Dear Families - 

This past week was very busy with the identification of two unrelated positive COVID cases here at school.  After contact tracing, this led to some students needing to quarantine due to potential exposure. Pool testing is the best way to keep students in school and avoid quarantine. The kids in pool testing are tested regularly, weekly, so in theory, COVID would be detected before students are symptomatic and can spread to others.  A person who had a known exposure has a 10 day period where they could still develop COVID even if tested on days 5-7.  Pool testing provides us with continuous surveillance and is an added layer of mitigation supporting students’ ability to stay in school safely. Here is the link to sign up if interested.  Please contact nurse Brittany with any questions.

 https://testcenter.concentricbyginkgo.com/minor-consent    -   Access Code is LW38US 

In other news, students have been out and about, experiencing their learning outdoors. Seventh and eighth graders went on a walking field trip to the Cranberry Cove Dock to take pictures as part of an art project. Pre-k headed to the Wonderland Trail, and the eighth grade went on a hike in support of lifelong fitness and did some natural history drawing. 

Students in grade 3-8 have taken their NWEA assessments in Reading, Math, and Language Usage. Teachers will look at the data to plan instruction for students. Students will take the assessment in the winter and spring with a focus on student growth. The NWEA is now the Maine State assessment.

Our week began with a shelter-in-place drill. These, along with our evacuation drills (fire drills), are essential routines to practice in case of a real emergency. The staff and students did a great job following procedures and relaying any concerns that needed to be addressed. 

Parent-Teacher conferences are coming up the first week of November. Sign-ups will go out next week.  We will continue to use PTC Fast to facilitate the process. Conferences will again be virtual as we continue to limit the number of people coming into our schools. Friday, November 5th, is the early release day for the month to facilitate conferences. You will also have after-school options. 

Our sports teams are in full swing. Both the soccer and cross-country teams participated in competitions this week. Cross-country ran at Tremont, and the Soccer team traveled to MDES for a game.  The weather could not have been better for either!

Take advantage of a long weekend to rest, and recharge. Monday is Indigenous People’s Day, and I encourage you to take an active effort to learn about Indigenous people’s history and celebrate their language, culture, and heritage. The word “Pemetic” is a Wabanaki word meaning “range of mountains.” 

Thank you for your understanding, grace, and patience, and be well this long weekend - Mr. Z

Entering and Exiting School

This year there is a slight change to how students Enter and Exit the Pemetic School.

Playground Door - 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade 

Front Door - Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 1st Grade

Music/Gym Doors - 6th, 7th, and 8th 

Students will be dismissed through the same exits for dismissal. If you are planning on picking up your child, please be sure to call the office ahead of time at 244-5502. If you already shared through the survey that you are always picking your child up, the office already has that information. 

Back to School Checklist 


Well-Child Checks/Physicals: Required for grades K and encouraged yearly for following school years. Required for anyone who participates in middle school athletics. Medical approval is required for grades 5 and 7 who wish to play sports.

Annual Health Update and Medication Permission Form: All parents please fill this out and return.

Immunizations: Your child must be up to date on immunizations before the new law takes into effect on September 1st, 2021. No child will be permitted to attend school until required vaccines have been administered.

Does your child need an action plan? Examples are severe food allergies which requires epinephrine and asthma which requires inhalers. Both action plans need to be signed off by their healthcare provider yearly. Asthma and Epi-Pens also require a signature from their healthcare provider on the “AOS 91 Medication Administration Form”.

Does your child need to take prescribed medication during school hours? Parent/ Guardian and their healthcare provider need to sign the “AOS 91 Medication Administration Form”.

All forms above can be found on the Pemetic school website under Nurse’s Office.

 Forms can be faxed to the school or emailed to me directly. You can call or text me at 207-888-1773. 

My email is nurse.pemetic@mdirss.org. I Hope everyone had a great summer and I am looking forward to the new school year!