April 15 Blog Post

April break has arrived!  Let's hope Maine's weather cooperates and we can all get a little bit more of that fresh spring air this upcoming week.    

I thought it would be important to once again provide a snapshot into some of the incredible images from across our schools from the past few weeks...check them out!

On to the updates...

APPROVED 2022-23 GORHAM SCHOOL CALENDAR

I know folks have been eagerly awaiting the final results of our more recent school calendar discussions.  After some very thorough discussions regarding our originally proposed school calendar, the School Committee voted last night to approve of the 2022-23 School Calendar with NO ADDITIONAL EARLY RELEASE DAYS ADDED.  This means we will keep the already pre-existing 8 early release day schedule and add no more.

You can view a copy of the newly approved 2022-23 Gorham School Calendar by CLICKING HERE.

The civic dialogue regarding our proposed 2022-23 calendar were very respectful and helpful.  The School Committee, and the vast majority of community members that shared their thoughts understood that there is a significant need for more professional development time for our teachers as we continue to do the hard and laborious work of picking up the instructional pieces of a 2+ year long pandemic.  That understanding and support came through loud and clear in the process which was greatly appreciated.  At the end of the day the priority that trumped all was ensuring that the time our incredible teachers spend with our incredible students was not reduced.  A very good outcome indeed.

The School Committee will continue to work with administration and with our staff to seek out other creative means through which we may be able to increase professional development time while not lessoning overall instructional time with students.  These conversations will be ongoing and may impact future calendar conversations but for now, next year's calendar is linked above.  

Once again, THANK YOU to all that engaged in this important conversation.  It was truly heartwarming to read emails that may have been in disagreement with original proposals by the administration but did so in a supportive, caring and respectful manner.  It really does make all the difference in the world when we can engage in and model appropriate civil discourse.  Another great example from Gorham on how to do things right!

PROPOSED 2022-23 GORHAM SCHOOL DEPARTMENT BUDGET UPDATE

The Gorham School Committee voted last night 5-2 in support of the proposed FY 23 Budget.  That proposed budget totals $48,015,345.00 which is an increase of $3,747,202.00 or 8.46%.  At this time, the estimated impact on the mil is an increase of $1.19 or 9.43%.

The big cost drivers for this proposed budget are as follows (note:  these are approximate numbers):

-  Status quo costs (maintaining existing staff, which includes 8% increase on health insurance premiums) $1,335,000.00

-  Additional staffing costs associated with maintaining competitive employment environments - $250,000.00

-  Increased energy costs - $180,000.00

-  New Bond Payment for Narr. Modular Project - $520,000.00

-  Increased Special Education Costs - $350,000.00

-  Increased custodial services costs - $60,000.00

-  New Initiatives (not special education) - $700,000.00

-  Increased costs w/new revenue streams to offset - $150,000.00

You can see a more complete list of draft budget additions by CLICKING HERE.

The originally proposed budget had an increase of over 14% in expenditures and an anticipated impact to the community mil rate of plus 21%, but the School Committee has worked diligently over the course of the past 5 full budget workshop meetings to reduce that original request by more than $2 million dollars.  

You can see a more complete list of draft budget reductions by CLICKING HERE.

If you are interested in learning more about the proposed FY 23 School Budget and how it came to be, I'd encourage you to check out our website by CLICKING HERE.  You can view the original budget booklet presented to the School Committee.  You can view the videos of four of the five budget workshop meetings (we didn't record the full day Saturday one as we didn't think too many people would want to watch 5 hours or more at a time), and you can CLICK HERE to view the meeting from Wed. night where the School Committee talked about the budget proposal before making their final votes (Note: It sometimes takes a few days for Georgia to post the recording online so if you don't see it listed, just wait a day or two and it will pop up).  Next week we will post the Town Council Budget booklet on our website for viewing as well - just use the same link as provided above.

Next steps in the budget approval process are:

-  Proposed FY 23 Budget Booklets will be created and presented to the Town Council by April 20, 2022.

-  A joint budget presentation and budget workshop meeting between the School Committee and Town Council will be held on the night of May 10, 2022 beginning at 6:30 p.m in council chambers.

-  The Town Council will vote on the proposed budget on June 7, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers.

-  Voters will vote to approve of a proposed budget via the budget validation referendum on June 14, 2022.

Please stay tuned for additional information as we continue to move through this important process and as always - if you have questions, please reach out directly to me via email to ask (heather.perry@gorhamschools.org).  I'm always happy to answer questions honestly and transparently and (more often than not) much more accurately than social media!

