September 5 Superintendent's Blog Post

What an incredible first week of school it has been across Gorham! Our buildings are once again alive with the energy of students, staff, and families—it truly feels like the Ram Family is back together. Open Houses were bustling, buses are rolling, classrooms are buzzing, and our hallways are filled with laughter, learning, and connection. There really is nothing quite like the start of a new school year, and we couldn’t be happier to welcome everyone back for what promises to be another fantastic year in Gorham.

We have so much to share—take a look at some highlights from the first seven days below, and then buckle up for some important updates. Here we go!

THE IMPORTANCE OF SCHOOL ATTENDANCE

Consistent school attendance is not just about being present—it’s a cornerstone of academic achievement, social growth, and future success. Even missing just 10% of school days—roughly 18 days a year—can significantly hinder learning, making students far more likely to fall behind in core subjects. Attendance closely correlates with proficiency: many students are 1.7 times more likely to excel in reading and math when they attend regularly, and strong attendance has a significant impact on high school graduation rates. By the 9th grade, attendance emerges as one of the most powerful predictors of whether a student will graduate on time, underscoring the high stakes associated with school attendance.

In Gorham, our schools are already performing above state averages—but regular attendance is key to sustaining those achievements and nurturing thriving learners and futures. Even in Gorham, our chronic absenteeism rates are higher than what we would like to see.  Here are our rates from last year by school:

Great Falls - 9.45% Chronic absenteeism last year = 40 students missing 18+ days of school.

Narragansett - 6.91% Chronic absenteeism last year = 27 students missing 18+ days of school.

Village - 7.36% Chronic absenteeism last year = 29 students missing 18+ days of school.

Gorham Middle School - 17.91% Chronic absenteeism last year = 128 students missing 18+ days of school.

Gorham High School - 15.77% Chronic absenteeism last year = 127 students missing 18+ days of school.

The Gorham School District stands in the top 20% in Maine for combined proficiency, with students scoring 91% in reading and 59% in math, well above statewide averages. A strong 96% graduation rate further demonstrates our district’s success. However, every missed day chips away at these outcomes. With around 2,800 students across five schools, the entire Ram family must be engaged daily to preserve our high standards and collective momentum. Encouraging regular attendance is not just about showing up—it’s about community, commitment, connection, and a brighter future for every student in Gorham.

Parents play a crucial role in this effort. Families can help by establishing consistent routines—such as regular bedtimes and morning schedules—to make getting to school smoother. Scheduling appointments outside of school hours whenever possible reduces unnecessary absences. Communicating early with schools about challenges (such as transportation or health issues) allows us to provide timely support. And just as importantly, parents can reinforce a positive mindset by talking with their children about the value of showing up every day—not just for academics, but for friendships, growth, and future opportunities. Together, these small, everyday steps make a significant difference in ensuring that all Gorham students are present, prepared, and ready to succeed.  Thank you!

CELL PHONES IN THE GORHAM SCHOOLS

Recently, cell phones have been a hot topic of conversation around parents and public schools.  The Gorham Schools have worked diligently over the past several years to develop procedures and guidelines regarding the use of cell phones in our schools.  While we do not take the approach of banning cell phones in our schools, we do take a common-sense approach, stating that cell phones are distracting to student learning and therefore shouldn't be used during class times unless directed to do so by a teacher.

This past spring, Maine's legislature passed a bill that requires school departments to create a specific policy regarding the use of cell phones in our schools.  While the development of this policy is required, the legislature has left it open to each local school department to determine its contents.  

As I mentioned a moment ago, the Gorham Schools have had long-standing student handbook language regarding cell phones and smart watches, etc.  Our intent is to continue the same processes/procedures we have been using and to move these guidelines into a more formal policy as required by the new statute.  

For reference, here are our current guidelines by grade level.  Please reach out to your school's principal with any questions or concerns you may have.

Elementary School Guidelines from Student Handbooks:

Students are strongly discouraged from bringing personal electronic devices such as cell phones, ipods, MP3 players, iPads, Fitbits, Smartwatches, and gaming systems to school. 

All personal electronic devices must be turned off and put away so that they are not visible, unless it is determined to be essential for the student’s health or safety by administrators. 

Students can not use these devices during the school day. Please do not text, message, or call your student on their electronic device during school hours. Parents and guardians may reach our office staff at any time. If you have an urgent need that cannot wait until after school hours please call the school directly. 

Our Elementary Schools and the School Department are not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged cell phones or any other electronics brought to school. Students are expected to follow this policy responsibly as repeated violations may result in disciplinary action. Gorham schools reserve the right to confiscate and search a student’s privately owned computer/device if there is reasonable suspicion that the student has violated school committee policies, administrative procedures, or school rules, or engaged in other misconduct while using the computer/device to disrupt the peace and usefulness of the school.

