March 31, 2023
Dear HMS Parents and Guardians,
We hope this update finds you well. We are excited to share an accomplishment of one of our 8th graders. Pictured above is Ashliah Mapandi’s linocut (a type of block print). Ashliah’s artwork was selected to represent HMS this year at the Youth Art Month exhibition at the Portland Museum of Art. Ashliah was recognized at a ceremony for her accomplishment, and we are so excited to see her artwork on display. Congratulations, Ashliah!
In this update you will find information about the following topics:
Spirit Week 2023
YHS Day of Hope 2023
PTO Update (reminder)
Merrill Memorial Library Update (reminder)
Dates to Date
HMS Update #17 will be sent on April 13, 2023. Please continue to reach out with any questions.
With Gratitude,
Mandy Lewis and Tom McDowell
HMS Administrative Team
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Spirit Week 2023
We want to thank members of the Student Leadership Team for planning all of our Spirit Week events! From dressing up each day to participating in a school-wide assembly today, HMS showed lots of spirit this week. During the assembly today, we invited Danielle Smaha to speak with us about the work of the Preble Street Teen Shelter in Portland, we highlighted the HMS Robotics Team, and we played a schoolwide game of rock paper scissors. As part of the week, we have been gathering donations for the Preble Street Teen Shelter. Thank you so much for the donations so far! We are going to collect items for one more week, and here are the items below that we are focusing on.
Grade six:
cute backpacks
school supplies
Grade seven:
accessories (claw clips, headbands, new makeup)
high-top sneakers, winter boots
Grade eight:
trendy outfits (yoga pants, sweaters)
school supplies
The shelter would also benefit from: socks (athletic and warm); NEW men’s boxers and boxer briefs; NEW women’s cotton underwear, small – x-large (5-9); Durable, warm gloves and mittens (preferably waterproof); Warm, durable winter coats (the larger the size the better for layering!); NEW or gently used, durable winter boots and sneakers (all sizes, especially men’s sizes 10-14 and wide sizes); NEW bras, all sizes; Men’s pants (28-34 especially); Backpacks, tote bags, duffle bags; Good quality, travel-sized toiletries.
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YHS Day of Hope
Yarmouth High School is excited to bring back the Day of Hope: a student-organized "Ted Talk" style event centered around bringing hope and unity to the Maine community. This year's Day of Hope will take place Friday, April 7 from 5-6pm at the Yarmouth Performing Arts Center (YPAC).
This year we are honored to bring in three speakers from various fields to talk about hope in their own lives. Please click here to learn more about our three speakers: Artist Charlie Hewitt, Kate O’Halloran of Lifeflight, and Kali Focht of Partners for World Health.
Admission is free; however, we kindly suggest you consider making a donation as all proceeds will go to Partners for World Health, a non-profit based in Portland, ME. We hope you will join us for the 2023 Day of Hope—our first live event since 2019!
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PTO Update (reminder)
Community Bike Fair and Bike Swap
SAVE THE DATE - Sunday, April 30th, Rowe School Gym & outside circle
A return of the bike swap, with some added extras this year! More details coming soon.
HAPPY WHEELS - Save the Date!
Come support your PTO and have a blast on Roller Skates at the same time!
This is a new PTO fundraiser, and we can't wait to skate!
HMS - Friday, May 12th 5pm-7pm
Happy Wheels is located at 3 Chabot Street in Westbrook
SEEKING PTO LEADERS, MEMBERS, AND VOLUNTEERS!
The Yarmouth PTO is seeking volunteers for the 2023/24 school year! You can share (or update) your volunteer interests by taking this two-minute survey: bit.ly/PTOVolunteerSurvey.
We have volunteer positions at every level, including several leadership roles. If you’d like to make decisions that impact student enrichment and help the school community, we would love to work with you. If you are interested or have any questions, please email Elaine and Tenley at yarmouthpto04096@gmail.com.
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Merrill Memorial Library Update (reminder)
The MML is going to be holding a series of Writing Workshops with Charlotte Agell. Take a look at this flier for more information.
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Dates to Date
March 31: Yarmouth’s Got Talent
April 7: YHS Day of Hope 5-6pm
April 14-21: April Break - no school
April 30: Bike Fair and Bike Swap, Rowe School
May 12: PTO Happy Wheels Fundraiser