Dear YHS Families,

 We would like to share some special community events this week as well as a few informational updates prior to the December vacation.  

 Film and Discussion to Address Anxiety - Tuesday

Please join us Tuesday, December 15th @ 6:30pm EST for a virtual screening and panel discussion for AngstAngst is a film-based education program designed to raise awareness around anxiety, with an emphasis on youth and families. The film includes interviews with kids, teens, experts, and parents. Our goal is to help people identify and understand the symptoms of anxiety and encourage them to reach out for help. Learn more at www.angstmovie.com, and Register here.  This event is hosted by Casco Bay CAN, Choose To Be Healthy, City of Bangor Department of Public Health and Community Services, Healthy Acadia, Healthy Communities of the Capital Area, Project Alliance, River Valley Rising and Somerset Public Health.

YAWP Open Mic Night - Thursday

On Thursday, December 17th, the YAWP (Yarmouth Arts and Writing Publication) Club will be hosting a virtual open mic from 7 - 9:00 pm for all students.  Students can share poems, artwork, and music.  Please join us via this streaming link

Virtual Winter Trivia Night at Merrill Library - Friday

MML is hosting a trivia night on Friday, December 18 at 7pm.  Signing up is really easy. A team captain visits this site: tinyurl.com/MMLKids and signs up with an email address and name.  A zoom link will be sent to the team captain on the day of the event for that person to share with teammates. It's for teams up to 6 people and it is all ages.  Please see this link for more information.  

 December Break Update

A reminder that we will not be collecting laptops in order which will allow students to use their devices over the December vacation.  We will also make a slight adjustment to classes the week before December Break.  Please see below:

--Monday December 21st - BLUE Day; students in Group 1 (A - L) will attend onsite classes.

--Tuesday December 22nd - WHITE day; students in Group 2 (M-Z) will attend onsite classes. 

YEF Grants

We would like to thank the Yarmouth Educational Foundation for their continued support this year.  After sponsoring outdoor learning spaces for our staff and students this fall, YEF has awarded the following grants that will have a tremendous impact on student learning while supporting our district’s core values and beliefs of learning.  

 Spanish Conversation Immersion - This unique world language opportunity will connect more than 50 students at Yarmouth High School with Spanish-speaking women in Guatemala through Project Olas. “Olas Moms” are women living in Guatemala City who are trained to help Spanish students improve their language skills and cultural competence. Each week, students will meet virtually with their “Olas Mom” for Spanish conversations and a closer look at what life is like in Guatemala.  

Antiracism and Bias Trainings - This YEF grant will provide professional development opportunities for Yarmouth High School staff - and students - that focus on antiracism and confronting bias. The grant funds several opportunities to work with a nationally-recognized group of educators that stress the importance of letting Black people, Indigenous People, and People of Color lead the antiracism work, especially in school districts with little diversity. These added learning opportunities will build on the work of the Yarmouth School Department’s Equity Task Force and the District’s work with the Maine Intercultural Communication Consultants and the Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine. 

Respectfully,

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