October 3 Blog Post

We have had a beautiful stretch of weather recently, but fall is most certainly in the air as we continue to move forward through the first month of school.  As we settle into the daily routines and structures of our school day, learning is most definitely "heating up" for our students across the PK-12 spectrum.  Take a look at the pictures below to get a sense of the great things happening in our schools, and then proceed to the information.

RECENT USE OF EMERGENCY PROTOCOLS...

Yesterday, for the second time this month, three schools in our village area were placed in Secure status due to a planned police action nearby. This step was taken out of an abundance of caution—there was never a direct threat inside our schools. Thanks to the excellent communication from the Gorham Police, we were able to respond quickly and keep the students safe. We are fortunate to have such a strong partnership with our local law enforcement.

I know that having two such incidents early in the school year may feel unsettling for families, staff, and students. That feeling is normal. A bit of worry helps us stay alert and focused—which is exactly what we want when it comes to student safety. Each situation also provides us with the opportunity to learn and improve our practices.

Clarifying Emergency Terms

One area of confusion we’ve noticed is around terminology. Different words mean very different levels of response, so it’s important to know the distinctions:

• Hold – Hallways cleared (e.g., medical emergency).

• Secure – Potential threat outside the school; learning continues indoors.

• Lockdown – Threat inside the school; staff and students follow A.L.I.C.E. safety options.

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

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

So, for example, a Secure is proactive and preventative—it is not the same as a Lockdown, which would be used for a much higher-level threat, such as an active shooter.

How We Communicate in an Emergency

Our communication protocols remain the same:

• Individual student injury – Parent/guardian receives a personal phone call.

• Emergency with no direct threat – Families receive email/text updates.

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

If you receive all three message types, it signals the most urgent situation. In those moments, please do not rush to school—it can interfere with emergency responders, and your child may already be at a safe alternate location.

Learning More

We want families to feel informed and confident in our safety protocols. Each building principal will soon host a P.I.E. (Partners in Education) meeting focused on emergency response. Please attend and bring any questions you may have.

Your children’s safety is our highest priority. Thank you for your continued trust and support as we work together to keep our schools safe.

THE IMPORTANCE OF SCHOOL ATTENDANCE CONTINUED...

Throughout the course of this school year, I plan to continue sharing information and resources with families on the crucial theme of school attendance.  In an earlier post, I highlighted the importance of school attendance.  As a quick reminder, here are the highlights of why school attendance is so important to students:

-  Learning Builds Daily.  When students miss a day of school, they miss an opportunity to continue building.

-  Connections are Important.  When students attend school regularly, they build strong relationships with teachers and peers

-  Habits now are Habits later!  When students develop the habit of attending school each day, even when they may not feel up to it, they are cultivating healthy work habits that will serve them well later in life.

-  More Opportunities.  Research is clear: higher achievement scores and higher graduation rates are clearly associated with good school attendance.

As we begin to enter the height of cold/flu season in our state, I wanted to help families answer the always-nuanced question of 'When is my child too sick for school?'  We know you want to send your child to school each day, which is what we want too. However, with all the messages about the importance of attending every day, there is also a balance to be struck in knowing when you should keep your child home due to illness.  

The following flyer, created in collaboration with Count Me In, an organization dedicated to increasing school attendance across the state, and produced by the National Association of School Nurses, is a valuable resource for parents seeking answers to this important question. In Gorham, we simplify things by using 100 degrees for the temperature rather than 100.4, as mentioned in the flyer below. Still, otherwise, the information contained in the flyer is directly aligned with the advice we share with families here in Gorham when they have to make this difficult decision on the fly.

If you need to keep your child home from school due to illness, please call your school's office to report the absence and notify us that your child is sick.  If you have questions, please follow the advice in the flyer and reach out to your child's healthcare provider, use a local urgent care facility, or feel free to call your school's nurse to help answer any questions you may have regarding your child's health.

To be clear, we want your child in school each and every day.  We MISS THEM when they are gone.  However, we also understand that children get sick, and sometimes it is better to keep those germs at home than to bring them to school and share them. ☺

NOVEMBER 4 REFERENDUM QUESTION REGARDING SCHOOL CAPITAL PROJECTS

On November 4, Gorham voters will see a school-related question on the ballot. This is not a request for new taxpayer funds. Instead, it asks permission to re-allocate savings from two projects approved in November 2024 to support three new projects in 2025.

