January 27 Post

Well for the longest time we probably thought winter was gonna pass us by here in Maine and then...last week happened! ❆😑❆ Mother Nature sure does have a great way of reminding us who is in charge around here! I have to admit though, that even though I hate the early morning snow calls and the potential for white knuckle driving, when I look around now the white snow makes me feel a lot better than the brown mud did earlier.  Maine sure is a beautiful place even in the winter!  But just to be clear - students - you can STOP doing your snow dances now! 😉

Here's some great pictures from the past few weeks in the Gorham Schools!

OK, now on to the informational part!  

PLANS FOR POSSIBLE REMOTE LEARNING SNOW DAYS

Earlier on in the fall I had talked about snow days and our plans for the use of snow days for the year.  In those earlier communications I had talked about the "what if's" that MAY occur if we use all five of our planned snow days in the calendar.  At the time, it was still beautiful fall weather in Maine so I'm not sure everyone really "picked up what I was putting down" sort to speak.  Recent weather has likely now brought the conversation more fully to the front of our minds!

We've now used 3 of our 5 snow days with just two left and we still have a ways to go this winter before we are out of the woods.  All that being said, I thought it was time to REALLY emphasize what remote learning snow days might look like in Gorham since there is a pretty good chance we might have to use one or two yet this year.

To be clear, we will continue to use traditional snow days for two more days.  We will only use remote learning snow days for any days we may have to cancel school due to snow above and beyond those total five.  In the event that we do have to move to remote learning snow days, here's what you should expect as parents:

First - in order to meet requirements outlined by our state and federal laws, we must offer lunches to students and families on the days we do remote learning snow days.  We will do this by asking families who are interested in having a lunch sent home with their children the day before a snow day to please sign up using the survey that is OUTLINED BELOW.  Yes, this means we are going to have to pay extra special attention to the weather and on days that might look questionable, send meals home the day before so families have them.

Second, our goal would be that remote learning snow days allow us to strengthen and maintain learning for our students.  Unlike the pandemic where we might need to be prepared to have multiple remote learning days in a row, a remote learning snow day is more than likely just one day so the learning materials that will be sent home (K-5) or posted online via google classroom (6-12) will be primarily aimed at making sure learning is strengthened and maintained rather than focusing on new learning.

Our building leaders have worked closely with our talented staff to develop a more detailed overview of what to expect on remote learning snow days by grade level.  I have outlined these below:

Special Education Services Expectations:

Our Special Education staff will also continue to provide remote learning snow day instruction to students.  Their expectations for services are outlined HERE.  

These will be the expectations for our remote learning snow days IF WE NEED TO USE THEM later this winter.  If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to your child's teacher or principal to ask and to learn more.  

In the meantime - below is the survey link for families that would like to request that a lunch be provided for remote learning snow days.  I'll also share broadly on social media and on our website.  Please complete the survey as soon as possible as who knows what mother nature has in store for us next week! 😆

Remote Learning Snow Day Survey Link:  

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdxeLbTIfP8IrZWNHQ_cKU_GLNgKsMtDQrG2Mq2x0gZIPUFjg/viewform?usp=sf_link

PRE K QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

In my last blog, I sent out a survey asking folks to ask questions they may have regarding our new Pre K program opening in the fall of 2023 at Narragansett Elementary School.  I got some GREAT QUESTIONS.  I haven't had a chance to answer all of them yet, but I thought I'd take the time to highlight a few here on this blog post and then link to a Q&A sheet with all the questions that I'll continue to post answers to over the course of the next few weeks.  So please keep checking the Q&A link below for additional answers!  Here's a few highlighted questions now:

Question:  What are the typical credentials of specialists(OT, PT, S/L) providers for Pre K? Are they the same for Kindergarten or early primary, or are they birth-5? What levels are teachers and ed techs certified for?

Answer:  All specialists that will be utilized in our Pre K program will have full licensure to perform the duties required of them for the age level they will be working with.  Speech, OT's, PT's all will have full approval to work with Pre School Aged children.  Teachers working with Pre K students will have the 081 early childhood certification endorsements required by the state of Maine.  Educational technicians are certified to work with all age levels including early childhood.  The Gorham Schools will be conducting hiring processes for all new staffing positions in April of this year.  If you are interested in applying, or know someone who is, please keep your eye out on our website or servingschools.com for postings then!

Question:  More of a clarification: the Arts Alliance and Seedlings will be providing Pre-K services in addition to the two classrooms at Narragansett AND they will be free of cost too? Will we have to work with those organizations directly to utilize their program or will enrollment all be done through the Gorham school system?