Gorham Middle School Guidelines from Student Handbook:

CELL PHONES & OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES

To keep our school a place where everyone can focus on learning, personal electronic devices like phones, tablets, and smartwatches are not allowed to be used during the school day. This rule applies from 7:35 AM to 2:20 PM on Gorham School District buses and at any school-sponsored activities. If you need to reach a parent or guardian, you can use a phone in the main office or student support to do so.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU USE YOUR PHONE:

If you are caught using your phone or other electronic device without permission, your device will be taken. It will be turned into the main office, and you can get it back at the end of the day. For repeat offenders, a family member will need to come to the school to pick up the device.

IF YOU REFUSE TO GIVE UP THE DEVICE:

If you refuse to hand over your device, the office will be called. An administrator will then step in to address the situation. At this point, refusing to give up your device will be considered defiance, not just a cell phone issue. Teachers and staff at GMS are not liable for any damages to a student’s device. Following these rules helps everyone stay focused and makes our school a better place

to learn!

AIRPODS / HEADPHONES: 

Articles of clothing or devices, such as headphones or AirPods, that prevent students from hearing or seeing while they are within the school. Headphones may be allowed within the classroom with teacher permission only.

Gorham High School Guidelines from Student Handbook:

Electronic Devices

The Gorham High School staff is concerned about the effects of mobile phone usage on students’ mental and physical well-being and the disruption that phones pose to the learning environment in a classroom setting. We seek to support our students in navigating our world where technology pervades nearly every aspect of life and where knowing how to use technology is foundational to future success. 

With that said, we believe it is imperative to teach students about appropriate and healthy boundaries with regards to personal mobile devices, smart phones, and other forms of technology, including social media. While we want our students to be able to use technology effectively, we also want our students to be able to foster positive relationships with peers without the intrusion of technology. Finally, we wish to avoid disruptions to learning by limiting phone use in academic classrooms to only those times when phones are needed as the proper tool deemed necessary by a classroom teacher.

Teachers at Gorham High School agree that all students must place their mobile phones in a “phone hotel” or other appropriate container when they enter a classroom setting. Students may retrieve their phones from the “phone hotel” when a teacher deems it necessary or when class is over. Students may use phones before school, during lunch, during passing time, and after school without restriction as long as they refrain from the following conduct:

• Use of a phone during class when it is not permitted by a teacher;

• Taking pictures in locker rooms, bathrooms, etc.;

• Taking any picture/video of another person for the purpose of ridiculing the other person (falling asleep, attire, chewing food with mouth open, etc.);

• Use of a phone or any device to cheat; or

• Use, whether in or out of school, of a phone or any other device to harass another member of the Gorham school community.

Any student who fails to comply with the above-stated policy will be subject to a school-based consequence, including a detention, Friday detention, or in the case of egregious or repeated infractions, suspensions.

Students should also be aware that, per Gorham Schools Policy IJNDB STUDENT COMPUTER/DEVICE AND INTERNET USE, administration has the right to confiscate and search a student’s privately owned computer or device if there is reasonable suspicion that the student has violated school committee policies, administrative procedures, school rules, or engaged in other misconduct while using a computer or device to disrupt the peace and usefulness of the school.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES

This past week, we had to place three of our schools in “Secure” status—a reminder of the importance of our emergency protocols. Thanks to our well-trained staff, strong partnerships with local emergency responders, and clear communication systems, everything went as smoothly as possible.

In the Gorham Schools, the safety and well-being of students is always our top priority. We follow evidence-based practices, including ALICE Training®, the “I Love U Guys” Foundation’s Standard Response Protocol, and the Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines, while also working closely with the FBI and local law enforcement to ensure we utilize the latest best practices.

Understanding Our Emergency Terms:

We use consistent language across all schools so students, staff and families know what to expect. These Standard Language Protocols (SLP's) were developed by the "I Love You Guys Foundation" and are used in schools across the country. Please see the poster below that shows each term with explanations and examples of when they might be used:

• Hold – Used when we need hallways clear (e.g., medical emergency).

• Secure – A potential threat outside the school; operations continue indoors.

• Lockdown – A potential threat inside; students and staff follow A.L.I.C.E. safety options.

• Evacuate – Everyone leaves the building (e.g., fire alarm, gas smell).

• Shelter – Used for severe weather, chemical spills, or other hazards.

Our staff train regularly, and students also learn these routines in age-appropriate ways. While many details remain confidential for safety reasons, a public version of our Emergency Management Plan is available on our website and HERE for your reference.

Communication with Families

If an emergency occurs, we will keep you informed:

• Individual student injury – Parents/guardians receive a personal phone call.

• Emergency with no direct threat – Families receive email updates until the situation is resolved.

• Emergency with direct threat – Families receive phone calls, texts, and emails with clear instructions.

If you ever receive all three types of messages at once, please know this is when we need you to pay the closest attention and follow directions as communicated. The most important request: do not rush to the school. This can interfere with emergency responders and, in many cases, your child will already have been moved to a safe location.

Final Note

We hope these protocols will never be needed, but please be assured: we are prepared. We will always act swiftly and communicate clearly to protect the safety and well-being of every student in our care. If you have questions or would like to share feedback or comments, please contact your building principal. Thank you for entrusting the safety of your children with us!