Where are the savings coming from?
Two projects were approved in 2024: the Narragansett HVAC upgrade and the GHS cafeteria/modular expansion. The HVAC project is complete, resulting in approximately $100,000 in savings. The GHS project is underway and on track for completion by fall 2026. By adjusting the modular design to allow units to be built on-site rather than off-site, we reduced costs without compromising quality, resulting in approximately $2.4 million in savings. Both projects will be completed as promised.

What if voters don’t approve the reallocation?
The three additional projects are still needed. Without reallocation, we would need to seek approval through a new referendum, which would add time and extra costs to the process.

Please reach out with questions if you have them, and BE SURE TO GET OUT AND VOTE ON NOVEMBER 4!

FALL PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES COMING SOON!

Fall parent-teacher conferences are an essential opportunity for families and educators to come together in support of each child’s learning. These meetings provide parents with a chance to learn about their child’s academic progress, strengths, and areas for improvement, as well as to gain a deeper understanding of classroom routines and expectations. Conferences also enable teachers to gain a deeper understanding of a child’s interests, learning style, and any external factors that may impact their academic success in school. Most importantly, these conversations strengthen the partnership between home and school, ensuring that we are all working together to support each student’s growth and well-being.

Fall parent-teacher conferences will take place in Gorham during the week of October 24. You should be receiving notifications from your child's school with directions on how to sign up online for your conference time! If you haven't received anything yet, please feel free to contact your school's office to inquire about it. Our Schools ALWAYS have great participation with fall conferences, and we LOVE IT! We can't wait to see you and share with you all the great things your children are doing and learning in our schools!

NEW FINE ARTS BOOSTERS ORGANIZATION IN GORHAM!

Please see the message below from the newly formed Gorham Fine Arts Boosters Group!

The Gorham Fine Arts Boosters was recently established as a non-profit organization and is now in its inaugural year, supporting the fine arts across the Gorham School System.

We welcome anyone interested in promoting and enhancing the arts to join us! Meetings are held on the first Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Gorham Middle School Band Room.

 

If you’d like to get involved or have questions, please email us at gorhamfineartsboosters@gmail.com.

 

Upcoming Meeting Dates:

·        Monday, October 6, 2025

·        Monday, November 3, 2025

·        Monday, December 1, 2025

·        Monday, January 5, 2026

·        Monday, February 2, 2026

·        Monday, March 2, 2026

·        Monday, April 6, 2026

·        Monday, May 4, 2026

·        Monday, June 1, 2026

 

We hope to see you there!

 

Sincerely,

The Gorham Fine Arts Boosters Board

GHS HOMECOMING WEEKEND IS COMING SOON!

Gorham High School will be hosting its Homecoming weekend on the weekend of Oct. 17!  Coming up very soon!

The GHS student council is planning some fun spirit days, Oct. 12-18, so stay tuned for details in Mr. Jandreau's weekly updates to know what to prepare for!

Many of our athletic teams will also be hosting home games during that week, so be sure to check out the athletic schedule online for details and come cheer for the home team! There will also be a homecoming pep rally on Friday, October 17, preceding the football game later that evening.  

Finally, what I know our students are really waiting for - the Homecoming dance will be held on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.  

Our students have so much "RAM PRIDE," and this week will be the week to show it off! 

SUPPORT OUR LOCAL REED ALLEN COMMUNITY FUND!

I'm not sure how many people in the Gorham community are aware of this incredible non-profit organization, which aims to support individuals, families, or businesses in need in Gorham following a catastrophic event.  If you aren't aware of this organization, please check out their website LINKED HERE to learn more!

The organization is hosting two key fundraising events, scheduled for October 17 and November 1.  Please see the flyers for each event below and mark your calendars to attend!  You will be helping your neighbors by doing so!

LOOKING FOR SOME LOCAL OCTOBER FAMILY EVENTS - HERE ARE A COUPLE!

That is it for this blog post!  The next one will be on October 17!  Enjoy your weekend!