Good afternoon everyone! What a week right! Believe it or not...even with some of the challenges we worked through TOGETHER this week, our students did have an incredible week of fun and learning. The picture collage below shows just a few examples...I know as adults, we are all tired...but boy - just look at those students! It really does make it all worth it - to see our positive impact. Whether you are a Gorham parent working through quarantine issues, or whether you are a staff person having to cover other duties and responsibilities because of a lack of subs - or whatever else it is we might all be facing. Those pictures below show WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO. I am so very proud to be a Gorham Ram with all of you!
Picture collage of the week:
And now on to the important information!
A QUICK VIDEO MESSAGE FROM
SUPERINTENDENT PERRY
I wanted to keep the text brief this time and focus in on the human side of our work together...so I thought a quick video message was in order to set the tone for some of the more detailed information you might see below. Please take a few minutes to watch this short video before skipping on to the other - likely more important - information regarding upcoming events like our vaccine clinics!
HERE IS THE LINK: https://youtu.be/TahwNwLRAG8
UPCOMING AGE 5-11 SCHOOL BASED
COVID 19 VACCINE CLINICS
First, I want to remind parents/guardians once again that we will be having an informational night on Monday, Nov. 8 at 6:00 p.m. via zoom where folks can come, listen to information and ask all the questions you have in order to assist you in making your decisions regarding participation. We will have special guests from Maine Med. at this meeting as well as our incredible nursing team from the four schools involved and our administrators. All questions are welcome ranging from the "bigger ones" like - what is the science behind these vaccines and how do they work to the "smaller ones" like will my child get a goofy bandaid to show off to us when they get home. There is no question too big or too small to ask, so please avail yourselves of this opportunity if you have any questions at all. The zoom link we will be using will allow up to 500 participants and I wouldn't mind filling it! Here's the zoom link information. It can also be found on our district website...
Join Zoom Meeting
https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/86147127805?pwd=Q0RVYnBPU05DL1ZoVG1uOGN1RmpvUT09
Meeting ID: 861 4712 7805
Passcode: 529879
Second, I wanted to share with parents the current schedule of when to expect our clinics will be held at each school. These are approximate times only as a great deal may vary based upon participation and other factors. Remember, there will be a first series of clinics listed and then a second series approximately 21 days after the first. Students are considered "fully vaccinated" 14 days after their second shot. Our goal is to try and have everyone that participates fully vaccinated by the Holiday break. Here's those dates:
First series dates/times/locations:
*. November 17 - GMS @ 8:00 a.m., Great Falls @ 10:00 a.m.
*. November 18 - Narr. @ 9:00 a.m., Village @ 11:30 a.m.
Second series dates/times/locations:
* December 8.- GMS @ 8:00 a.m., Great Falls @ 10:00 a.m.
*. December 9 - Narr. @ 9:00 a.m., Village @ 11:30 a.m.
Third, I wanted to share with you the process and paperwork required for parents/guardians to complete if you wish to sign your children up to participate in the vaccine clinics. PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE FORMS ALONG WITH A SCHOOL BASED INFORMATION LETTER WENT HOME TO K-5 STUDENTS YESTERDAY AND WILL ALSO BE SENT HOME FROM GMS FOR 6TH GRADERS TODAY.
If parents/guardians want to sign their child(ren) up for the COVID 19 vaccine, here's what you need to do:
1. Review the COVID 19 Vaccine Fact Sheet.
2. Print the COVID 19 Parent Vaccination Consent Form (This form was sent home in hard copy by each school. If you cannot print and need a hard copy, please reach out to your school's office).
3. Complete the consent form, sign the form and return to each school's nurse's office. Digital Signatures WILL NOT be accepted so this form must be printed and returned to each school's nurses' office.
4. Print the Maine Health Covid 19 Vaccine Registration Paper Form (Again, this form was sent home in hard copy by each school. If you cannot print and need a hard copy, please reach out to your school's office).
