The long month of March is moving right along, and with it, we're hoping winter may soon be moving along too! Time will tell. As we wait, there is certainly a lot going on in our schools! Check out the pictures below showing images from the past few weeks!
Now on to the information...
NEW CHAT BOT ADDED TO GORHAM SCHOOLS WEBSITE!
One of our goals in the Gorham Schools this year is to improve TWO-WAY communication with our families and with our community. As a means to that end, the Gorham Schools has added a new feature to our website - RAMSY THE RAM - OUR NEW AI-POWERED CHATBOT!
Ramsy has been well-trained to help you navigate all the incredible information on our website safely and securely. You can engage with Ramsy to ask questions and get immediate responses. Ramsy is supported by Apptegy, which is the company that hosts our website. Ramsy has been trained on all the information on our website, so you can click the chatbot link in the bottom right of our home page and ask Ramsy a question about any information on our website and get answers quickly!
Do you want to know when the next school committee meeting is? Ask Ramsy. Do you want to know what our current lunch menu is for Village Elementary School? Ask Ramsy. Do you want to know whether there is a policy regarding bullying and what it says? Ask Ramsy!☺
You can find Ramsy in two ways on all our district pages. The first is circled in blue below and is the NEW little star icon on the bottom right side of our website.
Just click the link, and Ramsy will appear. Type a question, and Ramsy will do his absolute best to answer!
The second way you can interact with Ramsy is by using the traditional search icon in the top right of the website, as circled in blue below...
When you click the search icon, you can type in any search, such as "What are our spring sports schedules?" When you do that, the following screen will appear, and you will see that Ramsy has created an overview and provided what he thought was the best answer.
If that isn't exactly what you wanted, you can then "Continue the Chat" on the right side (blue letters) and then engage in a back-and-forth with Ramsy until you find what you are looking for!
Finally, if you engage with Ramsy and still don't find what you are looking for, we have added a "Contact Us" button at the bottom of the page, right next to the chatbot link. It looks like a little mail icon (left below).
You can click on that, ask your question, and it will be sent to the appropriate person to answer, ideally within 48 hours.
Of course, all of this is brand new, and Ramsy is learning to navigate our website, which contains a lot of great information, so there may be some growing pains. If you try it and it doesn't work for you, please let us know. Otherwise, know that your queries to our chatbot are stored within our systems and are not "out there" on the open internet. They remain within the domain of the Gorham Schools Apptegy website and are not used to help educate any other chatbots.
We are hopeful that these new features will help us provide higher-quality, more timely factual information to our families and community, allowing you to better engage with and understand the great information on our website. Check it out and let us know what you think!
NEW GMS RESOURCE HUB FOR FAMILIES LAUNCHED
Speaking of our website above, I wanted to let families know that Gorham Middle School has launched a NEW Resource Hub for Families on the GMS school website. Here's how to get there:
(You COULD ask Ramsy - but if you want to traditionally navigate ...)
- Go to www.gorhamschools.org
- Click on "Schools" on the right-hand side of the page.
- Select Gorham Middle School
- Scroll below the student pictures to the Box menu underneath and look on the bottom right side for "Family Resource Hub" and click on that.
The page is stuffed full of great resources for families on the following big bucket categories:
1. Technology Use
2. Middle School Brain Development
3. School Resources
I am sharing images of the topics under each category below so you can get a sense of what is there. If you are a middle school parent or perhaps just curious about these various topics as your younger children start inching towards those middle school years - YOU SHOULD CHECK THIS PAGE OUT!
Technology Use Topics:
Middle School Brain Development
School Resources
RESULTS OF RECENT STUDENT/FAMILY/COMMUNITY SURVEY
1. What makes our schools unique? What should we feel proud about?
2. In what ways can we continue to grow and improve in best serving you?
We had 930 responses as outlined below:
A great response rate for sure! Here are some key summaries for the first question asked:
What Makes Us Unique? What Should We Be Proud Of?
The responses highlight several aspects that contribute to the schools' uniqueness. There is a strong sense of community and support, both within the schools and from the surrounding community. The schools are praised for their inclusivity, diversity, and individualized support for students, including those with special needs. Communication between staff, students, and parents is emphasized as a key strength. The dedication and quality of teachers and staff are frequently mentioned, along with the variety of extracurricular activities and programs available. Despite some criticisms, the overall sentiment reflects pride in the supportive and community-driven educational environment.
There were FIVE Key Themes based on overall responses. Those were:
1. Community Support - Community support is a prominent theme in the responses, highlighting the strong connection between schools and the local community. Participants frequently mention the supportive environment fostered by community involvement, which is perceived as a unique and valuable aspect of the schools. The sense of belonging and collaboration between students, staff, and community members is emphasized, contributing to a positive educational experience. Many responses express pride in the community's active participation in school events and decision-making processes. Overall, the community support is seen as a cornerstone of the schools' success and a source of pride for those involved.
