Dear Great Falls Families,
Welcome back! We hope you had a fantastic April break, enjoying precious family moments and perhaps exploring the beauty of the outdoors. It's hard to believe that we're now entering the final stretch of the school year, with just 7 weeks left. Exciting times are ahead as we gear up for a busy and fulfilling period!
Spring NWEAs: Beginning this week and running through May, our K-5 students will engage in the final round of academic screening. The Maine Department of Education has designated NWEA as the official state-level test, consolidating our testing periods. For grades K-2, NWEA assessments will serve as a universal screener, while grades 3-5 assessments will fulfill both the Maine Education Assessment and universal screening purposes. Our spring testing session will run until May 31st.
Thursday, April 25th: Join us, along with members of the Gorham School Committee, for a question-and-answer session from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the Great Falls library. Bring your inquiries about the school budget, school community, and more!
Parent and Guardian Step-Up Event: Mark your calendars for Thursday, May 16th, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Explore what's in store for your child in the upcoming school year! Teachers from each grade level will provide valuable insights, offering you the chance to come prepared with any questions you may have for your child's future educators. We look forward to your participation!
Great Falls Spring Fling! Save the date for Thursday, May 30th, 5:30-7:00 p.m. Join us for the highlight of the year, featuring a range of exciting activities including the Sparks Ark animal show, face painting, food trucks, a special chorus performance, the Tri for a Cure raffle, and live music! It's an evening of fun and festivity you won't want to miss.
Grade Level Field Days at USM: To celebrate the end of the school year, we'll be hosting district-wide grade-level wellness events at the University of Southern Maine field house from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Parents and guardians are welcome to attend and observe the events. This promises to be a highlight, marking our return to USM since the pandemic!
GMS Incoming 6th Grade Family Night: Tuesday, June 4th, 5:30-6:30 p.m. This evening at Gorham Middle School is designed to provide families with information about what to expect as their child transitions to middle school. It's also an opportunity for families to ask any questions they may have. Students are encouraged to attend with their families.
5th Grade Step Up to Gorham Middle School: On Wednesday, June 14th, our 5th graders will visit Gorham Middle School to tour the campus, meet their teachers, and get acquainted with their new classmates.
Grades K-4 Step Up to Next Year: On the morning of June 6th, our students will visit their new classrooms for next year, meet their teachers, and interact with their future classmates. Families will receive an email following this experience, notifying them of their child’s new teacher.
Last Day of School - Monday, June 10th: Just a reminder that this day is an early release day for students, with dismissal at 12:00 p.m. Please notify the office at 222-1053 or email Julie Murray at Julie.Murray@gorhamschools.org of any changes to your child’s pick-up plan.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at becky.fortier@gorhamschools.org or deanna.etienne@gorhamschools.org. Here's to a fantastic finish to the year!
Warm regards,
Becky Fortier and Deanna Etienne, Great Falls Administrators
