April 3 Blog Post

As we turn the corner into the spring season here in Gorham, I’m excited to share a snapshot of the energy and pride that have been filling our schools over the past few weeks.  Our classrooms have been buzzing with learning and curiosity across all grades, from our littlest learners to our biggest ones!  Check out some pictures below, and THANK YOU for being such an important part of what makes our schools a special place for our children to learn!

Now on to the information...

IMPORTANT DATES AS WE START TO INCH CLOSER TO END OF SCHOOL YEAR!

Parents, please don't freak out just yet - we do still have just a little over 11 weeks left before summer vacation, but it does sneak up on us doesn't it?  It will come quicker than we all think so I thought I'd be proactive and share some important end of the year dates for families to put on your radar because once April break hits, it all tends to go very very quickly indeed!

I asked building principals to share their lists and here's what we have for now.  Please know these are subject to change as we maneuver whatever the end of the year can throw at us!

School	End of Year Events List	Date
Gorham High School	SMAA Citizenship Banquet Prom Thespian Society Inductions Academic Awards Night Senior Scholarship Night Spring Sports Awards Senior Celebration Night Senior Walk Graduation Convoy Project Graduation	Monday, April 6, 6-8pm Saturday, May 2, 7p-10p @Dunegrass  Friday, May 8, 7pm Wednesday, May 20, 6pm Wednesday, May 27,, 6pm Wednesday, June 3, 6pm Thursday, June 4, 6:30pm Friday, June 5, 9am Sunday, June 7, 4pm Sunday, June 7, 7:30pm Sunday, June 7, 8:30pm
Gorham Middle School	STEAM Night Rising 6th-Grade Family Night 8th-Grade Celebration	Tuesday, May 5th @ 5:30 PM Wed., June 3rd @ 5:30 PM Tuesday, June 16th @ 5:00 PM
Great Falls Elem. School	Talent Show  Gorham Band Night at GHS Grade 4 Family Breakfast Gorham School Choir Night Creative Arts Around the World Family Night Elementary Band Concert Spring Family Picnic Grade-Level Field Days Elementary Chorus Concert Senior Walk Remote Learning Day Grade Step Up to GMS Kindergarten EOY Celebration Grades K-4 Step Up Day Grade 5 EOY Celebration	March 31st 5-7pm April 7th 6 pm April 9th 8:00 a.m. April 14th 6 pm April 16th May 18th 6:00 pm May 21st 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. May 27-June 3 9:00-11:30 May 28th 6:00 pm June 5th June 9th June 15th June 15th June 16th June 16th
Narragansett Elem. School	Grade 4 Family Breakfast Talent Show All Gorham Band Night @ GHS All Gorham Chorus Night @ GHS PreK Family Snack AM PreK Family Snack PM PreK Sea Dogs Night Elementary Band Concert @ GHS First Responder Appreciation Day Grade 1 Family Math Night ILC Family Picnic Field Days Elementary Chorus Concert @ Great Falls Senior Walk Grade 5 Step Up Day to GMS Grade K-4 Step Up Day Grade 5 Celebration	April 9 @ 8:00  Thursday, April 16 @ 6:00 April 7 @ 6:00       April 14 @ 6:00 May 7, @ 9:00 May 7 @ 2:00 May 8 @ 6:00 May 19 @ 6:00 May 14 during school day May 7 May 20 @ 5:30 May 27- June 3 May 28 @ 6:00 June 5 June 15 June 16 June 16
Village Elem. School	Author Visit Monty Selby Visit Grade-Level Field Days Spring Fling Senior Walk Grade 5 Step Up Day to GMS Grade K-4 Step Up Day Grade 5 Celebration	April 15 1:30 April 17 All Day May 27-June 3 9:00-11:30 June 4 5:30-7:00 June 5 June 15 June 16 June 16

Pencil these into your calendars and keep your eyes open for your school's weekly newsletters to stay up to date on any changes that may occur between now and then!  As you can see - things are going to get busy!