CONTINUED COVID 19 AWARENESS ENCOURAGED

It has now been over a month since we were able to move forward in making masking optional for students and staff.  I continue to hear many express appreciation and a sense of relief that that is no longer a requirement.  Masking has indeed become a personal choice, and one that is well respected across all of our schools.  

I would, however, be remiss if I didn't take a moment to remind folks that just because we have moved to making masking optional does not mean that COVID has disappeared.  The COVID 19 virus is still very much "present" in our lives.  That statement is not intended to frighten anyone, but to simply remind folks to continue to be vigilant and use common sense approaches to making sure we are doing what we can to continue to minimize its impact upon our lives.  

First, remember that those daily screening checks are still very important.  If you have symptoms - and we all know what they are by now - stay home and consider getting tested.  Reach out to our school nurses with questions, and keep an eye on our COVID 19 daily data reporting.  If you see cases start to go up, keep a closer eye on those symptoms, be more "suspicious" and if you want, consider adjusting behaviors.  Just because you chose to remove the mask in March, does not mean you can't choose to put it back on in April during a particularly high point of active cases.  Finally, if your child tests positive, please report that to the school so that we are aware and continue to monitor for potential spread.  We no longer do specific contact tracing, however, if we become aware of 3 confirmed positive cases of COVID 19 in a single classroom within a 5 school day period, we will send letters home to families letting you know so that you can be even more vigilant.

The Maine Department of Education and Maine CDC has also recently announced that schools can order 2 testing kits for each student and staff member.  We have placed our order and expect to get these tests kits later this spring.  We are unsure when exactly they will arrive, but when they do, we'll determine if we give them out then or perhaps wait and utilize them for the safe re-opening of schools this fall.  We will see what the timing looks like on that and go from there.

In the meantime, it may be a good idea to also consider picking up some home tests for use on the Sunday before returning from April break.  With a whole week of travel, or child care in different places, or just starting up those little league baseball games again - it may be helpful to do a preventative test before returning to school on April 25.  In addition, let's keep washing those hands and continue monitoring for symptoms.  If we all remain vigilant we can ensure that even though COVID 19 may still be with us, that it doesn't become the "life of the party" again!  That is a "party" I'd like not to visit again for sure and I'm sure you all would agree!

360 SUPERINTENDENT PERFORMANCE FEEDBACK SURVEY - PLEASE PARTICIPATE!

Each year, I ask parents to please take 10-15 minutes of time during the course of the next few weeks to participate in my annual 360 Leadership feedback survey.  This survey is VERY IMPORTANT TO ME for two key reasons.  First and foremost, I want to see your honest feedback as it helps me to better understand my strengths and my challenges as a leader.  I know I am human like everyone else and I have both. I want to continue to learn and grow as a leader here in Gorham and it is only by asking and receiving this type of honest feedback that I can continue to do so.  This survey is completely anonymous and I actually do read every comment looking for themes and understanding.

Additionally, it is important to note that the summary results of this survey will be shared with members of the Gorham School Committee and will be used as part of my formal evaluation process that occurs each June with them.  The data you share truly helps to guide my performance and identify my leadership goals for the coming year.

It's been a difficult couple of years, but it is now time to stop simply "surviving" and to more strongly focus on "thriving".  It is time to pick our collective heads up from our feet and the task of just "getting by" to now looking up on to the horizon to better see the opportunities that lie ahead and to develop a more clear vision about what we want to do and be as a school system vs. what we have been told to "do and be" by others the past few years.  

This feedback will help me to better your perspectives and understandings and to inform my own personal growth as a leader in this incredible community.  I THANK YOU in advance for taking a few moments to complete it!  

If you have any questions, please reach out.  Otherwise - LINK IS BELOW:

https://forms.gle/ZqwZsYK9TJX7C5KR8

GORHAM MIDDLE SCHOOL - 6TH GRADE TRY IT DAY!

In collaboration with Aspire Gorham, GMS 6th grade students participated in "Try It Day" on April 8!  On this day we had 12 community business volunteers come into our schools to provide our students with real hands-on activities to "try" different careers and to talk about their career pathways and the skills they need to do their jobs.  Sessions ranged from students working with folks from Baxter Memorial Library, to Folks from Moody's Collision to listening to panel discussions from our very own GHS students talking about their experiences in High School and what to expect.  

