The Gorham School Committee met for their monthly meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024.
There were four program reviews presented to the committee; Gorham Middle School Student Council, K-12 Library and Media Programs, the Gifted and Talented Education Program and School Safety.
Donna Pastore, GMS teacher and Student Council Advisor and four students spoke about the benefits of the student council at the middle school. They are a public service club with 41 members who are involved in many wonderful projects including holiday cards for senior citizens, bus driver appreciation activities, reading to students at Village School, scarf and hat collection for the shelter, as well as a school wide talent show and spirit weeks. They are a hard-working group of students who serve as role models and goodwill ambassadors to the school and community.
The School Librarians and Media Specialists reviewed their programs and responsibilities. The overarching goal of the K-12 program is to develop a community of lifelong learners and literate consumers of information. The elementary librarians: Gigi McAllister, Lori Littlefield and Jessie Mason, not only maintain and manage books and materials but teach several classes daily as part of the schools’ creative arts rotation. At the upper levels, Suzanne Dix at GMS and Kelly Tibbitts at GHS, also have built inclusive and information rich learning spaces and consult regularly with teachers and students about projects and learning challenges.
Project SAIL, the gifted and talented education program was reviewed by teachers; Danielle Quimby and Rebecca Ambrose and Educational Technician; Kristine Karcanes. Project SAIL, the Grades 3-12 program has existed in Gorham since the 1991-1992 school year when mandated by the state of Maine. Students are referred to the program by test scores or parent and teacher recommendation. The learning professionals provide a three-tier learning system ranging from consultation and materials support to direct services.
Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Brian Porter, provided an outline of the school safety programs. A more extensive, formal review is conducted yearly by the school committee but this was an overview of the many components and aspects of the school safety protocols and plans including the ALICE framework (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evaluate) procedures for evacuation and lockdown plans, and emergency notification and communication systems.
Superintendent Perry highlighted from her monthly report information about the Pre-K grant opportunity for continued and expanded funding and the allocation of a grant for literacy instruction.
There is a process for systematically reviewing all Gorham School Department policies to make sure that the language is clear and that the policies are in alignment with any changes in state law. They are then presented to the full committee for a first reading and members have an opportunity to review the changes before approval at the second reading at the next monthly meeting. At this meeting, the Use of Physical Restraint and Seclusion Policy (JKAA) was presented for a second reading. The Policy Subcommittee had also reviewed twenty policies, five needed some updating and language changes that were presented for a first reading for the committee. In addition, a new policy on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ACAAB) was presented for a first reading.