help guide you through this evening.

• If your son or daughter's last name begins with A-K, conferences will be held from 3:30-6:30 pm on Tuesday, November 7.  

• Those with last names starting with L-Z will have conferences from 3:30-6:30 pm on Wednesday, November 8th.    

Blue Jean Ball -  YEF (Yarmouth Education Foundation) is hosting the annual Blue Jean Ball on November 11, 2017 at the AMVETS Hall.   The event is a fun night out benefiting Yarmouth students in grades K-12.  Please visit www.yarmoutheducationfoundation.org for more details.

YHS fall musical, Pippin - This musical tells the story of a group of performers who put on a play based on the oldest son of Charlemagne - Pippin. Pippin returns from college determined to lead an extraordinary life.  Playmakers have teamed up with Circus Maine to create circus choreography for this very special production.  YHS Pippin performances will be held:

• Wednesday, November 15 Open Dress Rehearsal  7:00 pm

• Thursday, Nov 16 at 7:00 pm

• Friday, Nov 17 at 7:00 pm

• Saturday, Nov 18 at 2:00 & 7:00 pm

All shows are reserved seating; tickets are $15.00 and can be purchased with cash or a check (no credit cards).  Tickets can be reserved online starting November 7 at YPAC_boxoffice @yarmouthschools.org or via phone at 846-2335. The box office will be open to the public November 7 & 8 from 11-1 pm and during parent teacher conferences both afternoons from 3:30-6:30 and on Nov 9 from 11-1 pm.  On November 10 the box office will be closed, but people can reserve tickets online at YHS_boxoffice@yarmouthschools.org.   The box office will also be open Nov 13-17 from 11-1 pm.

Finally, School Picture Retakes are scheduled for Friday, December 1st.

Best regards,

Eric Klein and Amy Bongard, YHS Administrative Team

--

Eric P. Klein

Principal

Yarmouth High School

Maine Music Educators Association Recipients

      Nick Prato -                                                                                                              Vicky Williams - 
      MMEA Jazz All-State Combo, guitar                                                                  MMEA Jazz All-State Choir, alto voice

October 1 - Parent Note

Dear Parents and Guardians, 

Although much of tonight’s message is a review of October events, we would like to share a few new pieces of information.   First, we will hold our fall Financial Aid Night this Wednesday, October 4th in the YPAC from 6:30 to 8 pm.  In light of today’s spiraling college tuition costs, this presentation from guidance counselors Beth Doane and Brenda Michaelsen can help parents navigate through the financial aid process - please see this link for more information. 

Next, there will be an informational meeting regarding the Russian Exchange Program this Tuesday, October 3rd in room at 6:30 pm.  Program director Doug Reighley will be available to answer questions regarding this cultural opportunity to host students and a teacher from Archangel, Russia.  Three 16 year-old female students and their chaperone, a 57-year old female teacher, will be visiting Yarmouth High School this fall.   In return, students from Yarmouth will have the opportunity to travel to Archangel over the April vacation and stay with host families.   

Finally, we appreciate your patience as we work through the implementation of a new parking policy. In the coming weeks, we will continue to distribute passes to upperclassmen.  Based on current projections, we have determined there will not be sufficient space for sophomores to park at the high school this year.  Please note, should there be circumstances that require special consideration, you may contact an administrator at the high school.   

From last week ...

PSAT Registration - Juniors and Sophomores are scheduled to take the PSAT on Wednesday, October 11th.  Please note this is not a late start day for sophomores and juniors.  Following the exam, students will report to periods 4 and 5 with a break for lunch.   The cost of the PSAT is $20. Please see registration information below from guidance.

*Registration Process for PSAT's*

Beginning Monday, September 25th, juniors and sophomores can register for the PSAT in guidance.  Please bring $20 in cash or check made payable to Yarmouth High School. If paying by check, please put your child's name in the memo section.  Fee waivers are available in guidance.  At the time of registration, students will receive a study guide to help prepare for the PSAT.  By taking the PSAT, Juniors are automatically screened for the National Merit® Scholarship Program, an academic competition for recognition and scholarships.  For sophomores, this is an opportunity to practice taking a college entrance exam and receive feedback to help prepare for future standardized tests. 

Our House II Campaign - Many of you will recall the Our House fundraising campaign of more than ten years ago that provided much needed bleachers to the high school stadium field. That campaign was a great success, but it left us without a few of the amenities we'd like to provide for our athletes and fans - most notably, restrooms.  Now, we are excited to announce the Our House II campaign to further improve the athletic facilities at Yarmouth High School by providing for the following:

• Construction of restrooms
• Improvements to the snack shack
• Updating of the team shed
• Upgrades to the electrical panel
• Installation of directional signage

In the coming weeks, you will be hearing more about this project through district-wide emails and a town-wide publicity campaign. To learn more about this opportunity to improve our community facility, log on to www.yarmouthourhouse2.com.   

Influenza Vaccination Clinic -  Thursday October 5th.  In order for a student to receive a vaccination, parents need to complete a permission form (these will be available in the cafe at open house). 

Yearbook Information - Please refer to this link for more information on how to purchase the 17-18 YHS yearbook.   

*Important notice for Seniors -  Senior Ads are due October 10th!  Please refer to this link for more information.
A quick reminder that there is no school on Friday October 6th as our faculty will be attending workshops, and there will be no school on Monday, October 9th in recognition of the Columbus Day holiday. Best regards,

Cole Buchanan - U.S. Senate Page Program

From Senator Susan Collins Facebook page:

I first met Cole Buchanan in 2009 at a hearing I chaired on Type 1 diabetes. Cole, a native of Yarmouth, participated as a member of the JDRF Children’s Congress and was a passionate advocate for research to cure this disease. I recently nominated Cole to the U.S. Senate Page Program, and I was glad to welcome him back to Washington, D.C., for this incredible opportunity.

