It has been a little while since my last post, and somehow we have already turned the calendar to March! This time of year always brings a special kind of energy to our schools. Across the Gorham School Department, our teams are working hard to finish the current school year strong while also beginning the thoughtful planning that will shape the year ahead. It’s a busy season, to be sure—but it is also some of the most meaningful and rewarding work we do as educators! I’m excited to share a few updates and highlights from across our schools, but first, some images to give you a sense of the fun!
Now on to the information!
NEW VIDEO RELEASE - TECHNOLOGY USE IN THE GORHAM SCHOOLS!
Thank you to Larry Grondin (R.J. Grondin & Sons), Jennifer Whitehead (Dream Home Realty), Brian Jandreau (GHS Principal), Becky Fortier (Great Falls Principal), and the GoCAT team (Georgia and Ben) for helping produce the first in a four-part video series designed to give our community a closer look at what is happening inside the Gorham Schools regarding technology instruction and how our work connects to our mission to “Prepare and Inspire” our students for their future success.
In this first video, a panel of two educators and two local business partners discuss how technology is used in our schools and the rapidly changing world our students are preparing to enter. The full video is about 30 minutes long, but feel free to watch it in shorter segments.
My hope is that viewers come away with a better understanding that while technology is an important tool in our classrooms, it is always used with purpose—to help students learn how to think, solve problems, create, and apply these tools effectively in whatever future path they choose.
You will also hear an important theme throughout the conversation: the value of “Durable Skills.” Sometimes called “soft skills” (though there is nothing soft about them), these include critical thinking, creative problem solving, collaboration, adaptability, and flexibility. These skills remain at the heart of teaching and learning across all of our schools.
Check out the video below, and stay tuned for Video #2 later in April, which will focus on school funding and how our schools are supported. Video #3's focus will be on Safety and Security in Our Schools, and the final Video #4 will focus on how we are planning today for tomorrow's students.
Video #1 Link:
https://vimeo.com/1165821197
DID YOU KNOW APPROX. 58% OF OUR STUDENTS FEEL AS THOUGH THEY MATTER TO THE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY?
A relatively sobering statistic shared by GMS School Counselor and member of the Gorham Action Team for Youth (G.A.T.Y.), Brooke Proulx, was recently shared at a School Committee meeting. Mrs. Proulx also shared this and other data from the MIYHS (Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey) to the Gorham Town Council on Tuesday night. If you want to watch the first part of the council meeting to hear the data directly, CLICK HERE to view it. It is the first presentation on the agenda.
The full presentation shares the most recent data sets from the MIYHS survey given to students at GMS and GHS. This survey has been administered annually in Maine to Middle and High School students since 2009, so there is LOTS of great data to compare with.
You can CLICK HERE to view the full slide presentation with all the data charts and graphs. Just to encourage you to dig more deeply, here are a few other data points I thought you might find interesting from the survey presentation:
At GMS, 4.2% of the population has a primary language other than english and 15.4% of students identify as LGBTQ+
. 
At GHS, 8.5% of students have a primary language other than English and 13.8% identify as LGBTQ+
At GMS, grades 7&8, almost 15% of students self-report that they have had suicidal ideations...
At GHS, approximately 8% of students self-report that they have had suicidal ideations, both numbers are down from 2023...but still that is about 90 Gorham Middle School students (14%) and roughly 68 Gorham High School students (8%).
And finally, my favorite data point to share - 87% of high school students agree that their family loves and supports them! That's important for all of you to know - since something tells me they may not be telling you that very often! ☺
There is A LOT more data to review...I'd encourage you to review the slides and watch the presentation video linked above, and feel free to reach out with questions!
NATIONAL SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS WEEK WAS THIS PAST WEEK!
This past week was National School Social Workers' Week, so I wanted to share the message I sent out to all of our staff! We certainly have some of the best - if you haven't already reached out to thank them for their incredible work - Please do!
Dear Staff,
This week, we celebrate our incredible school social workers across the Gorham Schools.
THANK YOU TO...
Gorham High School - Claudine Emerson, Cynthia Collins, Nicole Hudson (.5), Emily Ryan
Gorham Middle School - Thom Courtney, Brooke Proulx
Great Falls Elem. School - Jaime Denham
Narragansett Elem. School - Courtney Forbes
Village Elem. School - Rachel Epling, Nicole Hudson (.5)
In every building, you serve as a steady anchor for students navigating challenges, both big and small. You provide compassionate listening, skilled intervention, and unwavering advocacy—ensuring that each child feels seen, supported, and valued. Your work embodies our mission to Prepare and Inspire our students for their future success. You serve our schools every day by nurturing resilience, empathy, and responsible citizenship in our students. Thank you for the heart, professionalism, and strength you bring to this work. Our students—and our entire Gorham community—are better because of you.
FY 27 SCHOOL BUDGET UPDATE!
The Gorham School Committee held its
FIRST of a planned series of
FIVE budget workshop meetings on Monday, March 2. You can
CLICK HERE to view a recording of the full meeting.
If you don't want to sit and watch the full 2-hours, here are some highlights from the discussion:
- The SC reviewed their
procedural and group norms for the budget approval process. These norms govern expectations for how we talk about the budget, how ideas are shared, and how the school committee makes preliminary decisions to guide suggested changes to the proposed budget.
- The SC then reviewed
Foundational Data to help gain a stronger sense of historical information, strengths, challenges, cost drivers, and budget priorities.
