Our speakers on January 28, 2020 were Chris Record, Assistant Superintendent of Gorham Schools and Adam Parvanta, Technology Integrator/Teacher at Gorham High School. Chris was named Maine Assistant Superintendent of the year for 2019 and Adam was awarded a Milken Educators Award in 2019, one of only 40 nationwide. We were sorry to miss Heather Whitaker, Maine Teacher of the Year 2020, due to illness in her family.
Adam has a passion for working with the kids and staff on media and video projects. There is power in the digital universe and in developing media skills. The kids create short narrative videos, as well as cover live events for sport and the arts. His objective is to teach them how to understand and use digital media correctly.
These projects engage several academic disciplines. This includes math in post-production to edit and crop, etc. Also understanding frame rates (frames per second) and how that translates to slow motion capture. Language arts are used in scripting, including in documentary story telling. Science is seen in factors like light balance. Students learn how to think critically and problem solve.
A video Adam shared was done to document the Adopt a Classroom initiative in which high school kids spent time in elementary classrooms across the town. The high school students talked about the range of classes available in high school and how those can relate to careers. There is attention to detail in every scene, including lighting, backgrounds and final edits.
Chris, a product of Westbrook schools, spoke briefly about his role as Assistant Superintendent. He was GHS principal for 8 years during which time he was named Maine Principal of the year. He works with kids and staff at all grade levels K-12. He observes new teachers and works with the school committee on policy.
Heather has been in alternative education for 9 years, working with non-traditional students. Experiential learning is an important component of her work with partnerships in the community that provide opportunities for problem solving. She has been getting exposure both at the state level and nationally, and will be headed to a Google Leadership program and Space Camp. We hope to be able to hear from Heather directly at a later date.
In honor of these three talented educators, Westbrook-Gorham Rotary donated three books to the Baxter Library.
Thanks to everyone in the Westbrook-Gorham Rotary Club who donated to the Polio Plus Fund in the 2018-2019 Rotary year. The Rotary International Board of Directors suggests each club donate at least $1500 each year as we continue to work towards the eradication of polio around the world. Your donations through the cans each week, increased by the club match, and added to those funds donate directly to the Foundation by some of our members, exceeded that $1500 threshold.
Our certificate of appreciation was accepted by President-Elect Kathi Perkins at the recent mid-year Leadership Dinner. Kathi is seen standing (center right) with other awardees of the evening.
Gorham Business Exchange Marketplace – Saturday March 21, 2020, USM Field House, 10AM-2PM
Rotary Night Out - Special Dinner at WRVC - Tuesday March 31, 2020 6PM. Join us for our annual dinner planned, prepared and served by the culinary students under the guidance of Chef Charlie Limoggio. More details soon.
Patriots Day Road Race - For area high school runners - Monday April 20. 2020 at Riverbank Park Westbrook. Volunteers arrive to set up by 9AM. Race at 10AM with awards to follow.
Lunch with the Trades - Tuesday May 5, 2020 11:30AM. An opportunity to meet and recognize the students who work on the Rotary house project.
Relay for Life at GHS – Sunday May 3, 2020 (tentative) – Gorham High School Interact Club will be holding a Relay for Life satellite event at GHS to benefit the American Cancer Society again this year. Watch for more details on how you can help.
7th Annual Westbrook Strong 5K – Saturday July 18, 2020. This race is in memory of Matthew Rairdon, a Westbrook HS Graduate and son of Councilor Gary Rairdon. Proceeds to nursing scholarships. There is also a kids Fun Run and a Virtual Run for those who would like to make a donation. To sign up or donate go to: 7th Annual 5K Sign Up or Donate You may also send a donation to: WS5K, PO Box 414, Westbrook ME, 04098
Run the Ridge Trail Race – Saturday October 10, 2020 9-11AM at Sunset Ridge 771 Cumberland Ave, Westbrook. $25 until summer. $30 after. To register: https://racewire.com/register.php?id=11231
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Upcoming District Events
To register for any of these events, visit the Calendar on the District Website:
World Peace and Understanding Dinner – Thursday February 20 - 5:30PM Sheraton Sable Oaks
Grow Rotary Workshop – Saturday February 29 - 8:30AM-Noon Freeport Community Center. If interested, contact Marty Helman at martyrotary@gmail.com and provide info on topics you’d like to be addressed.
Interact New Generations Conference - Saturday Mar 21 - 8AM-2PM Dover High School Dover NH. Students $10, Rotarians $15.
District Training Assembly – Saturday April 4 – 8:30AM-1PM
Rotary Leadership Institute – Saturday April 25 – 8AM-3:30PM York County Community College, Wells.
