Dear Parents and Guardians,

With the first week of school completed, the wind has filled the sails of the clipper ship as we head off into the 2019-2020 school year.  We have had a terrific start, and I’d ask you to take a few minutes to read through Why We Teach, a webpage where our faculty members explain their commitment and dedication to working with students.   Hopefully you’ve had time to sift through the start of school information sent a few weeks ago, as there are more upcoming events and information looking ahead.  

Playmaker Parent Meeting - On Tuesday, September 17th from 6:30 to 7:00 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 The Addams Family. 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, either on stage or back stage, and at least one parent should plan to attend. Parents are also encouraged to attend the Friends of Playmakers (FOP) booster club meeting immediately afterwards.  

On Friday, September 20, we will host our annual Club Fair.  This is a terrific opportunity for students to explore many of the extracurricular opportunities at Yarmouth High School.  

Please mark your calendars for this year’s Open House, which will be held on Wednesday, September 25th from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm.    At 6:30, please report to your child’s advisory group to receive important information.  Following advisory, you will follow an abbreviated schedule and meet your student’s teachers. You may also buy a yearbook 
at open house for $55.  Yearbooks can also be purchased online at: Jostens.com;  Please feel free to email: betsy_puelle@yarmouthschools.org with any questions.  Our art classes will also be holding a bake sale to help raise funds for their annual trip to New York City.  Thank you for supporting our artists!  

Responsible Use of Technology - Students have received their laptops, which will be used extensively in their learning.  Technology requires additional responsibility, and we would ask that you review this presentation from last year’s parent school alliance, link here.    For students involved with extracurricular activities, please review this link which explains our procedures for laptop use on trips.      

YEF September Fundraisers - YEF is a nonprofit organization made up of community volunteers who raise money to fund innovative projects at all four Yarmouth schools.  YEF has funded more than $300,000 in grants supporting students and teachers at all levels throughout the district. We ask you to join us on Saturday, October 19th, for our 9th Annual Blue Jean Ball held at AMVETS on North Road from 6:30-10:30.  Food by Binga’s, dancing by Yarmouth bands The Loose Threads & Fight At The Family Picnic, plus a raffle and much more. Tickets will be on sale soon at yarmoutheducationfoundation.org.  To learn more about YEF, please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and our website.

Volunteering in the Schools - If you would like to become a school volunteer at any of the Yarmouth Schools, please plan on attending a volunteer orientation.  This will cover the needs of the teachers at the schools as well as the procedures and policies of the volunteer program. Orientation meetings will be held on Thursday, September 19th from 9 to 9:30 am, or 7 to 7:30 pm at the Rowe School.  If you have attended a volunteer orientation at the Yarmouth School District in the past, it is not necessary to attend the meeting. However, a volunteer registration form MUST be completed for the current 2019-2020 school year. NEW this year, we will be accepting volunteer registration forms online.  For more information regarding orientation, please call Justine Carlisle 846-5535 or email  justine_carlisle@yarmouthschools.org

Sincerely,

Eric Klein, Amy Bongard, and David Creech - YHS Administrative Team