April 9 Blog Update

Finishing up our Twenty Ninth week of face to face instruction for students within our hybrid model and what a week it has been!  Ample challenges certainly lie ahead.  But there are so many things to celebrate as well - even in the face of adversity!  This blog update will talk about all of the above, but let's be sure to start with the good stuff - cause there is plenty of that!  

First, I want to say THANK YOU to the staff at Great Falls Elementary School.  On Monday Dr. Record and I took the opportunity to give Principal Fortier and Assistant Principal Etienne a break as we took over the Principal and Assistant Principal role for the day.  What fun!  Such an incredible staff, and awesome students.  Here's a few pictures that I hope catch the spirit of the day!

Of course all of our schools are incredible schools filled with incredible staff and talented students!  As the image below from one school's bulletin board demonstrates...we all have much to be happy about even as we navigate our challenges together!

Now on to the update "stuff"...

A MOVE TO REMOTE LEARNING FOR APRIL 12-16

Hopefully folks were able to view my video message from yesterday announcing a move for the Gorham Schools to full remote instruction for the week of April 12 -16.  I've had several folks ask that I also put the message into writing.  I thought it would be important to do that in this blog and be clear about the rationale for decision making and what this decision means for our 4 day per week implementation plans moving forward.

First, it is important for you all to have the background to my decision making.  Since Friday, April 2, we have had 5 positive cases of COVID 19 associated with GHS, 4 cases associated with GMS, 4 cases associated with Great Falls, 2 cases associated with Village and 1 case associated with Narragansett.  These cases were all student related cases.  Of these cases, 11 have had close contacts associated with our schools that have impacted almost 300 students and over 20 staff across our schools.  Of the 20 staff that were impacted, 6 were staff members who were scheduled to receive their second doses of COVID 19 vaccinations, but because of their close contacts and requirements to quarantine, they had to cancel those shots and now will need to wait longer to become fully vaccinated.  There are over 70 teachers across our schools who are still scheduled to receive their second vaccination shot within the next two weeks.

The increases in positive COVID 19 cases in our community among students has been a disturbing trend.

Now, before I go any further, I want to be clear that our schools are safe places in COVID 19 land.  We have proven that time and time again,.  The fact that of the 87 total cases associated with our schools this year - only three were cases that were transmitted in our schools speaks to this point.  This last batch of cases show the same trends...these positive cases are occurring outside in our community, but then are being brought into our schools and impacting our staff and other students from there due to close contacts.  

Since the beginning of the school year, our decision making regarding keeping schools open has always had more to do with our ability to staff our schools than it has had to do with the number of cases in our community.  What has changed is the fact that our staff are now working hard to become fully vaccinated and these recent close contacts have put in that possibility in jeopardy for staff.   I believe it is key that our staff have the ability to become fully vaccinated in order to successfully return to 4 day per week programming for our students after the April break.  If our staff continue to be impacted by these close contacts, it may jeopardize these timelines and our ability to move forward.  

So, although we could open our schools for two days of remote instruction next week as planned, I am reticent to do so as I want to ensure that as many staff as want to get fully vaccinated CAN get fully vaccinated before the April break.  This will allow us to more successfully make the move to 4 day per week programming.  It is important to know that fully vaccinated staff members are not required to quarantine if they are close contacts, however, in order to be considered fully vaccinated staff need to have gone 14 days from their final shot.  If we attempt to go into the 4 day per week model without a large portion of our staff fully vaccinated, my fear is that one or two positive cases of COVID brought into our schools may have the unintended consequence of forcing entire grade levels and/or schools to go to remote programming more often that we have had to thus far this year under our A/B hybrid model, causing our students to lose even more precious time in classrooms.

Bottom line is that we need to go into our four day per week model from a position of strength.  Minimally with as many staff fully vaccinated as possible and preferably with  low numbers of COVID 19 cases in our community.  I can't control the number of cases in our community, but what I can attempt to protect is the ability of our staff to complete their vaccinations by protecting them this coming week from close contacts with what does seem to be an ongoing community surge in positive cases among students.  I can also strongly encourage parents and our community to PLEASE remain vigilant in following COVID 19 safety protocols and in working to prevent the spread of COVID 19 in our community.  This means:

1.  Wearing masks

2.  Washing/Sanitizing hands frequently

3.  Maintaining appropriate physical distance

4.  Avoiding gatherings with individuals who are not fully vaccinated

If you want to help ensure that we are able to move to 4 day per week programming K-8 and keep our schools open in this model for the remainder of the school year - those four things above are the areas that should be focused on moving forward.  Our schools most definitely NEED YOUR HELP.  

