Finishing up our Twenty Ninth week of face to face instruction for students within our hybrid model and what a week it has been! Ample challenges certainly lie ahead. But there are so many things to celebrate as well - even in the face of adversity! This blog update will talk about all of the above, but let's be sure to start with the good stuff - cause there is plenty of that!
First, I want to say THANK YOU to the staff at Great Falls Elementary School. On Monday Dr. Record and I took the opportunity to give Principal Fortier and Assistant Principal Etienne a break as we took over the Principal and Assistant Principal role for the day. What fun! Such an incredible staff, and awesome students. Here's a few pictures that I hope catch the spirit of the day!
Of course all of our schools are incredible schools filled with incredible staff and talented students! As the image below from one school's bulletin board demonstrates...we all have much to be happy about even as we navigate our challenges together!
Now on to the update "stuff"...
A MOVE TO REMOTE LEARNING FOR APRIL 12-16
Hopefully folks were able to view my video message from yesterday announcing a move for the Gorham Schools to full remote instruction for the week of April 12 -16. I've had several folks ask that I also put the message into writing. I thought it would be important to do that in this blog and be clear about the rationale for decision making and what this decision means for our 4 day per week implementation plans moving forward.
First, it is important for you all to have the background to my decision making. Since Friday, April 2, we have had 5 positive cases of COVID 19 associated with GHS, 4 cases associated with GMS, 4 cases associated with Great Falls, 2 cases associated with Village and 1 case associated with Narragansett. These cases were all student related cases. Of these cases, 11 have had close contacts associated with our schools that have impacted almost 300 students and over 20 staff across our schools. Of the 20 staff that were impacted, 6 were staff members who were scheduled to receive their second doses of COVID 19 vaccinations, but because of their close contacts and requirements to quarantine, they had to cancel those shots and now will need to wait longer to become fully vaccinated. There are over 70 teachers across our schools who are still scheduled to receive their second vaccination shot within the next two weeks.
The increases in positive COVID 19 cases in our community among students has been a disturbing trend.
Now, before I go any further, I want to be clear that our schools are safe places in COVID 19 land. We have proven that time and time again,. The fact that of the 87 total cases associated with our schools this year - only three were cases that were transmitted in our schools speaks to this point. This last batch of cases show the same trends...these positive cases are occurring outside in our community, but then are being brought into our schools and impacting our staff and other students from there due to close contacts.
Since the beginning of the school year, our decision making regarding keeping schools open has always had more to do with our ability to staff our schools than it has had to do with the number of cases in our community. What has changed is the fact that our staff are now working hard to become fully vaccinated and these recent close contacts have put in that possibility in jeopardy for staff. I believe it is key that our staff have the ability to become fully vaccinated in order to successfully return to 4 day per week programming for our students after the April break. If our staff continue to be impacted by these close contacts, it may jeopardize these timelines and our ability to move forward.
So, although we could open our schools for two days of remote instruction next week as planned, I am reticent to do so as I want to ensure that as many staff as want to get fully vaccinated CAN get fully vaccinated before the April break. This will allow us to more successfully make the move to 4 day per week programming. It is important to know that fully vaccinated staff members are not required to quarantine if they are close contacts, however, in order to be considered fully vaccinated staff need to have gone 14 days from their final shot. If we attempt to go into the 4 day per week model without a large portion of our staff fully vaccinated, my fear is that one or two positive cases of COVID brought into our schools may have the unintended consequence of forcing entire grade levels and/or schools to go to remote programming more often that we have had to thus far this year under our A/B hybrid model, causing our students to lose even more precious time in classrooms.
Bottom line is that we need to go into our four day per week model from a position of strength. Minimally with as many staff fully vaccinated as possible and preferably with low numbers of COVID 19 cases in our community. I can't control the number of cases in our community, but what I can attempt to protect is the ability of our staff to complete their vaccinations by protecting them this coming week from close contacts with what does seem to be an ongoing community surge in positive cases among students. I can also strongly encourage parents and our community to PLEASE remain vigilant in following COVID 19 safety protocols and in working to prevent the spread of COVID 19 in our community. This means:
1. Wearing masks
2. Washing/Sanitizing hands frequently
3. Maintaining appropriate physical distance
4. Avoiding gatherings with individuals who are not fully vaccinated
If you want to help ensure that we are able to move to 4 day per week programming K-8 and keep our schools open in this model for the remainder of the school year - those four things above are the areas that should be focused on moving forward. Our schools most definitely NEED YOUR HELP.
THANK YOU!
UPDATED INFORMATION ON K-8 4 DAY PER WEEK PROGRAMMING
I wanted to share some updated summary information regarding the 4 day per week model for parents. As we continue to work to refine our specific plans (and there is still much work to do)...We will do our best to continue to share details. I would also STRONGLY ENCOURAGE families who are interested in learning more to attend the K-12 Parent Open Forum scheduled for Tuesday April 13 at 6:00 p.m. Link to that zoom meeting is also below. Here are some additional informational resources:
Much more information coming as we continue our planning work!
Here's the information for the K-12 Parent Open Forum:
TRAVELING THIS APRIL BREAK...REMEMBER THE RULES...