SPRING TESTING WINDOWS & REMINDERS FOR FAMILIES

With spring also comes our annual achievement testing in the Gorham Schools.  I've included a schedule of our testing windows with grade levels below.  

-  Maine Science Assessment (MSA) - High School - April 1 through April 17 (now). Grades 5 and 8 is May 11 through May 22, 2026

- Maine Through Year Assessment (Reading and Math State Assessments) - April 13 through May 29, 2026

The results of these assessments are frequently used by our school system.  We use this data to help inform how well we are doing with our curriculum and instruction.  This data helps us better understand where we may need to place more efforts in training or other support structures for our students.  This data also helps inform supports that we may need to offer individual students or how we can better refine our instructional approaches to have a greater impact.

As parents you may wonder..."What can I do to help make sure my student is best prepared for these assessments?"  There are several things we as a school would suggest that might help your child.  Here are just a few:

1.  Focus on Consistent Routines (Sleep, Nutrition, Time) - Prioritize sleep schedules, make sure students get a good breakfast, and keep mornings calm and predictable.  This isn't about the test - it is about helping kids show up feeling their best every day!

2.  Build confidence through effort, not outcome - As families, praise effort, persistence and growth.  Avoid language like "this really matters" or "this really matters".  Instead say things like:  "Just do your best and show what you know."  Confidence reduces anxiety and confident students think more clearly.

3.  Normalize mistakes and productive struggle - Let your child know its ok to not know everything right away.  Encourage use of time tested strategies like re-reading questions, going with their first "gut reaction" and taking their time to think about problems before trying to solve them.

4.  Keep testing in perspective - Frame the test as just one way teachers know what they know and are able to do.  It isn't the only way they can show their knowledge.  Emphasize that any one test doesn't define who you are and avoid overdiscussing test days or results.   

And if you are asking what is most effective from the school's perspective it is first and foremost that students show up.  Please try to avoid any planned absences during these testing windows if at all possible.  Granted, students will get sick, and we can make tests up for that purpose...but it really helps students to stick to routines and take the assessments with their peers which can only be done if students are in school.  

Please reach out to your child's teachers or building leaders if you have questions or concerns about any of the assessments that we will be giving this spring and THANK YOU for your continued partnership!

RECENT THOUGHT EXCHANGE SURVEY RESULTS SUMMARY - PART II

In my previous blog (March 20), I shared the results of a recent community survey with folks that summarized responses to the following question:

What Makes Our School Unique?  What Should We Feel Proud About?

For this blog post, I am going to dive more deeply into the 2nd question that was asked in this survey which was:

In What Ways Can We Continue To Grow and Improve In Best Serving You?

Once again, we had 930 responses broken out as follows:

The responses offered up several areas for growth and improvement in better serving the community.  The five key themes/categories that emerged in the data were:

1.  Facilities and Resources - Participants frequently mentioned the need for improved facilities and resources. There is a strong desire for better infrastructure, such as larger renovations and more space in schools, to accommodate the growing student population. Many responses highlighted the inadequacy of current facilities, including outdated athletic fields and the need for more modern classrooms. The perception is that the current state of facilities is a significant barrier to providing quality education. Participants also expressed concerns about budget constraints impacting the ability to make necessary improvements.

2.  Curriculum and Academics - There is a strong emphasis on maintaining and improving academic rigor and curriculum offerings. Participants expressed a desire for a balanced curriculum that includes foundational subjects like STEM, as well as opportunities for enrichment and hands-on learning. Concerns were raised about the adequacy of the current curriculum in preparing students for future academic and career success. Some responses highlighted the need for more diverse and relevant class offerings, particularly at the high school level. Overall, the perception is that while the current curriculum is satisfactory, there is room for enhancement to better meet students' needs.

3.  Communication and Community Engagement - Improving communication between schools and parents is a recurring theme. Participants expressed a need for more direct communication from teachers and better notice of school events. There is also a desire for increased community involvement and support for schools, as well as more opportunities for parents to engage with the school community. The perception is that while some communication channels exist, they are not sufficient to keep parents fully informed and engaged. Enhancing communication is seen as a way to strengthen the relationship between schools and families.