UPCOMING SCHOOL-RELATED REFERENDUM QUESTION ON NOVEMBER 4 LOCAL BALLOTS

First and most importantly: this vote will NOT ask Gorham taxpayers for any new money. Instead, the question on the November 4 ballot is about re-allocating a portion of funds already approved by voters in November 2024.

Background

In November 2024, Gorham voters approved a bond of $9.49M (plus estimated interest of $3.19M) to fund two projects:

1. The Gorham High School cafeteria and modular classroom expansion

2. The Narragansett HVAC project

The HVAC project is nearly complete, and the GHS expansion is underway. Designs are complete, bids have been approved, and costs are firmly established. Due to favorable market shifts and design adjustments, these projects are now expected to come in approximately $2.5 million under budget.

Why the Savings?

• Construction prices have leveled off.

• Redesigning the modular expansion allowed us to build locally rather than off-site, avoiding significant transportation costs.

What’s Next?

Although we are fortunate to have these savings, our schools still have pressing facility needs identified in the Lavalle Facilities Study, CHA report, and our Updated Ten-Year Capital Plan. We are proposing to re-allocate the $2.5M to complete three additional priority projects:

1. GHS Track & Field Replacement – estimated at $625,000

2. Narragansett ADA and Sprinkler Updates – estimated at $1,100,000

3. Village School Paving Overlay, Connector Road Construction, and Great Falls Fire Lane Repair – estimated at $800,000

This approach addresses nearly all immediate items on our capital plan without asking taxpayers for more money. The only remaining project—Narragansett’s maintenance building—would be deferred to a future plan.

The Vote

On September 2, the Town Council voted unanimously (7–0) to place this re-allocation question on the November 4, 2025 ballot.

• A YES vote allows us to move forward with these projects as early as spring 2026.

• A NO vote means we would need to return in November, 2026 to request a new bond for these same needs, at potentially higher costs & with potentially larger projects due to continuing deterioration of existing facilities conditions.

Over the coming weeks, I will share more details about these projects and their implications for our students and community. In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions: heather.perry@gorhamschools.org

Thank you for your continued support of Gorham Schools and the students we serve!

GORHAM STATE OF SCHOOLS REPORT READY TO VIEW!

I often get asked the question - how do we measure success in the Gorham Schools? At the end of the day, my simplistic answer has always been and will continue to be that we measure our success by making sure that every senior who walks across that stage to get their diploma has every choice THEY want to make available to them. That we have "Prepared and Inspired" each student for their own successful futures.

The next question is inevitably - how do you measure that? That is where our annual "State of the Schools" report comes in. Each year, our schools gather demographic data, achievement data, metrics for success data, and more to determine - how are we doing? Are we meeting our goals? Where are our success stories? Where do our challenges remain? The "State of the Schools Report" is a comprehensive 90+ page report that contains all of that information and more! It is shared annually with the School Committee, our district leadership team, our staff, and the public.

You can check out our 2024-2025 State of the Schools Report by going to www.gorhamschools.org, then clicking on "About Us" and then clicking on "Gorham's Learning System"  and then clicking on "Annual State of Schools Report".

This year, we will be working to develop a "dashboard" that will be placed on our website to help parents follow this vital work without necessarily having to read through 90+ pages of information! As we work on that, though - please check it out and reach out with questions anytime!

GORHAM LAUNCHES NEW ATHLETIC APP!

If you haven't already heard, the Gorham Schools Athletic Department has launched a new app for both iPhones and Android phones. This new app has all kinds of great information about our programs, including specific schedules, stats, links to live streaming, and up-to-date notifications! If you haven't already downloaded it, please do so and follow all the great content available on our programs! You can download the app for free by visiting your Apple or Android store and searching for "Gorham Rams Athletics." GO RAMS!

GORHAM ANTI-RACISM & EQUITY COMMITTEE SEEKS NEW MEMBERS!

As we open up the new school year and welcome back existing members of our School District Anti-Racism & Equity Committee, we also want to reach out to folks to let you know that we are always seeking NEW MEMBERS! Check out the information below and this general information flyer to learn more about the group. Please email heather.perry@gorhamschools.org if you are interested in joining!

GORHAM SCHOOL BACKPACK PROGRAM SIGN-UP INFORMATION!

Gorham Schools BackPack Program – Sign Up Today: LINK HERE!

Sign up now to make sure your child is included when the program begins the week of September 15!

Please remember to fill out one form PER STUDENT if you wish to participate.

The BackPack Program provides snacks and staple meal items to Gorham School Department students experiencing food insecurity. Items are child-friendly, non-perishable, and easy to prepare. Our goal is to support families over the weekend while keeping the process discreet, with the help of school staff.

Program Details:

• Start Date: Week of September 15

• Weekly Distribution: Food bags are given to students during the school day once a week.

• Daily Snack: Each participant also receives one snack per school day.

• Rolling Enrollment: You can join—or stop—at any time during the school year.