5. Complete the Registration paper form and return to each school's nurse's office along with the consent form.
Please reach out to your school's office if you have ANY questions regarding these forms and what you need to do. We will definitely help walk folks through any questions you may have.
Finally, I wanted to provide a little "insight" into what families should expect for our school based vaccine clinics so that you can ask clarifying questions at our upcoming informational meeting. Here are a few things that I'm sure parents are thinking about and want to know more about as you work to make decisions about what is best for you and your families. These are in no particular order of importance:
*. There will be a full team of medical clinicians present at each school to administer vaccines to children. These folks will be trained and have had experience in working with children. They will work right along side of our school nurses and school staff to carry out these clinics.
*. Participating students will be called down in grade alike groups so they will know their peers and have familiar faces at all times.
*. Unfortunately, because we do not have the space and capacity, we will not be allowing parents to be present during the vaccination clinics. I know this is hard - but we simply can't account for that many people in our schools during the school day. Please know, however that we have a VERY TALENTED Team of folks that will be working with students to make sure the experience is positive for them, at least as positive as a shot can be. Our Teachers will help, our nurses will help, our admin. team will help...all familiar and happy faces. I'm already aware of one particular principal that is already planning on breaking out a costume or two to help keep things bright. Of course, not everyone will be in costumes (or should they be)...but we will work hard to create a positive and upbeat atmosphere for students for sure. Additionally, we would encourage students to bring a stuffy or other comforting item with them if they feel the need.
*.We will be using our gyms as the location for the clinics. After the shot is given, there will be a 15 minute waiting period. During this time we will have a movie playing and other distractingly fun things for students to do while they wait. Once the waiting period is over students will return to their classrooms and teachers and our nurses will be there to continue to monitor throughout the day.
*. Students who do not want to get the shot after their parents have signed them up for it, and can't be lovingly verbally "persuaded" will not get the shot. To be clear, we won't be forcing a student that is extremely upset to get the shot while at school. If this circumstance occurs, we'll be in close contact with parents to advise alternative solutions.
*. Students who become fully vaccinated WILL NOT NEED TO QUARANTINE if they are deemed a close contact with future positive cases associated with the school or community.
Once again, I'd encourage families with questions to please attend the Q&A session on Monday at 6:00 p.m. Links is above. And of course, you may always reach out to me with your individual questions as well.
MDOE INFORMATION ON COVID 19 VACCINES FOR STUDENTS - SPECIAL EVENT: PEDIATRICIANS SHARE!
For those families who may also be interested in learning more about the 5-11 year old vaccines, the MDOE is offering a night to learn more about the vaccines from pediatricians from across the state.
Check out the information linked below:
A REMINDER ABOUT THOUGHT EXCHANGE
VISION SURVEY
We realize folks are busy, but WE NEED YOUR VOICE to help inform the future of our school system! Right now, the Gorham Schools is going through a new Strategic Planning Process to help us move closer to making our vision for our schools a reality for ALL students.
We know, great timing - right? In the middle of a pandemic ha? We get it, but we also know that often times it is during these great challenges that we can learn the most about ourselves and our organization and what is working and what isn't. Going through a new strategic planning process is a way to RENEW and REINVIGORATE around a COMMON VISION in a way that brings people TOGETHER rather than divides them. To me, now might be a pretty darn good time to be focused on those things!
So, if you have 10-15 minutes, please take a minute to participate in this important Thought Exchange. We area asking this same question of our community, our staff, and our students! WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS to better inform our future! So far we have had over 500 participants who have shared over 5,500 thoughts! PLEASE ADD YOUR IMPORTANT VOICE and if you have already participated, remember to go back in and rate the thoughts of others!
Here is the link: my.thoughtexchange.com/scroll/455653646
ASPIRE GORHAM MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
READY TO VIEW!
The Aspire Gorham newsletter for the month of November is ready to view! Click on the link below to read about our featured GHS Football players and their incredible work and more!
GHS THEATER PRESENTS "LITTLE WOMEN"
Looking for some entertainment for the weekend of November 12...GHS theater is performing "Little Women"...see flyer for more details!
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