Well we are already well into the month of March here in the Gorham Schools. Hard to believe that in just a few short weeks we will be in April and Spring will have sprung! We have been busy here in the Gorham Schools the past few weeks. Check out the pictures below to get a sense of the fun our students have been having!
Now on to the updates...
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR GORHAM RAMS BBALL TEAMS!
Although the outcomes of last Saturday's basketball games at the Cross Center were not what we had hoped for, I wanted to take a moment to congratulate our boys and girls basketball teams on their AA South Championships and their being the state runner's up in AA bball this year.
A basketball season is a long and arduous road often full of significant "ups" and "downs". There are no guarantees in this game and it is difficult for even one team to make it to the state championship game, let alone BOTH teams!
These two teams played through significant adversity, learning and growing stronger together as they went. They played hard, but clearly understood and demonstrated to all of us that the game is more than just a game. They played with heart and integrity. Our boys team also won the AA sportsmanship award this year and what an honor that is. These two teams represented our community so very well, even in the last defeat and we couldn't be more proud of them and all of our other student athletes in Gorham. GO RAMS!
NEW DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION
POLICY PASSED
At its February 7 regular meeting, the Gorham School Committee passed a new diversity, Equity and inclusion policy. This policy had been in the works for some time based upon feedback from community, staff, and others that we needed to provide more clear definitions of what is meant in our schools when we talk about what diversity, equity and inclusion is here in Gorham.
I thought that with Black History month just wrapping up and with Women's History Month occurring this month, that now would be a good time to share.
You can view the full language of the new policy by CLICKING HERE, but I thought it would be helpful to also include the key definitions for each of these important terms below. Here are our newly adopted definitions for each of these terms below so that now we are clear that when we say Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (D.E.I.) here in Gorham, this is what we mean...
DIVERSITY
Diversity in education means appreciating and embracing the differences that make each person unique. The Gorham School Committee views the diversity of cultural backgrounds and other aspects of the human experience reflected in our district as a strength in preparing students to thrive in a global society. Respecting and celebrating those experiences and perspectives helps us move beyond tolerance to appreciation of our mutual humanity. Diversity in education is achieved when curriculum, programs, co-curricular and extra curricular activities, reflect the diversity of our student population and include a range of perspectives and experiences, including those of underrepresented groups.
EQUITY
Educational equity means that each student receives access to the resources, opportunities, and educational rigor, at the right moment in their education, to develop to their full academic and social potential. This differs from equality, which means providing the same to all. Equity recognizes that we do not all start from the same place and must acknowledge and make adjustments to imbalances that exist. Educational equity is achieved when all students receive the resources they need to graduate prepared for success after high school.
INCLUSION
Inclusion in education is when all students feel they belong; being able to voice opinions [and ideas] and show up as one’s authentic self without judgment regardless of abilities or background. This is reflected in being heard, recognized, valued, and encouraged to contribute as part of the school community. Inclusion in education also extends to engagement with educators and parents who assist in this goal when all members of the education community are welcomed, accepted, and supported in the schools and in school-sponsored activities.
FY 25 BUDGET DEVELOPMENT UPDATE
The Gorham School Committee met for its first budget workshop meeting on Monday, March 4. Since this was the first meeting of the year for this purpose, and since we had three new members on the committee we took some time up front to review our group and procedural norms for the work to help set the tone for what will be a long process of sometimes difficult conversations. You can view our agreed upon norms by CLICKING HERE.
Next, we shared overall information about the proposed FY 25 budget and some key historical and background information to help school committee members gain insight and provide context for our continued conversations moving forward. There was some great data shared during this discussion. Folks can CLICK HERE to view the slide presentation of this data.
Then we took a closer look at some of the significant "cost drivers" in our proposed FY 25 budget. Those are:
Finally, we took some time to review answers to the Q&A Document which had 40 really great questions from School Committee members listed with answers from the administrative team. We have already added questions to this document since then and are now up to 70 really great questions with detailed answers!
The meeting was recorded and will be posted on the Town's GoCAT website for viewing. Once I have that recording link I will share it on our website where we are archiving all materials related to our budget development process. You can CLICK HERE to view that website.
All of this information is intended to provide a strong foundational understanding for the School Committee on the conditions within which we are operating in building our FY 25 budget and to prepare them for the harder conversations that will take place further down the road.
The School Committee is scheduled to meet every Monday for the next 4 Mondays to discuss the proposed FY 25 budget and to make adjustments and changes to the initial proposed budget via these processes. I would encourage those interested in following factual information about the proposed budget and ongoing work to please check these sources for that information.
RECENT CHANGE IN CDS GUIDANCE REGARDING
COVID 19
The CDC has recently updated its guidelines for COVID 19 so we wanted to share...
On Friday, March 1st, the CDC announced new guidelines for COVID19. Gorham School District has been following CDC guidelines for COVID19 without any additional requirements and will continue to do so.
The link below gives an overview of the new guidance that was released and put into effect on March 1st.
The 2 biggest takeaways:
1. No longer virus specific, it is more system specific. The new guidance is for all respiratory infections: influenza (flu), COVID19, RSV, etc.
2. No longer a specified isolation period. Return to work/activities when symptoms improving and no fever x 24 hours.
For more detailed information please click the link at the bottom of the document for the full CDC guidance on respiratory infections.
SHARING POSITIVE PUBLIC SCHOOL STORIES
If you recall, last week was a week during which our nation celebrated its public schools and the incredible things that occur in our schools each and every day. I had created a video sharing one of my favorite public school experiences as a student and had then created a google forms for others to share their POSITIVE public school stories. I wanted to be sure to share! You can view ALL THE POSTIVE STORIES shared by clicking the link...but I wanted to highlight just a few below:
Thank you to everyone that shared their POSITIVE stories!