• Questions? Contact your school’s coordinator:

  • Gorham High School: Claudine Emerson; claudine.emerson@gorhamschools.org

  • Gorham Middle School: Heather Whitaker; heather.whitaker@gorhamschools.org

  • Great Falls Elementary: Jaime Denham; jaime.denham@gorhamschools.org

  • Village School: Jennifer Baker; jennifer.baker@gorhamschools.org

  • Narragansett Elementary: Courtney Forbes; courtney.burns@gorhamschools.org

GORHAM SCHOOLS NAMED ONE OF MAINE'S BEST PLACES TO WORK IN 2025!

Every other year, the Gorham School Department completes the self-assessment and survey requirements to be considered one of Maine's "Best Places To Work" in the large employer category. In 2023, we ranked #23 out of the top 25 selected. We don't know our ranking yet for 2025, but we know we are one of the top 25 going up against large businesses such as Cianbro, Colby College, Moody's, Bangor Savings Bank and more!

Our Schools are STRONG BECAUSE of our STAFF and now we know just how strong we are for our students! Another incredible year of excellence! GO RAMS!

That's it for this blog post!  Remember, I'll be sending these out every other week (barring vacations, etc.) throughout the year so please feel free to follow!  The next blog will be sent out on September 19!  Enjoy your weekends!

June 13 Blog Post

And just like that, here we are—the final day of the 2024-2025 school year in Gorham! As I sit and type this, I can hear the sounds of students and staff celebrating, while parents everywhere may be taking a deep breath... and perhaps quietly marking their calendars for the first day of the 2025-2026 school year! 😊

It’s truly been another remarkable year in Gorham—filled with accomplishments, growth, and moments worth both celebrating and reflecting upon. Before I sign off for a well-deserved summer break from blogging, I wanted to share a few final thoughts, along with some favorite images from the past few weeks. I’ll be back in the fall when the doors to a new school year open once again!

Here are some great pictures from the past few weeks!

And if folks are interested in seeing an incredible presentation made to the School Committee by students at Village Elementary School, focused on learning outside the four walls of the classroom...CLICK HERE to watch the 7-8 minute presentation made on June 11th!  What incredible speakers and stories!

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE GHS CLASS OF 2025!

One of my favorite parts of being a superintendent of schools is that each year I get to celebrate the graduating senior class!  I get to attend scholarship night, academic awards night, and the senior celebration night.  I get to follow the seniors on their "senior walk" to each school, and I also get to attend their graduation.

This year's senior class, like every year in Gorham, was a great class to celebrate!  What incredible accomplishments!  Like averaging over 40 hours per graduate of community service, or like having students go on to college/universities like West Point and Brandeis University, or decide to serve our great country in the armed forces, or go directly into the workforce, and everything in between!  I am always amazed by the accomplishments of our students and the goals they set for their future.  

My personal favorite this year was the young man who used the various senior celebrations to advertise his new business, Jake's Lawncare. Brilliant! ☺ It went so far that Principal Jandreau even read his new business out at graduation and shared his business phone number with the audience!  Talk about some great marketing skills!  I see great things in all of our graduates' futures for sure!

I had sent these out earlier, but if you want to get to know the senior class a little more, you should check out these videos:

-  Class of 2025 Senior Walk

-  Class of 2025 Sings "Upside Down" with Class of 2037 from Great Falls

-  Class of 2025 Graduation Ceremony

Best of luck in writing the next chapters of your life, Class of 2025!  We know you will do great things!

JUNE IS PRIDE MONTH

Each June, our nation joins together to recognize Pride Month, a federally acknowledged month of celebration that honors the history, resilience, and contributions of the LGBTQ+ community. Pride Month traces its roots to the Stonewall Uprising of June 1969 in New York City—a pivotal event that sparked a global movement for equal rights and justice. Since then, June has become a time across the United States to reflect on progress made in ensuring dignity, inclusion, and safety for all people.

At its core, Pride Month is not only a celebration of the diversity of identities and experiences within the LGBTQ+ community but also a reminder of the universal values of respect, kindness, and belonging. Schools, businesses, communities, and organizations often mark the month with educational events and activities that foster empathy and understanding, helping both young people and adults learn the importance of standing up for respect, kindness and dignity for all.

Pride Month is for everyone, not only for those who identify as LGBTQ+. It invites people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and traditions to celebrate the idea that every person deserves to live as their true self without fear or discrimination. Pride Month is about helping our communities welcome and value others, regardless of their differences.  Its aim is to make our communities stronger and kinder together. 

RECENT BUDGET VALIDATION REFERENDUM VOTE

On behalf of the Gorham School Committee, I would like to thank everyone who voted on the proposed FY26 Gorham School Department budget.  Regardless of how you voted, you once again demonstrated for our children the importance of community engagement, civil discourse, and civic action.  You modeled for our students what it means to be an active member of a vibrant democratic community.  

THANK YOU!

The results of the referendum approved the proposed FY 26 school budget.  The Gorham Schools look forward to continuing to provide high-quality educational services to our community for another great year in 2025-2026!  As always, if you have any questions about the contents of our budget, please contact Superintendent Heather Perry at heather.perry@gorhamschools.org.  

