Dear HMS parents, guardians, and caregivers,

Our students experienced our annual Career Day today at HMS!   

We welcomed over 30 professionals for the event, and students had an opportunity to learn in four different presentations.  We want to thank Rebecca Spear, Volunteer Program Director, and Catherine Nein, HMS School Counselor, for all of their help making this event happen!

On a personal note from Mandy: It is with mixed feelings that I share my departure from HMS at the end of this school year. I have accepted the RSU #5 Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment position, effective July 1.  It has been a privilege (and so much fun!) educating our middle-level learners within such a supportive community, and the next principal will be so fortunate to continue the great work with students and staff here at HMS.  

Our next HMS Update will be shared on May 15, 2026.  Please continue to be in touch with any questions or concerns.  Thank you for your partnership!

With Gratitude,

Mandy Lewis and Tom McDowell, HMS Administrative Team

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 14. Please keep these upcoming testing weeks in mind to avoid any scheduling conflicts. 

Hello and Happy May Day!

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and HMS is following the example of Mental Health America by focusing on a simple, shared goal: helping people have more good days, together.

MHA’s More Good Days, Together campaign is about meeting people where they are and recognizing that “good” looks different for everyone. It doesn’t always mean being happy or productive; sometimes a good day is simply one that feels manageable, calm, or comfortable.

Here is how we can start building more good days, together.

Define what “good” means - Take a moment to ask yourself or your child, “What does a good day look like for me?”

Care for the whole self - We cannot separate mental health from physical health. They are equally important and deeply connected. Our sleep, stress, relationships, nutrition, environment, and other health conditions all impact - and are impacted by - our mental health. It’s important to listen to what the body is saying; sometimes it is the mind’s way of asking for help.

Work together for more good days - Having more good days isn’t a solo mission. Connection is protection, and even small amounts of connection can reduce stress and anxiety, and remind us that we’re not alone. Simple, honest conversations are a great way to support those you care about.

Find your path - Mental health isn’t one-size-fits-all. What works for one person may be different than what works for you or your child, and that’s okay. Take time this May to explore what sparks joy, brings peace, or helps you/your child feel good. Remember that relaxation, hobbies, and creative pursuits are crucial for our mental well-being. The path may look different for everyone, but we all deserve more good days, together.

As always,  if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out anytime by calling the main office phone at 207-846-2499 or emailing.

Catherine Nein - School Counselor catherine_nein@yarmouthschools.org

Chelsea Collupy - Social Worker  chelsea_collupy@yarmouthschools.org

Sam Durham - Social Worker.  samantha_durham@yarmouthschools.org

In preparation for Teacher Appreciation Week, you are invited to complete the form linked here to share positive thoughts about any teacher and staff member at HMS. All entries are anonymous and will be shared with HMS staff next week. Thank you so much for taking the time to recognize our hard work here at HMS!

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! The ordering window has been extended to 5/10. 

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!

Volunteer with the PTO: 2026-2027 Elections held this month! 

Are you looking to get more involved with the PTO during the next school year? Our annual elections are coming up and we're actively seeking board members, committee chairs, and volunteers! Board members are elected positions, and elections will be held at the PTO meeting on May 21st at 7pm in the YES library.

If you're a caretaker of a student in the Yarmouth school system, you're automatically a part of the PTO and eligible to run for any seat. For more information about anticipated openings and other role information, please reach out to Allison Cole, current PTO president, at yarmouthpto04096@gmail.com, or Emily Bates, volunteer coordinator, at emilyopoole@gmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you!

Please note that there is no deadline for nominations; you may decide to run at any time up until the moment of voting at our board meeting on May 21st. Any Yarmouth resident can vote, and all are welcome and encouraged to attend!

Committee membership is another great way to be involved in the community. We're seeking chairs (or co-leadership) for the Glow Run committee, the Welcome Committee, the Rowe Ice Cream Social Committee, as well as committee members for any and all events and fundraisers.

If you're interested in any capacity, from leadership roles to one-time event volunteering, please fill out this form and we will be in touch. We hope you'll join us!

Teacher and Staff appreciation luncheon is coming up!

We are excited to celebrate our incredible educators who show up each day with patience, creativity, and care. On Wednesday May 6th at HMS the PTO, along with help from the community, will be hosting a lunch for the staff members as a way to recognize the heart and hard work your child's teachers and school staff members pour into the classroom.

Thank you to all who have already committed to a donation! There are some remaining slots available for anyone who is able to bring in a homemade or store-bought item. Some items of need are:

Green Salad (2)
Pasta Salad (1)
Gluten Free Side/Salad (4)
Fruit Salad (2)
Gluten Free Dessert (2)

If you are able to contribute, please click here to sign up.

We appreciate your support!

Staff Appreciation Discounts Around Town!

The PTO thinks the teachers and staff at Yarmouth schools are truly the best around and are so grateful for all they do for our kids! The businesses in Yarmouth agree, and during the week of Teacher Appreciation, Teachers and Staff can stop in for some extra discounts! Here is the growing list of participating places-- please help spread the word!

Claytons Cafe- Free bagel (with spread of choice) and coffee- May 4-8
Maggie Mae’s- 20% off food- May 6th
Attic and Eaves- 15% off- Entire month of May
Royal River Books- 20% off- May 4-8
Goodfire Brewing- 20% off- May 4-8
Sea Love- 15% off scent blending and 10% off all products- May 2-8
Revel- Use code Teacher10 for 10% off pre-ordered boards- May 4- 12

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! 

PTO Gather & Greet 

Join us on Tuesday, May 5th for our monthly casual coffee hour at Fox & the Fiddle (inside 317 Main) any time after 8:45 am. If you're hoping to learn more about the organization or would just like to chat with some other parents and community members, we hope you'll join us. PTO elections will be held at this month's meeting, so it's a great time to learn about some of the open positions and ways you can get involved. Drop in, grab a coffee from the cafe, and pull up a chair! 

Gather & Greet is a recurring event on the first Tuesday of each month, so even if you can't make it this month, we hope to see you for our final event of the year in June!

May PTO Meeting

Our next meeting will be held on Thursday, May 21st at 7 PM in the YES library, when we'll hold our annual elections in addition to regular business. Our meetings are open to everyone, and we'd love to see you there! 

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 14, 2026 - Science Assessment (8th grade)

May 21, 2026 - PTO Meeting 7pm YES Library