4.  Student Well-Being and Support - Participants highlighted the importance of supporting students' emotional and social well-being. There is a call for more mental health resources, anti-bullying measures, and support for diverse student needs. Concerns were raised about the adequacy of current support systems for students, particularly those with special needs or facing bullying. The perception is that while efforts are being made to support students, there is a need for more comprehensive and effective measures. Ensuring a safe and supportive environment is seen as crucial for student success.

5.  Budget and Financial Management - Budget constraints and financial management are significant concerns for participants. Many responses emphasized the need to balance educational needs with taxpayer concerns, particularly regarding tax increases. There is a perception that financial pressures are impacting the quality of education and the ability to attract and retain talented educators. Participants expressed a desire for more efficient use of resources and better financial planning to avoid continuous tax hikes. The overall sentiment is that financial management is a critical area that needs attention to ensure sustainable educational improvements.

Using the Thought Exchange platform we are able to get several different views of the data that was shared by participants.  One view related to this question of how we can continue to improve and grow in best serving our community is a tool called "Common Ground".  What happens when we look at the data through the lens of this tool is that the data is sorted into two oppositing viewpoints (Side A and Side B) and then cross referenced for "Common Ground".  This is always an interesting and informative way to look at the data.  Here is what we see when we do:

What this shows us is that there may be one perspective that is focused more on rigor and academic success, while not focusing so much on cost.  Another view is focused primarily on costs and not as much on rigor and academic success.  But when we look at both of these opposing views what they can both agree on is the need for strong communication, transparency and collaboration.

At a time when it can feel easy to become divided around competing priorities, what stands out most in this feedback is not where we disagree, but where we align. Regardless of perspective, our community is united in wanting the very best for our students. That shared commitment will remain our compass moving forward. The Gorham Schools are strongest when we work to bring people together around common purpose.  By continuing to lean into transparency, communication, and authentic collaboration as is suggested above, we can bridge viewpoints, make grounded decisions in the best interest of students, and ensure that our schools remain focused on never settling for anything less than what our students/children deserve most - to graduate from our schools prepared to succeed in whatever future they design for themselves!

This data will continue to be discussed with our district leadership team to better inform goal setting, decision making and planning for the coming year. THANK YOU to all those who participated!

FY 27 PROPOSED SCHOOL BUDGET UPDATE!

On March 23 the Gorham School Committee held its 4th budget workshop meeting to discuss the proposed FY 27 School Budget.  The School Committee discussed what amount of funding they felt comfortable using from undesignated budgetary balance amounts to offset taxpayer expenses.  They discussed overall Revenue numbers, and made final adjustments to proposed expenditure items.

Over the course of these 4 meetings, the School Committee reduced the originally proposed budget by a little more than $1M dollars, bringing the proposed increase down from its original 7.3% to a new overall proposed increase of 5.52% to be in line with our ten year average increases.  

The School Committee will be voting on the final proposed FY 27 school budget at its April 8 Regular meeting.  There will be public comment if anyone is interested in participating.  Whatever final amount is approved on April 8 will then be sent to the Town Council for further discussion and approval processes before ultimately going to voters for a validation referendum on June 9.

The School Committee is scheduled for a joint workshop meeting with the Town Council on April 28 where the overall proposed budget will be presented and opportunities will be provided for full discussion by the Town Council.  The Town Council will then vote on an overall school and municipal budget on May 12.  Both the April 28 workshop meeting and the May 12 budget approval meeting will be held at the Municipal Center starting at 6:30 p.m.  The workshop meeting will be held in the downstairs conference room and the budget vote will be held in council chambers.

Individuals can see all budget materials shared thus far with the School Committee on our website by CLICKING HERE.  You can also watch all four of the budget meetings using the link provided.  

Individuals with questions about the proposed budget are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to email either your school committee members or town council members.  I've provided links for each below:

School Committee Member Emails

Town Council Member Emails

SOCIAL MEDIA AND COMPLEX BUDGET CONVERSATIONS - A GOOD MIX???