A VERY SPECIAL RETIREMENT

If you have been in Gorham for any length of time and have interacted with the schools, you are likely familiar with Rhonda Warren.  Rhonda Warren has been the assistant to the Superintendent for the past 40 years here in Gorham!  Yes, I said 40!  She has "trained" 8 superintendents plus me (so 9 total, and I wouldn't argue with her on who is training whom, by the way), and she has seen it all! ☺

Throughout it all, she has been the person behind the scenes who has kept it all running smoothly.  She is the quiet person who EVERYONE goes to to get "the answer" for what should be done, because she has the history to know what has been done in the past and why.  She is our institutional memory and will sorely be missed.

Because we cannot possibly identify all the individuals whose lives Rhonda has positively touched in her 40 years of service to our schools, we have decided to throw Rhonda a retirement party in an open house method so that anyone who would like to stop by and wish her well in her next chapters of life may do so.  

If you would like to participate, the information is below or you can simply stop by the office anytime between now and June 30 to wish her well in person, call (222-1012) or email (rhonda.warren@gorhamschools.org).  THANK YOU!

REMINDER - NEXT YEAR'S SCHOOL CALENDAR IS ON THE WEBSITE

The approved 2025-2026 School calendar is posted on our website (www.gorhamschools.org) under the "District Info." tab at the top.  You can also view it by CLICKING HERE.  

A few key dates to be aware of as we enter the summer months...

-  School begins for grades PK, 6, and 9 on August 27.

-  School begins for grades 1-5, 7-8, and 10-12 on August 28.

-  School begins for Kindergarten on September 3.

We begin school for Kindergarten a little later than others each year because we use the first few days of school to do screening and placement processes for our incoming Kindergarten students.  Several years ago, we made this shift because we were finding significant differences in screening results for incoming kindergarten students between the time they underwent screening each spring and the time they began school the following fall.  By conducting screenings each fall, we have the most up-to-date information for each student, allowing us to better target supporting services and placement decisions, and ensure that our Kindergarten students get off to the best start possible.

We begin the first day of school for Pre K, Gr. 6, and Gr. 9 to give our "newest" students in these schools a day to acclimate and get to know their surroundings and schedules a bit before everyone joins them on the 2nd day of school.  This is part of our thoughtful approach to helping students succeed as they transition from childcare into a school setting, from elementary school to middle school, or from middle school to high school.

At the elementary level, families can expect to hear from their child's new teacher sometime in early to mid-August.  Typically, elementary teachers will reach out to introduce themselves, inform families about what to expect during the opening days of school, and share any necessary supplies or materials that parents may need to plan ahead.  

Please note that our schools are closed during the summer months and have intermittent office hours, so you may not be able to reach individual schools on any given day.  Please still call with questions, but leave a message and know that it may take a few days for someone to get back to you, but THEY WILL.  If you have an urgent matter, you can call the Superintendent's office at 222-1012, and we will be happy to direct you from there.  

NEW - SUMMER RESOURCE LIST FROM G.A.T.Y!

Gorham Action Team for Youth (GATY) has developed a summer resource for families.  We know that many families rely on our schools for mental health support, food, medical care, and supervised activities. However, when the school year ends, our families are often unsure where to turn. This is where the idea for a summer resource guide originated.   Please check it out below!

SUMMER RESOURCE GUIDE FOR FAMILIES

WELCOME TO OUR NEW GORHAM SCHOOLS TRANSPORTATION DIRECTOR, MITZII SMITH

REMINDER - PLEASE COMPLETE TRANSPORTATION SURVEY IF...

Each year, the Gorham School Department distributes a parent/guardian survey for transportation services, which we use to create our routes for the upcoming fall 2025 season.  This survey ONLY needs to be completed by families IF your child(ren) require transportation to an alternative site or daycare (not your home), OR IF you will not be needing school transportation for the 2025-2026 school year.

If you are that family, please complete the survey by June 30, 2025.  If you have questions, please contact your school's office, and they will be happy to assist you. The link is below.  Thank you!

TRANSPORTATION SURVEY LINK

SUMMARY OF SUPERINTENDENT'S 360 EVALUATION RESPONSES

Each year, as part of my annual evaluation process, the School Committee conducts a 360-degree survey process that engages staff, parents, and School Committee members in providing essential feedback to guide my yearly goal setting and the direction and focus of our work moving forward.  

Each year, I share the summary information gathered from that process.  Please note that we had over 150 family and community participants, over 220 staff participants, and, of course, full participation from the seven members of the school committee.  That is A LOT of great data, but likely too much to share in this blog post.  

Please be aware that the School Committee thoroughly reviews all comments made by participants in these surveys. Although I am not sharing them all here below, they are extremely valuable.  Instead, I wanted to share the overall results of each group's summary question, which is this:  

Overall, I support our Superintendent (strongly disagree/disagree/agree/strongly agree).   