Answer:  Yes, our partnerships with the Gorham Arts Alliance (for 8 student slots) and Seedings to Sunflowers (for 32 student slots) will be funded by the State of Maine as public Pre K slots.  These are in addition to the 64 new slots that will be housed at Narragansett Elementary School.  These are all approved public Pre K programs.  This means families will not be charged for these costs.  Please keep in mind, however that before or after care services may still be charged by our partners, but the Pre K programs themselves will be free to families. Enrollment for the Gorham Arts Alliance programs and the Seedlings to Sunflowers Programs will be conducted directly through those two organizations, although we hope that the Gorham Schools can help families make the necessary connections later this spring if needed.  If you have questions regarding the Gorham Arts Alliance program, you may contact Amy Valentine at gorhamarts@gmail.com. If you have questions regarding the Seedlings to Sunflowers program, you may contact Meghann Carrasco at meghann@seedlingstosunflowers.org.

Question:  Will transportation be provided or will the parent(s) be responsible for the transportation for their child?

Answer:  YES.  Transportation will be provided from home/childcare to school and from school back to home/childcare to any location in the community of Gorham for the classrooms housed at Narragansett Elementary School.  This will be the case for BOTH the a.m. and p.m. sessions.  For students participating in the Gorham Arts Alliance and Seedlings to Sunflowers programs families will have to provide transportation.

Question:  Will there be any options or partnerships for aftercare/before care?

Answer:  The Gorham Schools is working with many of our local child care providers to ensure there are appropriate slots available for before/after care.  We have had several meetings and will continue to meet in order to work on building out these partnerships for families as we realize this is a strong need.  So far we have been able to identify 16 slots with one of our partners and we are looking to continue with the hopes that by the time we get to the April/May time frame we will be able to host an evening event for families and interested providers to do a little "match making".  Ultimately, however it will be the parent's responsibility to work with individual providers to secure these slots - but we will do our best to make sure those slots are available and well communicated later this spring.

That's it for now...I have A LOT more questions to answer from the survey, which I will do via the Pre K Questions and Answers Document.  Please keep your eyes on this and check in over the course of the next few weeks for more information!

P.S. - I did notice folks asking for the video link...CLICK HERE to view!

UPDATE ON SUPERINTENDENT'S GOALS AND 

STRATEGIC PLAN

At the last Regular School Committee meeting held on January 18, I updated the School Committee on my 2022-23 goals and on our work thus far in implementation of our 5 year Strategic Plan.  I thought folks who weren't able to make the meeting might also like to get those updates.  Please click on the links below to view.  I think you will see we continue to be VERY BUSY here in Gorham meeting the needs of our students, staff and families!

*  2022-2023 Superintendent's Goals Update

*. 2022-2027 Strategic Plan Work Update

Please check it out and reach out if you have questions!

NEW CURRICULUM SURVEY - WHAT DO YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT OUR DISTRICT'S CURRICULUM?

If you have been following my blog posts this year you will know that I have created a "Curriculum Corner" spotlight each month in my blogs.  This was done by sending out a survey earlier in September asking families a simple question:  What Do You Want To Know Most About Your Child's Learning In Our Classrooms?  That survey in the fall produced many great questions which I have been answering each month.  I am about out of those original questions, so I thought I'd develop a second survey to hopefully keep it going!  No question is "too big" or "too small"...I want to know - what are you curious about?  I will then take the questions received and use them as the basis for my continued "curriculum corner" articles.

So, please take a moment to complete the survey below.  I'll also share the link on social media.  The more questions you ask - the better my articles will be!  So please TAKE FIVE MINUTES TO COMPLETE TODAY!

Survey Link:

https://forms.gle/Tu8y5222wtsjVR7A7

PROUD OF OUR STUDENTS!  JUST SHARING!

Each month when the Gorham School Committee meets on camera for their regular meetings, we try to have students present to share information about the ongoing work they doing in our schools that they are passionate about.  This past meeting, on Jan. 18, 2023 Narragansett Elementary School's Student Leadership Group presented to the School Committee about their work and how they help to lead their school in living our Code of Conduct.  

Their presentation was awesome!  Rather than ruin it by trying to describe it in my own words, I thought I'd encourage you to watch it yourself.  Click on the link below and look at minute 22:30 to enjoy.  That presentation (and others like it) are WHY we do what we do in our schools!  So very proud of those students, and all our students in the incredible work they do each day in learning and growing to become the strong citizens of tomorrow! PROUD TO BE A RAM!

Video Link:  https://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?&PGD=gorhamme&eID=544

MARY POPPINS IS COMING TO TOWN! 

Our GHS musical theater students will be presenting Mary Poppins coming up soon!  Check out the flyer below to learn more and see you at the show!

WORLD READ ALOUD DAY COMING UP!

Did you know that World Read Aloud Day is coming up next week Wednesday (2/1/23)?  If you didn't - you do now!  I love to read and there is nothing more special than reading aloud to children.  One on one, at home, or in large classroom groups, at the Library, or wherever - children of all ages love to listen to books being read!  

