HMS Update

HMS Update

 

#17: April 10, 2026

 

Dear HMS parents, guardians, and caregivers,

We have had several wonderful learning opportunities outside of the classroom over the past few weeks - the Civil Rights Team Field Trip to the Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine, Battle of the Books, Apple Distinguished Schools Open House, and a 6th grade field trip to see Wabanki Stories at the Merrill Auditorium.  Pictured here are our contestants for the Battle of the Books, and the winning team was Sam Kelley, Amelia Newell and Georgia Felmly.  Congratulations! 

Our next HMS Update will be shared on May 1, 2026. Please be in touch with any questions. Thank you for your partnership!

With Gratitude,

Mandy Lewis and Tom McDowell, HMS Administrative Team

 

Spring Assessment Information

The May administration of the Maine Through Year Assessments will include Math and Reading for students in grades 6-8.  On May 5, students will take the reading assessment, and on May 7, students will take the math assessment. In addition to reading and math, eighth graders take the Maine Science assessment on May 13 and 14. Please keep these upcoming testing weeks in mind to avoid any scheduling conflicts. 

 

Counselors' Corner

Hello, and welcome to spring!

For this month’s Counselor’s Corner, we are focusing on transitions and supporting students as they begin to explore their future aspirations. On the morning of May 1, we will host our annual Career Day at HMS, welcoming 30 presenters from a wide range of professions. Students selected their top Career Day sessions this week, and they will rotate through four different presentations on May 1, providing them with the opportunity to learn about a variety of career paths.

In preparation for the event, students completed a survey to indicate which careers they were most interested in seeing represented. They also engaged in an online interest profiler to help identify their work-related strengths and explore potential career options aligned with their interests. If you are interested in completing the interest profiler with your student, please click the link below to get started:https://onetinterestprofiler.org/

After you get your results: 

-Click on "your top interests" to show examples of jobs based on your answers

-Click "careers matching your profile." This will give you a list of careers, average salary, and future outlook.  

-Click on the down arrow on each box to see how much education you would need.

-On the top right corner, you can sort and filter your results. 

*What aspects of your results are surprising or not surprising to you? 

As always,  if you have any questions or concerns, 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.

 

PTO Updates (Reminder)

Bike Swap on April 11th

Join us to celebrate the return of bike season on Saturday, April 11th at the PTO's annual Bike Swap/Sale and Student Bike Fair! 

Got bikes and wheeled gear laying around collecting dust? Don't sell them on FB Marketplace, sell them at our event and get that cash while donating to a good cause! Here are the details:

-Sales are on consignment, with 75% of sale price to seller and 25% to the PTO

-OR, you can donate the bike to the PTO outright for us to sell

-Set your own price or let us help you price it to move

-Drop off bikes or other gently-used wheeled gear on Friday, April 10th between 5:30 and 8 pm at the Rowe School gym

If you're in the market for a new ride after the long winter, come check out the inventory! Bikes will be available to purchase and it's a great opportunity to pick up a bike for yourself or your growing child at a discount. You do not need to bring a bike to buy a bike. 

We'll be joined by the Bicycle Coalition of Maine and the Yarmouth Bike and Pedestrian Committee and there will be lots of activities going on. Even if you're not looking for a new bike or new gear, take the opportunity to dust off your riding legs with a ride to Rowe and then pick up a delicious snack at the best-ever Bake Sale, take a lap in the Bike Rodeo, or bling out your bike! 

Finally, we need volunteers! Whether it's helping at the bike sale, reviewing road safety and home bike repair for young riders, or baking something delicious to contribute to the kids-on-the-go bake sale, there is a role for everyone! And don't worry if you're not sure you know your stuff-- staff and volunteers from the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, Portland Gear Hub, and the Yarmouth Bike/Pedestrian Committee will be on hand to help.

Please sign up for a slot here! Then, make sure you have filled out your 2025/2026 Yarmouth Schools volunteer form. Not sure if you have? Please email Emily Bates, our PTO volunteer coordinator, at emilyopoole@gmail.com to check!

Art to Remember Fundraiser

Are you missing the keepsake items you used to order that featured your children's artwork? You can still commemorate your artist's work by uploading it yourself! 

To do so, visit the website at www.arttoremember.com and select "Shop" at the top. A banner in the center will prompt you to add a piece of artwork for custom products. From there you can upload the file containing the (edited) artwork. Once you have placed your order, please email our representative hollyb@arttoremember.com with your order confirmation code and let her know your order is to benefit the Yarmouth Elementary School fundraiser!

Minted Graduation Announcements, Party Invitations, etc.!

Minted may be well known for their holiday and New Year's cards, but they have a wide breadth of offerings for occasions throughout the year, from graduations, birthdays, birth announcements, and more. Keep them in mind for your stationery needs and support the PTO when you place your order by using code FUNDRAISEYARMOUTH at checkout. You'll receive a 20% discount on your order and Minted will donate 10% of the sales earned using the code back to us-- a win-win! 

Volunteer with the PTO!

We're always looking to welcome new volunteers, and we'd love to hear from you! Please fill out the PTO-specific volunteer interest form, or reach out directly at yarmouthpto04096@gmail.com.

 

Dates to Date:

April 11, 2026 - PTO Bike Swap 9am-12pm

April 14, 2026 - Family School Alliance Event - CANCELLED

April 17-April 26, 2026 - April Vacation - no school

May 1, 2026 - Career Day

May 5 and May 7, 2026 - MTYA Reading and Math Assessments

May 11, 2026 - 7th and 8th Grade Concert 6:30pm

May 12, 2026 - 6th Grade Concert 6:30pm

May 13 and May 14, 2026 - Science Assessment (8th grade)