2. Quality Education - Quality education is frequently mentioned as a defining characteristic of the schools, with participants expressing pride in the academic standards and achievements. The schools are perceived as providing high-quality education, with strong academic performance and dedicated staff contributing to student success. Responses highlight the commitment to excellence and the emphasis on student engagement and learning. Participants appreciate the diverse educational opportunities available, including advanced courses and vocational programs. The perception of quality education is reinforced by the school's reputation and recognition within the state, making it a source of pride for the community.
3. Inclusivity - Inclusivity is a significant theme, with many responses highlighting the schools' efforts to support diverse student needs and foster an inclusive environment. Participants express pride in the schools' commitment to inclusivity, noting the acceptance of all walks of life and the support provided to students with different abilities. The perception of inclusivity is positive, with responses emphasizing the schools' dedication to meeting individual student needs and promoting diversity. The inclusive approach is seen as a unique and valuable aspect of the schools, contributing to a welcoming and supportive educational experience for all students.
4. Dedicated Staff - The dedication of the staff is frequently mentioned as a key factor in the school's success, with participants expressing appreciation for the teachers and administrators. Responses highlight the staff's caring and supportive nature, which is perceived as a commitment to student well-being and success. The dedication of the staff is seen as a unique and valuable aspect of the schools, contributing to a positive educational environment. Participants express pride in the staff's efforts to connect with students and provide personalized support. Overall, the dedicated staff is viewed as a cornerstone of the school's achievements and a source of pride for the community.
5. Communication - Communication is highlighted as an important aspect of the schools, with participants expressing appreciation for the effective communication between staff, students, and parents. Responses emphasize the transparency and clarity of communication, which is perceived as contributing to a positive educational experience. Participants appreciate the regular updates and open lines of communication, which foster trust and collaboration. The perception of communication is positive, with responses noting the school's efforts to keep families informed and engaged. Overall, communication is seen as a valuable aspect of the schools, contributing to a supportive and connected community.
The great thing that you can do with this data is also search it by respondents. When I do that, these 5 themes change a bit. For example, when I filter by students, the five positive themes that arise are:
1. Teachers and Staff
2. Clubs and Activities
3. Community
4. Inclusivity
5. School Spirit and Pride
Then, when I search only by Parents/Families, the five positive themes to celebrate become:
1. Community Focus
2. Quality Staff
3. Communication
4. Inclusivity
5. Academic Excellence
Finally, when I search only by Community, the five positive themes to celebrate become:
1. Quality Education
2. Community Support
3. Extra Curricular Opportunities
4. Dedicated Staff
5. Small Town Feel
Of course, there are always areas where we can grow as a school system, and participants shared some great ideas as well! Since I don't want to take up too much more space on this blog, I will reserve that information for my next blog post on April 3 to keep us in suspense! ☺
UPDATE ON PROPOSED FY 27 GORHAM SCHOOL BUDGET WORK
The Gorham School Committee has held 3 of its planned 5 Budget Workshop meetings to make adjustments to the original Superintendent's Proposed Budget.
Here is a summary of key comparison information based on changes thus far:
As mentioned above, there are still two more budget workshop meetings planned before the school committee votes on a proposed budget at their April 8 regular meeting. Here is what work is left to be done:
- Transitions Program Data Review
- Extra & Co-Curricular Fee Models Discussion/Review
- Finalize Tentative Agreements (TA's) on Program Extensions List
- Establish Fund Balance Utilization Amount (currently at $0.00).
- Determine if additional reductions are necessary and, if so, in what amounts
We have been keeping our website up to date with all things budget! If you want to view meeting videos, check out the agendas with materials links, etc., CLICK HERE to follow along!
CLICK HERE to view our remaining meeting schedule and budget approval process, and as always - please reach out with questions (heather.perry@gorhamschools.org).
UPDATE ON GORHAM SCHOOLS CELL PHONE POLICY WORK
The Gorham School Committee has been working to create a cell phone policy as required by state statute since late summer of 2025. The process has been a thorough one for the Gorham Schools, involving students, staff, and parents via surveys, public comment during School Committee meetings, workshop meetings, and much work by the Policy Committee to bring our collective ideas and voices together on this important topic as a community.
Currently we have a DRAFT of a cell phone policy that folks can view here. This draft has been brought to the School Committee for first reading, but HAS NOT been brought back for a second and final reading at this time.
We were ready for a 2nd reading in early March, HOWEVER we placed it on hold due to the Governor's budget bill (Section GG of LD 2212), which if passed by the legislature would place a mandatory "Bell to Bell" ban on cell phones in public schools across the state.