Here are the summary charts for each stakeholder group:

Staff Results:

Family/Community Results:

ASPIRE GORHAM YEAR-END NEWSLETTER FROM GHS

Each of our schools now produces its own Aspire Newsletter. Still, the GHS one provided such a great overview of some of the recent programming being offered to students by our Aspire Gorham initiative that it was worth sharing.  Check out the link below to read more about some of the incredible things our students and staff are doing to provide our students with authentic learning opportunities that align with their aspirations.

GHS Aspire Gorham Newsletter

NEW IN 2025-2026 - 5th GRADE BAND OPTION - YOUR INPUT NEEDED!

If you are the parent or family member of an incoming 5th-grade student in the Gorham Schools for the 2025-2026 school year, WE NEED YOUR INPUT.  

For the first time, the Gorham Schools will offer 5th-grade students the opportunity to choose between learning to play an instrument and participating in general music classes as part of our allied arts rotation this coming year.  

We want to get a sense of how many students would like to do which (instrument or general music) via a QUICK parent/guardian survey.  Please use the QR code on the image below to participate if you are an incoming 5th-grade parent.  Details are on the flyer.  THANK YOU!

PUBLIC PRE-K SPOTS STILL AVAILABLE WITH NEW PRIVATE PARTNERS

It's not too late to sign your child up for public Pre-K with two of our newest partners, Imagination Station and House of Parker, in Gorham!  If your child turns 4 years old by Oct. 15, 2025, your child is eligible for these FREE services.  Check out the flyer to learn more!

OUR INCREDIBLE SUMMER PARTNERS! 

We are officially on summer break in the Gorham Schools, but that doesn't mean learning and fun have to stop!  We have many great partners in our community, for sure!  Two of those incredible partners that offer excellent learning opportunities for students and families all summer long are the Gorham Recreation Department and Baxter Memorial Library.  If you haven't already considered checking out the incredible programs each is offering this summer, you should!  Links to their websites are provided below, along with contact information for each office.

Gorham Recreation Department. Phone is 222-1630

Baxter Memorial Library. Phone is 222-1190

This also reminds me to share with you that the "Spring Into Summer Event" sponsored by Baxter Memorial Library is coming right up on June 18th!  Great fun for the whole family!  Check out the flyer below for more details!

SUMMER FOOD TRUCK SCHEDULE IS OUT!

Another great opportunity for family fun is to go check out the Thursday food truck schedule at Little Falls Recreation Area!  The schedule is below - don't miss it!

That's it for this final blog post!  As we bring this incredible school year to a close, we want to pause and celebrate all that has been accomplished together as a community. This year has been marked by growth, resilience, and meaningful learning—not just for our students, but also for our staff and families. Whether it was a quiet moment of encouragement, a breakthrough in the classroom, or a community event that brought us all closer together, each of these experiences helped to shape the vibrant story of Gorham Schools this year.

We also recognize that the work of growing, learning, and caring for one another does not pause for summer—it simply takes on new shapes and opportunities. Summer break offers families the gift of time: time to rest, time to connect, time to explore new interests, and time to recharge for the year ahead. Our hope is that each student, staff member, and family can take full advantage of this season to find joy, reflection, and inspiration.

As we look to the 2025-2026 school year, we do so with excitement and confidence, knowing that the foundation we’ve built this year will carry us into new opportunities for learning and success. Together, as one Gorham community, we will continue to nurture curiosity, support each other’s aspirations, and create the kind of schools where every learner can thrive. We wish you all a safe, restful, and joy-filled summer. See you in the fall!

May 30 Blog Post

Hard to believe there are just two weeks left of school for the 2024-2025 school year here in Gorham!  Time most certainly flies when you're having fun and learning!  I have lots to share for the end of the school year, so I'll get right to it after showing off some great pictures of what's been happening in our schools over the past few weeks!

2025-2026 PARENT/GUARDIAN TRANSPORTATION SURVEY IS NOW OPEN!  PLEASE COMPLETE BY JUNE 13 IF...

Each year the Gorham School Department puts out a parent/guardian survey for transportation services that we use to create our routes for the fall of 2025.  This survey ONLY needs to be completed by families IF your child(ren) require transportation to an alternative site or daycare (not your home) OR IF you will not be needing school transportation for the 2025-2026 school year.

If you are that family, Please complete the survey by June 30, 2025.  If you have questions, please call your school's office and they can assist you. Link is below.  Thank you!

TRANSPORTATION SURVEY LINK

WHAT IS ON THE JUNE 10 BALLOT?

There are TWO questions on the June 10 ballot.  You can see a full view of a SAMPLE Ballot by CLICKING HERE.  

The First question asks:  "Do You Favor approving the Town of Gorham School Budget for the 2025-2026 school year, which was adopted at the latest Town of Gorham Council meeting held May 13, 2025?  Note:  The Town Council recommends a "YES" vote."

__Yes

__No 

If you vote "YES," you approve the budget passed by the Town Council on May 13 by a vote of 6-0.  If the majority of voters vote "YES," then this will validate the budget, and the process for FY26 approval of the proposed school budget will be completed.

