For a second post in a row, I wanted to start by thanking a GHS student, Kamrin Whynot, for allowing me to shadow him for a whole morning last week.
Kamrin is a freshman at GHS and I was able to follow him to a history class, his advisory, a math class and an english class. Kamrin is part of an assigned freshman "academy" where many of the students attend the same classes together and where teachers work together to plan common themes and projects that cut across content areas.
What was I thought really cool during my shadowing time is that Kamrin's academy is working on a common project that deals with student's solutions to climate change. Students were learning about the issues involved around climate change from a social studies and policy lens, then they studied the idea mathematically with data and graph presentations and then they researched and debated the issue through an english lens. The debate was definitely a highlight!
It was a pleasure to spend time with Kamrin, his classmates and his teachers and it helped me to experience first hand what our freshman academies are like. I also had a quick chance to teach Kamrin and one of his friends how to play a new card game during advisory while we chatted...though I'm not sure they liked it! THANK YOU KAMRIN!
Here are some pictures that give a good glimpse into our schools from this past week...
I want to point out that in several of the pictures above (middle right, top right, top middle and top left) you see some of our GHS students volunteering to work with K-5 students across our three schools in our "Adopt-a-classroom" program. This program provides an opportunity for HS students to share their career interests, aspirations, and expertise on what it means to be a GHS student with our youngest learners. GHS students facilitate activities and develop mentoring relationships with our K-5 students that help solidify their aspirations as high school students, but also get our K-5 students thinking about their HS aspirations and beyond. All while having fun and building positive relationships! A truly incredible program conducted through our Aspire Gorham work!
Now on to the informational part...
NEW COHORT OF EDUCATOR APPRENTICES
STARTING JAN. 9!
These 8 individuals were hired as full time subs by the Gorham Schools at $17.25/hour with a full benefits package. They were then provided a week long intense "boot camp" of training by our partners at SMCC and began working in our special education classrooms when school opened in September. Participants have since continued to take 1 "traditional" course each semester in their cohort group offered on site in the Gorham Schools. Finally, participants were also assigned a mentor for the duration of their apprenticeship experience. All coursework has been FREE to participants.
The ultimate goal for these apprentices is to allow them to achieve their full associates degree (61 college credits) in just two years through a combination of "traditional" coursework and on the job workplace learning experiences, all while working full time and earning a decent wage. Once participants have completed their associates degrees they are then eligible to become fully certified Ed. Tech. II's in the Gorham Schools and be paid at a higher rate. Next, participants can then choose to keep going in their apprentice program through our partnership with USM. Participants can earn enough credits in one more year to become a fully certified Ed. Tech. III, and then in one more year, they can earn enough credits to become a fully certified teacher with a bachelor's degree from USM. Again, credits earned are through a combination of "traditional" coursework and workplace learning experiences - all while working full time to earn a living and with no cost to participants with a reasonable schedule that allows individuals to balance their home/family lives as well! A great program indeed!
As we continue to learn and strengthen this program, the feedback has been extremely positive from participants. Participants feel good about the work they do for children, they feel prepared and they feel supported by each other and by their mentors and SMCC professors. As this program grows those support structures will also grow and strengthen, building up the high quality educators that they are and will continue to become!
The Gorham Schools is now working in partnership with other area schools (i.e. MSAD 6, South Portland, and Scarborough Schools) to bring together a second cohort of educator apprentices. We are seeking 15 more participants into this program which will start with a week long "boot camp" during the week of January 9, 2023.
Our schools need incredibly talented and caring adults to join the ranks of public school educators. If you have ever thought about becoming a teacher, but weren't sure how, or weren't sure you could afford going to school or back to school - this program is for you! If you or others you know are interested in participating, please email workforceregistration@smccME.edu or call 207-741-5595 to learn more and apply today!
There is no more fulfilling job than to be a public school educator who makes a positive difference in the lives of children each and every day! Would love to see your application!
STAYING HEALTHY IN SCHOOLS DURING FLU SEASON...
About a week or so ago, I sent an email out to families emphasizing some key things we should all keep in mind as we navigate what seems to be a pretty significant influenza season here in Maine this year. I thought the information is worth repeating again in my blog for emphasis.
