Windham Primary School to start school year with popsicles

By Dina Mendros

It doesn’t get much better for kids on a summer day than enjoying an icy cold popsicle. To keep the summer fun going before heading back to school, Windham Primary School will once again be holding “Popsicles on the Playground with Principals” on Monday, Aug. 25. Two days after that on Aug. 27 is the official first day of school for first- through third-graders. Pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students start after Labor Day with half the students on Sept. 2 and the other half on Sept. 3.

Windham Primary School will once again be conductiing
the 'Popsicles on the Playground with Principals' event
to welcome students and their families back to school
from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 25.
COURTESY PHOTO  

According to WPS Principal Dr. Kyle Rhoads, a lot has taken place while students were having fun during summer vacation.

Some students didn’t have the whole summer off as a number were attending summer school. “Summer Academies, both online and in-person, were successful and well-received by families,” Rhoads said. “Like during the school year, our concerted efforts to support students make a difference. Impressive work indeed! Thanks to all the staff for their help this summer.”

There will be some new faces during the 2025-2026 school year. New WPS teachers include Pre-K teacher Tatum Ledue; Special Education teacher Ashley Dunham-Conway; Grade 1 teacher Kim Courtemanche; music teacher Sara Wolfe; part-time music teacher Marie Jacques; and part-time music teacher Eric Yim. Other new WPS staff members include Special Education Site Coordinator Kim Guptill; school psychologist Kaylee Jipson; and Special Education Ed Tech Amanda Day.

In addition to new faces some physical changes took place at the school over the summer. “The construction crews, tech department and custodial crews have been very busy getting our school ready on time,” Rhoads said. “Our school has been under construction with roof upgrades and a new gym floor. Many of our spaces have gotten a new paint job, too.”

WPS is one of the largest elementary schools in the state with about 780 registered students for school this fall. It serves students from Pre-K through third grade. The school's core values are teamwork, growth, creativity, and acceptance, with learners at the center.

Among the changes this year is the addition of a Pre-K classroom. “We are adding one Pre-K classroom because we had the chance to expand the overall RSU 14 Pre-K program,” Rhoads said. “In the future, we will expand Pre-K classes at Windham Primary School. Our program is just beginning, and it is exciting to welcome our first 4-year-olds.”

The school will be using the Building Assets, Reducing Risks (BARR) model for the second year.

“The model has been research-based for over 20 years and addresses the needs of students by strengthening teacher-student relationships and using real-time data to inform interventions,” Rhoads said. “However, successful implementation requires expert coaching and support. Teaching staff will have two full days of training with the organization this year.

Before the school year starts, students and their families will have a change to meet with Principal Rhoads and Assistant Principal Diana Jordan and other WPS staff at the “Popsicles on the Playground with Principals” from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Aug. 25. The event will include school tours, directions for the Parent Square app, playing on the playground, and of course, popsicles.

Rhoads said he started the event when he first became principal of WPS in 2008. “I used this event as one of my first opportunities to get to know the families of students. The following summer staff and families shared that they hoped I would continue the event. I decided to continue it. When our new playgrounds were built, it also became an opportunity to celebrate and enjoy them, too.”

“Popsicles with the Principal highlights many important parts of our school community,” he said. “Most importantly, it provides a great chance for the students, staff and families to reconnect after summer and build new relationships while enjoying popsicles and our beautiful playgrounds! We are looking forward to this opportunity to meet with the students and their families. The event is an indicator that school is returning, and summer is winding down.”

Later in the fall the annual WPS Fall Festival free school community event will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. on Oct. 25. Other family events for the year can be found at tinyurl.com/mw4a56x7.

Those wishing to volunteer at WPS for the first time should contact the office at 207-892-1840 or attend the Volunteer Orientation scheduled for Sept. 17 in the school library from noon to 6 p.m. <

Maine’s ‘School Psychologist of the Year’ hails from RSU 14

By Ed Pierce

For more than two decades, school psychologist Lisa Backman has devoted her career to improving the lives of RSU 14 students in Windham and Raymond. Earlier this month, all of Backman’s hard work and care paid off in a big way as the Maine Association of School Psychologists honored Backman as the Maine School Psychologist of the Year.

The award acknowledges a member of the Maine Association of School Psychologists who demonstrates excellence in school psychology practice, and leadership in the profession.

