Whittier Wire

• November 26: Turkey Bowl II
• November 27-29: Thanksgiving Break
• December 6: Report Card 1/Academic Probation Check
• December 11: Middle School Band & Chorus Concert, 7pm
• December 23-January 1: Holiday Break

Click here for the RSU 16 District Calendar

As Thanksgiving week begins, it’s a great time to reflect and appreciate our school community. This year is flying by, and it is important to recognize the hard work of students, staff, and families in contributing to our positive start.

This staff genuinely enjoys our students and is dedicated to supporting them as learners and human beings. We ask a lot of teachers, and I am always impressed by their willingness to go the extra mile. The strength goes well beyond the teachers; our ed techs, maintenance staff, office staff, kitchen staff, and bus drivers are all difference makers. I am thankful to work with each one of them.

We are a school with parents invested in their children. I appreciate the support we have received from parents when we call home about issues or concerns we have at school. When we are able to work together, students benefit at the highest degree. I know this requires trust, and I appreciate the trust that you are putting in our staff. I am thankful for you.

Your kids are fantastic. We laugh a lot and learn a lot together every day. Often times, I believe I am the one receiving the lesson. Building a community has its challenges, but I am proud of the

progress we have made together. I am thankful for our students.

I wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Tuesday is a Hat Day Fundraiser at Whittier. Students and staff may donate a dollar to the Maine Cancer Foundation to wear a hat for the day.

Movember is a global charity and awareness campaign that raises funds and awareness for men's health issues. The Whittier Middle School version started about 15 years ago. Students' Hat Day donations will also be used as votes for the best mustache in the building. The students and staff will cast their votes by putting their donation in the cup of the participant with the best mustache. ALL proceeds will go to the Maine Cancer Foundation.

Last year:

Thank you for supporting the Whittier Middle School food drive. Your contributions will go right back into the community and will help take care of local families. We appreciate your thoughtfulness and generosity. We were very pleased with the outcome, and the opportunity for our Student Council to make the donation on behalf of our school community.

Dear Parents/Guardians,

I am writing to inform you of an upcoming unit that is going to be taught in 8th grade wellness in the next few weeks. The unit is called “Best Practices in STD/HIV and Pregnancy Prevention”, with the main emphasis on abstinence.The curriculum was co-authored by Maine Family Planning and the Maine Department of Education. This curriculum has been used in hundreds of classes across Maine to teach teens about healthy sexuality. This unit contains a variety of interactive methods that give teens the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to make sexually responsible decisions.

The unit will focus on helping each student gain the knowledge and communication skills to prevent pregnancy and the transmission of STIs and HIV/AIDS. Abstinence will be given as the safest and 100% most effective choice for the student, but accurate information about other protection methods will also be provided. There will also be lessons on “red flags” of unhealthy relationships, as well as the importance of consent in sexual situations.

If you do NOT want your child to participate in any or all of this unit, please let me know as soon as possible.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Kimberly D. Yorkey

998-3426, ex.t 329

kyorkey@rsu16.org

On Friday, Mr. Kent Armstrong, father of Art teacher Scout Armstrong and owner of TerraStryke, came in to talk to 7th grade science students. While they are learning about water quality, he explained how his business remediates toxic spills using microbes already in the soil. Students learned a great deal, and tested dissolved oxygen under different conditions, and with an oil spill. His personal story and innovations were a big hit!

Mrs. Goss's Round Table helped "Take Care of This Place" by washing walls in the F Wing this week. We appreciate our maintenance staff and wanted to help them out.

Mr. Jones’ 7th grade science students testing their water filtration devices

VIP Eyes of Auburn is having their 10th annual give back day on Wednesday November 27, 2024 from 8am-5pm. VIP Auburn will be offering eyeglasses to children for $15 for a complete pair: frames and single vision lenses. Additional frame and lens options will be available at a steep discount.

Drama Club: Calling all student performers, set designers, costume and backstage assistants - you are invited to join this year’s Whittier Drama Club starting Tuesday, Dec. 3, after school from 2:20 to 4:00 pm in the auditorium.

The Drama Club will meet every Tuesday through the time of the audition for the Spring play. After the audition, there will be added rehearsals. If you have any questions, contact Ell Fanus, efanus@rsu16.org.

Excel: Excel will not meet this week. Regular meetings (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday) will resume in December.

Math Club: Math Club will meet Monday, November 25th after school in Mrs. Goss's Room from 2:15 to 3:15 to prepare for our first meet of the year, December 3. The Math Meet will take place during the day here at Whittier.

Stitch Club:

-We are back at it this week. Luckily, after a layoff, we will have three days of practice before our game on Thursday vs Brunswick.

-Our gym fills up fast. If your child is staying after school to watch games, please have a conversation ith them about watching the game. If they are not interested in basketball, the space can be used for others that are interested. By all means, if they are interested in basketball, we do not want to discourage them.

Games this week:

Thursday 12/5

8th/7th Boys @ Brunswick 3:30/4:45, Depart 1:50/dismiss 1:40pm

8th/7th Girls Basketball HM vs Brunswick 3:30/4:45

Practices this week:

Email: svincent@rsu16.org
Website: https://www.rsu16.org/bwms
Location: 1457 Maine Street, Poland, ME, USA
Phone: (207) 998-3462