In any public setting there are things we can all do to help prevent the spread of illness. Here are the top ones that we tend to emphasize here in Gorham:
1. Stay home if you are sick. This is really hard, we know. But it really is the best way to ensure we limit the spread of illnesses in schools. Now, I know parents had several questions about how we make sure students don't get behind due to absences and I'll answer those in a minute (see next section)...but bottom line is (especially if there is a fever, nausea or uncontrolled coughing) you should stay home if you don't feel well.
2. Wash hands frequently. Sounds old fashioned doesn't it? But it works! This one is "tried and true!" Hand washing is never a bad thing. Wash hands after going to the bathroom, wash hands before and after eating, and if you don't have access to running water - hand sanitizer is still very much available and a great alternative.
3. Get vaccinated. Data is showing this year's flu vaccines to be very effective towards current strains and the good news is, it is never too late to get vaccinated! I went into Walgreens the other day and got my flu and COVID vaccine in just 15 minutes with no appointment and no lines.
4. Remember - masking is always an option! I've noticed a recent increase in the numbers of students and staff electing to wear masks while at school. This is a great option and certainly something we support in the schools.
5. Do Not share food/drinks - I've added this one just because while I was shadowing students at GHS the other day, I noticed several students sharing their drinks with one another and a few sharing their candy canes. Don't get me wrong - it is great to share - but drinking or eating after someone is a great way to spread germs and with all the different germs out there right now...probably NOT a good idea!
As a school, we emphasize the messages above frequently with students and staff. We have also recently increased our sanitization practices for common touch surfaces in collaboration with our custodial service provider Benchmark. They have done a wonderful job at helping us to try and keep those germs away and I'm sure that great partnership will continue.
Please know that although we have certainly seen our share of flu, cold, RSV, COVID and other illnesses going around in our schools over the past few weeks, we have not yet reached the threshold in any of our schools that would require us to report absences to the Maine CDC as several of our neighboring districts have had to do. That threshold is 15% of total absences of student and staff due to illness. We've come close a few times, but not yet reached that mark. The way this season is going though, I am pretty sure we are not out of the woods yet, as winter is just beginning!
If we ever did reach that 15% mark, our nurses would immediately report to the Maine Department of Education through our NEO information portal. This information would then be shared with the Maine CDC and a case worker from Maine CDC would be assigned. They would work with our nurses to take a closer look at the data to determine whether or not the school that reported would be considered in an "outbreak" status. If an outbreak status is determined, I would communicate with families just as I did during the pandemic. We would also work closely with the CDC case manager to determine if any additional sanitization practices were needed and if so, what and communicate those to families as well.
EXPECTATIONS FOR SHORT TERM ABSENCES
& MAKE UP WORK
When I sent out my email blast a few weeks ago on the importance of staying home when sick as a means of preventing the spread of illnesses while at school, I had several parents reach out to ask about how the schools treat absences due to illness and how the schools would work with families to ensure students don't fall behind and can catch up with their learning. All valid questions that I thought I'd provide a brief overview on. Please know that you can also refer to your school's student handbook for more detailed information and ALWAYS reach out to your child's teacher and/or school if you have concerns regarding make up work. Know that we all share a common goal in wanting to make sure we take care of students who have been out due to illness and get them caught up as soon as is possible while also honoring the fact that they have been ill.
First, please know that as long as you have communicated with the school that your child is out due to illness, they will be marked as having had an "excused absence". If there is no communication, then unfortunately, we don't know why the student was absent so we may mark them as "unexcused". This can make a pretty big difference in how we work with students when they are absence, so please, please, please, communicate with the school so that we are aware.
Overall expectations for K-8 students is below:
Within 24 hours of a teacher being notified that a student will be absent for longer than three days…
At GHS, where we want students to be a little more independent, the expectations are as follows:
At GHS, students who are absent due to illness should communicate with their teachers and their school counselor by sending them an email. The email should indicate what dates they expect to be absent, the reason for their absence, and their ability to do work (e.g. they’re sick and are unable to do work, they are sick but can do work). Teachers will respond to the student within 48 hours with a plan for making up work in their respective class.
Across grades K-12, the general rule of thumb is that students are given 2 weeks to make up missed work due to illness. Of course specific circumstances can extend that timeline as needed.
