The GHS Weekly — Student & Family Edition

Week of September 6, 2026 • Principal: Brian Jandreau

Welcome to week two of the school year! Thank you to all of our students and families for making our opening week so energetic and smooth. As a reminder, there is no school on Monday, September 7th in observance of Labor Day. We look forward to welcoming students back on Tuesday for a Maroon-A Day!

Thank you to all of our students and families for embracing our "Bell-to-Bell" personal device expectations! The heart of this effort is about creating focused learning spaces and encouraging real, face-to-face human connection.

Some GHS parents have shared how thrilled their students have been with the lively new energy in the cafeteria, noting how great it is to see students talking, sharing stories, and connecting during lunch. When Channel 8 News visited campus this week to speak with some of our students, they echoed the same message: spending the school day focused on learning and face-to-face friendship feels great. Thank you for helping us foster such a positive, connected GHS community!

Please click the image below to watch the news segment on WMTW. 

This Week at GHS: September 6 – 12, 2026

Looking Ahead

Advisory

Getting involved in extra-curricular activities is one of the best ways for students to build community, pursue personal passions, and develop leadership skills. This week’s Advisory sessions focus on helping every student get connected:

• Tuesday, September 8 (Advisory Registration): Advisors will guide students through using the Responsive Scheduler in Infinite Campus to register for their chosen activity for Friday’s event. Students and families can explore all student-led organizations in advance by viewing the GHS Clubs & Activities Presentation.

• Friday, September 11 (GHS Clubs & Activities Day!): Students will attend their selected club or activity session during school hours to meet student leaders, connect with peers, and learn how to participate throughout the school year. Students will have the opportunity to select a different activity each month. Students who do not select an activity will be assigned to a quiet study space. 

Bell-to-Bell Device Policy

Students have been doing so well making sure their devices are off and away during the school day. We truly appreciate our students’ compliance with the new state law and school rule. 

To keep families informed, our teachers follow a progressive response protocol:

• 1st Offense: The teacher confiscates the device for the remainder of the period sends an email directly to the student and family via Reach My Teach. 

• 2nd Offense: The device is delivered to the Main Office, an Office Detention is assigned, and the student may pick up their device at 2:10 PM dismissal.

• 3rd Offense: The device is delivered to the Main Office, and a parent/guardian must retrieve the phone in person.

• Student Refusal: Refusal to surrender a device constitutes insubordination. Contact the Main Office immediately for an administrative escort (student will be assigned In-School Suspension).

Families are encouraged to use the Family Chat in Reach My Teach for communication. Family Chat allows parents and guardians to send critical, time-sensitive updates directly through Reach My Teach during school hours (such as transportation changes, early pickup plans, or appointment reminders).

• Sending a Message: Log in to Reach My Teach, select your student, write your message in your preferred language, and click Send. You can also choose whether to require an acknowledgement.

• Message Delivery: The Reach My Teach app has been added to all student iPads. If students have access, they can receive and acknowledge messages directly. 

Important update regarding Family Chat: When this feature was first rolled out, teachers had access to messages between students and guardians. The purpose of this feature was for teachers to acknowledge and convey messages in case students weren’t on their iPads. Since that time, some parents have expressed concerns that the messages weren't confidential. As of today, teachers and counselors no longer have access to messages between students and parents. This feature was removed. Messages are still part of the student record and can be accessed by administrators as necessary (the same way that any email can be accessed), but they are not actively monitored.

Family Resource Spotlight: Supporting Healthy Digital Habits & Social Media Use

As we reinforce our "Bell-to-Bell" device procedures at GHS to ensure focused classroom instruction, we recognize that managing screens and social media is a shared journey between school and home. Partnering with MaineHealth and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health, we are sharing trusted guidance and practical tools to support your family.

What Research Tells Us: Benefits vs. Risks 

Social media offers real benefits, such as creative self-expression, peer connections, and interest-driven exploration. However, pediatric research highlights key digital health risks for teens:

• Sleep Disruption: Screen use near bedtime delays sleep onset and harms restorative rest vital for adolescent development.

• Digital Stress & FOMO: Pressure to maintain constant availability or manage online social dynamics can trigger anxiety.

• Body Image & Unwanted Content: Exposure to unrealistic image filters, harmful content, or unwanted contact from strangers.

5 Research-Based Steps for Families from AAP Pediatricians:

1. Build a Family Media Plan: Work together with your teen to agree on ground rules for where and when devices fit into daily family life.

2. Create Screen-Free Zones & Times: Designate device-free family meals and keep bedrooms screen-free overnight to protect restorative sleep.

3. Talk Early and Often: Have relaxed, open-ended conversations during car rides or meals rather than one formal lecture. Ask questions like: "How do you feel after spending time on certain apps?" or "What's something positive or concerning you saw online today?"

4. Model Healthy Digital Boundaries: Share your own screen habits and discuss how you manage digital distractions as an adult.

5. Optimize Online Privacy: Review default privacy settings on your teen's apps, turn off location tracking, and ensure messaging controls are set to high security.

For additional tools, conversation cards, and pediatrician-backed guides, visit the AAP Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health.

Please see below for more information. 

School News & Announcements

• AP Program Coordination: Faculty member Steve Chabot has taken on the role of GHS Advanced Placement (AP) Coordinator. Steve will serve as our liaison with the College Board, assisting AP teachers and students with AP Classroom registration, course audits, exam ordering, and test administration logistics.

• State Terminology Update — Concurrent Enrollment: In alignment with updated Maine Department of Education guidelines, college-level classes taught at Gorham High School previously referred to as "Dual Enrollment" will now officially be called "Concurrent Enrollment." Course expectations remain identical—only the official state terminology has changed.

• Gorilla Collectibles Fundraiser (Class of 2027): Support the Class of 2027 Project Graduation! GHS is partnering with local business Gorilla Collectibles. 50% of all profits from the Gorham Rams apparel collection will go directly toward Project Graduation 2027. Browse and shop online at www.GorillaCollectibles.com/GorhamRams.