May 16 Post

OH MY...just four weeks left of the school year!  I'm sure students are likely celebrating, but adults - not so much!  WE LOVE OUR STUDENTS and want to keep them as long as possible!  

We are most definitely in "high gear" across all our schools!  Making sure those end of year units are strong, assessing student growth, helping students with finishing touches on projects, AP exams, chorus and band concerts, athletic events, senior internships, academic awards, scholarship nights, senior walk, step up days, PK celebrations, 5th grade celebrations, 8th grade celebrations and let's not forget the CLASS OF 2025 Graduation - all coming right up!☺  

I couldn't possibly list all the end-of-year activities here, so I won't try, but I will encourage families to check out our website (district and school levels) to stay up on all these events, and please don't hesitate to reach out to your school offices if you have any questions!

Lots to update folks on...so will get right to it after a some images from the past few weeks across our schools:

MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

May marks Mental Health Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of mental well-being for individuals of all ages, including our children. For families within the Gorham School Department, it’s an opportunity to come together as a community to support mental health and emotional wellness in meaningful, proactive, and supportive ways.

Mental Health Awareness Month was established in 1949 to increase public understanding of mental health conditions, reduce stigma, and advocate for policies that support people living with mental illness. For parents and caregivers, it’s a reminder that mental health is just as important as physical health—and that early support makes a lifelong difference.

In recent years, children and teens across the country have experienced rising levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Schools like ours in Gorham play a vital role in fostering environments that promote emotional resilience and safety, but the support starts at home. Informed, engaged, and compassionate parents can help children navigate their emotions with confidence and security.

Here are some practical ways parents can get involved this May:

Start the Conversation

• Talk openly with your child about feelings and stress. Let them know it’s okay not to feel okay and that asking for help is a sign of strength.

• Use books or shows as conversation starters about emotions and mental health.

Practice Mindfulness Together

• Try mindfulness apps like Smiling Mind, Headspace for Kids, or Calm as a family.

• Build small habits like gratitude journaling or deep breathing exercises into your routine.

Use Local and Online Resources

• Visit NAMI Maine for parent resources, workshops, and support networks.

• Explore Child Mind Institute for toolkits and tips tailored to families

• Re-examine the excellent FREE resources that can be found on parentguidance.org.

Model Self-Care

• Your mental wellness matters. Modeling self-care—like taking breaks, getting enough sleep, or seeking support—teaches your child to do the same.

Engage with Gorham School Resources

• Contact your child’s school counselor or social worker with any concerns.

• Participate in school wellness initiatives or parent info nights as they come up.

Mental Health Awareness Month reminds us that we all have a role to play in creating a culture of support and understanding. Thank you for all the incredible work you do as parents in our community. It is no easy job, but you should all know that we think you are doing a great job! Keep it up!

MAY IS ALSO NATIONAL BIKE MONTH!

With all this rain, it has likely been hard to think about getting outside and dusting off that bike, but I wanted to encourage families to do just that!  What better way to spend time together as a family than biking some of the incredible trails we have here in Gorham! If you aren't up for a trail ride, perhaps just a bike around the neighborhood!  May is the month to celebrate the joys of biking!  

P.S. - Another bonus about biking in Maine during the month of May - you don't have to worry about blackflies if you bike! Unless you stop for a break, you are on your own then! ☺ 

Seriously, though, biking promotes physical fitness, builds confidence in young riders, and offers an opportunity to explore our beautiful town together. It’s also a great way to reduce traffic congestion and support a greener environment.

Gorham Schools encourages families to participate by safely biking to school, participating in local bike events, and reviewing bike safety tips together. Let’s model healthy habits for our children, strengthen community connections, and make biking a part of our everyday lives—not just this month but all year!

Happy riding! 

TOWN COUNCIL PASSES PROPOSED SCHOOL BUDGET WITH 6-0 VOTE - NEXT STEP- PLEASE VOTE JUNE 10!

On Tuesday, May 13, the Gorham Town Council passed the Proposed FY 26 School Department budget with no adjustments by a unanimous vote of those present (6-0, Gagnon absent).  

The meeting was live-streamed and recorded. To view the recording, CLICK HERE.  

In my previous blog post, I gave all the budgetary run-downs and links to details, so I am not going to repeat those here.  I will share that we have recently updated our budget website, and you can also find all information there.  Bottom line numbers - the proposed budget impact to taxpayers is an increase of just 3.15% or .30 on the mill. For the median valued home in Gorham, that would equal an increase of just $120.00.  Again, many more details can be found on the website or by listening to the Town Council meeting recordings for the budget workshop meeting on April 29 and the most recent TC vote on May 13.