Our schools will definitely be celebrating this day with students - but YOU CAN TOO as parents and community members!  The only action step needed is to pick up a book and read aloud to a child or children.  Grandparents can participate, parents, aunts, uncles, older siblings, ANYONE!  You can learn more about World Read Aloud Day by CLICKING HERE or by simply googling "world read aloud day 2023" for lots more information and resources!

And just in case you might try the excuse of not having any books around the house to read...Great Falls Librarian Jessica Mason has you covered with this link to some great World Read Aloud Day resources!

HAPPY READING!

WEBINAR OPPORTUNITY FOR INTERESTED PARENTS FROM CENTER FOR GRIEVING CHILDREN

The Center for Grieving Children is presenting a webinar open to educators and families entitled:  "Little Folks, Big Feelings:  Understanding and Supporting Early Childhood Grief."

Clearly none of us wants to be in the situation where we are having to support young children in navigating loss, but if you find yourself in this situation, tools such as this webinar might become very helpful.  So I thought I would share.  If you are interested in learning more, information is below:

CLICK HERE to Register if interested.

Well that is it for this blog. As I close this blog, I did want to mention that I am going to have several additional blogs coming up in February that are outside of my "normal" two-week schedule.  My next scheduled blog is for Feb. 10, but you might see additional blog posts either before or just after this date as well.  The reason for this is that I've been asked by AASA to be a "blogger" for them as Superintendents from across the country attend the National Conference on Education coming up Feb. 16 - 18, 2023 in San Antonio.  During the conference I will be sending out daily blogs sharing events and learning from the conference.  I thought this was a pretty cool way to give you all a chance to "peek in" on what Superintendents are talking about and learning about from across the country and its a great way to share learning with my colleagues as well!  Hope you enjoy...and if you don't - well...no worries that's the beauty of blogs!  You only have to read what you WANT to read! 😀Til next time!  GO RAMS!🐏

January 13 Blog Post

Hard to believe we are almost 1/2 way through the 2022-2023 School Year!  This school year sure is going fast, but unlike the previous few years - this year isn't going fast due to the frantic and insane things we were having to navigate together as a community due to the pandemic.  This year is the "good" kind of time passing quickly.  The type of time that passes quickly when folks are engaged, and participating and doing good work together as a community!  I'm sure you all know what I mean and can feel the difference too!  As always, great things are happening in our schools and I'd like to start with sharing some pictures from the past few weeks that demonstrate that...

PRE K VIDEO UPDATE FROM SUPERINTENDENT PERRY

Updated Friday, Jan, 13, 2023 @ 3:00 p.m.

I haven't shared a video in a while, so thought I'd use a video to provide an update to everyone on our ongoing Pre K work.  

Please click on the video link below and once you have viewed, please click on the survey link below to help create a Questions and Answers sheet that I can use to answer YOUR questions in a quick turn-around time!

INSERT VIDEO LINK HERE

After watching the video, Please click on the link below to complete a brief survey! 

https://forms.gle/q6pRXyMxs5SBdx8x8

Also, in the video I referred to the "Bright Futures For Little Rams" Report.  You can CLICK HERE to view the finalized report to learn more about how this Pre K work is just one small part of the incredible things happening in the community of Gorham on the early childhood front!

JANUARY'S CURRICULUM CORNER!

This month I've selected three questions from the parent survey this past fall to answer.  I probably have enough to share the last set of answers in February's blog and then I'll run out.  I'm likely going to share another survey in February for parent/guardians to complete to see what other questions folks may still have - so be thinking of those additional questions!

Question #1:  What topics are covered in health class for 6th, 7th and 8th grade?

Answer:  Please click on the link provided below to view a full list of all units and topics covered in health classes for grades 6-8.  

GMS Health Units

Question #2:  What information are parents able to get about what's being taught in classrooms across all Gorham Schools?

Answer:  The best and most current information would be via the classroom teacher.  Many teachers across all grade levels send home information regarding what is being taught.  At K-5 levels, this is often done through weekly updates.  At 6-12 levels this is done via google classrooms (which parents have access to through their students) and for an additional layer of information at grades 9-12, all course syllabi can be found on the GHS website LINKED HERE (then click on "School Info." and then on "GHS Course Syllabi").  

You can also review a few key documents that outline concepts/content taught by grade level.  Science content is aligned to the NGSS standards, K-8 Social Studies, K-8   Reveal Math, K-8   Being a Writer, K-5   Being a Reader, K-2. And Maine's Learning Results (K-12 Standards)

As a result of my fall listening tour, we are also looking to add more regular communications on specific projects on a quarterly or trimester basis across grades K-8 for the coming school year.

