May 22

When we return from the well-earned Memorial Day weekend, it is hard to believe we have just 3.5 weeks remaining in the 2025–2026 school year!  Across our schools, there will be marching practice, senior walks, graduations, celebrations, step-up days, concerts, field days, and countless other moments that remind us how much growth can happen in a single school year.

While some students will receive awards, scholarships, or public recognition, it is important to remember that every single student in the Gorham Schools deserves to be celebrated. Success looks different for every child. For some, it may be mastering a new skill, building confidence, overcoming challenges, showing kindness to others, or simply continuing to grow each day. As a community, let’s take time over these final weeks to encourage, support, and celebrate all of our students for the unique journeys they are on and the bright futures they are building.

Here are just a few photos from our schools over the past several weeks… and then on to the information!

    SMALL ACTS, BIG IMPACT:  HOW GMS STUDENTS ARE SUPPORTING THEIR PEERS AND LIVING OUR CODE OF CONDUCT!

If you didn't have the privilege of sitting at the May 13th School Committee Meeting to listen to GMS students present their "Ram Rack" work, YOU MISSED OUT!  Luckily, Georgia and her incredible team at GoCAT recorded the presentation so that you can watch it at your leisure!  If you want to get a solid sense of the types of students we have in our schools, I would STRONGLY recommend taking 5-8 minutes to watch!  

Recording Link:  https://play.champds.com/gorhamme/event/251

Note:  You'll want to start viewing at about the 3:05 minute mark.

Key takeaways... our students were exposed to community volunteerism and to what it looks like to work to make a positive difference in your community.  They then wanted to find a way to "give back" to themselves, and with their hard work and dedication, the "Ram Rack" was born!  A place where any GMS student can quietly go in, take a look around, and find clothing items they might need.  No cost, no judgment, just quiet kindness.

Watch the video to learn more directly from the students themselves!  Great Job Katahdin Students!  GO RAMS!

MEMORIAL DAY - IT IS NOT JUST A LONG WEEKEND! 

As we approach Memorial Day weekend, we pause as a nation to remember and honor the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces who gave their lives in service to our country. While many people associate Memorial Day with the unofficial start of summer, its true meaning is far deeper and more important. Memorial Day began following the Civil War as communities gathered to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers and flags in acts of remembrance and gratitude. Originally known as “Decoration Day,” the observance eventually grew into a national holiday honoring all American service members who made the ultimate sacrifice in defending the freedoms and values we hold dear.

Memorial Day is an opportunity for all of us to reflect on the extraordinary courage and selflessness demonstrated by generations of Americans. The freedoms we experience every day, like the ability to learn in a public school, our freedom of speech, our ability to vote, and much more, did not come without sacrifice. Across our nation’s history, individuals have stepped forward to protect our democracy and preserve the ideals upon which our country was founded. Their service and sacrifice remind us that citizenship carries both privileges and responsibilities.

As a school community, Memorial Day also offers us an important opportunity to teach our children about gratitude, service, empathy, and civic responsibility. Democracy should not be taken for granted.  This weekend, as we spend time with family and friends, we should also take a moment to honor those who gave everything for our nation.  It should remind us all that their sacrifice allows us to live the way we choose, and that it is our responsibility to carry forward that legacy together.

CORRECTED GORHAM TIMES FULL PAGE AD

In the most recent edition of the Gorham Times (May 21), the school placed a full-page ad informing folks about the FY 27 budget and upcoming vote.  This is something we do each year.  Unfortunately, the Gorham Times printed the wrong draft of the full-page ad, so some of the data is incorrect.  They have apologized, are not charging us for the ad, and have promised to help spread the correct information, but I wanted to make sure folks were aware that the published ad was not fully accurate.  

The final and agreed-upon full-page ad is LINKED HERE and below.  Please share with others who may have questions or who wonder why things may not be "adding up".  Thank you.

