We are finishing up our 26th week of face to face instruction under our hybrid model of learning in Gorham! I emphasize this as the opening of this blog post for two reasons: (1) We should celebrate each week of face to face learning with our students in the continued midst of this Pandemic as I know there aren't many back in September that thought we'd make it this far without "boomeranging back" into the fully remote model. Each day with our students is indeed a gift! (2) To emphasize that we can make that statement and we can celebrate this fact while many others across the country are just now considering re-opening their schools under similar models...we have already been safely "at it" for 7 months now!
The picture below was shared with me the other day. I am sharing it with you now as just one example of how high quality learning is occurring in our classrooms and at home for students on their remote days. I mean seriously - when you were a kid, how many times did you ask your parents to bring your dog to school? As parents - on remote days - you can now say YES! What is that old saying about making "lemonade" from "lemons"? These two certainly seem to be! GO RAMS!
With that fun picture to open up...now on to the information sharing!
MARCH 24 SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING - ADDRESSING THE QUESTION: IS NOW A TIME GORHAM SHOULD BE CONSIDERING INCREASING FACE TO FACE TIME FOR STUDENTS?
I realize I spent some time updating folks on this topic in my last blog, but I think the information I share bears repeating...to include some updates.
At the School Committee's workshop back on Feb. 24, 2021 the School Committee heard compelling data that demonstrates that our current hybrid model is performing the tasks we need it to for our children. Of course, as is always the case in Gorham, our District Leadership Team and our School Committee aren't simply satisfied with "good"...we constantly strive to do better than good. We constantly strive to excel. As a result, the School Committee assigned the district leadership team the task of developing 3 scenarios for the Gorham Schools that would increase face to face time for students this spring as a possible way of safely improving our services to children in the midst of the ongoing COVID 19 pandemic. Since that time the district leadership team has been working diligently to develop these three scenarios and to outline both the potential positive outcomes of each scenario as well as the unintended consequences of implementation of each later this spring.
I realize that some folks think that it should be easy to simply open the schools back up to 5 days per week instruction. Sounds simple doesn't it? Heck, we've been doing it for 200 years prior to the Pandemic, what could be so difficult? The reality is that the task is far more difficult with far more potential for "unintended consequences" than the average person may think. The biggest difference between operating schools in a Pandemic and operating schools in a traditional world is that we have specific SAFETY requirements that we MUST FOLLOW in order to have our schools open to in person learning. These safety requirements are the same ones that were in existence in the fall. You can find the Framework for Reopening Schools on the Maine Department of Education website LINKED HERE. You can also dig a little deeper to read about the "Six Safety Requirements" by CLICKING HERE for an overview or by CLICKING HERE for the full detailed document. We must follow these safety requirements. There is no "wiggle room" in that regard. Additionally, although I know educators will have had access to become vaccinated (hopefully by the April break) the fact remains that our students will not, nor will a large part of our community. Finally, although I know the vaccinations bring optimism for a return to normalcy...our positive case rates in Cumberland County are beginning to climb and they are beginning to climb among our youngest populations (20 years of age and younger).
These challenges do not mean we can't do more to increase face to face instruction for our students, but the key question is - what do we gain for students if we make such a change, and what do we lose? The District Leadership Team and our School Committee first needs to uncover the answers to this question before considering whether or not we want to make a decision to increase face to face instruction time for our students this spring. That will be the purpose of March 24's meeting.
Here's basically how I see the process for decision making playing out over the next few weeks:
1. March 24 School Committee Meeting - Presentation of 3 scenarios to increase face to face instruction, feedback from medical advisory team, and feedback from K-12 staff.
2. On March 24, the School Committee indicates via a straw poll if they are willing to move from the current 6 ft physical distance approved in our Pandemic Re-Opening Plan to the MDOE minimum threshold of 3 ft of physical distance in classrooms with 6 ft. when students are eating.
IF the School Committee's straw poll indicates a willingness to move to under 6ft, we would then do the following (If the straw poll doesn't indicate that willingness, then we will plan to remain in the hybrid model of learning):
3. Between March 25 - March 30 surveys will be sent out to Grades 6-12 students and K-12 parents to gather data regarding their thoughts on each scenario and whether or not there is support to make a significant change this spring.
4. On April 1, the School Committee would hold a special meeting to review the additional survey data and more detailed planning data provided by the DLT and make a decision regarding whether or not they wish to move forward with any of the scenarios presented.
IF the School Committee decides to move forward with one of the scenarios, we would then do the following (If the vote indicates they are not willing to make a move, then we will plan to remain in the hybrid model of learning):
5. Between April 5 - 9 a survey will be sent to all parents gathering feedback in two key areas: (1) asking if parents can provide transportation to and from school as we will need more parents to transport their children to make any of the three scenarios work. (2). asking parents if they want to continue with face to face learning or if they want to move to remote instruction for the remainder of the school year.
From there we would work intensely to "operationalize" whichever scenario is selected in order to implement as soon after the April vacation as possible.