The NEXT STEP is now to bring the proposed budget to the budget validation referendum, where voters are asked to either vote to approve the budget by voting "yes" or vote not to approve the budget by voting "no".  If voters vote to approve the budget, then that is the final step in the process.  If voters do not approve the budget, we would then be required to repeat the process until a budget has been approved by the School Committee, the Town Council, and voters via referendum.

HOW TO VOTE:

Absentee Ballot requests are now available.  You can request a ballot by calling the Town Clerk's office at 222-1670.  Ballots will be mailed out during the second week of May and may be returned anytime.  Voters can also vote absentee at the Town Clerk's office now through June 5, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.  Ballots must be returned by June 10 at 8:00 p.m.  Finally, voters can also go to their local polling locations on June 10 to vote in person.  No matter the method - please make a plan to vote!

REMINDER - YOUR VOTE, EVERY VOTE - COUNTS!

It is crucially important that everyone gets out to vote!  If you recall, last year's school budget was approved by a total of just 2 votes.  If that doesn't point out the importance of every single vote, what does!  Please make a plan to get out and vote either via absentee ballots or at the polls on June 10.  There is no better way to model for our children how our incredible democracy works than to vote!  Let's make sure voter participation is high once again this year in Gorham!

CORRECTING SOME MISINFORMATION - GORHAM SCHOOLS' SUPPORT OF CTE & "THE TRADES"

First, what is CTE?  CTE stands for Career and Technical Education. 

Recently, I've seen some posts and heard some conversations in our community indicating that perhaps the Gorham Schools don't support students participating in CTE programs because when they look at the proposed budget, the expenditure line referencing CTE is listed at $0.00.  

I get how that could be confusing, but let me explain and put this misinformation aside because the thought that our schools don't support the CTE pathway towards trades and other exciting careers couldn't be further from the truth!

The budget category is listed at $0.00 because about 4 years ago, the way that CTE schools are funded by the State of Maine changed.  Prior to this change, funding from the state to support CTE students would flow from the state to each school district. Then the school district would be responsible for paying a tuition "bill" to each CTE center (in our case, either Westbrook Regional Vocational Center or Portland Arts and Technology High School).  After the change, however, funding now flows directly from the state to the CTE center and bypasses the sending schools.  We still have to list the category because it is a required reporting category from the state, and those schools that host CTE sites (like Westbrook or Portland) still must report expenditures in this category.  But because Gorham does not host a CTE site, and instead is known as a "sending school," we do not have to expend funds to support CTE programming directly.  That is why this line item is at $0.00 in our local budget.

Now, this is a quick story to demonstrate our support of the CTE programs and pathways at Gorham High School. . . 

When I first came to the Gorham Schools in the 2015-2016 School year, we sent a total of just 35 students to CTE programs at either PATHS or WRVC. By 2023-2024, we had increased that number to 73 students, and this year, we have 80 students attending CTE programs. We anticipate 111 students attending CTE programs next year!  We have maxed out the seats that we have available, and we have done this every year for the past five years.

We haven't stopped there!  Because we have maxed out our seats at CTE while we still have students who want to explore these pathways, we have created an extremely strong ELO program.  ELOs are Extended Learning Opportunities!  We have gone from just a handful of students being able to earn independent study credits for outside of school learning experiences, to now (in 2024-2025) we have 76 students that have participated in ELO programming doing internships, job shadows, and more within our community and with our local business partners in key areas such as:

.   

Bottom line: The Gorham Schools, with the help of our incredible partners with the Gorham Business Roundtable (see info sheet #1 and #2 for more on the roundtable), have worked hard over the years to eliminate any potential "stigmas" regarding students participating in CTE programs or other career exploration programs. Suggesting that we don't support CTE programs related to the trades is simply not accurate and I wanted to make sure that got corrected.

Gorham is an incredibly vibrant community with a wonderful mix of professionals, trades folks, laborers, and everything in between.  Just in our small community we have incredible employers such as Moody's, Shaw Brothers, Gorham Sand and Gravel, Grondins, Great Falls Construction and more who are significant supporters of our schools and the pathways we have created for our students to explore various careers in these areas and more!

As I wrap this piece up - we can't thank our business partners more for continually stepping up to the plate to work with our students and provide for them high quality learning opportunities to explore their aspirations starting day one in Pre K all the way up through to our HS students.  Gorham is a lucky community to have such strong business partnerships - THANK YOU!