Finally, and as has been clearly demonstrated more recently, if families feel the need to ask for information via Maine's Freedom of Access Act (FOAA), the district also shares information as required by statute in this manner. You need only email your request to me (heather.perry@gorhamschools.org) or Rhonda Warren (rhonda.warren@gorhamschools.org) and we will follow all required processes to respond to your request in as timely a manner as possible.

Ultimately, we believe strongly that the best way to gather information about what your children are learning while at school is by talking with your children and/or by reaching out to your child's teacher. Our incredible professionals understand the importance of home and school connections and would be very willing to share what your children are learning. They like to "brag" (just like parents do) about the awesome stuff happening in our schools! So don't hesitate to ask and give them the chance to "brag"! ☺

Question #3: I would like to know what students are getting K-8 for social/emotional education, tech education, health education (beyond sex ed), and life skills education?

Answer:  SEL:  At the K-5 level, we are fortunate that our English Language Arts and Math curriculum offer a dual focus of both academics and social emotional learning.  In addition, K-2 students receive social emotional learning through our Second Step curriculum taught by our teaching counselors each week.  

At the 6-8 level the school counselors provide 6th grade levels that address anxiety and managing stress, the 7th grade lessons focus on strategies to manage thoughts, feelings and behaviors and the 8th grade theme is mental health and suicide prevention.  They also all pull students together in groups to support students' friendship and social skills.  They are planning to present information to students related to Executive Functioning (i.e. organization, task initiation, goal setting, etc.)with some follow up activities for teachers to use throughout the year.  One other resource that will be used this year is from a company of girls called Empowered Girls Empower Girls and is a tool we hope will encourage self-reflection and inner strength and good conversations.  Our social worker presents to 6th and 8th grade students.  Here are copies of her presentations.  6th Grade Presentation,  8th Grade Presentation.

Technology Education.  Digital Citizenshiop across the K-5 span, including Safety in my Online Neighborhood, Media Balance, Pause and Think Online, Digital Footprint, Privacy and Security, and Bullying.  Some coding, some keyboarding.  All under controlled website access.  At grades 6-8 all students receive digital citizenship presentations their first week of school.  Technology education is then embedded in our daily curriculum by leveraging the power of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) in all grades and curriculum.  We are using Book Creator in 6th and 8th grade english as an example.  This skill teaches our students how to become published digital authors and teach the beginnings of graphic design.  We use 3D printing and design thinking and robots in our science classroom to model simulations of genetic codes and their relationships.  We have multiple subscriptions available to teachers like Brainpop, Flocabulary, Gimkit, and Newsela that enhance current events and other specific learning activities asynchronously.  We also empower our students with creative design tools in all content areas with Cospaces, and Breakoutedu.  Cospace allows students to create a virtual world that students can use in many ways such as virtual museums, storytelling and physics simulation experiments.  Our students can also advance to use coding and make the scene literally interactive.  Utilizing AR and VR with CoSpaces and Quiver, our students develop important design thinking strategies that align with the 4C's (Collaboration, Communication, Critical Thinking and Communication).  These important skills benefit our students in many ways as they deepen their approach to learning.  Breakout edu is a game based platform used in all grade levels and is again centered around the 4C's as it allows our students to create content based games for others to play.

Health Education: Grade 4: physical body changes, acne, emotional changes, personal hygiene. Grade 5: Further explain menstrual cycle (with diagram) - egg is the female sex cell. Sperm cell is male sex cell - explain path of sperm (with diagram). Reproduction process - on a basic biology level. Human reproduction occurs when egg and sperm unite. Watch video on reproduction and stages of human development during pregnancy. This is also available online. We base a lot of our curriculum off of "Puberty Happens" curriculum - from Maine Family Planning. We talk about being accepting of everyone going through puberty at their own pace. We also talk about making healthy choices from the 53210 - Eat fruits/veggies, limit recreational screen time, daily physical activity and zero sugary drinks. And, getting adequate sleep.

In 6-8, Here is a copy of the topics in the Health class by grade level (also shared earlier). GMS Health Units

Skills For Life: K-8 are taught and grade throughout the year. Linked Here: K-5 Skills for Life, 6-12 Skills for Life.

DISTRICT LEVEL ANTI-RACISM & EQUITY COMMITTEE WORK UPDATE

The Gorham Schools continues to move forward in this important work at several different levels.  At the student level, we have worked diligently to strengthen Civil Rights Teams and other student leadership teams across all five schools.  At the school level, we have embedded DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) goals within each school's Comprehensive Education Plan and we have created school based Intercultural Leadership Committees at each school.  At the district level, we continue to examine our curriculum with the assistance of Lawrence Alexander as our experienced consultant and we continue our work with the District's Anti-Racism and Equity Committee.  