GORHAM SCHOOL DEPARTMENT CONDUCTS SUCCESSFUL REUNIFICATION PRACTICE

On Wednesday, May 20, during the afternoon of our scheduled early release day, the Gorham School Department conducted a full-scale reunification exercise at the University of Southern Maine Field House. This practice gave our district and community partners the opportunity to test and strengthen our procedures for safely reuniting students with families during an emergency.

The exercise was based on the I Love U Guys Foundation’s Standard Reunification Method, a nationally recognized framework used by schools and emergency response agencies to provide a clear and consistent process for reconnecting students with caregivers following an emergency requiring evacuation or relocation.

Our simulation walked through the full reunification process, including transportation, site setup, family check-in, student accountability, reunification verification, communication, and dismissal procedures.

This effort required strong collaboration across many groups. We are grateful to the many partners who helped make the exercise possible, including Gorham School Department staff, Gorham High School leadership and volunteer student participants, district transportation, facilities and technology teams, University of Southern Maine staff and campus public safety, Gorham Police, Gorham Fire, Gorham EMS, and the American Red Cross.

Practicing these procedures helps us test our plans, strengthen coordination between agencies, identify areas for improvement, and provide staff with hands-on experience in their emergency roles.

In the event of an actual reunification, families would receive clear communication from the school district with specific instructions about where to go, what to bring, and the steps to follow. Having a practiced, structured process helps ensure reunification can happen as safely and efficiently as possible.

We are proud of the professionalism, teamwork, and collaboration demonstrated throughout this exercise and will use participant feedback to continue refining our procedures.

GORHAM SCHOOLS PROPOSED BUDGET FACT SHEETS

Since my last post on May 8, I've released two more fact sheets regarding the Proposed FY 27 budget.  I wanted to be sure folks saw them so I have included them below.  You can view ALL FIVE (and the ones I'll be adding in the next few weeks) by CLICKING HERE.  Please feel free to share.  An informational flyer will be going out to all Gorham residents by the end of next week.

PROPOSED FY 27 SCHOOL BUDGET UPDATE

On Tuesday, May 12, 2026, the Town Council voted 5-2 (Dearborn, Phillips) to approve a proposed FY 27 School budget that was $50,000.00 less than the original budget requested by the School Committee.  Before the vote, there was a public hearing at which 4 people spoke: 3 in favor of the proposed budget and 1 against.  There was also a great discussion, with many good questions asked of the Superintendent to help inform the council's final decision-making.  

If you missed the meeting - no worries - it was recorded!  You can check it out by CLICKING HERE.  

There is just ONE STEP left in the budget approval process.  That is the budget validation referendum scheduled for June 9.  Below is an image of the sample ballot, which you can find on the Town Clerk's website LINKED HERE.  

A "YES" vote means that you agree and approve of the proposed FY 27 School Budget passed by the Town Council on May 12.  A "NO" vote means that you do not agree and do not approve of the proposed FY 27 School budget passed by the Town Council on May 12.

In order for the proposed budget to be finally passed and adopted a majority of voters voting in the elections must vote "YES".  If a majority of voters vote "NO" then the process must begin again, starting with a revised budget being approved by the School Committee, then presented to the Town Council for approval and then presented to the voters of Gorham for approval.  The process is repeated until such a time as all three steps are approved. 

Absentee voting is open at this time.  You can learn more about absentee voting in Gorham by CLICKING HERE or by reachig out directly to the Town clerk's office in Gorham (222-1670).  

At this time, we encourage EVERYONE to get out and vote on June 9 (or before via absentee ballots).  As always, you can find all the information you would like to have about the school's proposed budget by CLICKING HERE or by reaching out directly to Superintendent Perry with questions (heather.perry@gorhamschools.org).  See you at the polls! 

GHS STUDENTS SHARE THEIR VOICES ABOUT EXTENDED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES (ELO) AND WHY THEY ARE SO IMPORTANT FOR LEARNING!

On Monday, May 18, the Gorham Schools proudly hosted our third annual Aspire Celebration, bringing together local business leaders, educators, and community partners to honor the incredible collaborations that are helping our students write their future stories. More than 85 community members attended the event, graciously hosted by one of our outstanding business partners, Lisa Kaldrovich, at MK Kitchen right here in Gorham.

