PHIPPSBURG EXPLORER'S LOG
ISSUE 11 NOVEMBER 5, 2026
November
5 - PTA Glow Run Fundraiser 5-6PM on Cushman Field/Minott Walking Path Next to School. Pledge forms went home previously in Thursday folders
6 - PES Flu Clinic 10:30-1PM in Nurse Melissa's Office
10 - B. Farrin Visits PES 2PM
Gr. 3-5 Garden Club 3-4PM-Final Meeting of the Season
10 - Family Math Night 5-6PM PES Gym; Please RSVP if You Are Attending (Click the Flyer)
11 - Veterans Day/NO SCHOOL
19 - PES Thanksgiving Lunch; Each Student may invite ONE special guest. Guest order forms went home previously.
23-24 - No Pre-K
23 - Half Day/Noon Dismissal/PK-12 Parent Teacher Conferences
24 - Half Day/Noon Dismissal for Students and Staff
26 - PSA Thanksgiving Dinner 11AM-2PM at the Phippsburg Sportsman's Club
25-27 - NO SCHOOL/Happy Thanksgiving Break! 🦃
Dear PES community,
What a wacky week it has been! With a day off on Tuesday, temperatures into the 70’s with sunshine, and the changing of the clocks, we have all been feeling just a tad bit off. Teachers have needed to reteach some routines this week to ensure students are following classroom and school rules. We have another day off next week in the middle of the week, as we honor our Veterans. Students have been making cards at school to give to Veterans in our surrounding communities.
Our first trimester ends on November 20th. However, we won’t be sending out report cards until December 11th, as teachers need time to complete the student report cards. Moving forward, report cards will be accessible only through Infinite Campus, and will not be sent home in paper form. Mrs. Doran and I will share more information as we get closer to report card time.
Parent/Teacher Conferences
November also is the time of year when we have parent teacher conferences. This is a time for families to meet with teachers and learn more about how their student/s are doing at school. We highly encourage all of our families to sign up for a conference. If you have more than one student in multiple grades, select all of the classroom teacher schedules at one time, which will then bring you to the time selections. Please enter the following web address into your browser window: https://www.ptcfast.com/schools/Phippsburg_Elementary_School_1
I hope you all enjoy a lovely November weekend.
Warm regards,
Mrs.Willette
This week, we met our last executive functioning character, Salty the Seal. Salty the Seal is probably the most complex of our characters. Salty teaches students about their working memory. Working memory means being able to remember things in your head for a short time, so you can use them later. In the classroom, this could mean remembering what the teacher has just taught you and then applying it to classwork.
There are certain things we can do to strengthen our working memory, such as practicing things through repetition. Having students practice remembering short lists, phone numbers, addresses, movements, or instructions, can help strengthen the working memory. We can use simple strategies like repeating or visualizing to help us remember.
Automaticity can also help alleviate the stress of using our working memory. For example, if students can automatically recall addition or multiplication math facts, it can free up their brains to work on more complex problems. If students can quickly recall high frequency words during reading or spelling, it alleviates stress on the working memory.
At home you can work on this skill by asking kids to remember three things, or having them follow simple directions. You can also practice visualizing to remember, playing card games that involve using our memory, or having students teach you about a new skill or concept.
- Please be sure to turn in your Thanksgiving Lunch Guest Order Form and payment by Friday, November 6th, if you haven't already. Student meals are free. Siblings eat with their youngest sibling at their lunch start time listed on the form.
- There will be NO SCHOOL on Wednesday, November 11th, due to the Veterans Day Holiday.
- Parents, if you haven't already, please be sure to schedule your Parent/Teacher Conference.
- There will be NO Pre-K the week of November 23rd.
The school has been generously gifted 7 Thanksgiving Meal Baskets from Popham Women's Circle. If your family could use one, please contact Mrs. McCartney by November 19th at tmccartney@rsu1.org or call 389-1514.
In addition to the cancellation/delay calls and email messages to families, we also post this information on the RSU1 website, Facebook page and:
- TV: 6, 8, 13 (also listed on the website of each channel)
- Bath Community TV
- Radio: WCME (99.5FM)
PHIPPSBURG REC NEWS
Fiesta Fitness!
Thursdays Nov 5 to Dec 17 (except Nov 26), from 6:30 to 7:30pm in the Phippsburg Elementary School gym. We are excited to have licensed local Fiesta Fitness Instructor, Diane Cohen, guide us through this exciting class! Fiesta Fitness is similar to Zumba, but less choreographed. Classes will also include Dance Kick boxing, Dance Fitness, and mat work. Chairs are available for stability for those with knee and/or balance issues. Bring a water bottle, hand towel, and properly fitting footwear. Fee for the 6 weeks is $50 BUT the Rec Commission will pay half of that for Phippsburg residents!! Please bring $25/resident/$50/non-resident on the first night of class, or you can do a drop in fee of $4 per class. Make it family time; ages 13-17 are welcome to join a paying adult for only $2 a class. You can even stop in on the first night to see what it's like before you decide to join.
For more information on class details, contact Diane Cohen by email at cohendiane0@gmail.com. FMI on payment and/or to sign up, contact Tammy Doran at 607-2483. We have our minimum of 6 participants, and room for more for this fun class!
November 18 - Holiday Paint Night
5:30-7PM at the Sportsmen's Association. A fun night to create a gift for yourself or a loved one. Follow along with a video and instructor as you each create the same acrylic canvas painting that you take home. All materials provided and no talent necessary! FREE snacks and mocktails available. Cost: $15 to be paid at the door. FMI and to sign up, contact Joyce Anderson: madamejanderson@gmail.com
ALBERT F. TOTMAN PUBLIC LIBRARY
Craft Supply Swap Saturday, November 7, 10am-12pm
Do you have craft supplies that you no longer need (yarn, fabric, felt, beads, scrapbooking materials, etc.)? Would you like to “shop” for new-to-you craft supplies? Bring your unused craft items during library hours from Nov. 3-5, and/or stop by on Nov. 7 to pick up craft supplies. Swapping is not required.
Volunteer Opportunities
The Library is looking for volunteers to join our team! * Staff the circulation desk * Read books to toddlers * Join the new Friends of the Library Whether you like to be out front or behind the scenes, there’s a place at the library for you! If you're not sure which volunteer job would be the right fit, Library Director Diane Atwood would be happy to talk to you about finding a role based on your interests. FMI call the library at 207-389-2309 or stop in.
BATH PARKS & RECREATION
Check out all the fun activities offered, such as youth basketball and wrestling, November Horse Lovers Camp, pickle ball courts reservations, barn quilt painting, Lost Valley Ski & Snowboard Program, etc. at www.bathrecreation.com or call 207-443-8360 for more information. Bath Rec is located at 4 Sheridan Rd, Bath, ME 04530.
Phippsburg Elementary School Contact Info
Email: tdoran@rsu1.org
Website: phippsburg.rsu1.org
Location: 1047 Main Rd, Phippsburg, ME, USA
Phone: 389-1514