The focus of this update is on the district level work of the Anti-Racism & Equity Committee.

This committee, comprised of almost 30 school and community members has met as a large group twice now.  We have also been able to organize the group into smaller, more facile working groups that we call our "Equity subcommittees". Those are focused on the following four topics:

-  Policy

-  Student Voice

-  Professional Development

-  Community Outreach

These small equity committees have now met twice and are focusing in on some great ideas and action steps that will be exciting to see move forward.  In policy for example, the group is working to clarify and strengthen existing policies and to create a "toolkit" of sorts that will be intended to help guide a full review of all policies with the important lens of DEI.  The professional development group is looking at focusing in on issues revolving around trauma as a way to move our training forward for staff and students.  The community outreach group is looking to host some evening meetings to get more folks involved and our student voice group is looking to perhaps develop a student led "listening tour" of their own across all schools where students listen to students about their experiences and work together to identify possible ways to strengthen our practices with their important voices at the center.

This is just a small snapshot of the current conversations.  If you want to follow those, you can by going to our website (www.gorhamschools.org) and clicking on "About Us" then on "School Committee" then on "School Board Subcommittees" and then scroll down and click on "Anti-Racism Advisory Committee".  You can also cut to the chase by CLICKING HERE.  

Finally, if you want to see a summary of the historical work done by the Gorham Schools thus far in our journey you can CLICK HERE .  This is kept up to date on a quarterly basis or so.  Lots of great work done...lots more to go ...and we are excited about the continued journey together!

UPCOMING SUMMER COLLABORATION WITH MAINE ASSOCIATION OF GENERAL CONTRACTORS!

Just wanted to share an exciting new partnership that the Gorham Schools now has with the Maine Association of General contractors. We are starting a new summer program together! This program will specifically target recent GHS graduates for a six week immersion experience with the trades! The program pays participating students a substantial stipend to "immerse" themselves in the trades with the help of local business partners!

GHS will have ten available slots and Westbrook HS will have ten slots. Classes will take place at the Westbrook Regional Vocational Center. Students will gain experiences in carpentry, electrical, heavy equipment operation, crane operation and more!

This will be the first year of what we hope will be a multi-year program to benefit graduating seniors from GHS who want to get a "leg up" in determining their career pathways in the trades or just a "leg up" in exploring all the possibilities the trades have to offer!

Want to learn a little more, see the flyer below and feel free to reach out to Eliza with questions!

ASPIRE GORHAM JANUARY NEWSLETTER AVAILABLE 

TO VIEW!

January's Aspire Gorham Newsletter is available to view using the link below.  Check it out to learn more about what Aspire has been up to this past month with Adopt-a-classroom and partnerships with Junior Achievement and more!  

Aspire Gorham January Newsletter

NEW "HELP ME GROW" RESOURCE FROM MAINE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

In a recent update from the Maine Department of Education we learned of a new free resource for parents called "Help Me Grow".  This program is a new free, and easy-to-access resource that connects children up to 8 years of age and their families, as well as pregnant people, with information and services related to child development and other family needs in Maine.

Check out the link below to learn more!

https://mainedoenews.net/2023/01/04/help-me-grow-maine-a-free-resource-to-connect-children-and-families-to-services/

DATA FROM GHS 10TH GRADERS REGARDING DEVICE USAGE - PERHAPS WORTH A PAUSE?

Updated Friday, Jan. 13, 2023 @ 3:00 p.m.

Even before the Pandemic there were several large studies being done regarding the impact of excessive "screen time" on children.  If you simply google search this topic you will find a wealth of information.  It is certainly a topic that parents and families in today's world must figure out how to best navigate.  

The purpose of this piece though, isn't to attempt to dictate what families decide is best for monitoring of their children's screen time.  I'm not going to suggest that so many hours of screen time are appropriate or not appropriate for children.  These are individual family discussions that I definitely strongly encourage our families to have with their children, but that isn't what I wanted to share in this piece.

Instead, I thought I would share some data from our very own students at GHS that might provide families a reason to "pause" and think about this important topic and to have conversations with children about what is the "appropriate" amount of time to be spending on devices vs. engaging in other more person to person dialogues and social interactions.  

Below is data that was collected by tenth grade english teachers at GHS as part of a larger learning project.  Sixty-two tenth grade students at GHS participated in the data collection.  Students answered the first two questions, and then added their estimates together for the third.   

1. How much time do you spend on your phone on average per day?  Include all social media apps (TikTok, Instagram,  snapchat, etc) and games.  DON'T include time just listening to music or even watching TV or movies.
2. How much time do you spend on OTHER DEVICES on average per day?  DON'T include homework or time just listening to music or even watching TV or movies.
3. See graph below:

So yes, just in case you need help reading that pie chart...based on this data collected from 62 of our 10th grade students (about 1/3 of our 10th grade), when you combine the purple, green and blue components of the graph, 90.3% of students indicated that they were spending more than 4 hours per day either on their phone or on other devices.  