THANK YOU!

UPDATED INFORMATION ON K-8 4 DAY PER WEEK PROGRAMMING

I wanted to share some updated summary information regarding the 4 day per week model for parents.  As we continue to work to refine our specific plans (and there is still much work to do)...We will do our best to continue to share details.  I would also STRONGLY ENCOURAGE families who are interested in learning more to attend the K-12 Parent Open Forum scheduled for Tuesday April 13 at 6:00 p.m.  Link to that zoom meeting is also below.  Here are some additional informational resources:

*. Updated 4 Day Model Summary

*. April, May, June Calendar

*. K-5 colored day Calendar

*  Possible Desk/Chair set ups (these are still being formed and not finalized)

*. Overview of Remote Programming

Much more information coming as we continue our planning work!

Here's the information for the K-12 Parent Open Forum:

Join Zoom Meeting https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/84932663463?pwd=YThadytlZ3M1WnBSakUxMUk3cmEzQT09 Meeting ID: 849 3266 3463 Passcode: 198624 One tap mobile: +1-301-715-8592

TRAVELING THIS APRIL BREAK...REMEMBER THE RULES...

In accordance with Maine travel guidelines, any staff or students who travel within the US to any state not on the approved list (CLICK HERE for latest list) they will be required to EITHER: 

          1. Complete a 10-day quarantine upon arrival in Maine and continue to monitor for signs and           

               symptoms for an additional 4 days OR 

          2. Obtain and receive a negative COVID-19 antigen or molecular (PCR, NAAT, or isothermal) test 

              result within 72 hours of return to forgo the 10-day quarantine. 

Individuals who are fully vaccinated (have had their last shot for at least 14 days) are not required to quarantine or test upon return from travel. 

                 

The Maine CDC has also provided guidance as it relates to international travel. The current risk assessment level for COVID-19 is at 4, or VERY HIGH, for nearly every country. You can review the risk levels by country, here. 

At this time, all air passengers coming to the United States, including U.S. citizens, are required to have a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before boarding a flight back to in the United States. See Frequently Asked Questions about this requirement for more information. 

Upon return to the United States, staff and students must quarantine. International travelers can return to school after they EITHER: 

          1. Get tested 3-5 days after travel, and receive a negative test result AND stay home and self-

              quarantine for 7 days after travel, OR

          2. (If electing not to get tested) Do not get tested and stay home for 10 days after travel. 

Please be sure to avoid being around people who are at increased risk for severe illness for 14 days, whether you get tested or not. 

All non vaccinated members of the household who travel must test or quarantine if over 12 months old. Testing site information for Maine can be found, here. Any person who is quarantining should stay home, and not have in-person contact with others unless there is an emergency. 

Bottom line, PLEASE BE SAFE OVER THE BREAK!  We want everyone to be able to return to school safely after the break!  We don't get enough time with all of you as it is, and we definitely DO NOT want to see our students less as a result of having to quarantine if it can at all be avoided!  So, over the break, please, please, please do what you can to continue to follow best practice safety protocols: (1) wear a mask, (2) wash/sanitize your hands frequently and (3) keep your physical distance! I know we're all tired, but we must keep focused in order to help protect our schools and our neighbors.  THANK YOU for all that you have done, for all you are doing, and all you will continue to do to remain focused on this goal as a community! 

SUMMER PROGRAM PLANNING 

Just wanted to provide an update on summer program planning for K-12 students.  I would encourage parents with questions to reach out to your child's principals for more information.

We currently have several programs we are working on for the summer.  Below is an overview of each:

 K-8 READING AND MATH RTI EXTENDED PROGRAMMING

Program Overview:  Each school, K-8, will be offering RTI reading and math services to allow for continued support toward meeting PLP goals for our most at risk tier III students. One reading, and one math staff member per building, will provide virtual 30 minute sessions to small groups of students Monday thru Thursday, June 14th -July 1st. The ultimate goal of this program is to ensure students most in need, minimize “summer slide” and are best prepared to return to school ready for success.