Aspire Gorham serves as the umbrella for so much of the meaningful work happening across our community to embed aspirations into every stage of learning, from birth through adulthood. At the heart of Aspire is our “Expose, Explore, Experience” continuum. In the earliest years, we focus on exposing students to the many careers, opportunities, and pathways that exist within our community, helping children begin to see their education as part of the story they are writing for themselves. As students move into middle school and the early high school years, the focus shifts to exploration, giving students opportunities to roll up their sleeves, try new experiences, and discover interests and passions that may shape their futures.

Then comes the critical “Experience” phase. By the time students reach their junior and senior years, we want them to be actively engaged in authentic, real-world learning through internships, apprenticeships, co-ops, dual-enrollment opportunities, and other hands-on experiences that connect classroom learning directly to life beyond graduation.

One of the driving forces behind this work at Gorham High School is our Extended Learning Opportunities (ELO) program. Designed for juniors and seniors, the ELO program empowers students to develop personalized learning experiences in fields that matter to them. Students connect with mentors, design goals, and take ownership of their learning under the guidance of our ELO instructor. Depending on the scope and depth of the experience, students can earn elective or even core academic credit while building meaningful career readiness skills.

The growth of the program has been incredible. Just three years ago, we launched ELOs with only eight students participating. This year, more than 150 students are involved, and next year we anticipate more than 200 students taking part. The excitement and engagement surrounding the program are undeniable because students are experiencing learning that feels relevant, authentic, and connected to their futures.

But the most powerful voices are not ours; they are the students’. During the Aspire Celebration, we shared a video featuring student reflections on their ELO experiences, and the room erupted in applause. It was impossible not to feel inspired listening to students describe how these opportunities are helping them build real skills for real life while making meaningful connections between school and future careers.

Please take a few moments to watch the video linked below. And if you are a business owner — or know someone who may be interested in supporting our students through Aspire Gorham and our ELO program — we would love to connect. Please reach out to Kelli Deveaux at kelli.deveaux@gorhamschools.org to learn more about how you can become part of this incredible work.

STUDENT VIDEO LINK:  https://vimeo.com/1193106520/d18fd87e60

We are incredibly grateful to the many businesses, mentors, and community partners who continue to make this work possible. These partnerships are changing lives and helping our students better understand who they are, what they care about, and where they may want to go next.

WATCH SEASON 2 OF LEARNING FROM MAINE!

A second season of films dedicated to showcasing the incredible work happening in our state's public schools is now ready to view!  Maine Loves Public Schools has collaborated with Maine Public to produce the next season of incredible videos!  

The second season premiered just Yesterday!  You can watch the first episode of Season 2 or you can watch all of Season 1 by CLICKING HERE! 

HS SUMMER CAMP OFFERINGS ANNOUNCED! 

Gorham athletic programs have announced their upcoming summer camps.  If you are interested, please check out the links below to gain more information and learn how to register!

2026 Gorham Rams Girls Basketball Camp: 3rd-8th | Gorham Rams Coed Basketball Camp: K-2

Gorham Summer Boys Basketball Camps Registration

Gorham Volleyball Summer Camp

You can find more details, including age levels, coaches, dates/times, and costs, by clicking the links above!

A GREAT REGIONAL RESOURCE FOR SUMMER KID-FRIENDLY FUN

I was surfing the web the other day and came across this great resource that lists Kid-friendly events occurring in the Southern Maine region.  This site is kept up to date and includes all the key details you should consider when planning what to do on the weekends or over the summer break with children.  I hope you find it useful! 

Southern Maine Kids Calendar Link:  https://southernmainekidscalendar.com/

GALILEE CHURCH HOSTING A COMMUNITY BLOCK PARTY!

Check out the details below if you are interested!

That's it for this blog post!  I hope you all enjoy your long weekends and take a little time to remember what Memorial day is all about!  See you back at it for the "sprint to the finish line" when you return!  As always - reach out with questions!