The intent here isn't to make value judgements.  The intent here is to simply ask ourselves as educators and as families - if this data is accurate - is this what we think is an appropriate amount of time to be spent each day?  How can we learn more from our children about the time they are spending on devices during the day?  For what purposes are children using these devices?  What is our own family's threshold for appropriate time spent on devices vs. too much time spent on devices?  Interesting data - and food for thought for sure!

Well, that's enough for this blog post...will post again on January 27!  See you then!

 

December 16 Post

For a second post in a row, I wanted to start by thanking a GHS student, Kamrin Whynot, for allowing me to shadow him for a whole morning last week.  

Kamrin is a freshman at GHS and I was able to follow him to a history class, his advisory, a math class and an english class.  Kamrin is part of an assigned freshman "academy" where many of the students attend the same classes together and where teachers work together to plan common themes and projects that cut across content areas.  

What was I thought really cool during my shadowing time is that Kamrin's academy is working on a common project that deals with student's solutions to climate change.  Students were learning about the issues involved around climate change from a social studies and policy lens, then they studied the idea mathematically with data and graph presentations and then they researched and debated the issue through an english lens.  The debate was definitely a highlight!  

It was a pleasure to spend time with Kamrin, his classmates and his teachers and it helped me to experience first hand what our freshman academies are like.  I also had a quick chance to teach Kamrin and one of his friends how to play a new card game during advisory while we chatted...though I'm not sure they liked it!  THANK YOU KAMRIN!

Here are some pictures that give a good glimpse into our schools from this past week...

I want to point out that in several of the pictures above (middle right, top right, top middle and top left) you see some of our GHS students volunteering to work with K-5 students across our three schools in our "Adopt-a-classroom" program.  This program provides an opportunity for HS students to share their career interests, aspirations, and expertise on what it means to be a GHS student with our youngest learners.  GHS students facilitate activities and develop mentoring relationships with our K-5 students that help solidify their aspirations as high school students, but also get our K-5 students thinking about their HS aspirations and beyond.  All while having fun and building positive relationships!  A truly incredible program conducted through our Aspire Gorham work!

Now on to the informational part...

NEW COHORT OF EDUCATOR APPRENTICES 

STARTING JAN. 9!

In August of 2022, the Gorham Schools began their very first "Educator Apprentice" program in collaboration with the Maine Department of Labor, Southern Maine Community College, and soon the University of Southern Maine.  This first cohort was a small pilot of just 8 new educator professionals and wow has it been an incredible experience for all involved!

These 8 individuals were hired as full time subs by the Gorham Schools at $17.25/hour with a full benefits package.  They were then provided a week long intense "boot camp" of training by our partners at SMCC and began working in our special education classrooms when school opened in September.  Participants have since continued to take 1 "traditional" course each semester in their cohort group offered on site in the Gorham Schools.  Finally, participants were also assigned a mentor for the duration of their apprenticeship experience.  All coursework has been FREE to participants.

The ultimate goal for these apprentices is to allow them to achieve their full associates degree (61 college credits) in just two years through a combination of "traditional" coursework and on the job workplace learning  experiences, all while working full time and earning a decent wage.  Once participants have completed their associates degrees they are then eligible to become fully certified Ed. Tech. II's in the Gorham Schools and be paid at a higher rate.  Next, participants can then choose to keep going in their apprentice program through our partnership with USM.  Participants can earn enough credits in one more year to become a fully certified Ed. Tech. III, and then in one more year, they can earn enough credits to become a fully certified teacher with a bachelor's degree from USM.  Again, credits earned are through a combination of "traditional" coursework and workplace learning experiences - all while working full time to earn a living and with no cost to participants with a reasonable schedule that allows individuals to balance their home/family lives as well!  A great program indeed!

As we continue to learn and strengthen this program, the feedback has been extremely positive from participants.  Participants feel good about the work they do for children, they feel prepared and they feel supported by each other and by their mentors and SMCC professors.  As this program grows those support structures will also grow and strengthen, building up the high quality educators that they are and will continue to become!

The Gorham Schools is now working in partnership with other area schools (i.e. MSAD 6, South Portland, and Scarborough Schools) to bring together a second cohort of educator apprentices.  We are seeking 15 more participants into this program which will start with a week long "boot camp" during the week of January 9, 2023.  

Our schools need incredibly talented and caring adults to join the ranks of public school educators.   If you have ever thought about becoming a teacher, but weren't sure how, or weren't sure you could afford going to school or back to school - this program is for you!  If you or others you know are interested in participating, please email workforceregistration@smccME.edu or call 207-741-5595 to learn more and apply today!  

