January Letter from the Principal

January 2, 2018

Dear Great Falls Families,

Happy New Year! Winter weather is officially upon us. The daily temperature for Gorham will be checked at www.weather.com. When the "feels like" temperature is below 10 degrees, students will be kept inside for indoor recess.

School secretaries, Mrs. Perkins and Mrs. Murray, will check the temperature for the AM recess and make an announcement as soon as possible. If the AM duty staff feel as though it is too cold while on the playground, they can make a judgment call to contact the office and bring the students indoors.

Temperatures will be monitored throughout the day and notification about canceling lunch recess will come from the office.

Monitoring temperatures is for the safety of the students and the supervising adults. While many students run around and are dressed appropriately, others are not and extended time at freezing temperature can be a hardship for​ those students.

However, even in the cold winter months, outdoor recess is an important part of the students' day. Students need movement breaks and perform best when they have an opportunity for vigorous play, so we will try to get them out whenever possible.

Please make sure your child comes to school with the appropriate winter gear even if the anticipated temperature is projected as mild. Warm jackets, hats, gloves, boots, and snow pants are highly encouraged every day. The office will not be able to supply snow pants if your child forgets them at home. We have limited supply of extra hats and mittens to use when needed. If winter gear is a hardship for your family, please contact me so I can provide resources to assist you in acquiring the appropriate winter gear for your child.

As always, please feel free to reach out to me at any time with questions and feedback. I am available through email at becky.fortier@gorhamschools.org and by phone at 222-1050.  Please follow my Twitter page & blog, which can be found at https://twitter.com/MrsBFortier and  http://greatfallsprincipal.blogspot.com/ .

Thanks you,

Becky Fortier, Great Falls Principal