FISCAL SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE WRAPS UP ITS INITIAL WORK

The Gorham Fiscal Sustainability Committee, a joint subcommittee of the Gorham Town Council and the Gorham School Committee, has been meeting since earlier this fall.  The purpose of the group was to understand the existing financial landscape for the Town of Gorham and the Gorham School Department; to evaluate the future economic landscape, and to use this knowledge to make recommendations for how to maintain sustainable taxes while continuing to manage the present and future growth of our community over the next five to 10 years.

The three key "deliverables" were:

• Development of a series of recommendations to the Town Council and School Committee for how to reduce costs (or mitigate continued cost increases) through efficiencies.
• Develop a series of recommendations for the Town Council and School Committee on increasing revenues to offset direct taxpayer expenses at the municipal and school levels.
• Develop a series of recommendations to the Town Council and School Committee on how to improve communications between various stakeholder groups within the Gorham community to help them understand current and future financial limitations.

The group held its final formal meeting earlier this week on May 12 and has drafted a formal report containing 18 recommendations and 8 key performance indicators to assist in measuring the work's success. The report will be finalized over the next few weeks, and then the plan is to present it to a joint meeting of the Town Council and School Committee later in June.

One of the recommendations moving forward will be that a standing joint subcommittee be created by both the Town Council and School Committee to continue the conversations and ensure the report doesn't just sit on a shelf. Once the other recommendations are presented to the Town Council and School Committee, more details will follow. You can watch the last meeting by CLICKING HERE.  

LAST COLLECTION DRIVE OF THE YEAR FOR THE SCHOOL BACKPACK PROGRAM!

Last Collection Drive of the Year for the Backpack Program!

As we wrap up another fantastic school year, we're kicking off our final collection drive to support the Summer Box Program—a special effort to ensure students head into summer with a box full of non-perishable food items as an emergency supply. Each box also includes information for families about accessing the Gorham Food Pantry.

We are deeply grateful for every donation, whether it's your time, food items, or financial support. We could not do this important work without our incredibly generous and caring community. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of local students.

Please share widely and help us fill a box for every student in the Gorham BackPack Program!

That's it for this blog post...next one will be on May 30! ☺

May 2 Post

Spring has finally arrived in Maine—and with it, the inevitable return of blackflies! There’s always something, isn’t there? But let’s be honest: a few pesky bugs are a small price to pay for living in such an incredible state. From breathtaking natural beauty to a strong sense of community, Maine has a lot to offer. This past week, I’ve had the pleasure of visiting several schools and was thrilled to see students taking full advantage of the warmer weather, whether it was recess, outdoor learning activities, or just a quick movement break. There’s nothing like fresh air to lift the spirit and energize the day!

Scroll down to check out some snapshots of what’s been happening in our schools recently—then we’ll dive into the informational part of this blog post! (P.S. - needed two sets of photos this time to capture all the learning fun across our schools)!

NEXT WEEK IS TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK!

Next week (May 5–9) is National Teacher Appreciation Week, and it’s the perfect opportunity to recognize and celebrate the incredible educators who pour their hearts into helping our Gorham children learn, grow, and thrive.

Our teachers are more than just instructors—they are mentors, encouragers, and champions of every child in their care. They show up each day with patience, creativity, and resilience, in meeting the individual needs of their students. And while they don't do it for recognition, knowing that their efforts are seen and appreciated can be deeply meaningful.

Think back to your own school years. Can you remember a teacher who made a difference in your life? Someone who believed in you when it mattered most? For me, that person was Mr. Morin, my high school history teacher. His passion for the past made history come alive and inspired me to pursue a career in education—an impact that still shapes me today. I often wish I had taken the time to thank him back then. It’s a reminder that the simple act of saying “thank you” can mean the world.

This week, I encourage every family to find a way—big or small—to show their appreciation. A few ideas:

• Write a heartfelt note or email sharing how a teacher has made a difference in your child’s life.

• Organize or contribute to a classroom supply drive.

• Help your child create a handmade card or treat.

• Post a shoutout on social media recognizing your child’s teacher and tagging the school.

• Volunteer your time to support classroom or school-wide activities.

These gestures, no matter how small, lift spirits and remind our educators why they do what they do. Teaching—like parenting—is both incredibly rewarding and incredibly challenging. A kind word or thoughtful gesture can make a huge impact.

Thank you for being partners in this journey with us!

FY 26 SCHOOL BUDGET UPDATE

The Gorham School Committee voted to approve the proposed FY26 budget on April 9 with a unanimous 7-0 vote.  The proposed budget has been sent to the Town Council for review, discussion, and approval.