SUMMER LEARNING & RECREATION PROGRAM for EXISTING K-8 STUDENTS

Program Overview:  This program will provide approximately 90 K-8 referred students (10 per grade level) with a six week face to face learning program supporting students in math, literacy, and SEL each morning and then providing them with fun and engaging recreation activities each afternoon.  The program will run from July 6 - August 13, 2021 three days per week (T,W,TH) from 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Students will attend to academic and SEL work in the mornings and then transition each afternoon to fun and exciting programs offered by Gorham Recreation! The goal of this program is to ensure students most in need move forward with their learning over the course of the summer and are best prepared to return to school ready for success this coming fall. A flyer with more information is LINKED HERE.

IXL ONLINE READING AND MATH PROGRAM - ALL STUDENTS ELIGIBLE

Program Overview: The online IXL program will allow all families across grades K-8 to access summer online learning utilizing the IXL program in the areas of Math and Reading.  Assistance will be provided in helping families set up support services and addressing any technical issues that may arise, but no teaching staff will be allocated to this service.  The ultimate goal of this program will be to prevent “summer slide” for students so that they are best prepared to return to school ready for success.

SCHOOL NUTRITION SURVEY INFORMATION NEEDED

With changes coming for K-8 students after the break, it is time to update meal delivery service information for the Gorham Schools School Nutrition Program...Please take 5 important minutes to complete the survey linked below!

Survey Link:

https://forms.gle/HBrhg2ZxS5dWwoAX9

CONGRATULATIONS TO GHS SENIOR EMILY PARUK!

Emily will represent. Maine in the National "Poetry Out Loud" Semifinals!  Awesome job Emily!  GO RAMS!

CLICK HERE for a link to the full article in the Portland Press Herald!

GHS NATIONAL HONORS SOCIETY ONLINE OPPORTUNITIES!

Just a reminder that our GHS National Honors Society students have worked hard to create a FREE online tool for younger students to interact with our GHS students in meaningful ways...Check This excellent support program out and feel free to share!

https://sites.google.com/gorhamschools.org/nhs-virtual-fun/home

GREAT FALLS TRANSITION PLANS

This week's transition focus is on Great Falls Elementary School!  As with our other two elementary schools, there are plenty of exciting opportunities planned for the end of the year - all aimed at helping our students and families end this school year strong and be well prepared for success in the coming year!  

CLICK HERE To view the draft plan for Great Falls!

A REMINDER - EVERYONE 16+ NOW ELIGIBLE FOR COVID 19 VACCINATIONS! 

All Mainers age 16+ are now eligible to become vaccinated as of Wednesday April 7, 2021.  

To pre-register for an appointment, go to https://vaccinateME.maine.gov

You may also reach out to your PCP for more information.  CLICK HERE to view a CDC information sheet on COVID 19 vaccines.

We've just completed week #28 of our hybrid learning model here in Gorham!  There is plenty to talk about this week so I'll get right to it, starting with an overview of decisions made at last night's School Committee meeting...

GORHAM SCHOOL'S PLANS FOR SPRING, 2021 LEARNING

As you all are likely aware, the Gorham School Committee has been working diligently over the past several weeks to determine how to move forward with our learning plans this spring.  The debate was, with roughly 7 weeks remaining between April break and summer vacation: would it be worth it to move to 4 days per week of instruction for K-8 students or should we just remain in the hybrid model for the remainder of the year?  As I mentioned in last week's post, there have been passionate supporters on both sides of this particular issue.  The School Committee's task was to determine which path forward was in the overall best interest of our students.  After gaining additional information and considering all possible angles the School Committee voted last night by a vote of 4-3 to move forward with a 4 day per week model for grades K-8 beginning on April 29 while maintaining the existing hybrid schedule for our grades 9-12 students.

You can view the meeting in its entirety by CLICKING HERE.