Social media, while a valuable place for community dialogue, doesn’t always provide the full context needed to understand complex topics like a school budget. This is why we strongly encourage folks to reach out directly with questions you may have.  We are always happy to help and will never ask you to agree...only to understand.  A recent example helps illustrate this point.

A question was recently raised on a local community page asking why it appeared that our Transportation Director was receiving a $20,000 increase after one year, and our Facilities Director a $40,000 increase. It was a fair question based on how the budget lines appeared at first glance. As often happens in these spaces, a range of responses followed—many of which were well-intentioned, though not fully accurate. One individual did suggest reaching out directly for clarification, which was exactly the right approach.  If they had, we could have provided that clarity:  neither of these positions is receiving anything beyond the same percentage increase applied to all administrators. The confusion comes from how the positions were previously structured and how they are now represented in the budget.

In prior years, one individual served in a combined Transportation/Facilities role, with their salary split across two budget lines—approximately 75% in Facilities and 25% in Transportation. Using a simple example, a $100,000 salary would appear as $75,000 in Facilities and $25,000 in Transportation.

In the proposed budget, these roles have been separated into two full positions. This means the Facilities Director’s full salary now appears entirely in the Facilities line, and the Transportation Director’s full salary appears in the Transportation line. While this creates what looks like a significant increase in each line, it is really a reallocation and restructuring of how those responsibilities are staffed and budgeted. Additionally, the creation of the full-time Transportation Director role was offset by the elimination of the Assistant Director position and a shift to a more cost-effective dispatch model.

The key takeaway is that while the presentation of the numbers has changed, the actual compensation increases are consistent with standard adjustments and not the large increases they may initially appear to be.

I share this example not to single out any one conversation, but as a reminder of how easy it is for incomplete information to take on a life of its own—especially in spaces like social media where questions and assumptions can move quickly.

As a community, we all care deeply about our schools, and that shared commitment is a strength. One of the best ways we can support one another and ensure productive, informed conversations is by checking information when something doesn’t seem quite right and reaching out directly for clarification.

If you ever have questions about the proposed budget, please know that we genuinely welcome them. I, along with our School Committee members and Town Council members, are always available to provide context, answer questions, and help make sense of the details. Those direct conversations can often bring clarity much more quickly and help ensure that discussions moving forward are grounded in accurate information.

At the end of the day, we may not all agree on every decision and that is most definitely okay. That is what makes for a strong democracy in action.  What matters most is that our conversations are rooted in a shared understanding of the facts and a collective commitment to doing what’s best for our students and our community.

NEW SCHOOL FUNDING VIDEO RELEASED - CHECK IT OUT & THANK YOU GoCAT TV!

As we move closer to budget approval votes coming up by the School Committee, then later by the Town Council and then later in June by all of you as voters, I thought it would be important to put together an informational video that talks a little bit more about how the school budget is created each year, and how you as community members can best engage in the conversations to ensure your voices are heard and understood.

Thank you to Nicole Yeo-Fisher (SC Chair), Michelle Littlefield (SC Vice Chair), David Willis (TC member and chair of finance committee), Mark Curtis (Community Member) and Bill Benson (Community Member) for being willing to spend a few hours together talking about these important topics and sharing their important perspectives.

The link below is to PART I of a two-part video series on the topic of school funding. Part I is approximately 30 minutes in length as is Part II. I will release Part II in my next blog post. The videos are both a little dense...but you can stop and go as needed. If you are the type of person that loves budget discussions - these videos are for you!

Thank you to Georgia Humphries and her GoCAT Team for filming and making us all look good! ☺

Understanding Our Public Schools:  School Funding Part I  

NATIONAL SCHOOL LIBRARIANS DAY - APRIL 4

Tomorrow (Saturday) is National School Librarians Day!  As we celebrate National School Librarians Day on April 4, it’s worth taking a moment to reflect on just how much the role of the school librarian has evolved. The librarians many of us remember from years past were the keepers of books, the caretakers of quiet spaces, card catalogs, and orderly shelves. While that foundation of fostering a love of reading remains as important as ever, today’s school library/media specialists have expanded far beyond those traditional boundaries.

