At the October 5 regular School Committee (SC) meeting Superintendent Heather Perry announced that as of October 1st enrollment was down twenty students from last year, but that final figures would not be available until October 15. She also announced that she had been chosen by AASA Northeast region to be their representative on the National School Superintendent’s Association’s Executive Board. The District will be hiring a part-time administrative assistant to handle increased Freedom of Access Act (FOAA) requests. She also announced that NWEA fall testing will occur for all students in reading and math in grades 1-10 during the weeks of October 3-28.

SC Chair Anne Schools thanked Phil Gagnon and Stewart McCallister, whose terms expire next month, for their service on the committee.

The Gorham Middle School (GMS) Civil Rights Team and their advisor Jason Lambert made a presentation on the results of a survey conducted this fall. Of 622 students contacted, 410 responded and 87% of them felt welcome at GMS. Additionally, 83% felt safe at school. However, statements targeted at students were heard by 40%, mostly in the halls and outside. When asked about specific targeting, 195 answered and most said it was about body shaming and gender identity. Almost 2/3 of respondents wanted to learn more about other cultures. The Civil Rights Team is planning a day of welcoming for November 4.

Eliza Kenigsberg and Jan Bolenger gave a presentation on the Aspire Gorham program that they direct. This is a community-wide initiative that works with students from early learning through high school to prepare them to become productive adults with meaningful careers. The program is in its 5th year. It is divided into three grade-level programs. Students K-5 receive exposure to career-related opportunities with activities such as a visit to a farm. In grades 6-8 emphasis is on exploration that encourages student to try activities related to different careers and skills, which last year included a scavenger hunt that introduced them to local businesses. In high school students have internship opportunities and can survey and enroll in CTE courses. Goals for this year include planning for long-term program sustainability, championing authentic workplace opportunities, and supporting intentional peer mentorship between students.

The Little Rams Early Childhood Project, a partnership of childcare programs, parents, educators, and local organizations, with representatives from the School Committee and Town Council, gave a presentation of their goals for early childhood education in Gorham. Their surveys and research show that there is not enough early childhood (0-4) care and education in Gorham, that parents are bearing high costs for childcare, and that childcare workers are subsidizing the system with their low wages.