After a thorough decision making process, the School Committee made the difficult decision that they did. There are folks this morning who may feel elated at this decision for our students, while there may also be folks this morning who feel angry and hurt.  I encourage you, whatever you believe, to not allow this decision to impact our community in a negative way.  Please be patient with one another, kind to one another, and model the actions we want our children to see with one another.  Individuals who are passionate on both sides of this issue are passionate because they are focused on doing what they believe is right for our students. With that common ground (focused on doing what is right for our students) we can continue to strengthen and build as a community and ensure that our plans to increase face to face instruction this spring go forward in a positive manner.  A decision has been made.  It is time to pick our heads up, square our shoulders, and make it work for our children and that is what our District Leadership team and our school staff will endeavor to do over the next several weeks in partnership with all of YOU - our incredible parents!

As this work goes on, we need to ask families for a huge favor.  I know, we've been asking since March of 2020 right!  Really...we do need a favor.  That favor is for families to please BE PATIENT with us as we try to alter our practices 3/4 of the way through a school year.  Transitions are never easy, and mid-course transitions are always the hardest.  We have plans in place that will allow us to safely make these transitions and we will remain 100% focused on ensuring the safety of our staff and students and on ensuring that the Social/Emotional needs of our students and staff are met.  However, things are likely not to go off without a hitch.  I am going to need to ask you to participate in several surveys, I am going to need to ask all those families who can possibly transport their own children to and from school to do so.  I am going to need to ask families to complete their daily health screeners - without fail.  I am going to need to ask our families to be understanding when you may have to wait in line to drop off and pick up your child, or the myriad of other "little things" that may go wrong as we work our way through this process.  Let's endeavor to keep those lines of communication and support open...it has gotten us this far in a positive manner and it will be what helps make sure we are able to end the year strong once again here in Gorham!

So what should you expect?  

Before going any further I want to be clear that all MDOE/CDC required safety guidelines will be followed as we make these adjustments to our schedules.  The biggest change that was approved last night was the School Committee's willingness to move from our current 6ft of physical distance requirements to new and closer alignment with MDOE/CDC guidelines that allow as little as 3ft between students when all other safety measures are in place.  As a refresher...I've linked in the key guidelines we must follow so that you can review at your leisure.  Please know these guidelines will be followed across all schools.

1. MDOE 6 health and safety requirements 

2. PK-12 and Adult Education Public Health Guidance (CDC/MDOE)

3. Maine CDC SOP for Schools

4. MDOE “toolkit” for COVID 19

Maintaining the safety of our students and staff will be our FIRST priority, with our SECOND priority being meeting the social/emotional needs of our students, and staff.  

So what's next?  

Here's the rough timeline - and again - please be patient...as things may change!

*. Transportation & Remote learning Survey - Week of April 5

*. Move grades K-8 to fully remote instruction in order to move furniture and set up entirely new classrooms across 4 schools - Week of April 12 (Note: I am trying to see if we can start this move on April 14 vs. April 12 so that students can each have ONE full day of instruction that week...not sure we can pull it off...but will try...so again - stay tuned)

* Parent Open Forum K-12 - April 13 at 6:30 p.m. (See below for details)

*  April Vacation - Week of April 19

*. NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS to allow Teachers & Principals to set up classrooms and practice and adjust new protocols, schedules and generally to ensure "logistics" are ready to go - April 26, 27, and 28.

*. All K-8 students report to School - Thursday, April 29

*. Fully Remote Day - Friday, April 30

*. Fully implement 4 day per week schedule for remainder of the 2020-21 School Year - May 3 - June 10.

That list looks pretty simple...but there will be A LOT of moving parts for us to nail down between now and then.  We will and we will do it well, but once again...we need that favor...PATIENCE!  

I would encourage any parents who have specific questions about what these changes may look like in your child's school(s) to reach out to Principals and/or myself and we will do our best to answer them.  

K-12 PARENT OPEN FORUM FOR APRIL SCHEDULED

Thought it was time to schedule another K-12 open forum as we dig into the month of April and prepare ourselves for a positive ending to the school year.  YOU bring the topics...I'll bring myself and drag along Dr. Record (I hope)...here's the details for your calendar if you are interested:

When:  Tuesday, April 13 at 6:00 p.m.

Topic:  OPEN Q&A

Zoom Link Info:

https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/84932663463?pwd=YThadytlZ3M1WnBSakUxMUk3cmEzQT09 Meeting ID: 849 3266 3463 Passcode: 198624 One tap mobile: +1-301-715-8592

UPDATED VACCINATION INFORMATION 

Governor Mills announced yesterday that all Mainers age 16+ are eligible to become vaccinated as of Wednesday April 7, 2021.  

