NONPROFIT U.S. POSTAGE Your Community Paper PAID GORHAM, ME PERMIT NO. 10 Volume 24 Number 7 | April 5, 2018 A FREE, Non-profit, Biweekly Community Newspaper since 1995 A Closer Look Sunny Spring Day Ushers in Marketplace at Proficiency Based Learning in Gorham KATHY CORBETT Staff Writer As full implementation of Proficiency Based Learning (PBL) in Gorham Schools draws near, some parents and other residents have expressed confusion about how it differs from traditional educational practice and grading, and why edu- cators believe it will benefit all students. Superintendent Heather Perry, along with GHS principal Brian Jandreau and GMS principal Bob Riley, provided information in response to some specific questions and addressed some misperceptions about PBL. WHAT IS PROFICIENCY BASED LEARNING? According to a 35-page handbook that fully explains the PBL system in Gorham, “proficiency-based learn- ing refers to systems of instruction, Photo credit Leslie Dupuis assessment, grading, and academic reporting that are based on students The USM Field House was bustling with activity for the annual Marketplace held this year on March 31. Marketplace showcases quality products demonstrating that they have learned and services available in Gorham. Over 50 local businesses were present. Vendors from the Gorham Farmer’s Market were also on hand to remind the knowledge and skills they are attendees that soon we’ll be enjoying the weekly Market brimming with fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, baked goods as well as homemade crafts. expected to learn as they progress Hundreds of visitors to Marketplace were treated to entertainment, demonstrations, live animals, food, and raffle prizes throughout the day. through their education.” The hand- book is available on the District web- site. Superintendent Perry explained Gorham Police Making Headway in that for Gorham, “the system of standards and graduation require- ments were determined locally by staff working over a period of years Reducing Crime in Our Town using the Maine Learning Results SHERI FABER The terms burglary, theft and robbery are sometimes confused. CONTINUED ON PAGE 7 Staff Writer Types of Calls Burglary refers to entering a build- In 2017, Gorham police officers ing or vehicle with the intent to 2015-2017 responded to 14,791 calls for service, commit a crime; to steal from that Gorham Sightings made 218 arrests, issued 229 criminal/ property. Theft refers to taking Call Type 2015 2016 2017 civil summons, and investigated 556 someone’s valuables without the Homicide 0 0 0 traffic accidents. They arrested 98 use of force and the thief does not impaired drivers, a decrease from 121 need to enter a property to steal the Forcible Rape 0 1 0 in 2016. valuables. Robbery refers to using, Robbery 1 0 2 The statistics below reflect decreas- or threatening to use, force to take es in all but one major crime category someone’s valuables. Assaults 48 51 40 (robbery) and there were only two In 2015, there were 61 domestic reported robberies in 2017. Burglaries violence calls. These dropped to 43 Burglary 58 44 13 decreased from 58 in 2015 to 13 in in 2016 and 19 in 2017. Lt. Michael Theft 116 155 92 2017. There were a number of car Nault noted that the department burglaries in 2015 and 2016 but fol- has been very proactive in deal- Vehicle Theft 5 5 4 lowing the arrests of several people ing with domestic violence and has Photo credit Roger Marchand Domestic Violence 61 43 19 who were believed to be responsible worked with Through these Doors, for the majority of those thefts, the formerly Family Crisis, for the past Do you know where in Gorham this photo Overdoses 10 8 17 number for both home and auto bur- few years to assist people who have was taken? Join our visual trivia discus- glaries, decreased to 13 in 2017. experienced domestic violence. An sion by entering your best guess on our advocate/liaison is assigned in each Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ case and the advocate follows up gorhamtimes or email us at gorhamtimes@ insidetheTimes with court appearances which has gmail.com. As correctly guessed by several been very effective in supporting readers, the location of the photo in the 4 Living 14 Community 9 Sports 15 Classified and following the victims through March 8 issue is the fire hydrant on North 5 Municipal 6 School 15 Calendar 15 Blotter the process. Gorham Pond near the power station. NEWS FROM AUGUSTA Policy on News from Augusta: The Gorham Times asked our three state legislators from Senate District 30, House District 26 and House District 27 to provide us with “News from Augusta.” We publish their articles on a rotating basis. The submissions are devoted to updates of legislative and administrative news, ­­BRINGING THE NEWS TO ALL OF GORHAM proposed and passed bills and laws, and developments and events that are of interest and have an impact to Gorham residents. The