APRIL NEWSLETTER

Dear Ram Fam community,

We have officially made it through March, a month that always seems to challenge us with its unpredictable weather, packed schedules, and the anticipation of spring. With the longer days and signs of warmer weather ahead, we are excited to embrace all that April has to offer. This time of year brings a renewed energy to our school, and we can’t wait to see our students continue to grow, explore new opportunities, and engage in all that GMS has to offer.

March was filled with exciting moments, and we have taken time in this newsletter to highlight some of the incredible things that happened over the past few weeks. From classroom projects to extracurricular activities, our students continue to impress us with their curiosity, hard work, and enthusiasm. We encourage you to take a look back at these moments as we celebrate the great work happening at GMS every day.

Looking ahead, April promises to be an eventful month with plenty to be excited about. Spring sports are kicking off, providing our student-athletes with opportunities to compete and grow as teammates. We will also be celebrating the contributions of some of our amazing staff members, recognizing both National School Librarian Appreciation Day and National Assistant Principal Appreciation Week. Additionally, our 6th Grade Try It Day will give students the opportunity to explore career pathways based on their interests, helping them make connections between their current learning and future aspirations. And, of course, we are eagerly awaiting the performances of Tuck Everlasting, a production that showcases the dedication, creativity, and talent of our students and staff. We hope to see many of you in attendance to support their hard work!

As we move into the final months of the school year, we are also beginning preparations for the 2025-2026 school year. Planning for a successful year starts now, and we encourage families to check out the information at the end of this newsletter to stay informed about important updates and opportunities for involvement. Your support and engagement play a vital role in making GMS the best it can be, and we appreciate your partnership in shaping the future of our school.

We also know that navigating school systems can sometimes be overwhelming, especially when it comes to keeping track of assignments, grades, and important information. That’s why we’ve included a helpful resource in this newsletter explaining the difference between Google Classroom (our Learning Management System) and Infinite Campus (our Student Information System). Understanding where to find specific information will help ensure that families can stay connected and support their students effectively.

Thank you for your ongoing support and involvement in our GMS community. We are looking forward to a fantastic month ahead and hope you enjoy this edition of our newsletter!

Exciting Learning Experiences

March was an eventful month at Gorham Middle School, filled with hands-on learning, community engagement, and meaningful experiences for our students. One highlight was our Student Council's participation in mock interviews, giving students a chance to practice professional communication and prepare for future leadership opportunities. This real-world experience allowed them to refine their speaking skills, build confidence, and gain valuable feedback from adults in our community.

In our 7th-grade science classes, students took their studies beyond the classroom by collecting ticks as part of an environmental science project. This hands-on learning experience helped students understand ecosystems and the impact of ticks on local wildlife and human health. Meanwhile, our GMS Baking Club put their culinary skills to the test, successfully making homemade bagels—a fun and delicious challenge that required patience, teamwork, and precision.

We also had the opportunity to connect with families during our Partners in Education Night, where we shared more about the direction GMS is heading and why we are implementing key initiatives. It was a great chance for families to engage in meaningful discussions about their child’s education and our vision for the future.

Additionally, our 7th and 8th graders participated in an inspiring Minding Your Mind assembly, which focused on reducing the stigma surrounding mental health and equipping students with tools to support themselves and others. These conversations are essential, and we are proud to provide opportunities that encourage open discussions about mental health and well-being.

Our band and chorus programs continue to shine, with students demonstrating dedication and musical growth. Whether in rehearsals or performances, our young musicians impress us with their commitment and teamwork, creating a strong sense of community through music. Their talent and hard work were on full display throughout the month, and we look forward to their continued success.

As we move into April, we are excited for even more opportunities to celebrate and support our students. Stay tuned for more updates, and thank you for being a part of our GMS community!

IMPORTANT MARCH DATES

• APRIL 1st - All Gorham Band Night

• APRIL 2nd - Try It Day (6th-Grade Only)

• APRIL 2nd - Early Release Day

• APRIL 4th - Last Day of Q3

• APRIL 4th - 6th - Tuck Everlasting Performances

• APRIL 7th - Spring Sports Begin

• APRIL 8th - All Gorham Chorus Night

• APRIL 16th - Author Visit (Margaret Peterson Haddix)

• APRIL 21st - 25th - Spring Break

• MAY 6th - STEAM Night

NATIONAL SCHOOL LIBRARIAN APPRECIATION DAY

April 4th is National School Librarian Appreciation Day, and we are thrilled to recognize our incredible librarian, Sue Dix, for all that she does for our students and staff. Beyond managing our library, Ms. Dix works tirelessly behind the scenes to create a welcoming and inclusive space where students can explore their interests, develop a love for reading, and simply be themselves. We are grateful for her dedication and the positive impact she has on our school community!

NATIONAL ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL APPRECIATION WEEK

From April 7-April 11, we celebrate National Assistant Principal Appreciation Week, and we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Vanessa Nickerson for her unwavering commitment to our students, staff, and school community. Throughout the year, she has built meaningful relationships with students and staff, providing support, guidance, and leadership every step of the way. Her dedication to making GMS a great place to learn and grow does not go unnoticed. Thank you, Mrs. Nickerson, for all that you do!