- The SC then reviewed the
Program Extensions List (Pg. 10-12 of the linked budget booklet) that is contained within the initial proposed budget totaling approximately $960,000.00
- The SC then reviewed highlights of the
Budget Q&A sheet containing 40 questions (and admin. answers) asked by SC members in preparation for this initial meeting.
This information was all reviewed to provide a solid foundation for the school committee to proceed with discussions and initial decision points. The School Committee then discussed how it wants to approach the next meeting. They requested that the Superintendent provide, for the next meeting, a suggested list of possible reductions that would demonstrate, first, a 1% overall reduction in expenditures (roughly $600,000.00) and, second, a 2% overall reduction in expenditures (roughly $1.2M). These initial lists will then be reviewed as a starting point, and they will move forward from there.
It was noted that the March 23 planned budget workshop will include an in-depth review of data collected to date by the Village Elementary School Transitions Program Pilot, which has been ongoing since December 2025.
The next budget workshop meeting will be held on March 9, starting at 6:30 p.m. at Village Elementary School. The meeting will begin with a facilities tour, and then we will pick up budget discussions immediately afterwards. Because the meeting will be at the Village, it will not be live-streamed; however, it will be recorded and posted on our website asap.
You can continue to follow all of our Budget work via our website by going to our
FY 27 Budget Development Page. You can also view our full timeline of budget meetings by
CLICKING HERE. There is still much work to do! I hope you will follow along and reach out with questions as we go!
TOWN OF GORHAM SHARES ITS BUDGET DEVELOPMENT TIMELINE
Town Manager Ephrem Paraschak recently shared the Town's budget development timeline. Check it out and feel free to reach out to Ephrem with any questions you may have: (eparaschak@gorham.me.us)
Each March, Women’s History Month gives us an opportunity to recognize the countless contributions women have made to our local communities, our state, and to our great country. Women have played a vital role in shaping the society we live in today. It is also a time to reflect on the perseverance and courage shown by women throughout history who worked to expand opportunity, equality, and access for future generations.
For our students, Women’s History Month is an opportunity to explore powerful stories of leadership and determination. Learning about women who broke barriers and led change helps young people see what is possible in their own lives. It reminds all of us that progress often begins with individuals who are willing to ask questions, to challenge assumptions, and to work together to create a better future.
Families can play an important role in celebrating Women’s History Month by exploring stories, books, and activities together. Below are a few excellent online resources for parents to learn more and spark meaningful conversations at home.
Top Online Resources for Families
-
National Women’s History Alliance
The organization that leads the national Women’s History Month movement offers biographies, themed resources, and educational materials for families and classrooms.
-
Library of Congress – Women’s History Resources
A rich collection of historical documents, photos, and stories highlighting influential women throughout American history.
-
National Women’s History Museum
Features engaging articles, virtual exhibits, and student-friendly biographies across many fields including STEM, sports, and public service.
Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative
Digital exhibits, historical stories, and learning materials exploring women’s impact on culture, science, and society.
Women’s History Month is a wonderful reminder that history is full of inspiring stories waiting to be discovered. By exploring these stories together, families can help young people appreciate the past while encouraging them to imagine the many ways they can shape the future.
WHAT DO YOU THINK MAKES OUR SCHOOLS SPECIAL AND HOW CAN WE CONTINUE TO GROW & IMPROVE?
We are now well into the second half of the 2025-2026 school year, which is always a great time to pause and reflect on how we are doing. As a means to this end, I have created this BRIEF, THREE-QUESTION survey open to staff, families, and community members to complete. Please click on the link below or scan the QR code and let us know what you think! I'll share a summary of the results in my next blog. Deadline to complete the survey - Monday, March 16, 2026. THANK YOU!
QR CODE:
THIRD PUBLIC FORUM ANNOUNCED - OUR SCHOOLS - OUR FUTURES!
So far, we have had great attendance at the first two. Lots of great information shared, good questions asked, and feedback provided! Would love to have folks come out again! Check out the flyer below for details and mark your calendars!
FINAL HOME UNIFIED BBALL GAME REMINDER!
Some seasons go by way too fast! Our Unified basketball team will have its last home game on Tuesday, 3/10, at 3:30pm at the GHS Gym. Please mark your calendars and plan to come out and support our Unified athletes! If you haven't been to a game yet - YOU REALLY SHOULD! GO RAMS!
UPCOMING PARTNERS IN EDUCATION MEETINGS WITH SCHOOL COMMITTEE!
Just a reminder that each year members of the Gorham School Committee take the time to visit each school's Partners In Education (P.I.E) meetings to share information and to engage with parents on topics that interest you. These meetings are open to any parent or community member to attend. Check out the schedule below and hope to see you there!
GORHAM CHILDCARE PROVIDERS INVITED TO FORUM ON NEW EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES MODEL
If you or someone you know is an early childhood care provider in the community of Gorham, we are hosting a forum on March 19 at 6:30 p.m. at Seedlings to Sunflowers (Industrial Park location) to share information about how we (the Gorham Schools) are planning to assume responsibilities for 3&4 year old special education programming. Our plans are to take on these responsibilities for 4 year olds effective July 1, 2026 and then 3 year olds the following year (July 1, 2027). We would love to have as many of our child care providers as possible attend this meeting. See details below and please mark your calendars!
That's it for this blog post! I look forward to seeing your responses to the survey! Next blog post will be March 20. By then, perhaps we'll see a little more spring weather!
P.S. - Don't forget to turn your clocks AHEAD this weekend for Daylight Saving Time!
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