We didn't want to pass our policy and then have to turn around in 2 months and significantly change course as a result of a possible state mandate. Therefore, we are holding on final approval of this policy until we are able to determine the direction the State of Maine Legislature will take on this topic.
We should know more by the time the legislature ends its second session in mid April. Please stay tuned. THANK YOU.
SLOTS STILL AVAILABLE FOR 2026-2027 GORHAM PUBLIC PRE K PROGRAMS
We have gone through our first round of applications for public pre K programs in Gorham and have completed all first round placements. Families that have applied should have either already gotten notifications on placements or will within the next week.
We still have some seats available for those that are interested in participating in our public Pre K program this coming year. Please check out the flyer below for more details and reach out if interested! Feel free to share with others you think may also be interested!
CONGRATULATIONS GHS SKILLS USA MEDALISTS!
Just a quick shout out to our GHS students who participated in the SKILLS USA competition earlier this month and smashed it with their amazing performances! Thirty-five students participated as competitors, volunteers, and models, representing their programs, schools, and communities with professionalism, pride, and enthusiasm. While several students earned medals, the greatest success was the incredible effort, teamwork, and learning that took place throughout the two-day event.
From left to right below are GHS students: Mia Downing, Evie Prather, Sarah Wilson, Jackson Lavertu, Jordan Fotter, Aylla Vaughn who all medaled in their respective competitions. Evie Prather got GOLD in the Health Occupations Professional Portfolio!!!
If you want to see the full story with more pictures, CLICK HERE to view the full WRVC write up! Great job students!
GORHAM UNIFIED BBALL OPEN GYM FUNDRAISER!
Our Gorham Unified BBall Team will be sponsoring an Open Gym and Breakfast - Saturday, March 21st from 8:30 to 10:00 in the GHS Gym and Lobby
Come and meet and hang out with the Gorham Unified Community! We are excited to host our first drop-in open gym, for the benefit of Special Olympics!
Breakfast will be provided by Sullivan House! Everything has a "pay what you can" structure.
Basketballs, hoops, community provided. All students attending are REQUIRED to have an adult present!
See flyer below for details!
FINAL DAY OF PROJECT GRAD FOOD FUNDRAISER ON TUESDAY!
Thank you to our incredible local business partners for work with our Class of 2026 Project Graduation Team to raise funds for their Project Grad trip coming up all too soon! GHOP, Moe's BBQ, and Lucky Thai have all contributed so far! Next up and final for this round will be Otto's Pizza! On Tuesday, March 24th you can order from Otto's dine in or take out and 10% of proceeds will go to support our Class of 2026 Project Graduation Program! Check out the flyer below for more details and THANK YOU for supporting GHS Project Graduation!
GMS SPRING MUSICAL ANNOUNCED!
Gorham Middle School has just recently announced it's spring musical - SHREK! The show won't be until May 22, 23, and 24 (Mark your calendars) but auditions and rehearsals will be starting soon! If you have a student who is interested, CLICK HERE to view the full timeline of events and again - mark your calendars for late May's performances! They are always a treat!
GORHAM FINE ARTS BOOSTERS SEEKING MEMBERS!
The Gorham Fine Arts boosters are seeking new members if you are interested in helping out and supporting our school/community fine arts programs! Check out the letter below to learn more. I've included the live links below so you have them as well!
Live Links:
VILLAGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STEAM NIGHT NEEDS YOUR HELP!
This year the Village School Students and Staff planning our annual STEAM Family night (Scheduled for March 31st at 5:30 p.m. at Village Elementary School) are working to make it a community project and are encouraging folks to help us donate items to Maine Needs.
Maine Needs is a community nonprofit based out of Portland that mobilizes community donations to provide daily essentials to underserved individuals across Maine. They work with caseworkers and schools to support families, veterans, survivors of domestic violence, and new immigrants by providing clothing, hygiene products, and household goods, acting like a "food bank with no food".
If you would like to donate, check out the flyer below for details!
GMS STUDENT MODELING CODE OF CONDUCT
You can view him singing the anthem by CLICKING HERE and going to the 10:25 mark.
I have always been so very impressed with the courage and strength of individuals who willingly step up to perform our national anthem in front of any audience. It is an important song that no one wants to mess up. It also isn't the easiest song to sing as there is a huge range of notes to hit. It is especially hard when one does it a cappella on their own! There is no question that it is one of the most inspiring songs you will hear and PATRICK DOES IT SO WELL! ☺
I am constantly AMAZED at the talent and character of our students here in Gorham. Patrick is just one example of so many! Our students truly embody our Code of Conduct. They have so much to give our world! With students like these - I remain optimistic for our future as a community, as a state and as a country! GO RAMS!
Well that is it for this blog post. My next blog will be on April 3. See you then!