Two key facts that individuals should be aware of with the proposed FY 26 School Budget:

1.  The FY 26 proposed school budget represents the smallest tax increase requested by the schools in over TEN YEARS.  The proposed budget would be an increase of $.30 on the mill, or 3.15%. This proposed budget, if approved, would require a median-valued homeowner in Gorham ($400,000.00) to pay $120.00 more in taxes for the 2026 year.

2. The Gorham School Budget has maintained the 2nd lowest per-pupil spending among all Cumberland County Schools at $18,963.00.  The Cumberland County average per-pupil spending is $22,322.00.  In FY 25, we would have had to add $9,41,727.00 to our proposed budget to bring our budget up to the average spending of other Cumberland County Schools.  

On Tuesday, April 29, the School Committee met with the Town Council for a joint budget workshop.  

You can view a recording of this meeting by CLICKING HERE.  You can also view a copy of the Town Council Budget Booklet by CLICKING HERE, and you can view a copy of the slide presentation shared with the Town Council at the budget workshop meeting by CLICKING HERE.  

As a reminder, you can also find all other information regarding the FY 26 school budget development process by visiting our website LINKED HERE.

It is clear that both boards have listened closely to the feedback provided by the public to increase communication and collaboration in the budget development process, and we are pleased with the outcome of this vital work on behalf of our community.  The significantly lower impact on taxpayers as a result of this proposed budget is an indication of the importance of this critical collaboration effort.

The next step in the budget approval process will be for the Town Council to vote on approving the Town's total budget, which includes the school's budget, on May 13, 2025.  The meeting will be held at the Municipal building in the council chambers starting at 6:30 p.m.  Members of the public are welcome to attend and provide input before the council votes on the budget.

In another demonstration of listening to public feedback from previous budget processes, the Gorham Schools will also focus on improving transparency and communication regarding the proposed FY 26 budget with the entire Gorham community, not just those directly associated with the schools.  We will send a brief, two-page flyer (front and back) to all taxpayers in Gorham in late May or early June, providing an overview of the proposed budget to the community.  We will also create our annual one-page informational piece for the Gorham Times, which will be featured in the May 22nd edition.  Finally, Superintendent Perry will host two "dunk and discuss" events at Sullivan House Bakery, where members of the public with questions can come in, enjoy a cup of coffee and a tasty treat, and ask questions about the proposed budget to get immediate answers.  The dates for these meetings will be:

-  May 15 at 7:00 a.m. (location:  Sullivan's bakery)

-  May 22 at 7:00 a.m.  (location:  Sullivan's bakery)

The final step in the process will be to present the total budget approved by the Town Council for the School Department to a Budget Validation Referendum vote, scheduled for June 10, 2025, at your local polling locations.  

It is IMPERATIVE that EVERYONE GETS OUT TO VOTE on the proposed budget on June 10.  Last year, the school's budget was decided by just 2 votes, which means EVERY VOTE COUNTS!  Please review the information provided about the proposed budget and then plan to vote on June 10!  You can learn more about absentee voting by CLICKING HERE.

PUBLIC EDUCATION AND THE IMPORTANCE OF TRANSPARENCY

In today’s world, where trust and clarity matter more than ever, it’s essential for our community to know just how transparent our public schools truly are. Public education operates with openness at its core—through public school board meetings, published budgets, accessible student achievement data, and curriculum information that’s available to families and community members alike. These aren’t just best practices; they’re part of our everyday commitment to serving our students and being accountable to you.

Transparency is what allows families to feel confident and involved. When schools openly share their mission/vision, strategic goals, core beliefs, decisions, and progress, families are empowered to take part in their children’s education in meaningful ways. Whether it’s understanding how resources are allocated, what our policies and procedures are, and how students are supported in the classroom, the information is there, and we encourage everyone to engage with it.

This openness also creates a stronger sense of partnership. When schools and communities work together, with shared understanding and trust, we can accomplish so much more for our children. Public education thrives when educators, families, and community members are aligned in purpose, and that alignment begins with access to clear and honest information.

As a public school system, we take seriously our responsibility as stewards of both your trust and your children’s futures. Our transparency is not just a policy—it’s a promise to keep our community informed (Blog posts) involved, and at the heart of everything we do.  If you have any questions about our practices, please reach out to your child's teacher, principal, superintendent, or your elected school committee members.  It is no easy task to raise a child in today's world, as educators and parents, we understand this critical task's weight and responsibility.  We want to stand shoulder to shoulder with you as partners because we know this is the only way for our mission to "Prepare and Inspire" all children to achieve their future success can be achieved.  