To pre-register for an appointment, go to https://vaccinateME.maine.gov

You may also reach out to your PCP for more information.  CLICK HERE to view a CDC information sheet on COVID 19 vaccines.

MOST RECENT PARENT DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION NIGHT SUMMARY

Back on March 25, Assistant Superintendent Record and I hosted an open meeting for K-12 parents to update them on our school district's work in the areas of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.  It was a small but powerful group that attended, and they were kind enough to allow me to record the meeting so that its content could be shared more broadly with parents that were not able to attend.

The most exciting part of the evening was my sharing the results of my 5 month long listening tour with students, staff, and parents.  Between September, 2020 and February, 2021 I met with over 125 K-12 students, over 75 staff members and almost 100 parents to talk about issues related to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in our schools and in our community.  The focus of these meetings was often in sharing stories and experiences individuals have had, or they have known others to have had in our schools and in our community.  Although I couldn't possibly share every story I heard at the forum, I did share several story examples that were pretty pointed.  These stories are not meant to blame or judge or cast doubt on anyone...these stories are simply intended to be individual reflections on individual lived experiences right here in Gorham.  They are intended to set the foundation for understanding why these conversations are important to have.  My biggest take away - was from students!  To be honest . . . they clearly the see the need for these conversations to occur and often wonder why adults seem so scared or unsure of how to talk about it.

It was said in the meeting by other parents that they wished more parents had been there to listen.  Although I wish the same thing, I am also an optimist and understand it is often small conversations held more frequently that lead to bigger conversations and bigger outcomes in a community.  Even with a small group - many great lessons were learned.  This is just the beginning.  Gorham is going to do this work right...we are going to do it well...we will take our time and embed the important conversation about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in both big and small ways across many platforms so that it isn't seen as something "good to do right now"...but a necessary lens to look through always, and an important part of our culture and "what we do".

CLICK HERE to view the slide presentation.

CLICK HERE to view the meeting recording.

THANK YOU to those students, staff, and parents that contributed to these important story beginnings.

GOV. MILLS HAS ANNOUNCED APRIL AS POETRY MONTH HERE IN MAINE!

Do you love poetry?  I DO!  I couldn't have been more happy to hear that Gov. Mills has established April as poetry month here in Maine.  As a result, the MDOE sent out a notice to all schools sharing information and resources that I thought parents might like to know about as well.  CLICK HERE to view the MDOE message and resources.

In honor of this announcement, I wanted to share one of my favorite uplifting poems with you and encourage you to share your favorite poems with your children...or if you are a student...share with your parents and pass it on!

By the way...this poem was written in a day when folks used male pronouns in writing...I'm choosing to ignore that and stick with the overall message...the message is why I love the poem so much!

TRANSITION INFORMATION - NARRAGANSETT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Continuing on with sharing of plans for end of year transitions from each school.  In this blog...Narragansett Elementary School is focused on.  CLICK HERE to view an overview of their spring, 2021 transition plans for students!

GORHAM EDUCATION FOUNDATION (GEF) - ANNUAL TRIVIA NIGHT ANNOUNCED!

This is something folks look forward to every year and once again GEF is pulling it off even under COVID conditions!  Check out the flyer below for more details and put your team together soon!

OUR GHS CHORUS STUDENTS SHOW OFF THEIR TALENT AND RESILIENCE TO KEEP ON SINGING EVEN DURING A PANDEMIC!

Our students are so incredibly resilient!  Although the COVID 19 Pandemic has impacted significantly how they do some of the things they are most passionate about...it hasn't impacted their resolve to still find a way to DO IT!  Our GHS chorus singers are just another great example!  Linked below are THREE incredible examples of their talent and resiliency...and I don't know about you, but as we close the door on March and look forward to this spring...we need music NOW MORE THAN EVER!  GO RAMS! ENJOY!

Rest Not - GHS tenors and basses

Quiet Sea - GHS sopranos and altos

Away from the Roll of the Sea - GHS combined choirs

LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO GIVE - HERE'S A GORHAM FOUNDATION YOU MAY NOT BE AWARE OF...