In accordance with Maine travel guidelines, any staff or students who travel within the US to any state not on the approved list (CLICK HERE for latest list) they will be required to EITHER: 1. Complete a 10-day quarantine upon arrival in Maine and continue to monitor for signs and
symptoms for an additional 4 days OR
2. Obtain and receive a negative COVID-19 antigen or molecular (PCR, NAAT, or isothermal) test
result within 72 hours of return to forgo the 10-day quarantine.
Individuals who are fully vaccinated (have had their last shot for at least 14 days) are not required to quarantine or test upon return from travel.
The Maine CDC has also provided guidance as it relates to international travel. The current risk assessment level for COVID-19 is at 4, or VERY HIGH, for nearly every country. You can review the risk levels by country, here.
At this time, all air passengers coming to the United States, including U.S. citizens, are required to have a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before boarding a flight back to in the United States. See Frequently Asked Questions about this requirement for more information.
Upon return to the United States, staff and students must quarantine. International travelers can return to school after they EITHER:
1. Get tested 3-5 days after travel, and receive a negative test result AND stay home and self-
quarantine for 7 days after travel, OR
2. (If electing not to get tested) Do not get tested and stay home for 10 days after travel.
All non vaccinated members of the household who travel must test or quarantine if over 12 months old. Testing site information for Maine can be found, here. Any person who is quarantining should stay home, and not have in-person contact with others unless there is an emergency.
Bottom line, PLEASE BE SAFE OVER THE BREAK! We want everyone to be able to return to school safely after the break! We don't get enough time with all of you as it is, and we definitely DO NOT want to see our students less as a result of having to quarantine if it can at all be avoided! So, over the break, please, please, please do what you can to continue to follow best practice safety protocols: (1) wear a mask, (2) wash/sanitize your hands frequently and (3) keep your physical distance! I know we're all tired, but we must keep focused in order to help protect our schools and our neighbors. THANK YOU for all that you have done, for all you are doing, and all you will continue to do to remain focused on this goal as a community!
SUMMER PROGRAM PLANNING
Just wanted to provide an update on summer program planning for K-12 students. I would encourage parents with questions to reach out to your child's principals for more information.
We currently have several programs we are working on for the summer. Below is an overview of each:
K-8 READING AND MATH RTI EXTENDED PROGRAMMING
Program Overview: Each school, K-8, will be offering RTI reading and math services to allow for continued support toward meeting PLP goals for our most at risk tier III students. One reading, and one math staff member per building, will provide virtual 30 minute sessions to small groups of students Monday thru Thursday, June 14th -July 1st. The ultimate goal of this program is to ensure students most in need, minimize “summer slide” and are best prepared to return to school ready for success.
SUMMER LEARNING & RECREATION PROGRAM for EXISTING K-8 STUDENTS
Program Overview: This program will provide approximately 90 K-8 referred students (10 per grade level) with a six week face to face learning program supporting students in math, literacy, and SEL each morning and then providing them with fun and engaging recreation activities each afternoon. The program will run from July 6 - August 13, 2021 three days per week (T,W,TH) from 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Students will attend to academic and SEL work in the mornings and then transition each afternoon to fun and exciting programs offered by Gorham Recreation! The goal of this program is to ensure students most in need move forward with their learning over the course of the summer and are best prepared to return to school ready for success this coming fall. A flyer with more information is LINKED HERE.
IXL ONLINE READING AND MATH PROGRAM - ALL STUDENTS ELIGIBLE
Program Overview: The online IXL program will allow all families across grades K-8 to access summer online learning utilizing the IXL program in the areas of Math and Reading. Assistance will be provided in helping families set up support services and addressing any technical issues that may arise, but no teaching staff will be allocated to this service. The ultimate goal of this program will be to prevent “summer slide” for students so that they are best prepared to return to school ready for success.
SCHOOL NUTRITION SURVEY INFORMATION NEEDED
With changes coming for K-8 students after the break, it is time to update meal delivery service information for the Gorham Schools School Nutrition Program...Please take 5 important minutes to complete the survey linked below!
Survey Link:
https://forms.gle/HBrhg2ZxS5dWwoAX9
CONGRATULATIONS TO GHS SENIOR EMILY PARUK!
Emily will represent. Maine in the National "Poetry Out Loud" Semifinals! Awesome job Emily! GO RAMS!
CLICK HERE for a link to the full article in the Portland Press Herald!
GHS NATIONAL HONORS SOCIETY ONLINE OPPORTUNITIES!
Just a reminder that our GHS National Honors Society students have worked hard to create a FREE online tool for younger students to interact with our GHS students in meaningful ways...Check This excellent support program out and feel free to share!
https://sites.google.com/gorhamschools.org/nhs-virtual-fun/home
GREAT FALLS TRANSITION PLANS
This week's transition focus is on Great Falls Elementary School! As with our other two elementary schools, there are plenty of exciting opportunities planned for the end of the year - all aimed at helping our students and families end this school year strong and be well prepared for success in the coming year!
CLICK HERE To view the draft plan for Great Falls!
A REMINDER - EVERYONE 16+ NOW ELIGIBLE FOR COVID 19 VACCINATIONS!
All Mainers age 16+ are now eligible to become vaccinated as of Wednesday April 7, 2021.
To pre-register for an appointment, go to https://vaccinateME.maine.gov
You may also reach out to your PCP for more information. CLICK HERE to view a CDC information sheet on COVID 19 vaccines.
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