Modern school librarians are dynamic educators, technology leaders, instructional partners and collaborators. They help students navigate an increasingly complex information landscape.  They teach research skills, digital citizenship, and how to evaluate sources in an age of endless information that may or may not be accurate. They collaborate with teachers to design engaging learning experiences, support inquiry-based projects, all while ensuring that all students have access to both print and digital resources. In many ways, they are at the center of helping students become critical thinkers, creative problem solvers, and responsible users of information.

On this National School Librarians Day, we celebrate these incredible professionals who continue to adapt, innovate, and inspire. Their work ensures that our students are not only strong readers, but also thoughtful learners prepared for the demands of today’s world. We are grateful for the passion, expertise, and care our school librarians bring to our schools each and every day.

Thank you to:

-  Kelly Tibbetts - GHS Library/Media Specialist

-  Suzanne Dix - GMS Library/Media Specialist

-  Jessie Mason - Great Falls Library/Media Specialist

-  Lori Littlefield - Narragansett Library/Media Specialist

-  Gigi Mcallister - Village Library/Media Specialist

OUR SCHOOLS - OUR FUTURE - OPEN PUBLIC FORUM #3 COMING SOON!

Just a quick reminder, especially after sharing so much recent information about the proposed budget—that we have another OPEN Public Forum coming up on April 15 at 6:00 p.m. at Baxter Library.

This will be our third opportunity to come together as a community to talk openly about the school budget, hear directly from Superintendent Perry, and discuss what we see ahead for the future of our schools. These forums are designed to be accessible, informative, and most importantly interactive. We’ll begin with a brief overview to ground the conversation, and then the majority of the time will be dedicated to your questions, thoughts, and perspectives.

We’ve had a great turnout of 10–15 engaged community members at each of the first two sessions, which has led to thoughtful conversations and helpful feedback. Let’s continue to build on that momentum.

If you’ve been following along, have questions, or simply want to better understand how this budget connects to our schools and community, I encourage you to join us. Your voice matters in this process! I hope to see you there.

THIRD ANNUAL EAT AND LEARN EVENT ANNOUNCED!

The Gorham School's Anti-Racism & Equity Committee has announced its third annual Eat and Learn Event!  Please mark your calendars and hold the date...more detailed information will be coming soon!

The event will take place on May 4 from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. at Gorham High School.  We'll start in the library and then use a few other classroom spaces as well.  

We're still finalizing details but we are planning to have this event mostly student led with three major learning sessions: (1) Murals (2) Community Circles and (3) Exhibitions of Student Work.

We will have "snacks" and beverages for attendees.  

Again, more details will be shared soon so for now - please "save the date" and stay tuned!

VIDEO - RECENT GHS STAFF/STUDENT BBALL FUNDRAISER

As I close this edition of my blog post, I thought it would be fun to showcase a recent activity at GHS where students and staff came together to have some fun for a great cause!  Check out this video of the GHS Staff/Student Bball game.  You can hear the fun, the strong relationships, and the focus on community.  We have really great students AND we have really great staff at GHS - a WINNING Combination, regardless of focus!

Video Link

Enjoy your weekends everyone!  Next blog will be April 17 just before the spring break!  Almost there!

March 20 Post

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

Here's the direct link - Great information!  ENJOY! 

RESULTS OF RECENT STUDENT/FAMILY/COMMUNITY SURVEY

In my last blog post, I shared a "Community Check In Survey" with folks and asked TWO simple questions:

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:

Join GOFAB

Sign Up to Volunteer

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

In closing this blog post, I just wanted to give a huge shout out to Patrick Vanmeter, a student at Gorham Middle School. On Tuesday March 17, 2026 Patrick was invited by one of our local legislators to come to the State House of Representatives and to open their day's session with the singing of the National Anthem. Patrick and his family graciously accepted the opportunity.

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!