Friday, April 2, 2021

We've just completed week #28 of our hybrid learning model here in Gorham!  There is plenty to talk about this week so I'll get right to it, starting with an overview of decisions made at last night's School Committee meeting...

GORHAM SCHOOL'S PLANS FOR SPRING, 2021 LEARNING

As you all are likely aware, the Gorham School Committee has been working diligently over the past several weeks to determine how to move forward with our learning plans this spring.  The debate was, with roughly 7 weeks remaining between April break and summer vacation: would it be worth it to move to 4 days per week of instruction for K-8 students or should we just remain in the hybrid model for the remainder of the year?  As I mentioned in last week's post, there have been passionate supporters on both sides of this particular issue.  The School Committee's task was to determine which path forward was in the overall best interest of our students.  After gaining additional information and considering all possible angles the School Committee voted last night by a vote of 4-3 to move forward with a 4 day per week model for grades K-8 beginning on April 29 while maintaining the existing hybrid schedule for our grades 9-12 students.

You can view the meeting in its entirety by CLICKING HERE.

After a thorough decision making process, the School Committee made the difficult decision that they did. There are folks this morning who may feel elated at this decision for our students, while there may also be folks this morning who feel angry and hurt.  I encourage you, whatever you believe, to not allow this decision to impact our community in a negative way.  Please be patient with one another, kind to one another, and model the actions we want our children to see with one another.  Individuals who are passionate on both sides of this issue are passionate because they are focused on doing what they believe is right for our students. With that common ground (focused on doing what is right for our students) we can continue to strengthen and build as a community and ensure that our plans to increase face to face instruction this spring go forward in a positive manner.  A decision has been made.  It is time to pick our heads up, square our shoulders, and make it work for our children and that is what our District Leadership team and our school staff will endeavor to do over the next several weeks in partnership with all of YOU - our incredible parents!

As this work goes on, we need to ask families for a huge favor.  I know, we've been asking since March of 2020 right!  Really...we do need a favor.  That favor is for families to please BE PATIENT with us as we try to alter our practices 3/4 of the way through a school year.  Transitions are never easy, and mid-course transitions are always the hardest.  We have plans in place that will allow us to safely make these transitions and we will remain 100% focused on ensuring the safety of our staff and students and on ensuring that the Social/Emotional needs of our students and staff are met.  However, things are likely not to go off without a hitch.  I am going to need to ask you to participate in several surveys, I am going to need to ask all those families who can possibly transport their own children to and from school to do so.  I am going to need to ask families to complete their daily health screeners - without fail.  I am going to need to ask our families to be understanding when you may have to wait in line to drop off and pick up your child, or the myriad of other "little things" that may go wrong as we work our way through this process.  Let's endeavor to keep those lines of communication and support open...it has gotten us this far in a positive manner and it will be what helps make sure we are able to end the year strong once again here in Gorham!

So what should you expect?  

Before going any further I want to be clear that all MDOE/CDC required safety guidelines will be followed as we make these adjustments to our schedules.  The biggest change that was approved last night was the School Committee's willingness to move from our current 6ft of physical distance requirements to new and closer alignment with MDOE/CDC guidelines that allow as little as 3ft between students when all other safety measures are in place.  As a refresher...I've linked in the key guidelines we must follow so that you can review at your leisure.  Please know these guidelines will be followed across all schools.

  1. MDOE 6 health and safety requirements 

  2. PK-12 and Adult Education Public Health Guidance (CDC/MDOE)

  3. Maine CDC SOP for Schools

  4. MDOE “toolkit” for COVID 19

Maintaining the safety of our students and staff will be our FIRST priority, with our SECOND priority being meeting the social/emotional needs of our students, and staff.  

So what's next?  

Here's the rough timeline - and again - please be patient...as things may change!

*. Transportation & Remote learning Survey - Week of April 5

*. Move grades K-8 to fully remote instruction in order to move furniture and set up entirely new classrooms across 4 schools - Week of April 12 (Note: I am trying to see if we can start this move on April 14 vs. April 12 so that students can each have ONE full day of instruction that week...not sure we can pull it off...but will try...so again - stay tuned)

* Parent Open Forum K-12 - April 13 at 6:30 p.m. (See below for details)

*  April Vacation - Week of April 19

*. NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS to allow Teachers & Principals to set up classrooms and practice and adjust new protocols, schedules and generally to ensure "logistics" are ready to go - April 26, 27, and 28.

*. All K-8 students report to School - Thursday, April 29

*. Fully Remote Day - Friday, April 30

*. Fully implement 4 day per week schedule for remainder of the 2020-21 School Year - May 3 - June 10.

That list looks pretty simple...but there will be A LOT of moving parts for us to nail down between now and then.  We will and we will do it well, but once again...we need that favor...PATIENCE!  

I would encourage any parents who have specific questions about what these changes may look like in your child's school(s) to reach out to Principals and/or myself and we will do our best to answer them.  