There is no more fulfilling job than to be a public school educator who makes a positive difference in the lives of children each and every day!  Would love to see your application!

STAYING HEALTHY IN SCHOOLS DURING FLU SEASON...

About a week or so ago, I sent an email out to families emphasizing some key things we should all keep in mind as we navigate what seems to be a pretty significant influenza season here in Maine this year.  I thought the information is worth repeating again in my blog for emphasis.

In any public setting there are things we can all do to help prevent the spread of illness.  Here are the top ones that we tend to emphasize here in Gorham:

1.  Stay home if you are sick.  This is really hard, we know.  But it really is the best way to ensure we limit the spread of illnesses in schools.  Now, I know parents had several questions about how we make sure students don't get behind due to absences and I'll answer those in a minute (see next section)...but bottom line is (especially if there is a fever, nausea or uncontrolled coughing) you should stay home if you don't feel well.

2.  Wash hands frequently.  Sounds old fashioned doesn't it?  But it works!  This one is "tried and true!"  Hand washing is never a bad thing.  Wash hands after going to the bathroom, wash hands before and after eating, and if you don't have access to running water - hand sanitizer is still very much available and a great alternative.

3.  Get vaccinated.  Data is showing this year's flu vaccines to be very effective towards current strains and the good news is, it is never too late to get vaccinated!  I went into Walgreens the other day and got my flu and COVID vaccine in just 15 minutes with no appointment and no lines.  

4.  Remember - masking is always an option!  I've noticed a recent increase in the numbers of students and staff electing to wear masks while at school.  This is a great option and certainly something we support in the schools.  

5.  Do Not share food/drinks - I've added this one just because while I was shadowing students at GHS the other day, I noticed several students sharing their drinks with one another and a few sharing their candy canes.  Don't get me wrong - it is great to share - but drinking or eating after someone is a great way to spread germs and with all the different germs out there right now...probably NOT a good idea!  

As a school, we emphasize the messages above frequently with students and staff.  We have also recently increased our sanitization practices for common touch surfaces in collaboration with our custodial service provider Benchmark.  They have done a wonderful job at helping us to try and keep those germs away and I'm sure that great partnership will continue.

Please know that although we have certainly seen our share of flu, cold, RSV, COVID and other illnesses going around in our schools over the past few weeks, we have not yet reached the threshold in any of our schools that would require us to report absences to the Maine CDC as several of our neighboring districts have had to do.  That threshold is 15% of total absences of student and staff due to illness.  We've come close a few times, but not yet reached that mark.  The way this season is going though, I am pretty sure we are not out of the woods yet, as winter is just beginning!

If we ever did reach that 15% mark, our nurses would immediately report to the Maine Department of Education through our NEO information portal.  This information would then be shared with the Maine CDC and a case worker from Maine CDC would be assigned.  They would work with our nurses to take a closer look at the data to determine whether or not the school that reported would be considered in an "outbreak" status.  If an outbreak status is determined, I would communicate with families just as I did during the pandemic.  We would also work closely with the CDC case manager to determine if any additional sanitization practices were needed and if so, what and communicate those to families as well.

EXPECTATIONS FOR SHORT TERM ABSENCES 

& MAKE UP WORK

When I sent out my email blast a few weeks ago on the importance of staying home when sick as a means of preventing the spread of illnesses while at school, I had several parents reach out to ask about how the schools treat absences due to illness and how the schools would work with families to ensure students don't fall behind and can catch up with their learning.  All valid questions that I thought I'd provide a brief overview on.  Please know that you can also refer to your school's student handbook for more detailed information and ALWAYS reach out to your child's teacher and/or school if you have concerns regarding make up work.  Know that we all share a common goal in wanting to make sure we take care of students who have been out due to illness and get them caught up as soon as is possible while also honoring the fact that they have been ill.  

First, please know that as long as you have communicated with the school that your child is out due to illness, they will be marked as having had an "excused absence".  If there is no communication, then unfortunately, we don't know why the student was absent so we may mark them as "unexcused".  This can make a pretty big difference in how we work with students when they are absence, so please, please, please, communicate with the school so that we are aware.  

Overall expectations for K-8 students is below:

Within 24 hours of a teacher being notified that a student will be absent for longer than three days…

Teachers	Prepare current, in class work to be completed at home. Consider providing independent reinforcement activities. Communicate with the family that students should complete work only if they feel well enough. Arrange for materials to be picked up, if needed.
Students	If feeling well enough, engage in work sent home.

At GHS, where we want students to be a little more independent, the expectations are as follows:

At GHS, students who are absent due to illness should communicate with their teachers and their school counselor by sending them an email.  The email should indicate what dates they expect to be absent, the reason for their absence, and their ability to do work (e.g. they’re sick and are unable to do work, they are sick but can do work).  Teachers will respond to the student within 48 hours with a plan for making up work in their respective class. 

