Dear Tremont Friends and Families,

Next week is Thanksgiving. We do have school on Monday and Tuesday. Thanksgiving Break will take place from Wednesday, November 27 - Sunday, December 1. We will return from break on Monday, December 2. On behalf of the TCS family, we wish you a bountiful holiday filled with the good things life has to offer.

As always, there are exceptional things taking place in the classrooms of TCS. 5 and 6th social studies students are learning about the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia and the first writing system called cuneiform. In collaboration, Mrs. Linscott and Mrs. Putnam have researched ancient music, including the first lyre, and discussed their findings with students. It is truly fascinating! Mrs. Raymond is also integrating ancient art into her lessons with students creating cuneiform cylinder seals. The two social studies classes combined on Thursday to write their own cuneiform message on sugar cookie "tablets." How fortunate we are to have teachers teaming up to support students in fun and exciting ways.

The Tremont School Board would like to welcome Roger St. Amand as the newest member of the school board. We appreciate having community members on local boards to support and shape education for our students.

Mrs. Mahoney, our Teacher Librarian is happy to announce two exciting related events happening at Tremont School. From November 21 - December 13, 2019 the Welcoming Library will be at TCS. It is a traveling collection of 25 picture books which feature the immigrant, refugee or “new arrival” experience. We have borrowed the Welcoming Library book collection and it is set up in our school library. Feel free to visit http://www.welcominglibrary.org/ for more information. On Thursday, December 5, 2019 author/ illustrator Anne Sibley O’Brien, whose book is part of the Welcoming Library collection, will lead art and writing workshops around her book, “I’m New Here,” with students in grades K-4 sponsored by Island Readers & Writers. Students in grades K-4 will receive hardcover copies of the book autographed by the author. For more information on Anne Sibley O’Brien and her books, please visit http://annesibleyobrien.com.

We could use your help to ensure that toys, trading cards, and personal items remain at home. In order to avoid such items getting lost, damaged, or traded, and the fallout that can take place in the afterwards, personal items should remain at home, unless arrangements have been made with the classroom teacher. Items that arrive at school may be held by the classroom teacher until the end of the day or until a parent/guardian is able to pick them up at school. Thank you for working with us on this.

Please keep in mind the importance of regular and on time student attendance. Under Maine law, a student is considered truant if the student is at least 7 years of age and has not completed grade 6 having accumulated 7 unexcused absences or 5 consecutive days of unexcused absences during a school year. Chronic absenteeism is also detrimental to a students ability to learn if they are frequently excused, but often absent or tardy. Please communicate with the school if your child needs to be out. If your child is struggling with attendance, please partner with us to find a solution.

The annual TCS Santa Breakfast will take place on Saturday, December 14. This event is put on by the TCS PTO and Madame Linscott’s french program and benefits the middle school trip to Quebec City every two years. Thank you to all who volunteer and make this event possible. We look forward to seeing you there. Please spread the word and be on the look out for more details coming soon.

Thank you for making your child and their education a priority. They are the reason we are here and we enjoy helping them to grow and feel success. Enjoy the weekend!

Warmly,

Mrs. True