The Babygirl Foundation was established by Tammy and David Dube after the death of their daughter, Addison in 2019.  CLICK HERE to view their website and read the flyer below for more information on how you can get involved if you are interested.

Thats it for this week!  Thank you!  ENJOY YOUR WEEKENDS!

Week #27 is in the books and what a great week it was!  The first full week of spring and Maine's weather did not disappoint!  It was great to see students and teachers out and about this past week beginning to take advantage of those outdoor learning spaces once again!  I have just a few pictures I wanted to share...spring is definitely here and with it a sense of renewal, optimism and hope on so many levels!

Lots to talk about, so let's get to it!

WE NEED YOUR PARENT VOICE IN AN IMPORTANT K-12 SURVEY!

On Wednesday evening the Gorham School Committee met to listen to a presentation of three scenarios that could increase face to face instruction time for students across the district.  It was a very informative meeting attended by well over 200 members of the public.  You can view the meeting in its entirety by CLICKING HERE. I'm not going to go over all the complex information shared at this meeting, but I did want to provide some highlights and access to some of the specific materials shared at the meeting.  

First and foremost, I want to acknowledge the passionate feelings that are out there in the community on this topic.  There are folks that are passionate about returning to more face to face time for our students to help address social/emotional and academic needs of children. There are also folks that are passionate about not rushing for the safety of our students, and folks who are passionate about those very same social/emotional and academic needs, but see a return to more face to face instruction this spring as potentially causing more issues than they would resolve.   Then there are passionate folks every place in between on this complex issue.  

One of the many things I LOVE ABOUT GORHAM is that folks can be passionate, they can share their thoughts and opinions, but do so in a respectful way...always focused on what is best for students.  I hope our discourse continues to represents these important community values as we move forward in continued navigation of this world wide pandemic together.  

This conversation is a complex one, made even more complex by the fact that what one individual interprets as being "best for children" another individual may just as passionately interpret as not. On top of this complexity, layer on the exhaustion and frustration many are feeling as we stretch beyond the full year mark of this pandemic and it becomes even more important for us to do our best to practice civil discourse.   Gorham has navigated this pandemic TOGETHER since the beginning, and we must continue to do so.  We can't let this conversation pull our community apart.  Our children are indeed watching.

Ultimately it will be the responsibility of the Gorham School Committee members to make the final difficult determination as to what is in the overall best interest of our students.  I wish to commend them for taking the time to gather information, to ask questions, to understand the perspectives of their constituents (staff, students and parents) and to then balance all of that information in their final decisions.  In my opinion, one can ask nothing less of their public servants and I believe that our School Committee members are doing these very things as best as they can.

The information that was presented on Wednesday night was significant.  We presented three scenarios, each with a complete list of unintended consequences and potential positive outcomes for students.  Those are linked below:

*  Scenario #1 - Return K-12 to school 4 days per week beginning April 29, 2021.

*  Scenario #2 - Return K-8 to school 4 days per week and use 1/2 days on Friday mornings for GHS students to rotate A and B groups for additional face to face time.

*  Scenario #3 - Return K-5 to school 4 days per week and return Gr. 6-12 to school 5 days per week with 1:00 p.m. dismissals daily.

Also presented was information from the Medical Advisory Committee who reviewed each scenario with a specific focus on COVID 19 safety.  That feedback is LINKED HERE.  

Finally, summary information was shared from a K-12 staff survey on each of the three scenarios.  That information is LINKED HERE.  

After information was shared, questions were asked by School Committee members, and provided by myself or other members of the district leadership team.  Lots of great questions were asked either by SC members directly or by members of the audience via direct chat to me.  You can watch the video to hear the SC questions so I wanted to review some key Q&A from the public chat that might help answer questions I know continue to "swirl" in social media land:

Question:  Why can other school systems move to move face to face time while Gorham struggles to find a way to do it?

