HMS Staff In-Service Days

The HMS staff gathered together this week for three days of learning, collaborating, and sharing ideas. Teams continued our focus on the inquiry process, differentiated curriculum, Common Core State Standards, and digital citizenship. Our School Improvement Team introduced our plan to explore formative assessment and questioning this year, which we'll begin at our first faculty meeting in October. 

We also engaged in an activity called, "User's Experience". Staff worked in different combinations of pairs to brainstorm words that best described their middle school experiences, and the experiences we want to create for our students, families, community members, and each other. The above Wordle represents and articulates who we are, what we stand for, and what we want to communicate to all of you. 

We appreciated this time to work together and made great use of every minute. We're looking forward to welcoming your children back to HMS on Tuesday!

New Student/New Parent Meet and Greet

 

New to Yarmouth Parents

HMS was pleased to welcome students and parents new to our district on Monday, August 29th. Laura Mike, our School Counselor, coordinated a variety of get-to-know you activities with our student volunteers, which culminated in a tour of the building and a pizza party.

At the same time our new students were familiarizing themselves with HMS, our PTO, led by President Amie Moore and Melina Roberts, hosted a new parent get together in our library. Parents new to Yarmouth had some time to talk with PTO members, ask questions, tour the building and become more comfortable and familiar with life at HMS.

Our building was energized by the presence of our new students, parents and volunteers! We're grateful to PTO members Stacey Pardales, Michele Lucca, Joan Dollarhite, Charlotte Brennan, Marjie Longshore, Tera Cooley, Amie Moore, Melina Roberts, and Jess Smith for the time and energy they put into this annual event!

Stacey Pardales, Charlotte Brennan, and Joan Dollarhite

PTO President Amie Moore with New to Yarmouth Parents

Floating Think Lab Project-Take 3

From a row boat, to a sail boat, to a bicycle powered paddle boat, Oliver Peloquin and Emerson Pardales have been hard at work on the latest version of the one-sheet plywood boat project, which began as a YEF grant in 2015, under Bob Gross' tutelage.

Check out these innovators' latest, successful creation, photographed by Bob at the recent launch:

Congratulations to Oliver and Emerson! We're looking forward to whatever comes next-maybe something with wings?! Congratulations to Bob who certainly made the very best use of this YEF grant!

YEF Ends the Year on a Sweet Note

Karyn Smith receives Clipper Honors

HMS thanks the Yarmouth Education Foundation for the Clipper Honors that were delivered this week! This meant so much to our teachers. YEF continues to inspire and spread joy throughout our community.

Thanks to Allison Flowerdew for sharing these great photos. Here are just a few of the lucky, very happy recipients:

Stephanie Robison, Bruce Brann, and Meghan Haugevik

Mike Hagerty

Stephanie Robison, Bob Morse, Julie Logan, Ragan Bartlett, Meghan Haugevik, Barbara Ellis

Mr. C.

Bruce Brann

Joan Adler

Merry Stuhr

 Shawna said it best, "YUM!"-a delicious way to end the year.

7th grade students learn about body systems

Morgan Cuthbert was pleased to share the following information about this exciting learning opportunity:

The 7th grade science classes welcomed the Yarmouth and Southern Maine Community to HMS to collaborate on recent lessons about body systems. This community connection enriches our students' learning experiences.

Deputy Chief Rich Kindelan and Kira Lacasse, from Yarmouth Fire Rescue, and Dr. Dave Cox were on hand to support our students through the Vital Signs lab. The students learned about blood pressure, pulse, breath rate and how to administer non-breath CPR. These “vital” signs are crucial to understanding body systems and allowed our students to learn about how their own bodies work.

Our students at work

A group of parents who are medical professionals from the Southern Maine area volunteered their time to to provide our students with mini-lessons during our annual porcine heart and respiratory dissection. This study grounded the students in their understanding of the respiratory and circulatory unit. Demonstrations included a tracheotomy, identifying problem areas in the heart and blood vessels, tracing the flow of blood through the heart, and identifying structures and functions within the heart. 

We're grateful to these professionals for volunteering their time!

Dr. Keaney at work

 

From left to right: Pam Bergen, Maud Van de Weile, Johanna Salay, Karina Omark, Pat Keaney, Ben Lowenstein, Jen Pires, and Cynthia Foss Not Pictured: Phillidia and Bill Ruth, Clay McDonough, Marla Dickinson, Liz Russo

We Honor Our Retirees

With heartfelt gratitude and all best wishes for whatever comes next, our staff honors Bruce Brann, Elaine Fletcher, Marsha Newick, and Diane Reynolds. 

Bruce Brann and the HMS staff wearing T-Shirts with one of Bruce's favorite sayings, "They don't are how much you know until they know how much you care."

Elaine Fletcher and the Unified Arts Team

Bruce Brann, Evan Lucca and Marsha Newick, who supported HMS students through the Geo Bee every year

Diane Reynolds and Bruce Brann

Legenda-20th Anniversary

Congratulations to the Legenda staff, Charlotte Agell, all of our students who submitted work to this beautiful and unique literary magazine, and those whose pieces were published this year. We appreciate learning from your creativity and talent and we understand the risk that all artists take when sharing their craft with others.

Our gratitude to Charlotte, who makes this important publication possible year after year, as she continues to nurture our students' impressive abilities. 

Legenda Staff

Tessa Piker

Lily McDowell

Brenton Burgess

Michael McNeil

Gus Edwards

Emi Schneider

Ellie Ralph

Audrey Welsh

Sadie Cowles

Maddie Hayes

Sam O'Donnell

Brienne Hathcock

Cole DeCristoforo

Jacob Veilleux

Justin Veilleux

Connor Tull

Harry Mellor

Thomas Kuhn

Nick Knuppel

Steve Antoine

Ethan Roth

Noah Bibula

James Moore

Tom Zurkan

Fearless Leader

Charlotte Agell

Al Dente Designer

Mitchell Rasor

Awesome Person

Holly Allen