“Beyond the role of evaluators, school psychologists fill a crucial role in school communities providing consultation and collaboration in intervention systems and supporting school staff through professional development and technical assistance,” stated Erin Frazier, Maine Department of Education Director of Special Services. “These individuals are critical to SAUs efforts to provide a continuum of services to all children.”

RSU 14 school psychologist Lisa Backman,
who works with kindergarten through fifth-grade
students in Windham and Raymond, has been
honored as Maine's School Psychologist of 
the Year by the Maine Association of School
Psychologists. COURTESY PHOTO 

Backman has been providing psychological services to RSU 14 since 1999 and she also serves as an adjunct professor at Saint Joseph’s College.

Frazier said that Backman is a trusted professional within her school community among students, staff, and families.

“Maine Department of Education recognizes there is a critical shortage of school psychologists in the state that is long standing,” Frazier said. “These positions are critical to fulfill child find responsibilities and support effective programming for students.”

A nationally certified school psychologist, Backman is a native of Maine and has lived most of her life in the Sebago Lake Region. After attending high school, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in communication from the University of Southern Maine and then went on to obtain a master’s degree in school psychology. She works with children in kindergarten through fifth grade in Windham and Raymond schools.

Backman said that her primary role for the district involves serving as part of the special education team at Windham Primary School and Manchester School and evaluating students in kindergarten through Grade 5 for special education eligibility.

“My daily work schedule is vast, which requires a lot of flexibility. Each day is different as I could be observing in the learning environments, consulting with special and regular education teachers, developing behavioral/social-emotional intervention plans, report writing, and attending Response to Intervention or IEP meetings,” Backman said. “Ultimately, the best part is meeting one-on-one with students through the evaluation process.”

She said the field of school psychology requires a combination of child-center and systems-based perspectives, regulations considerations, ethical standards, and vast expertise in social-emotional learning, behavioral functioning, and developmental and learning theory.  

“I feel flexibility and compassion are two very necessary and important attributes,” Backman said. “I feel lucky to have found a profession that requires a mix of empathy, collaboration, continuous learning, and critical thinking skills. I could not say what is the most important aspect of my work, but I am most satisfied and fulfilled when I can go home feeling like I have made a difference.”

Backman said her family is thrilled to see her honored with the award.

“It was very special to see them during the remote announcement while I was still at work. They are proud and loved the MASP plaque. My youngest felt it should be hung at our camp. When Windham/Raymond consolidated, I was lucky to have an opportunity to work in their schools for a few years,” she said. “While they may not be able to explain what I do every day, they could share stories like the many times I (and other school psych friends) used them to practice new tests. My fondest memory was a story a colleague/school psychologist shared with me. She was in my son’s middle-school classroom observing a student on her caseload. My son said hello to her, as she entered. The student that she was observing asked my son why she was in their classroom. He replied, ‘Oh that is my mom’s friend. She sends her in to check on me sometimes.’ We had a good laugh.”

Christopher Howell, RSU 14 Schools Superintendent, said that Backman is highly deserving of this honor.

“What’s special about the work Mrs. Backman does with students is her comprehensive approach to support,” Howell said. “She is an integral member of her school teams and can look at the whole child from the perspective of someone who really knows the evaluation data within a practical context to make recommendations to support children she works with.”

Howell said Backman exemplifies exactly what RSU 14 is striving to achieve.

“As an RSU we are, just as Mrs. Backman is, looking forward at the bigger picture,” he said. “We are looking at not only academics, but at social-emotional needs to support students who will grow up to be productive and engaged members of our community.”

According to Howell, Backman is a truly passionate professional, always growing and sharing what she learns.
“She is dedicated, efficient and committed. Lisa contributes broadly to the profession by leading student-centered teams within each of her schools, supporting best practices in Special Education for the Maine Department of Education, inspiring new teachers at the college level, and providing leadership within her professional organization of School Psychologists,” Howell said. We are very fortunate to have her level of knowledge and passion supporting the educators, families and professionals in RSU 14.”

Windham Primary School Principal Dr. Kyle Rhoads said the RSU is fortunate to have her calm demeanor, as well as her extensive knowledge of research-based practices and Special Education law to help make the IEP process one that aligns with their mission.

Rhoads said that as a school psychologist, Backman demonstrates the qualities, capabilities and knowledge of a successful nominee worthy of this award.

“Importantly, she approaches her work and her life wanting to better others,” he said. “Her creativity and commitment with her work reflects favorably what RSU 14 is trying to accomplish.” <