Answer:  It is often the case that we try to compare ourselves to other neighboring school systems, or even neighboring states.  What is important to understand here is that in the case of COVID and trying to find ways to operate our schools safely within this Pandemic each school system is working with a very different set of tools.  For example:  In some neighboring districts, student enrollments have been steadily declining over the past few years and as a result, they have facilities that when you create a student per square foot ratio it allows them to maneuver within safety rules far better than others.  In Gorham, we have not had this experience and in fact have the opposite situation.  For years we have struggled with increasing enrollments and the capacities of our schools to handle this issue under "normal" circumstances.  Throw a Pandemic into the mix and, things become even more difficult.  This is not an excuse...just a reality and one we must face while other systems may not.  Other systems may have access to more buses and bus drivers, while some systems have access to more funding, and some have more technology, etc. etc.  The point is that each system works with its own unique tools as creatively as they can to maximize the safe operations of their schools during this pandemic for their students.  Gorham is not alone in this struggle.  Other systems such as RSU 51, RSU 14, Westbrook, Scarborough, Cape Elizabeth, South Portland and Yarmouth all continue in their hybrid models.  Each is unique so to compare across is like comparing "apples to oranges" as my father used to say.

Question:  If we can't open schools this spring, how will we do it this fall?

Answer:  First, let's be clear.  No decisions have been made by the School Committee that says we can't...or that we can.  This is the purpose of our current conversations - to determine what is or is not possible and with what repercussions.  Second, almost all of the "unintended consequences" associated with each of the scenarios linked above can be eliminated or at least mitigated with a summer's worth of planning and an ability to build schedules, etc. around different conditions that we now know far more about than we did even last fall.  Bottom line - unless some new variant pops up and completely changes things once again, we believe we absolutely CAN open our schools to five days per week instruction this coming fall even though doing that same task this spring may prove difficult.  The work required to reopen this spring and in the fall are really very different tasks.

Question:  Why do we have to buy new desks and chairs?  Why can't we just use the ones we have?

Answer:  In the fall of 2019 before the Pandemic, our classrooms were set up to operate in a "normal" environment.  At the elementary levels we had large tables with chairs so students could do center work.  At the middle School we had lab tables for science and large tables for collaboration.  Across all our classrooms we had some traditional desks/chairs set up - but not necessarily one for every student.  In working to set up classrooms with 6 ft of physical distance, we had to remove these large tables because we couldn't fit enough students around them with 6 ft of distance.  Instead it was much more efficient to move the large tables out and move in individual desks/chairs to get the most students in each classroom.  When we move to 3ft of physical distance the same issues apply.  The large tables simply don't work.  What is most efficient to get all students to fit safely into a classroom is individual desks/chairs.  We never had these for each student, hence we need to purchase or find a way to borrow them.

Question:  If pick up and drop off at each school has to increase significantly, causing traffic flow problems...can't you just stagger the times each cohort drops off and picks up?

Answer:  We certainly can, and in fact that is what we would need to do.  The problem is that when you do this, you need to dismiss earlier in the afternoon so now rather than instruction ending at say 2:45 for dismissal...you may have to end instruction at 2:20 for dismissal.  Now, think along those same lines for when you begin instruction each day and that is 40 minutes of lost instructional time per day to make that move.  Now layer on the possibility of having to deal with double bus runs for parents who cannot transport their children, and you can see a significant amount of instructional time can be "eaten" because of transportation concerns.  Again, as stated in the meeting...these issues are not insurmountable...but they do carry unintended consequences that add to the complex discussions regarding the cost/benefit analysis for movement this spring.

Question:  Why can't we just extend the school day to accommodate for these time change needs?

Answer:  Our teachers work under an association contract which defines the expectations for a regular work day.  Our teachers are AWESOME, and would gladly give of their own time for our students (and routinely do by the way), but to ask them to give an additional 1 hour each day when they already give so much would be a very difficult ask indeed.  

The ultimate outcome of the meeting on Wednesday was a straw poll vote 4-3 to be willing to look at the reduction of the current 6 ft physical distancing requirement that is part of our Pandemic Operations Plan and to align this rule with the Maine Department of Education's health and safety requirements.  The MDOE requirements allow for a minimum of 3ft of physical distance between students in classroom settings.  What this straw poll does is allow myself (in collaboration with the District's Leadership Team) to dig another level down in our planning for potentially increasing face to face instruction for our students this spring.  The "homework" that was given to me by the School Committee as a result of this vote was to "sharpen" a plan to increase face to face instruction for students and to present that plan to the School Committee at a special meeting on April 1 at 7:00 p.m.  I was also assigned the task of surveying our 6-12 students to ask their opinions and the task of surveying our K-12 parents to ask their opinions of how folks would like us to move forward.  This data will be brought back to the School Committee at their upcoming meeting on April 1, 2021 for a decision regarding whether or not to change schedules for this spring.