I share this with parents now so you can get a sense of the timelines involved, and also understand that while we are thoroughly exploring these possibilities, there are also no guarantees that any changes will be made this spring. Remaining "status quo" in our existing hybrid model is still very much a possibility, especially when we know that it is working.
These are complex decisions, with complex implications, no question. However, I have full faith that after a thorough process and a deep dive into understanding the possible adjustments that can be made and their implications the right decision for our schools, our students, our parents, and our community will be made. Whatever those decisions are, know that we will square our shoulders and make whatever the outcome is work, and work well. We have worked so hard to support one another and meet every challenge head on that this pandemic has thrown at us thus far TOGETHER. This will be no different! GO RAMS!
P.S. - The link for the School Committee meeting on March 24 is below...feel free to tune in and listen to remain informed!
Join Zoom Meeting
https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/87900995525?pwd=OFNDWnVJSDlXY3BKSmJQVWdONHVEZz09
Meeting ID: 879 0099 5525
Passcode: 391686
One tap mobile. +1-312-626-6799
DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION PARENT FORUM - MARCH 25!
Just a reminder for all K-12 parents who are interested that I will be hosting a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion parent forum on Thursday, March 25 at 6:30 p.m. via zoom. The link is below.
I have spent several months now conducting a "listening tour" to listen to the stories of our students, our staff and our parents. At this event, I will share the results of this important work as well as provide an overview of our journey thus far, and where we are headed. I will also engage parents in a structured discussion regarding this important topic and what it means to our schools here in Gorham.
Given the recent headlines around anti-Asian racism recently seen in the Portland Herald Press and other anti-Asian racism occurrences across the country, we clearly need to continue these conversations - more now than ever. Please join me in condemning racism in all its forms. I look forward to the discussion!
Join Zoom Meeting
https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/83489107323?pwd=dCtaWTdIOFZraUhETWEyOFh3NTJhZz09
Meeting ID: 834 8910 7323
Passcode: 266328
One tap mobile +1-301-715-8592
GORHAM HIGH SCHOOL SEEKS PARTICIPATION IN THOUGHT EXCHANGE REGARDING CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION
Gorham High School Principal Brian Jandreau has created a Thought Exchange survey for parents to help provide insights into our continued work to strengthen our Career and Technical Education Program experiences for our students. I'd encourage you to please participate...it only takes a few minutes to share your thoughts and then rate the thoughts of others to help us move this important conversation forward!
Here's the link: https://my.
GORHAM INTERACT CLUB FUNDRAISER TO BENEFIT ANIMAL REFUGE LEAGUE
The GHS Interact Club is putting on a fundraiser to benefit the Animal Refuge League THIS WEEKEND!
Watch this "teaser video" to learn more: https://youtu.be/bca9Bzb1dSw
And check out the flyer for more details!
GHS NATIONAL HONORS SOCIETY VIRTUAL FUN PROJECT SOFT LAUNCH W/MORE TO COME!
Our students are incredible! They truly care about our community and want to do what they can to return the help that they get from Gorham back to Gorham! And they are so creative in how they do it! Here's a "blurb" from our National Honors Society Students explaining the Virtual Fun Project!
The National Honor Society at Gorham High School presents NHS Virtual Fun to the community. This is a space where NHS members will post instructional or interactive zoom links and videos on crafts, skills, or passions of theirs that they want to share. Our mission is to provide a safe and convenient space for our community to spend time together. We will be posting what the topics are, materials that are needed for the activity, and the age ranges best suitable ahead of time. Currently, most of our ideas are geared toward elementary-aged children: fun science projects, paint follow-along activities, beginner origami, dance classes, and a variety of sports skills. There is something for everyone!
GORHAM OUTDOORS CLUB ANNOUNCES SPRING EVENTS
The Gorham Outdoors Club recently released a cool flyer outlining events for this coming spring. Check it out below, mark your calendars, and make sure you help put the "GO" in "Gorham"!
THANK YOU PARENTS!
When I first came to Gorham six years ago, I remember people telling me how lucky I was to be moving over to lead such a great community. I remember thinking to myself that was nice, but really just sort of thinking that every community I had ever been in before was pretty darn good. Six years later, having dealt with tragedy, having dealt with triumph and now having dealt with a year long Pandemic...I am much more clear on the difference between Gorham and other "nice" communities in Maine. I am so impressed and appreciative of how hard our staff works to meet the needs of all children during the most challenging times. I am equally impressed and appreciative of how much our parents and community support our work and one another. As just one example...just the other day a parent randomly decided she wanted to show her appreciation to our staff at Great Falls. What you see in the picture below is that family and their gift to the Great Falls staff. You see them smiling in appreciation. What you don't see is the whole Great Falls staff smiling right back in appreciation...and what you really don't see is the whole Gorham Schools staff smiling right back too!
THANK YOU PARENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS FOR ALL YOU DO TO SUPPORT OUR SCHOOLS, NOW MORE THAN EVER...OUR STAFF KNOW THEY ARE APPRECIATED!
GO RAMS!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.