DID YOU KNOW ABOUT OUR PE/PG SYSTEM FOR TEACHERS & PRINCIPALS/PROGRAM DIRECTORS HERE IN GORHAM?
Did you know that all of our Gorham Schools professional staff are evaluated using what we call our PE/PG system and that such a system is required by law in the state of Maine?
PE/PG stands for "Professional Evaluation and Professional Growth" in case you were wondering! Yes - our teachers and other professional staff have specific standards that they hold themselves and each other accountable to meeting! Our professional evaluation philosophy and goals are:
Our
PE/PG system was developed in collaboration with teachers and administration and in alignment with Maine statute that requires a formal PE/PG system be in place in each school district across our state. Local PE/PG systems may vary, but the framework, requirements, and reporting systems are very similar across public schools.
In Gorham, our professional educators are hired under what is known as a probationary contract for the first two years of service to our students and families. During this first two years, the system of annual goal setting, formal observations and support is pretty intense. For the first year, each teacher sets their goals, they meet with their administrators to review goals frequently and they are required to be formally observed by their building administrator at least once and by our assistant superintendent at least once. An annual summary evaluation score and narrative are developed and shared. In the 2nd year, similarly, teachers are required to set goals, meet with principals to review and touch base on these goals frequently, and are observed twice. The biggest difference in year 2 is that teachers are required to also be formally observed by the Superintendent of Schools.
Once teachers complete the first two years of probationary status successfully they are then placed on what is called a "continuing contract" status. Once there, teachers are then required to develop annual goals and share those with principals, continuously monitor said goals, and participate in either formal observations or walk through evaluation processes on a three year cycle.
In Gorham, the professional standards we use are based upon the "Danielson model", a model of professional standards developed by Charlotte Danielson several years ago. You can view a synopsis of the model by
CLICKING HERE - although please know there is A LOT more behind each of those bullets listed!
The four key components of these professional standards are broken out into what are called "Domains". In the Danielson model the four overarching domains for professional standards are:
- Domain 1 - Planning and Preparation
- Domain 2 - The Classroom Environment
- Domain 3 - Professional Responsibilities
- Domain 4 - Instruction
Under each domain are specific categories/components and then detailed performance indicators.
I am sharing all of this because I sometimes am not sure if folks understand the professional work that goes on behind the scenes to make sure our teachers hold themselves to high standards of work and performance with our students. Also, I kinda wanted the students to know that what is "good for the goose is good for the gander"! ☺In other words - YES - our teachers are also assigned "homework" and "projects" they too have to "meet standards" and are even "graded" using rating scales for each of these components. See students - our teachers continue to work hard to continuously learn too because they love to learn and they want to make sure they are doing the absolute best for YOU!
There is A LOT more information that could be shared here regarding our PE/PG system but it would take too long in a blog post. If folks have further questions or want to learn more - please feel free to reach out to me and I'm happy to answer further questions. Our teachers are some of the best in the state and this isn't by accident! THEY WORK HARD and hopefully seeing some of this behind the scenes stuff helps folks see just how hard they really do work for our children!
REMINDER - GORHAM ANTI-RACISM & EQUITY COMMITTEE EAT AND LEARN EVENT IS COMING RIGHT UP ON MARCH 12!
The Gorham Schools Anti-Racism & Equity Committee will be hosting it's 2nd Annual "Eat and Learn" event this coming Tuesday night at GHS at 5:30 p.m.
The Anti-Racism and Equity Committee and the Community Outreach Equity Subgroup are excited to be hosting the 2nd Annual Eat and Learn. This year, we are looking to showcase, through artistic mediums and expression, the concept of Advocacy. As a committee, we understand the many issues facing students, and how our public understanding of how to be and advocate can enhance a positive learning environment.
We have invited students to sign up and provide an artistic submission that answers the following question: When did you need an advocate, or what has been your experience of advocacy? Through any artistic medium including physical art, sculpture, audio/visual, or spoken word.
We have had some great submissions from students that we can't wait to share. The "Eat and Learn" event will consist of a "gallery walk" where we share these artistic submissions and ask participants to reflect upon their importance. We will have child care and food available for those that would like to come out to "eat and learn" together!
If you are interested in attending, please sign up using the link below so we can get an accurate count for food! THANK YOU!
Sign up link:
COMMUNITY THEATER OPPORTUNITY FOR CHILDREN IN GORHAM
The Gorham Arts Alliance will be working in our community to put on a spring Production of 13 the Musical Jr. See posting information below as well as flyer for more information about how to get your child involved if they might be interested!
Audition CALL for our Spring Production of 13 the Musical Jr.
Ages 12 -15 welcome to audition – all who register will be cast in the show.
Rehearsal commitment is Tues/Thurs 5-8:30 pm 4 Shows 6/14 , 6/15 and 6/16
Music & Lyrics by
Jason Robert Brown
Book by
Dan Elish and Robert Horn
Director & Choreographer
Kristi Grand
Music Director
Diane Hancock
13 JR. is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized materials are supplied by Music Theatre International, New York, NY
CONGRATULATIONS TO LAURIE CHIASSON (NARRAGANSETT) - ELEMENTARY ART TEACHER OF THE YEAR!
The Maine Art Education Association Awards & Recognitions Committee is pleased to announce that Narragansett Art Teacher Laurie Chiasson is being recognized as the 2024 MAEA Elementary Art Educator of the Year!
Laurie's commitment and dedication to the continued advancement of art education in Maine is to be commended and Narragansett is proud that Mrs.Chiasson shares her gifts and talents with our students!CONGRATULATIONS LAURIE!
That is it for this blog post...will see you again on March 22nd! Have a great weekend everyone!