We had such great feedback from students and from our presenters.  One presenter from Baxter Library shared this exciting news:

"Thank you so much to Gorham Middle School and Aspire Gorham for inviting Baxter Memorial Library to Try It Day! Youth Services Librarian Heidi Whelan presented on her career path and different skills needed to do her current job. The “try it” portion challenged the students to work in groups to create a library program. They were asked to consider: program description, program title, attendees’ age range, and materials needed. Heidi told the students that she would be taking the ideas back to the library and picking one to hold as an actual Baxter Memorial Library program!  All the students did so well with their program ideas!  It was really hard to choose one, but the one the Youth Services Department chose as the Try It Day winner was “Creative Crafting,” by Julia G., Whitney V., Riane S., and Lylly C. The students carefully addressed each of the considerations of a library program. BML will proudly hold this student-designed program on the library lawn on the Early Release of May 25th. Program details to be published soon at www.baxterlibrary.com. "

Exciting for sure!  THANK YOU to all our incredible community volunteers for coming out and helping our students increase exposure to their potential "Future Stories"!  

TATIANA'S CLOSET PROJECT - GHS

This is an incredible project that works to provide formal wear for high school students who would like to attend prom but who may not be able to otherwise afford to.  This time can be such a difficult time in the lives of our young people.  Societal pressures can come to bear in ways that may prevent some of our students from having the experience of a lifetime at their prom.   Tatiana's closet is a program that tries to take a little of that pressure off by providing FREE evening wear to those that wish to participate.  You can learn more about this project by watching this incredible video created by our very own GHS students and teachers.  What I find MOST AMAZING is that the models for this video are some of our very own GHS teachers!  We can all be a little embarrassed about our body images, but these fine women of GHS modeled something far more important than dresses in this video!  They modeled how to "step out" and take a little "risk" by doing something you may not be comfortable doing and in doing so - showing off a little piece of who you really are!  For these GHS teachers and staff...Well - I'd say they are pretty amazing!  THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO!

From Left to Right (above):  Paula Suttle, Amy Wyatt, Catherine Paul, Christina Cifelii, and Kate Riker.

From Left to Right (above):  Sandra Rockett, Luci Bowers, Samantha McCloghry, Heather Alden, and Lisa Curly

CHORUS VIDEOS FROM TUESDAY'S GMS/GHS COMBINED CONCERT

One of the things I've loved most about this school year has been that we have finally been able to get our performing arts back "on stage".  Theater, music, and dance have all returned to our schools and it is just so incredible to see!  Our students learn and grow so much as a result of participating in these incredible programs!  Kudos to the students and the staff who work with them each day!

I thought folks might to one video of our chorus students performing "I See Colors".  If you recall...this was a song that was done by our chorus students during the spring of 2020 when we were all virtually learning and could not be together to perform.  It was good then...but REALLY GOOD in person!  Check it out and GO RAMS!

I See Colors - https://youtu.be/bvsQCu3NYiQ

K-5 END OF YEAR EVENTS HIGHLIGHT LIST

Please keep in mind that each of our schools is a very busy place as we come into the months of May and June.  This is not an all inclusive list of activities, so I urge you to check out each school's website for more details.  I thought folks might like to see a list of highlighted activities for all three of our K-5 Schools to give a little "taste" of some of the incredible things we have planned to close out another incredible year of learning here in Gorham.  Check it out:

Grade Level Parent Step Up Videos - Shared by Email - May 2nd
NWEA Testing Schedule: May 2nd - May 27th

Grade 5 Field Day - May 26th
Grade 4 Field Day - May 27th
Grade 3 Field Day - May 31st
Grade 2 Field Day - June 1st
Grade 1 Field Day - June 2nd
Grade 5 Parent Step Up Night at GMS - June 2nd from 6-7 pm
Kindergarten Field Day - June 3rd
5th Grade Step Up to GMS - June 6th from 12:00 - 1:30 pm
GHS Senior Walk - Wear Future Story T-Shirts - June 10 - 9am-ish
K-4 Step Up Day - June 10 from 10:00 - 10:30 am

Again, please reach out to each school for specific questions!

And ending quote...

"I hope that you make mistakes.  

Because if you are making mistakes, 

then you are making new things, 

trying new things, 

learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world.  

You're doing things you've never done before

 and more importantly, you're doing SOMETHING." 

-  Author Unknown

Enjoy your school vacation week everyone!  See you right back at it on Monday, April 25th for the strong sprint to the finish line of the 2021-22 School Year!