Dear HMS parents, guardians, and caregivers,

The past few weeks have been fun and full here at HMS!  We are coming to the end of trimester 2, and teachers are updating Powerschool with information relevant to your student's academic work this past trimester.  You may notice that information in Powerschool will fluctuate as grades are finalized on March 24.  Be in touch with your student's teacher with any questions.

Our next HMS Update will be shared on March 13, 2026. Please be in touch with any questions. Thank you for your partnership!

With Gratitude,

Mandy Lewis and Tom McDowell, HMS Administrative Team

Join us as our middle school playmakers perform two productions of "The Day the Internet Died."  Here are the details:

When: Friday, March 20 at 6pm; Saturday, March 21 at 1pm 

Where: HMS Cafeteria

Who: All families

There will be no cost for joining us.  We hope to see you there!

WOW - thank you for the community support of the Glow Run! Students raised over $29,000 for the PTO.  We could not have done it without your support!

Student Leadership Team is planning a fun Spirit Week for HMS!  Students are encouraged to dress in theme each day.  The themes are below.  Student Leaders are also organizing a food drive to benefit the Yarmouth Food Pantry; more details forthcoming!

Monday - Pajama day

Tuesday - Color day (up to homeroom if everyone is the same color or each kids picks their own)

Wednesday - Wacky Wednesday - bring your best wacky dress

Thursday - Decades day (throwback Thursday - dress as someone from your favorite decade)

Friday - Blue and White day

Hello and Happy March!

As our students navigate the academic and social complexities of middle school, they often face a common hurdle: the fear of failure. You might hear things like, "I'm just not a math person" or "I’ll never be good at this." These statements are signs of a fixed mindset—the belief that intelligence and talent are set in stone. However, research by Dr. Carol Dweck shows that fostering a growth mindset—the belief that abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—is the key to long-term success and resilience.

According to Education Week, students with a strong growth mindset scored nearly 32 points higher in reading, 27 points higher in science, and 23 points higher in math than their counterparts with a fixed mindset. Middle school, being a period of rapid brain development, is the perfect time to cultivate a growth mindset. When students view challenges as "brain exercises" rather than threats to their ego, it reduces anxiety and increases their willingness to take the risks necessary for learning.

3 Simple Ways to Foster Growth at Home:

Praise the Strategy, Not the Grade
Instead of saying "You’re so smart," try: "I noticed you used a different study method this time. How did that help you stay focused?" This teaches them that success comes from their process, which they can control.

The Magic of "Yet"
When your child says, "I can't do this," gently add the word "yet" to the end of the sentence. This small shift reframes a dead-end statement into a journey of ongoing progress.

Normalize the "Productive Struggle"
Share your own mistakes at the dinner table. Talk about something you found difficult at work and how you handled it. When children see adults persevere through frustration, they learn that struggle is a natural part of growth, not a sign of weakness.

By shifting our language, we help our students build the resilience they need to navigate middle school and beyond. If you have any questions or concerns on this topic or any other, please reach out anytime.

Catherine Nein - School Counselor

catherine_nein@yarmouthschools.org

Chelsea Collupy - Social Worker

chelsea_collupy@yarmouthschools.org

Sam Durham - Social Worker

samantha_durham@yarmouthschools.org

We can also be reached by calling the main office phone 207-846-2499.

On March 17th, Harrison Middle School will host Noly Lopez, executive chef at Yarmouth’s Gather Restaurant, to create and serve a recipe featuring locally sourced seafood courtesy of the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association (MCFA). MCFA has been working with school districts, including Yarmouth, to introduce more local seafood into K-12 cafeterias. This includes fish fillets, like local pollock, that are donated through MCFA’s Fishermen Feeding Mainers (FFM) program as well as ready-to serve products like Maine Coast Flounder Fish Cakes, produced by Rockport-based Graffam Brothers Seafood, as well as Hurricane Soup’s Sweet Potato Pollock Soup and Maine Coast Monkfish Stew. 

This is not the first collaboration between Gather and the Yarmouth School District. Last fall, Gather restaurant featured a monkfish dish on their menu and donated a portion of the proceeds to the Fishermen Feeding Mainers program at the same time that the Yarmouth High School served Monkfish Stew on their menu.  

The school meal being created by Chef Lopez will be “Karaage” pollock fish sticks, a crispy Japanese style preparation where fish is marinated in soy sauce, ginger, and garlic and then coated in potato or cornstarch. The fish sticks will be served with yum-yum sauce, a sweet and tangy steakhouse sauce made with tomato paste, mayonnaise, garlic and paprika.

Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association (MCFA) is thrilled to continue to work with the Yarmouth School District to introduce more local seafood to its students. This project provides a healthy, nutritious source of protein as well as supports working waterfront communities like Yarmouth.

It's Time to Get Ready for Yarmouth's Got Talent!

YGT is open to students with any kind of talent: music, dance, arts, magic, comedy or any other creative endeavor that will win over the audience!

Entry Forms: Click here for the YGT 2026 Entry Form or use the following QR code:

Entry forms must be submitted by Thursday, March 19.

Auditions: Monday, March 23 (Snow date Tuesday, March 24)

Starting times:

YHS - 3:00

HMS - 3:15

YES - 3:45

Rowe - 3:50

Show Date and Times

Friday, March 27, 4pm and 7pm

(Snow date Saturday, March 28)

Prizes: Cash prizes based on audience vote. A first and second prize will be awarded for each age group.  View official rules and links to the entry forms at YarmouthsGotTalent.org

Yarmouth’s Got Talent is a school function, and all Yarmouth School Department behavior expectations apply to our performers and our audience members.

March 16, 2026 - End of Trimester 2

March 18, 2026 - Early Release: students will be dismissed at 11:30am

March 20, 2026 - HMS Play Performance 6pm

March 21, 2026 - HMS Play Performance 1pm

March 23, 2026 - YGT auditions

March 27, 2026 - YGT