SO AS PARENTS - HOW CAN YOU VOICE YOUR OPINIONS?  You can participate in the K-12 parent survey!  That survey is LINKED HERE and the scenario it is focused on (Scenario #2) is linked above for your review.  Please participate in this survey by Tuesday, March 30, 2021.  Summary results will be shared with the School Committee to help inform their decision making process.  If you have already participated and information in this blog has adjusted your thinking...no worries...log back in and you can edit your original responses.

HOW DO I STAY INFORMED OF THESE DISCUSSIONS?  You can watch the video of the meeting held on Wednesday night linked above and you can plan on attending the zoom meeting on April 1.  That meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. and the link is below.  

Join Zoom Meeting https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/89969195599?pwd=cGxDbVpFS0htenUvWGt4dGpmc1paZz09 Meeting ID: 899 6919 5599 Passcode: 184894

As we continue to learn more and work to inform our opinions regarding what may or may not be best for this spring...I would urge parents to remain informed and to reach out with specific questions. As is so often the case in these difficult and complex discussions...the place to seek answers is likely NOT on social media platforms. The best factual information can be gleaned by watching the School Committee meetings and by reaching out to folks like myself (heather.perry@gorhamschools.org) or Assistant Superintendent Record (chris.record@gorhamschools.org) or School Committee Chair Darryl Wright (darryl.wright@gorhamschools.org) to ask specific questions to which we will do our best to provide specific answers. We have navigated this whole year together, let's continue through the remaining 3 months of this school year for the sake of our students and the fabric of our unique and wonderful community. We can be passionate. We can disagree with one another...but at the end of the day - WE ARE ALL GORHAM RAMS!

THANK YOU!

A REMINDER ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF COMPLETING YOUR DAILY HEALTH SCREENERS

Just a quick reminder of the importance of completing those daily health screening surveys sent to you via email each school day.

Currently as we see a little "uptick" in the number of positive cases of COVID 19 in the Cumberland County area, one thing to note is that the increases seem to be among our youngest populations (under 20). This makes it even more important that we pay attention to completing these screeners and making sure that if your student feels sick and is experiencing one of the "common symptoms" or two of the "less common symptoms" that they remain home.

By making sure to take the time to complete these screeners each day, and keeping students home who are experiencing symptoms, it helps us all to monitor student symptoms and hopefully "catch" students from coming into school with positive cases of COVID 19. This limits the numbers of positive cases, and it also limits the number of students who may need to quarantine as a result.

As of March 25, 2021 we've had a total of 72 positive cases associated with our schools since opening in September. My goal...let's try to make sure we DO NOT go above 85 before the end of the school year! WE CAN DO IT!

LET'S START THINKING ABOUT SETTING UP POSITIVE TRANSITIONS FOR OUR STUDENTS!

We've actually been thinking about this for a while now, but I wanted to start sharing with parents some of what we are thinking regarding this important topic of how it is we will once again focus on ending the school year on a positive note and ensuring that our students and families feel secure in transitioning from one year to the next.

Each week of my blog posts for the next few weeks I'll focus on one school's end of year transition plans and share them with all of you. First up - Village Elementary School! Here's what Village has planned for their end of the year transitions.

Village Elem. School Transition Summary Page

Next week I'll focus on Narragansett Elem. School! 

GORHAM MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS PRESENTS THEIR FIRST VIRTUAL PLAY. . . "ONCE UPON A ZOOM"! 

Gorham Middle School will present it's first ever virtual Play on March 28th.

Once Upon a Zoom focuses in on a group of students trying to complete a school project during modern-day quarantine times. Sounds boring, right? It seems that way until their Zoom meetings get bombarded by a steady parade of fairy tale characters!

The show will PREMIERE on Sunday, March 28th at 6pm.

Click here to watch it!

It will be available to view FOR FREE on our website until April 11th.

IN CLOSING

That's plenty for this week folks...but in the spirit of offering up some positive encouragement as we continue to navigate this pandemic together...I wanted to share a quote I find encouraging. HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!