Gorham Times reserves PO Box 401 the right to edit the submissions and it further reserves the right to reject any submission, in its sole discretion. Gorham, Maine 04038 Phone and Fax: (207) 839-8390 [email protected] www.gorhamtimes.com Veterans’ Transportation Needs to be Addressed —— The Gorham Times is a free volunteer-run REP. ANDREW MCLEAN Portland, Lewiston, Wilton, Brunswick, tation for job training, court appear- community newspaper distributed every other Rockland, Augusta, Skowhegan, Bangor, ances, general transportation for Thursday to more than 100 pick-up sites While statutory adjournment is quick- Machias, Calais, and Presque Isle. homeless veterans and mental health throughout Gorham. ly approaching, legislative committees These career centers are part of the services. —— continue to hold public hearings and Maine Department of Labor and serve This bill to establish the pilot pro- News [email protected] [email protected] work bills. We continue to do the work as resources for job seekers, including gram as recommended by the report Sports Features [email protected] we were sent to Augusta to do. job fairs and training programs. Most will be before the Transportation Of Interest [email protected] In the Transportation Committee, of Maine’s career centers have veterans’ Committee for public hearing and Calendar item [email protected] we recently heard from the Maine employment representatives on staff work session shortly. I support Advertising gorhamtimesadvertising@ Department of Transportation about to help connect veterans with employ- this pilot project because it has the gmail.com or 839-8390 their finalized report, “Transportation ment opportunities. potential to help thousands of Maine School News [email protected] Needs of Maine’s Veterans.” This veterans access critical transporta- —— report came from a study in the 127th tion services, but it could also serve SUBSCRIPTIONS Legislature to determine the transporta- A MAJOR FINDING OF THE REPORT as a model for how to provide public $18/year in Gorham; $23/year elsewhere $13/year for college subscription tion needs of Maine’s veterans. IS THAT ONLY ABOUT 56,000 OF transportation to Mainers generally, Subscriptions and renewals are available A major finding of the report is that particularly low-income Mainers and online on our website. MAINE’S 117,000 VETERANS, ROUGHLY only about 56,000 of Maine’s 117,000 our seniors who often struggle to find —— veterans, roughly 48 percent, are par- 48 PERCENT, ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE transportation for basic needs. If you General Manager: Bruce Hepler Editor: Leslie Dupuis ticipating in the VA health system. That VA HEALTH SYSTEM. are interested in following the process means over half of Maine’s veterans of this bill, I would be happy to keep Business Manager: Stacy Sallinen are not receiving the services they have you up to date on proceedings. Advertiser Coordinator: Stacy Sallinen Design/Production: Shirley Douglas earned and deserve. While some may The report recommends establish- As always, please feel free to contact Staff Writers: Jacob Adams, Kathy Corbett, actively choose not to participate in the ing a 30 month pilot program in me with your questions and concerns. Sheri Faber system, it is likely that the majority are Oxford, Franklin and Androscoggin Hearing your thoughts on legislation Features: Chris Crawford just unable to make it to Togus, Maine’s Counties. These counties were chosen and issues both in our district and Photographers: Amanda Landry, Roger VA facility, or one of the 11 Outreach in part for their network of veteran’s across the state is crucial to what we Marchand Clinics located throughout the state. service organizations as well as an do at the State House. Public Service: Tracey Bassingthwaite If we are able to take this report and established transportation provider in Sports: Destiny Cook increase the participation in the VA the region. The pilot program has a Rep. Andrew McLean, School News: Andrea Morrell system by even 10 percent, then that primary goal of providing transporta- D-Gorham, is serving his Social Media Coordinator: Karen DiDonato Webmaster: Judi Jones would have a real impact on the health tion services to veterans, with a sec- third term in the Maine Distribution Coordinator: Russ Frank and wellbeing of Maine’s veterans. ondary goal of data collection in order House. He is House chair of the Transportation Distribution: Jim Boyko, Janice Boyko, Scott The report also found that 50-70 to address the transportation needs of Committee and represents Burnheimer, Chris Crawford, Janie Farr, Dan veterans each year are unable to reach a veterans across Maine. parts of both Gorham Fenton, Russ Frank, Joe Hachey, Chris Kimball, state career center due to transportation In addition to medical and career and Scarborough. (207) Kris Miller, Chuck Miller, Krista Nadeau, John problems.