If you vote "NO," you disapprove of the budget passed by the Town Council on May 13, 6-0, and in essence, you are requesting that the budget be revised.  If a majority of voters vote "NO," the budget would not be approved, and instead, a new process to create a second budget would begin.  This process would require that, within 45 days, a new budget be brought back to voters for approval via a validation referendum ballot.  This would require the School Committee to approve a new budget, which would then need to be approved by the Town Council. The latest budget would subsequently be brought back to voters for validation via the same question as above.  Again, within 45 days.  

For a school budget to be approved, it must follow three key steps:

1.  Be approved by a majority of the School Committee

2.  Be approved by a majority of Town Council Members

3.  Be approved by a majority of voters voting in a validation referendum

A school budget is not approved until all three steps have been completed.

The Second question asks:  "Do you wish to continue the School Budget Validation Referendum process in the Town of Gorham for an additional three years?  A "YES" vote will require the Town of Gorham to continue to conduct a referendum election to validate its annual school budget for the next three years.  A "NO" vote will discontinue the budget validation referendum election for at least three years and provide instead that the annual School Budget shall be adopted at a meeting of the Gorham Town Council."

__ Yes

__ No

This question must be placed on the ballot every three years by state statute.  It asks voters if they want to continue the budget validation referendum process to approve the school budget on an annual basis.  If you vote "YES," you want to continue the validation referendum process, which is step #3 above.  If you vote "NO," you do not want to continue this process and instead would allow the school's budget to be adopted by the Town Council vote (step #2), and the process would end at that point. 

Whether you vote "YES" or "NO" on either question - PLEASE GET OUT AND VOTE!  Last year's school budget passed by a total of 2 votes...so there is no question that EVERY VOTE COUNTS.  Make sure yours is one of them!☺

P.S. - The last day to request or vote an absentee ballot is June 5.  You can vote absentee in person at the Clerk's office through June 5.  You can also vote on June 10 at your designated polling location in Gorham.  Polls will open on June 10 at 8:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m.

A LETTER TO THE GORHAM COMMUNITY FROM THE GORHAM SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Please see the letter from the Gorham School Committee to the Gorham community below...

Dear Community Member,

As your elected Gorham School Committee, we write to urge voters to support the proposed FY26 School Budget by voting YES on or before June 10.

This year’s budget process, which began back in October 2024, has been called our most collaborative budget season yet. We want to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our School District Leadership Team, Town Staff, the Gorham Town Council, and the Gorham Fiscal Sustainability Committee for their support and contributions that informed our final version of this school budget.

We understand the economic challenges facing our community. Throughout this process, the School Committee worked hard to balance the needs of our students and the impact to taxpayers. In doing so, we made difficult decisions just to maintain the status quo—including the elimination of teaching positions, reductions in central office and contracted services, and reductions through collaboration with the town.

Despite these reductions, the proposed budget reflects our top priorities:

• Recruit and retain a high-quality educator workforce

• Ensure safe, well-maintained school facilities                    

• Sustain a reliable transportation staff

With this proposed budget, Gorham remains one of the most cost-efficient school systems in Cumberland County— ranking 12th of 13 in both per-pupil spending and system administration costs. At the same time, outcomes are strong: Gorham ranks 5th in graduation rates (96.5%), 94% of seniors graduate with an approved plan, and parent satisfaction exceeds 90% at all levels. We are proud of our students' accomplishments.

This budget reflects real community collaboration and represents the lowest requested school-related mill rate increase in over a decade. Last year, the school budget passed by just two votes. Your vote counts. We hope you will join us in moving Gorham forward by voting YES on or before June 10.

Sincerely,

The Gorham School Committee

Sarah Perkins, Chair Nicole Yeo-Fisher, Vice Chair
Mia Desanctis         Michelle Littlefield
Jaci Reynolds         Eric Thistle
Jennifer Whitehead

BUDGET ONE PAGERS ALL IN ONE PLACE!

Over the past few weeks, I have shared several budget informational "one-pagers" with the community. Some folks might like to see them all in one place! I have included them below in the order in which they were shared. If you want to learn more about our proposed budget, please use the QR code on the bottom right of each page or CLICK HERE.

END OF YEAR SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

Wow, just two full weeks of school remain, and boy, are we packing in all kinds of fun during those two weeks!  Below is a list of highlights for school-year-end activities between now and June 13, the last day of school.  If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact your school's office.  

At Gorham Schools, we always strive to end the year on a strong note.  We don't just jog to the finish line!  WE SPRINT! We are thrilled to have our families and community members cheering us on as we cross the finish line!

-  June 2 - 5th grade band parent info night for 2025-2026 5th graders, 6:00 p.m. at Narragansett

-  June 2 - Elementary Field Day, Gr. 3

-  June 3 - Elementary Field Day, Gr. 4

-  June 3 - Rising 6th Grade Parent Night, 6:00 p.m. at GMS.

-  June 4 - Elementary Field Day, Gr. 5

-  June 4 - GHS Spring Sports Awards, 6:00 p.m. at GHS MPAC

-  June 5 - Senior Celebration, 6:30 p.m. at GHS MPAC

- June 6 - GHS Senior Walk, 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. at all five schools, will be live-streamed on the district's Facebook page.  After is the Senior BBQ at 12:00 p.m. at GHS outside on the athletic fields.