Bottom line: What is most needed to ensure students who are sick are able to get caught back up is clear communication between families and teachers. Luckily this is something we tend to be strong at here in Gorham! With that partnership individual plans can be created to make sure students do not fall behind due to being absent with illness.
WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE GETTING OUR SCHOOL MESSENGER TEXT MESSAGES?
As a reminder, Gorham Schools utilizes SchoolMessenger to deliver text messages to your mobile phone with important information about events, school closings, safety alerts and more.
You can begin receiving text notifications from Gorham Schools by sending a text message of “Y” or “Yes” to our school’s short code number, 67587.
You can also opt out of these messages at any time by simply replying to one of our messages with “Stop”.
Text message and data rates may apply.
If you haven't already signed up, I'd encourage you to do so. Thanks!
PRE K EXPANSION GRANT FROM MAINE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAS BEEN AWARDED TO GORHAM SCHOOLS!
I've shared our intentions to open two new Pre K classrooms with half day programs for Gorham families starting in the Fall of 2023 in previous blogs. I also shared that we had written a grant application to the MDOE to assist in funding some of the one time up front costs that would be associated with the grant such as playground upgrades, purchase of curriculum materials and classroom equipment, etc.
Just wanted to share that we found out last week WE WERE AWARDED THE GRANT!
We are so excited at the opportunities this will bring to our schools, to our students, to our families and to our community! We have three working groups that just started their work earlier this week on putting the "meat on the bones" of our plans and we are planning several informational events for community early care providers and families to learn more about this program over the course of the next few months so please stay tuned! For now, if you want to know more about how this program fits into our overall plan as a community for early care, please review our "Bright Futures For Little Rams Plan" and reach out with questions. These two new Pre K programs are just the tip of the iceberg for all the great work we want to do as a COMMUNITY to strengthen our early care collaborations and partnerships so that we can provide the best care for "Little Rams" as possible!
More to come! Stay Tuned!
NEW EXTENDED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES COURSE BEING OFFERED AT GHS!
Our new ELO coordinator at GHS (Grace) has just recently sent out information to all GHS Juniors about an exciting new course that will be offered next semester! The course is called "Extended Learning Opportunities." It is specifically tailored for juniors at GHS. There is a focus on Career & Life Readiness skills and an emphasis on interest based projects. The course will take place in the spring semester during periods 6 & 7.
I've included her write up below for the course...if you have a Junior at GHS or know someone who does...make sure they know about this opportunity and talk with their guidance counselors about whether this course may meet their learning needs!
Extended Learning Opportunity (Workplace Learning Experience) 0.5 - 1 Credit
This elective course is designed for juniors who are interested in exploring their future career interests in an immersive setting. Students will spend time working with a business mentor in their field of interest in the form of an internship, work study, job shadow, or interest-based project. Interest-based projects might look like: writing a book, building a deck, mentoring young students, painting a mural in a public area or building, planning for and cultivating a garden, building a rocket and adjusting it for maximum propulsion, and more. Credit will be awarded based on how much time is spent in the ELO placement (60 hours for 0.5 credit and 120 hours for 1 credit). Students will have regular meetings with the ELO Instructor for support and will expand their skills in communication, resume building, and interviewing to further develop career and life readiness capabilities.
Note: If you'd like to learn more about ELO's and what they are, here is a link to the ELO website as well!
FREE COVID 19 TEST KITS AVAILABLE
I was recently made aware that the federal government has re-started the program where you can order free COVID 19 test kits through the mail. Each household is allowed up to 4 kits.
Interested? Check out the link below to place your order.
NEW YEAR's GORHAM ACTIVITIES ANNOUNCED
This year's activities will be extra exciting as kids from all ages will take part in the event! Organizers have some high school students performing and the robotics club will be helping to raise money for their group by selling food. There will be LOTS of family oriented fun at this year's event...check out the flyer to learn more and HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
If you have questions, please reach out to Patricia Quang at: patriciaquang@gmail.com
Well, that's enough information for this blog post. The next post will be planned for Jan. 13 due to the upcoming winter break. I wish you and your families a restful and relaxing break. Enjoy the time spent with family and friends and I look forward to seeing everyone back in our schools on January 3rd!
I am so very optimistic about what 2023 has to bring for the Gorham Schools! I hope you are as well! GO RAMS!
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