At its core, public education is a public trust, and our schools honor that trust through their daily commitment to openness, accountability, and inclusion. By continuing to lead with transparency, public schools reaffirm their role as responsive, community-centered institutions that prioritize students.  Thank you for continuing to hold us accountable to this important task of keeping you informed as partners in your child's education!

JUNE 10 REMOTE LEARNING DAY FOR GREAT FALLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ONLY

For many years, Gorham Middle School (GMS) has proudly served as a local polling location, and during the pandemic, Great Falls Elementary School was added as a second site to ensure more accessible and safe voting options for our community. As a school district, we are proud to partner with the Town of Gorham to support civic engagement and make it easier for every community member to exercise their right to vote.

At GMS, we are able to securely separate the voting area from the rest of the school by using the gymnasium and designated entrances, allowing students and voters to remain safely apart throughout the day. Unfortunately, Great Falls Elementary does not offer the same flexibility. Due to the building's layout, particularly the placement of the cafeteria and shared spaces, there is no feasible way to prevent interaction between voters and students during the school day.

In past elections, such as those held in November, we’ve resolved this challenge by aligning staff professional development days with voting days, which keeps students out of the building while still supporting our role as a polling place. However, in June, we do not have a professional development day available to make this adjustment.

Therefore, to continue supporting our community's access to voting while prioritizing student safety, we will hold a Remote Learning Day for all Great Falls students on Tuesday, June 10. This decision allows us to maintain our commitment to civic partnership and student well-being. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility as we balance these two critical responsibilities.

FLAVORS OF OUR COMMUNITY EVENT!

Gorham High School will be hosting an international dinner/dessert potluck, called "Flavors of our Community" on May 7th from 5-7 PM in the GHS cafeteria (flyer attached). Please join and bring a dish to share! Anyone from the Gorham community is invited and welcome.

WALKING THROUGH THE HALLWAY AT GMS - SAW THIS POSTER AND WANTED TO SHARE!

The other day I was walking along the upstairs hallway at GMS, the one that connects the 7th grade and 8th grade wings and I saw this quiet little poster on the wall that caught my attention.  The poster was an essay written by Michael Brown, entitled "What Is an American?"  I stopped to read it and wondered how long it had been up on the walls.  Upon questioning some veteran staff members, I discovered that the poster had been hung up in one of the school's first years, back in 2003, over 20 years ago now.

I have tried to research who Michael Brown is, the author of this essay, but I can't find anything specific.  The essay was written in the early 2000s.

While reading it, I thought to myself, ' What a great poster. '  Although some of the language may be antiquated, the overall message still resonates today, over 20 years later... definitely worth sharing and to continue to ponder the answer to the core question...

What Is An American?

An American is not defined by a particular skin color or way of life. He is a person from many places, with many shades of skin, different sizes and varied energies. He has a Master’s Degree, or he may never have finished high school. He may drive an expensive automobile, or perhaps he relies on the rules of mass transit to get him to the office. But regardless of who he is, what he looks like or any facial features he may bear, he is a strength in tradition that compels the American way. An American opens the doors of opportunity to all people into a life known only in the hearts of those who have struggled and sacrificed for freedom, and which has released the American ideal to those who reach for the stars.

An American does not wave armed callings in defiance of a system, but rather as a reminder that the system exists. He is an inventor and a discoverer. An American believes that freedom is a responsibility, not a right. He is an advocate for peace, and when it is called upon him to stand in defense of his nation’s soil, he does not retreat. But he realizes that the future solely becomes the heritage of those who preserve it.

An American trusts the system and believes that it will not harm them through a process in which it serves all people. He does not promote absolutism, and in times of trial, rises above the ashes of defeat to shine through the anguish. He does not measure greatness in wealth, but in character. He stands ready at a moment’s notice.

An American finds nothing in all universal creation that equals getting cold chills when his flag raises in revelry. His flag has flown in battle and has never been replaced. When the smoke cleared over Fort McHenry, it was still there. When it drifted in the sands of Iwo Jima and when the colors glistened on the moon, it was still there. That is what it means to be free. An American sees nothing wrong with shedding a tear in honor of his brother while the National Anthem is played. He views hope as not only a dream, but as a promise that he must keep. He believes that his freedom will only be unreachable when it is no longer worth the risk.

An American is the essence of pride in a way of life. What is an American, you say? He is fortunate.

— Michael Brown

Great Food for thought!  My next blog post will be on May 16!  Have a great weekend, everyone!☺