K-12 PARENT OPEN FORUM FOR APRIL SCHEDULED

Thought it was time to schedule another K-12 open forum as we dig into the month of April and prepare ourselves for a positive ending to the school year.  YOU bring the topics...I'll bring myself and drag along Dr. Record (I hope)...here's the details for your calendar if you are interested:

When:  Tuesday, April 13 at 6:00 p.m.

Topic:  OPEN Q&A

Zoom Link Info:

https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/84932663463?pwd=YThadytlZ3M1WnBSakUxMUk3cmEzQT09 Meeting ID: 849 3266 3463 Passcode: 198624 One tap mobile: +1-301-715-8592

UPDATED VACCINATION INFORMATION 


Governor Mills announced yesterday that all Mainers age 16+ are 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.

MOST RECENT PARENT DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION NIGHT SUMMARY


Back on March 25, Assistant Superintendent Record and I hosted an open meeting for K-12 parents to update them on our school district's work in the areas of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.  It was a small but powerful group that attended, and they were kind enough to allow me to record the meeting so that its content could be shared more broadly with parents that were not able to attend.

The most exciting part of the evening was my sharing the results of my 5 month long listening tour with students, staff, and parents.  Between September, 2020 and February, 2021 I met with over 125 K-12 students, over 75 staff members and almost 100 parents to talk about issues related to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in our schools and in our community.  The focus of these meetings was often in sharing stories and experiences individuals have had, or they have known others to have had in our schools and in our community.  Although I couldn't possibly share every story I heard at the forum, I did share several story examples that were pretty pointed.  These stories are not meant to blame or judge or cast doubt on anyone...these stories are simply intended to be individual reflections on individual lived experiences right here in Gorham.  They are intended to set the foundation for understanding why these conversations are important to have.  My biggest take away - was from students!  To be honest . . . they clearly the see the need for these conversations to occur and often wonder why adults seem so scared or unsure of how to talk about it.

It was said in the meeting by other parents that they wished more parents had been there to listen.  Although I wish the same thing, I am also an optimist and understand it is often small conversations held more frequently that lead to bigger conversations and bigger outcomes in a community.  Even with a small group - many great lessons were learned.  This is just the beginning.  Gorham is going to do this work right...we are going to do it well...we will take our time and embed the important conversation about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in both big and small ways across many platforms so that it isn't seen as something "good to do right now"...but a necessary lens to look through always, and an important part of our culture and "what we do".

CLICK HERE to view the slide presentation.

CLICK HERE to view the meeting recording.

THANK YOU to those students, staff, and parents that contributed to these important story beginnings.

GOV. MILLS HAS ANNOUNCED APRIL AS POETRY MONTH HERE IN MAINE!


Do you love poetry?  I DO!  I couldn't have been more happy to hear that Gov. Mills has established April as poetry month here in Maine.  As a result, the MDOE sent out a notice to all schools sharing information and resources that I thought parents might like to know about as well.  CLICK HERE to view the MDOE message and resources.

In honor of this announcement, I wanted to share one of my favorite uplifting poems with you and encourage you to share your favorite poems with your children...or if you are a student...share with your parents and pass it on!

By the way...this poem was written in a day when folks used male pronouns in writing...I'm choosing to ignore that and stick with the overall message...the message is why I love the poem so much!



TRANSITION INFORMATION - NARRAGANSETT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Continuing on with sharing of plans for end of year transitions from each school.  In this blog...Narragansett Elementary School is focused on.  CLICK HERE to view an overview of their spring, 2021 transition plans for students!

GORHAM EDUCATION FOUNDATION (GEF) - ANNUAL TRIVIA NIGHT ANNOUNCED!

This is something folks look forward to every year and once again GEF is pulling it off even under COVID conditions!  Check out the flyer below for more details and put your team together soon!



OUR GHS CHORUS STUDENTS SHOW OFF THEIR TALENT AND RESILIENCE TO KEEP ON SINGING EVEN DURING A PANDEMIC!


Our students are so incredibly resilient!  Although the COVID 19 Pandemic has impacted significantly how they do some of the things they are most passionate about...it hasn't impacted their resolve to still find a way to DO IT!  Our GHS chorus singers are just another great example!  Linked below are THREE incredible examples of their talent and resiliency...and I don't know about you, but as we close the door on March and look forward to this spring...we need music NOW MORE THAN EVER!  GO RAMS! ENJOY!

Rest Not - GHS tenors and basses

Quiet Sea - GHS sopranos and altos

Away from the Roll of the Sea - GHS combined choirs


LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO GIVE - HERE'S A GORHAM FOUNDATION YOU MAY NOT BE AWARE OF...


The Babygirl Foundation was established by Tammy and David Dube after the death of their daughter, Addison in 2019.  CLICK HERE to view their website and read the flyer below for more information on how you can get involved if you are interested.

Thats it for this week!  Thank you!  ENJOY YOUR WEEKENDS!



















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