September 24th Parent Note

Dear Parents and Guardians,

The end of September is noteworthy for several reasons.  Not only does it mark the end of the first month of school, it's also the time of year when we traditionally hold our Open House, inviting parents to learn more about the learning that takes place at Yarmouth High School.   On Wednesday September 27th, Open House will begin at 6:30pm.  You will start the evening with your child's advisor and afterwards go through an abbreviated schedule of classes (link here) which will provide the opportunity to meet teachers.   Schedules will be provided to parents when they meet with advisors (copies will be available at the rear entrance near Portland Street for parents who arrive after 6:45).  Car-pooling is highly recommended, as parking is always tight for this event.   

 

Digital Citizenship - Our 9th grade students recently participated in the first of three digital citizenship workshops.  These sessions are designed to increase our students' understanding of ethical use of technology, as well as provide students with better awareness of their digital footprint. Please feel free to review the following resources.   

• They Loved Your G.P.A. Then They Saw Your Tweets

• Harvard Rescinds Acceptances

• Five Social Media Lessons to Learn from Emma Sullivan (Teen Vogue)

• What You Miss Out On When Your Social Media Profiles Are Invisible

 

PSAT Registration

Juniors and Sophomores are scheduled to take the PSAT on Wednesday, October 11th.  Please note that although this test is on a Wednesday, this is not a late start day for sophomores and juniors.  Following the exam, students will report to periods 4 and 5 with a break for lunch.   The cost of the PSAT is $20. Please see registration information below from guidance.

*Registration Process for PSAT's*

Beginning Monday, September 25th, juniors and sophomores can register for the PSAT in guidance.  Please bring $20 in cash or check made payable to Yarmouth High School. If paying by check, please put your child's name in the memo section.  Fee waivers are available in guidance.  At the time of registration, students will receive a study guide to help prepare for the PSAT.  By taking the PSAT, Juniors are automatically screened for the National Merit® Scholarship Program, an academic competition for recognition and scholarships.  For sophomores, this is an opportunity to practice taking a college entrance exam and receive feedback to help prepare for future standardized tests.

Russian Exchange Program - Host families needed!  We've recently been presented with a wonderful cultural opportunity to host students and a teacher from Archangel, Russia for 1-2 weeks at the end of October/early November.  Three 16 year-old female students and their chaperone, a 57-year old female teacher, will be visiting Yarmouth High School during this time.   In return, students from Yarmouth will have the opportunity to travel to Archangel over the April vacation and stay with host families.  Please contact Principal Klein for more information if you are interested and would like more information about this cultural exchange.   

Our House II Campaign - Many of you will recall the Our House fundraising campaign of more than ten years ago that provided much needed bleachers to the high school stadium field. That campaign was a great success, but it left us without a few of the amenities we'd like to provide for our athletes and fans - most notably, restrooms.  Now, we are excited to announce the Our House II campaign to further improve the athletic facilities at Yarmouth High School by providing for the following:

• Construction of restrooms

• Improvements to the snack shack

• Updating of the team shed

• Upgrades to the electrical panel

• Installation of directional signage

In the coming weeks, you will be hearing more about this project through district-wide emails and a town-wide publicity campaign. To learn more about this opportunity to improve our community facility, log on to www.yarmouthourhouse2.com.  

  

Influenza Vaccination Clinic -  Thursday October 5th.  In order for a student to receive a vaccination, parents need to complete a permission form (these will be available in the cafe at open house).

Yearbook Information - Please refer to this link for more information on how to purchase the 17-18 YHS yearbook.  

*Important notice for Seniors -  Senior Ads are due October 10th!  Please refer to this link for more information.

--

Eric P. Klein

Principal

Yarmouth High School

September 10 Parent Message

Dear Parents and Guardians,

After our first week of classes, it's already Homecoming at Yarmouth High School.  Athletic Director Susan Robbins has put together a schedule of events, found here, for our students as we continue to celebrate the start of the school year.  Please take a few minutes to review the following information as well.    

Update on Parking - As our enrollment at Yarmouth High School continues to grow, we no longer have enough parking space for all students.  During the past two years, this has created parking issues as students struggle to find spots and get to class on time.  We therefore need to begin a new parking system due to the limited number of spaces.  Please refer to this link for more information which explains the parking policy in more detail.   

Playmaker Parents - On Tuesday, September 12th from 6:00-6:30 in the YPAC, there will be a mandatory meeting for all parents and students who are in the cast, or anticipate working on the crew, of this year's musical, Pippin. This informational session is important to welcome new families, go over scheduling and expectations, collect contact information, and answer questions. All students involved in the musical - on stage or behind the scenes - and at least one parent, should plan to attend. The meeting will also be followed by the year's first Friends of Playmakers (FOP) booster club meeting, and all parents are welcome and encouraged to come!

Upcoming Events

• School Photos - September 20th

• Open House - September 27th

Casco-Bay Can Presentation - Anxious Kids, Anxious Parents: How to Stop the Worry Cycle.  September 18th  from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, YPAC auditorium.  For more information please see this link.

Insurance Forms - If you are interested in accessing insurance for your student, please access the link here.

I'd like to share one more item to celebrate the start of the 2017-2018 school year, a new page on our website found here.  Inspired by the creativity of social studies teacher Amy Sanders and coordinated by assistant principal Amy Bongard, the faculty of Yarmouth High School created paragraphs describing what they love about education.  Please take a few minutes to read through this page as it provides a wonderful expression of our faculty's commitment to the students and Yarmouth community.   

Best regards,

--

Eric P. Klein

Principal

Yarmouth High School

Yarmouth High School teacher has been making a difference for students since 1979

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