Across grades K-12, the general rule of thumb is that students are given 2 weeks to make up missed work due to illness.  Of course specific circumstances can extend that timeline as needed.  

Bottom line:  What is most needed to ensure students who are sick are able to get caught back up is clear communication between families and teachers.  Luckily this is something we tend to be strong at here in Gorham!  With that partnership individual plans can be created to make sure students do not fall behind due to being absent with illness.

WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE GETTING OUR SCHOOL MESSENGER TEXT MESSAGES?

As a reminder, Gorham Schools utilizes SchoolMessenger to deliver text messages to your mobile phone with important information about events, school closings, safety alerts and more.

You can begin receiving text notifications from Gorham Schools by sending a text message of “Y” or “Yes” to our school’s short code number, 67587.

You can also opt out of these messages at any time by simply replying to one of our messages with “Stop”.

Text message and data rates may apply.

If you haven't already signed up, I'd encourage you to do so.  Thanks!

PRE K EXPANSION GRANT FROM MAINE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAS BEEN AWARDED TO GORHAM SCHOOLS!

I've shared our intentions to open two new Pre K classrooms with half day programs for Gorham families starting in the Fall of 2023 in previous blogs.  I also shared that we had written a grant application to the MDOE to assist in funding some of the one time up front costs that would be associated with the grant such as playground upgrades, purchase of curriculum materials and classroom equipment, etc.  

Just wanted to share that we found out last week WE WERE AWARDED THE GRANT!  

We are so excited at the opportunities this will bring to our schools, to our students, to our families and to our community!  We have three working groups that just started their work earlier this week on putting the "meat on the bones" of our plans and we are planning several informational events for community early care providers and families to learn more about this program over the course of the next few months so please stay tuned!  For now, if you want to know more about how this program fits into our overall plan as a community for early care, please review our "Bright Futures For Little Rams Plan" and reach out with questions.  These two new Pre K programs are just the tip of the iceberg for all the great work we want to do as a COMMUNITY to strengthen our early care collaborations and partnerships so that we can provide the best care for "Little Rams" as possible!

More to come!  Stay Tuned!

NEW EXTENDED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES COURSE BEING OFFERED AT GHS!

Our new ELO coordinator at GHS (Grace) has just recently sent out information to all GHS Juniors about an exciting new course that will be offered next semester!  The course is called "Extended Learning Opportunities."  It is specifically tailored for juniors at GHS.  There is a focus on Career & Life Readiness skills and an emphasis on interest based projects.  The course will take place in the spring semester during periods 6 & 7.  

I've included her write up below for the course...if you have a Junior at GHS or know someone who does...make sure they know about this opportunity and talk with their guidance counselors about whether this course may meet their learning needs!

Extended Learning Opportunity (Workplace Learning Experience) 0.5 - 1 Credit 

This elective course is designed for juniors who are interested in exploring their future career interests in an immersive setting. Students will spend time working with a business mentor in their field of interest in the form of an internship, work study, job shadow, or interest-based project. Interest-based projects might look like: writing a book, building a deck, mentoring  young students, painting a mural in a public area or building, planning for and cultivating a garden, building a rocket and adjusting it for maximum propulsion, and more. Credit will be awarded based on how much time is spent in the ELO placement (60 hours for 0.5 credit and 120 hours for 1 credit). Students will have regular meetings with the ELO Instructor for support and will expand their skills in communication, resume building, and interviewing to further develop career and life readiness capabilities. 

Note:  If you'd like to learn more about ELO's and what they are, here is a link to the ELO website as well!

FREE COVID 19 TEST KITS AVAILABLE

I was recently made aware that the federal government has re-started the program where you can order free COVID 19 test kits through the mail.  Each household is allowed up to 4 kits.  

Interested?  Check out the link below to place your order.

https://www.covid.gov/tests

NEW YEAR's GORHAM ACTIVITIES ANNOUNCED

This year's activities will be extra exciting as kids from all ages will take part in the event!  Organizers have some high school students performing and the robotics club will be helping to raise money for their group by selling food.  There will be LOTS of family oriented fun at this year's event...check out the flyer to learn more and HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

If you have questions, please reach out to Patricia Quang at:  patriciaquang@gmail.com

Well, that's enough information for this blog post.  The next post will be planned for Jan. 13 due to the upcoming winter break.  I wish you and your families a restful and relaxing break.  Enjoy the time spent with family and friends and I look forward to seeing everyone back in our schools on January 3rd!  

I am so very optimistic about what 2023 has to bring for the Gorham Schools!   I hope you are as well!  GO RAMS!