The School Committee (SC) held its April 8 regular meeting remotely by Zoom with an opportunity for public comment. Superintendent Heather Perry reported that distance learning will likely continue until the last day of school on June 16. There will be the usual April break. Operation Feed Gorham has been providing 300 meals a day and will continue during the April break.
Although there are no athletic programs, the district will partially pay coaches for work with student athletes. “Everyone is working in a new way,” she said. All SC members expressed appreciation for everything the district employees are doing to educate Gorham children.
In answer to Bill Benson’s question about how the district is getting feedback on distance learning from students and parents, Perry said that along with reaching out to teachers and principals, a Thought Exchange survey was created. So far 280 parents and as many students have used this resource. Assistant Superintendent Chris Record said they would soon report out on feedback and suggestions they have received.
Perry is confident programming is in place that will maintain standards and structure until the end of the school year. All students will not have learned the same, but the leadership team is working on ways to help parents over the summer, and will probably need to open school differently in the fall.
“Students are stressed and anxious,” Record said, “and parents are having trouble with multiple children at home.” School counselors and social workers are reaching out to students.
Phil Gagnon asked about grading work. There are no grades given for K-3 students. For grades 4-12 there is some graded work, keeping in mind questions of equity and access. For K-5 students the focus is on reading and math.
When giving her update on distance learning, Perry acknowledged, “We are building the plane while flying it.” The district leadership team is meeting three times a week and working to find balance, including a way to celebrate seniors at the end of the year. Record is working with GHS principal Brian Jandreau and meeting with other area principals on this.
Students from civil rights teams at the three elementary schools gave short online presentations. Great Falls students shared the topics teams in all schools focus on: race and skin color, ancestry and national origin, disabilities, gender stereotypes, and sexual orientation. Narragansett students reported on activities for Black History Month and members of the Village team showed their welcome postings in all the languages spoken by their classmates’ families.
The SC members voted 7-0 on three policies that have minor changes, mostly related to clarity: Accommodation for Sincere Beliefs, Public Participation at Meetings, and Animals in Schools. They approved hiring Peter Krahe to teach math (one year) and Ian Ryan to teach social studies at GHS.