Recently Heather Perry, Gorham Schools superintendent, shared a welcome back letter to parents and family members about the upcoming school year. She included numerous topics of interest, including the following:
IMPORTANT OPENING DATES
August 26: First day for grades Pre-K, 6, and 9
August 27: First day for grades 1–5, 7–8, and 10–12
September 1: First day for Kindergarten (following screenings and placements)
September 7: No School — Labor Day
Kindergarten families should contact their child’s school for a Kindergarten screening time if not yet confirmed:
Great Falls: 222-1050
Narragansett: 222-1295
Village: 222-1300
TRANSPORTATION: BUS ROUTES ARE MOVING TO BUSRIGHT
Bus routes will not be published in the Gorham Times as they have been in years past. All route information will instead be available through the BusRight app. If you have not yet received an invitation to download the BusRight app, please contact the Transportation Office at 222-4925 or email transportation director Mitzii Smith at mitzii.smith@gorhamschools.org As with every new school year, bus routes may take a little time to settle into their regular schedules. During the first week or two of school, please:
Have students at their bus stop at least 15 minutes early in the morning.
Anticipate that afternoon drop-offs may occasionally run 20–30 minutes later than expected.
Please be patient as our drivers and transportation staff work to establish consistent routines.
Route times should be relatively consistent after the first three weeks of school. For transportation questions, contact the Transportation Office.
SCHOOL START AND END TIMES
Great Falls, Narragansett, and Village: 8:50 a.m., 3:10 p.m.
Gorham Middle School: 8:00 a.m., 2:20 p.m.
Gorham High School: 7:50 a.m., 2:10 p.m.
PLEASE COMPLETE THE FREE/REDUCED MEAL FORM, EVERY FAMILY, EVERY YEAR!
As the school year begins, families will receive a variety of important forms to complete. One of the most important is the Free/Reduced Meal Application, and we strongly encourage EVERY
Gorham family to complete it even if you feel that your family does not qualify. This is very important because our Free and Reduced eligibility rate is tied to state subsidies. Completing these forms matters, not just for individual families, but for our entire school community. When every family completes the form, we help ensure that eligible families receive the benefits available to them, reduce the stigma sometimes associated with applying, and provide the district with more accurate information that can directly impact school funding.
Applications are processed confidentially by one designated district employee, and individual family information is protected.
NEW STUDENT/FAMILY AI HANDBOOK
There is a new Student/Family AI Handbook that was rolled out to families at the end of our last school year, explaining how AI will be used in our schools. There is much information in the handbook that is available on the school website.
PARENT INVOLVEMENT
If you ever have questions, please encourage your child to talk directly to their teachers or reach out to teachers directly yourself. We are always happy to assist.
Our strong connection with families and community members is one of the things that makes Gorham special. Every year we have over 1,000 people volunteer across our schools in various ways. There are many ways to get involved, including:
1) Join your school’s Partners in Education (PIE) group. Contact your school office to learn more about getting involved.
2) Volunteer in our schools. Visit the Gorham Schools website, select “Human Resources” and then “VolunteerProgram” to register.
Registration is required whether you plan to volunteer once, occasionally, or throughout the year, and the process is quick and easy.
ATTENDANCE MATTERS AT EVERY AGE!
Regular attendance is one of the most powerful ways families can support student success.
Missing just two days of school each month, regardless of the reason, can add up quickly and negatively impact academic progress. Strong attendance matters from the development of early literacy skills all the way through high school graduation. A new school year provides an opportunity to establish strong habits and routines from the very beginning. School matters. Being present matters. Every day matters.
Thank you for helping us reinforce that important message with your children!
WATCH FOR MORE INFORMATION FROM YOUR CHILD’S SCHOOL
Families should expect additional communications from your child’s school and/or teachers over the next few weeks with more specific information about opening days, schedules, classroom assignments, handbooks, and other important details.
If you have not received additional school-specific communication by August 19, please contact your child’s school:
Great Falls: 222-1050
Narragansett: 222-1295
Village: 222-1300
Gorham Middle School: 222-1220
Gorham High School: 222-1100