District Changeover – Tuesday June 30 - 5PM Camp Hinds, Raymond
District 7780 at the Sea Dogs - Friday July 24 - 6PM. Limited reserved seating - $10. Use this link for tickets: http://groupmatics.events/Rotary72420
The Locker Project - TLP will be at Westbrook High School, 125 Stroundwater St, Westbrook, on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month, with some exceptions due to holidays or school schedule. Arrive by 1PM for set up. Done by about 2PM after clean up. Check in and out at the front office. Upcoming dates include Jan 29 , Feb 12 & 26, March 11 & 25, April 8 & 22, May 13 & 27 . If you would like to volunteer, please contact Christine Johnson.
Junior Achievement – In Westbrook, every student in grades K-8 will have a “JA Experience” this year. Gorham is planning for the same with every student in grades 2-7. Since this is all done by volunteers, lots of people are needed to make this happen. To learn more about JA Maine or to become a volunteer, go to: www.jamaine.org/getinvolved
Westbrook High School Food Pantry – Leading up to the Christmas break, the pantry was depleted and we expect the same prior to the winter break. We will collect donations at four meetings January 21 through February 11. If you’d like to help, please bring a donation of non-perishable goods or cash. Popular items include: canned soups & stews, peanut butter & jams, canned foods with pop top lids, tuna or canned chicken in water, mac & cheese, cereal (individual boxes), healthy snacks and personal hygiene products.
2020 Guatemala Mission of FBC - If you'd like to support FBC Westbrook's work in Guatemala, go to http://www.fbcwestbrook.com/, Click on button CLICK HERE TO GIVE Online, then select Fund from drop down options 2020 Guatemala Mission Deadline to donate is March 15, 2020.
New Donate Life - Scott Linscott has been on the road visiting other Rotary Clubs in our district inviting them to join in on our District Governor's 100% Challenge. Our goal is for 100% registered organ donors in each and every club. District 7780 will then be having some fun recognizing top-achieving clubs at the district-wide training event in April. It's quick and easy it is to register at https://registerme.org
New Altrusa Doughraiser at Uno Pizzeria - Monday Feb 21-Thursday Feb 24, all day 11AM-11PM. Just say you are eating for Altrusa and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Altrusa of Portland. You can show them a copy of the certificate at this site: https://www.altrusaportlandgivesbooks.org/unos-2nd-annual-doughraier.html
Matching Gift Rotary Year 2019-2020 - Don't forget the matching gift opportunity to secure a match for $50 donated to your favorite charity in this Rotary year. If you recently made a donation to a charity that you would like to have matched, and have not already taken advantage of the matching opportunity, please send a note to our Treasurer Michael Foley. Please include the name of your charity with mailing address and the date of your donation of at least $50.
Children's Books for Pantries - We continue to supply new and gently used children's books to food pantries about every two weeks. We have been fortunate to obtain a regular supply of used books from Goodwill Buy the Pound. We also periodically obtain new books from a couple of sources at little cost. However, the need is always greater than the supply. If you, a family member, friend or colleague have children or grandchildren who have outgrown their books, we'd love to have them to share with children who will love them. All ages from babies to young teens. We can also always use large print books for older readers. Bring to any club meeting or contact Christine Johnson for pick up.
Can Tabs for Ronald McDonald House - Thank you for continuing to collect can tabs.It's and easy way to help a wonderful organization! Just keep a small plastic bag or small jar in your kitchen, on the counter or in a drawer. As you go to toss your returnable can into your CLYNK bag, simply twist off the tab first.
CLYNK for Literacy - Ongoing - Don't forget to keep filling those bags to help fund the new children's books we ask our speakers to sign for the Baxter and Walker Libraries. Extra bags are always available at our meetings. If you have been working on filling a bag for a very long time (6 months or more), please consider returning it and starting a new one. Thank you for your ongoing support of this fundraiser!
Donate to our Club's Charity through Amazon Smile – Ongoing - If you order items from Amazon.com, even if not very often, you can help Westbrook Gorham Rotary Club Charities. Go to http://smile.amazon.com/. Search for our Charity and select it. You may need to login to your Amazon account before being able to finalize your selection. Then, when you shop Amazon.com (always starting from http://smile.amazon.com/) a portion of every purchase will be donated to our charity.
Our speakers on January 28, 2020 were Chris Record, Assistant Superintendent of Gorham Schools and Adam Parvanta, Technology Integrator/Teacher at Gorham High School. Chris was named Maine Assistant Superintendent of the year for 2019 and Adam was awarded a Milken Educators Award in 2019, one of only 40 nationwide. We were sorry to miss Heather Whitaker, Maine Teacher of the Year 2020, due to illness in her family.
Chris, a product of Westbrook schools, spoke briefly about his role as Assistant Superintendent. He was GHS principal for 8 years during which time he was named Maine Principal of the year. He works with kids and staff at all grade levels K-12. He observes new teachers and works with the school committee on policy.
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