Whitefield Elementary School

Dear WHES Parents: Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year! We are excited to be returning to a school year that does not contain the restrictions and apprehensions of the past two pandemic years...definitely a relief for all. Some very significant developments have occurred over the summer in terms of the staff and facility that we'll be highlighting in greater detail in future communications. For today, I wanted to let you know about two specific matters, one that impacts all WHES families and the other is specific to the 8th grade. First! Whitefield Elementary School will hold its Fall Open House on August 30th from 5:00-6:00 p.m. As we did last year, this event (on the evening before school begins) allows families to come to school and meet teachers, check out the classroom and ask any questions necessary for the start of school. For many students there is a certain amount of anxiety about the beginning of school and this Open House allows them to build some immediate familiarity and, hopefully, relax and look forward to the next day. As in past years, we will find our school community having a three day week (August 31st, September 1st & 2nd), followed by the Labor Day weekend and then a four day week (September 6th - 9th). We will be in school for our third week before we finally get to a full five day week and this practice has always proven to be a great way for adults and children to stage into our school year. I would remind you that we will continue our Early Release Day (ERD) program on Wednesdays throughout the year and, yes, August 31st will be an ERD with a 1:30 dismissal time. Please plan accordingly for all Wednesdays. Secondly, because of our large 8th grade class (29 students), we will be splitting the class into two divisions. These divisions will have separate schedules including all core academic and specials classes. We were permitted to hire an additional teacher for the coming year to help manage the teaching load. The teacher is someone who has been serving us here as a Gardening Club / Greenhouse advisor, an Educational Technician and as a Bus Driver. His name is Tim Davis and he will be teaching course sections of the middle school curriculum this year. All 8th grade parents will be receiving a separate email from me listing their child's assigned division and homeroom. I consulted with the 6-8 Team Leader in constructing the divisions and we believe strongly that this new class arrangement will serve the learning needs of this class extremely well. At this time, we are not entertaining requests to alter the division lists. I hope to see you on the evening of the 30th and look forward to a productive school year. Mark Mark Deblois, Principal Whitefield Elementary School 164 Grand Army Road Whitefield, ME 04353-3503 (207) 549-5251 Email: mdeblois@svrsu.org "At Whitefield Elementary School We Have PRIDE INSIDE"

2022/2023 Bus Routes: Please be advised that Mr. Cote and Mr. Kelley have switched routes this year. Remember that these times are approximate. We ask that you give us a 5-10 minute leeway before and after the stated times as we get the bus routes down. Thank you

School calendar

Chelsea Elementary in RSU 12 has a Special Education Teacher Resource Room Opening https://www.servingschools.com/job/znukhp/special-education-teacher-gr-6-8/chelsea/me

6th, 7th and 8th grade school supply list

5th grade school supply list

4th grade school supply list

3rd grade school supply list

Kindergarten through 2nd grade school supply list

Whitefield School office will be closing today at 11:30am and will be closed tomorrow , August 12th.

The RSU 12 Board of Directors meeting is on August 11, 2022 at 6:30pm at Chelsea Elementary School. Agenda and materials for the RSU 12 Board of Directors meeting can be found here, https://www.svrsu.org/documents/rsu-12-board-of-directors-agendas-and-backup/2022-2023/august-2022/361917

Middle School Soccer signups Grades 5-8 First practices, 8/22, 8/25,8/29,8/31 At the school 5:30PM There will be a soccer gear swap for cleats and shin guards. Bring your old stuff and maybe find something new! Also, don’t forget to have your child’s physical up to date. They are good for 1 year from the last date and have to be current to participate. Contact coach Haskell Padgett with questions haskellpadgett@gmail.com (207) 522-2976

Garden Club will be meeting tomorrow (8/9) from 8:30am to 10am. Students and parents are welcome to attend. Some of the things that we will be doing tomorrow include: Harvest basil and dehydrate Tie up tomatoes Harvest summer squash Harvest green beans Harvest cucumbers Giant pumpkin pruning and training Staking peppers Seeding lettuce and basil And as always som weeding. If you plan on attending tomorrow's Garden Club please RSVP by contacting Tim Davis at tdavis@svrsu.org or by texting 207-215-4561

WAA Soccer sign ups and preseason play dates: Aug 22 and 24 and 29 and 31 at 5:30 Open to anyone interested in playing soccer PreK-6th grade. Soccer sign up link is here: https://docs.google.com/forms/u/1/d/1Z7gUoIBCYrw1P2rHnFe_bbCde-1eGe6mTprHhPo3LVE/viewform?edit_requested=true

Just a reminder that yearbooks did come in. If you ordered a year book and have not yet picked it up, please call the school to set up a time to get them. Yearbooks not picked up over the summer will be handed out on the first day of school.

The count down has begun....are you ready??

We are still accepting PreK applications and Kindergarten registration. Please call the school or email aperkins@svrsu.org if you have any questions.

Garden Club will be meeting tomorrow (8/2) from 8:30am to 10am. Students and parents are welcome to attend. Some of the things that we will be doing tomorrow include: Harvest basil and dehydrate Tie up tomatoes Harvest summer squash Harvest green beans Harvest cucumbers Giant pumpkin pruning and training Staking peppers Seeding lettuce and basil And as always som weeding. If you plan on attending tomorrow's Garden Club please RSVP by contacting Tim Davis at tdavis@svrsu.org or by texting 207-215-4561

Please be aware that the Whitefield School office will be closed on July 28th and 29th.

Garden club harvest today! Kohlrabi, cucumbers, zuchinni, and summer squash. Plus lots of basil in the dehydrator. We planted a new crop of beans and cucumbers.