The GHS Weekly — Staff Edition
Week of August 23, 2026 • Principal: Brian Jandreau
Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year! We are thrilled to welcome back our returning Rams and extend a special welcome to the Class of 2030! Our campus has undergone incredible improvements over the summer, including a cafeteria expansion, seven new modular classrooms, track and field enhancements, and resurfaced tennis courts. We cannot wait to share these spaces with you!
Week at a Glance: August 24–28, 2026
Date | Day & Schedule | Agenda, Meetings, & Key Events |
Mon, Aug 24 | Staff Inservice Day | No School for Students |
Tue, Aug 25 | Staff Inservice & Open House | 10:00 AM: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony (Cafeteria) 4:00 PM–5:30 PM: Public Community Open House 5:00 PM–6:00 PM: Freshman Family Orientation (MPAC) 6:00 PM–7:30 PM: GHS High School Open House 6:30 PM–7:30: Senior 101 |
Wed, Aug 26 | Freshmen Day (Class of 2030) | 7:35 AM Arrival (7:50 AM Start) Welcome Assembly (MPAC), Advisory, Book Groups, shortened Periods 1–8 run-through, and lunch. Dismissal at 2:10 PM. |
Thu, Aug 27 | First Day for All Students | Maroon-A Day • 7:35 AM Arrival (7:50 AM Start) Advisory & Grade-Level Assemblies (10th @ 8:00, 11th @ 8:20, 12th @ 8:40); shortened Periods 1–8 run-through. Dismissal at 2:10 PM. |
Fri, Aug 28 | Maroon-A Day | Maroon-A Day Regular Block Schedule & Advisory First Day Check-In |
Important School Policies & Tech Guidelines
Bell-to-Bell Cell Phone Policy: Personal electronic devices must be powered off and stored in backpacks or classroom phone hotels from 7:50 AM through 2:10 PM. Personal devices are strictly prohibited from connecting to district Wi-Fi networks.
Family Contact via Reach My Teach: To support our bell-to-bell policy while keeping families connected during emergency situations or quick check-ins, students can use Reach My Teach Family Contact directly on their school-issued iPads to message parents/guardians during the school day. Watch this brief Reach My Teach Feature Video to learn how it works.
$25 iPad Protection Fee: All students must pay the annual iPad Protection Fee. Payments can be submitted online via the GHS RevTrak Online Payment Portal, a check made out to Gorham School Department, or cash. Payments should be made directly to Mr. Daggett in Room B117 starting on Day 1. Please do not turn payments into the main office or classroom teachers. Unpaid fees by September 3 will result in disabled devices.
Recommended iPad Supplies: To optimize digital note-taking and coursework, low-cost USB-C styluses (~$10), paper-feel screen protectors, backup 20W chargers, and USB-C wired headphones are recommended for school iPads.
Class of 2027 Senior Hub & Senior 101
Senior year has officially arrived! Senior families are invited to join us on Tuesday, August 25 at 6:30 PM for Senior 101 in the MPAC to discuss graduation requirements, post-secondary planning, and major milestone events.
Please bookmark our official GHS Graduation & Senior Information Webpage to view the Senior 101 presentation slides, FAME financial aid resources, and key senior dates (including Senior Pictures due Nov 21 and Commencement on June 6, 2027).
GHS School Counseling Department & Alpha Splits
Our GHS School Counselors partner with students and families throughout all four years of high school to support academic growth, post-secondary planning, and social-emotional wellness. Students are assigned to counselors based on their graduating class year and last name:
Counselor | Class of 2030 (Gr. 9) | Class of 2029 (Gr. 10) | Class of 2028 (Gr. 11) | Class of 2027 (Gr. 12) |
Betsy Anastasoff | A – D | A – D | A – D | A – D |
Samantha Teixeira | E – L | E – K | E – K | E – L |
Trisha Cherry | M – R | L – P | L – P | M – R |
Kate Stevens | S – Z | Q – Z | Q – Z | S – Z |
School Picture Day: Thursday, September 3, 2026
School Picture Day with Barksdale School Portraits will take place on Thursday, September 3, from 7:30 AM to 1:30 PM. (Note: 9th Grade Vision Screening takes place Friday, September 4).
Ordering Pictures Online: Access the secure ordering site at www.pictureportal.org using Google Chrome. Log in and select Photo Events to view the flyer and pre-order.
Camera Passes: Pre-ordering generates an emailed "Camera Pass." Print this pass or text a screenshot to your student to present to the photographer. If forgotten, Barksdale will manually match the student photo in production.
Order Window & Proofs: Online ordering remains open for 24 hours after Picture Day. Students who do not pre-order will receive a physical photo proof package (PX) at school with a direct-to-home online order option (subject to s/h up to $8.50).
Campus Traffic, Safety, & Robie Park Rules
Access Road Traffic Shift: The access road section near the daycare is now a ONE-WAY zone with a 3-way stop. Entrances and exits near the high school and stadium fields remain two-way. Please follow all posted signage.
Robie Park Caution & Playground Rules: With the grand opening of the redesigned Robie Park playground, expect increased pedestrian and vehicle traffic along Ball Park Road and near the Municipal Center. GHS students are strictly prohibited from using Robie Park play equipment designed for children aged 12 and under during the school day.
Safety & Emergency Protocols
Gorham High School operates under a comprehensive emergency plan utilizing the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) for general campus safety (HOLD, SECURE, LOCKDOWN, EVACUATE, SHELTER) alongside ALICE options-based training for active threat response. Students will receive explicit safety orientation and practice drills across their classes within the first five (5) days of school.
Gorham BackPack Program
The Gorham BackPack Program provides child-friendly, non-perishable weekend meal bags and daily snacks to students experiencing food insecurity starting the week of September 18. Please complete the Gorham BackPack Program Sign-Up Form (one form per student) to participate.