SPRING SPORTS

As we welcome the arrival of spring, it is time to prepare for another exciting season of athletics at Gorham Middle School. Spring sports are scheduled to begin on April 7th, pending final confirmation. We are pleased to offer outdoor track for all grade levels, while lacrosse, baseball, and softball will only be offered for our 7th and 8th-grade students.

Families interested in having their child participate in a spring sport must complete the online registration process before the season begins. Registration can be completed at the following link: GMS Athletics Registration. Additionally, all student-athletes must have an up-to-date physical examination on file. Physicals remain valid for two years from the date of the exam and can be obtained from your child's doctor. Updated physicals may be dropped off with our school nurse or faxed to GMS at (207) 839-4092.

Coaches will reach out to registered athletes prior to the start of the season. If you have any questions, please contact Sherry Coyne at Sherry.coyne@gorhamschools.org. We look forward to another great season of GMS athletics!

TUCK EVERLASTING

After months of dedication and hard work, our talented GMS students are ready to bring Tuck Everlasting to life! We are incredibly proud of their commitment to rehearsals, set design, and production, and we cannot wait for the community to see their efforts come to fruition. There will be four performances, all held at Gorham Middle School. We encourage families, friends, and community members to come out and support our students in this fantastic production!

TRY IT DAY

Our 6th-grade students will soon have the opportunity to explore careers that spark their interest during Try It Day! This exciting event is designed to give students hands-on experiences in career fields they have shown interest in through career inventory surveys taken earlier this year. Each student will engage in an activity tied to their chosen field, helping them gain a better understanding of potential future pathways. We look forward to seeing our students explore, discover, and dream big!

LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (GOOGLE CLASSROOM) v. STUDENT INFORMATION SYSTEM (INFINITE CAMPUS)

Infinite Campus (Student Information System - SIS)

Purpose: Official student records and school-wide communication.

• Check grades for assignments, quizzes, and tests once teachers have officially recorded them.

• Monitor attendance records.

• View report cards and progress reports.

• Track missing assignments that teachers have marked as incomplete or missing.

• Access student schedules

Google Classroom (Learning Management System - LMS)

Purpose: Daily classroom activities, assignments, and communication between teachers and students.

• See posted assignments, announcements, and resources from teachers.

• Check due dates and upcoming tasks.

• View teacher comments and feedback on assignments.

• Track assignment completion, but not necessarily the final grade.

• Access class materials such as notes, slides, and videos.

• Check if work was turned in, but final grades may not match what is recorded in Infinite Campus.

Key Takeaways for Families:

Infinite Campus = Final Grades & Official Records

Google Classroom = Daily Work & Assignment Progress

TIP: If an assignment is missing in Infinite Campus, check Google Classroom first to see if it was submitted but not yet graded.

TEAM & TEACHER REQUEST PROCESS FOR 25-26 (LINK TO DOCUMENT)

GUIDING PRINCIPLES:

• Team placements are made with academic, social, and logistical considerations in mind.

• Changes will only be made for significant academic, social-emotional, or logistical reasons, not personal preferences.

• Requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Timeline for Team Change Requests

1. Pre-Step-Up Day (Team Placement Process) – April-May

• Teams are created based on a balance of academic needs, special education services, social dynamics, and class sizes.

• Input is gathered from teachers, counselors, and administrators to ensure thoughtful placement.

• Parent requests regarding any concerns they have or considerations they would like us to make regarding placements must be submitted before May 15. Each request will be considered, but not guaranteed.

2. Team Change Request Window (Post Step-Up Day)

• The team change request window will occur after step-up day until the last school day of the year.

• Families may submit a Team Change Request Form (link will be provided)

• Requests must clearly state a valid reason, such as:

  • Academic support needs (IEP/504 alignment)

  • Social-emotional concerns 

  • Past relationship dynamics

  • Family/sibling considerations

• At this time, any requests based on friend groups or teacher preferences will not be considered. Any requests made based on friendship or teacher preference must be made before May 15th.

3. Administrative Review – Post-Step Up Day - July 30th

• Requests are reviewed by a team (principal, assistant principal, school counselors, social workers, and grade-level team leaders).

• Decisions are based on team balance, student needs, and overall fairness.

• All decisions of requests that are submitted after step-up day will be communicated the week before school starts to allow the team enough time to review all requests.

REQUIRED VACCINATIONS FOR RISING 7TH GRADERS

As part of the State of Maine's school enrollment requirements, all students entering 7th grade must receive the following vaccinations, in addition to any previously required vaccines:

• 1 Tdap 

• 1 Meningococcal Conjugate (MCV4)

• 2 doses of the Varicella (Chickenpox) vaccine

Please make sure your student has received these vaccines before the start of 7th grade to ensure they are in compliance with state requirements.