-  June 8 - GHS Graduation, 4:00 p.m. at GHS Competition Field.  Afterwards, at 7:00, the Class of 2025 Convoy Celebration will take place through downtown Gorham.

-  June 10 - GO VOTE!

-  June 11 - GMS Step Up Day

-  June 12 - Elementary Step Up Day

-  June 12 - 8th grade celebration and parade, 5:00 p.m. at GMS.

-  June 13 - Final Day of School for Students, dismissed on ER schedule.

Several other activities are being conducted across our schools, not listed here, such as 5th-grade celebrations or Kindergarten walks. However, these events are individual to each school, so families should stay tuned to notifications from their schools regarding these events.

GHS SENIOR EXPERIENCES GOING STRONG! NICE WORK, CLASS OF 2025!

Each year, during the last two weeks in May, GHS seniors are invited to participate in job shadowing experiences or two-week-long internship experiences.  Seniors must complete an application to participate, which includes details about their experience, any learning goals they may have, and a complete proposal.  These proposals are then reviewed by school staff and approved.  This year, 150 proposals were approved!  

I thought folks might like to see a listing of these learning opportunities for our students that perhaps test scores don't capture, but are most definitely in alignment with our mission/vision to "PREPARE AND INSPIRE" all students for their future success!

CLICK HERE to view the list of topics!  AWESOME JOB, CLASS OF 2025, and THANK YOU to all those who hosted our seniors during these incredible learning experiences!

TRANSITIONS TO SUMMER - GUIDANCE FROM PARENTGUIDANCE.ORG!

Over the past few years, I have shared with families several FREE resources that are provided by the parentguidance.org organization, which is under the umbrella of the Cook Center for Human Connection - a national non-profit focused on preventing suicide and providing high-quality mental health supports to teens and families.

This group publishes a monthly newsletter, and their June newsletter is worth sharing in its entirety, as it discusses how families can help children transition from school to summer.  

Please CLICK HERE to read the newsletter.  I hope you find it full of helpful tips to consider! 

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR RETIREES!  

At the conclusion of this school year we are going to have several folks retiring and I wanted to just take a quick moment to say CONGRATULATIONS to each and celebrate the many years of service to our schools and the students we serve so passionately.  You will EACH be missed but we wish you the best as you begin to write the next chapters of your lives!

Retiring Teachers:

-  Anton Gulovsen - 8th grade Science @ GMS - 25 years

-  Donna Pastore - Literacy/Math Lab Teacher @ GMS - 26 years

-  Rolande Paolino - Grade 5 Teacher at Great Falls - 26 years

-  Frank DeFrancesco - P.E. Teacher @ Great Falls - 32 years

-  Liz Collins - Literacy/Math Lab Teacher @ Village - 23 years

-  Stacey Sawyer - School Counselor @ Village - 26 years

-  John Caterina - Chemistry Teacher @ GHS - 37 years

Retiring Support Staff:

-  Manya Pease - Ed. Tech @ GMS - 23 years

-  Nancy Owens - Ed. Tech @ Village - 20 years

-  Gael Ketch - Ed. Tech @ Narragansett - 18 years

-  Deidre Hamblen - Ed. Tech @ Village - 18 years

-  Dan Cheung - Ed. Tech @ GMS - 15 years

-  Paula Suttle - Ed. Tech @ GHS - 10 years

-  Ralph Clark - Bus Driver - 24 years

-  Barbara Hines - Bus Driver - 24 years

-  Don Hines - Bus Driver - 14 years

-  Jerry Lessard - Bus Driver - 5 years

-  Mary Kate Flaherty - Special Ed. Admin. Assistant - 13 years

-  Rhonda Warren - Superintendent's Administrative Assistant - 40 years.

DO YOU HAVE A MIDDLE SCHOOL ATHLETE TRANSITIONING TO HS ATHLETICS?  THEN THIS EVENT IS FOR YOU!

The Gorham Action Team for Youth (G.A.T.Y.) is sponsoring an informational night for student-athletes and their families who are incoming 9th graders and are interested in playing athletics at the high school level.  This event has guest speakers Tim Spear (Gorham Athletic Director) and Lee Anne Dodge (SOPO Unite Program Director) talking about eligibility expectations and health choices!  

If you want to set your child up for success as a HS level student athlete, you should definitely consider attending!  See flyer for details!

COMMUNITY EVENT:  GALILEE SUMMER BLOCK PARTY!

Are you looking for a good family friendly event in Gorham to help entertain the students who will be "bored" 2 days in from the start of summer vacation?  Galilee Church is hosting a summer block party that might offer some relief - at least temporarily!  Check out the details below if you are interested!

If you have questions about this event, please email pastor Kevin Lambertson directly at kevlambertson17@gmail.com

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND, EVERYONE!  MY NEXT AND FINAL BLOG FOR 2024-2025 WILL BE ON JUNE 13TH!