Dear Great Falls Families,

A heartfelt thank you to all of our families who participated in our recent family conferences! We appreciate the time you took to connect with your child's teacher, celebrate their successes, and discuss their continued growth as learners. These meaningful conversations strengthen the partnership between home and school, and we are so grateful for your ongoing support!

It is hard to believe we are already saying goodbye to October! Our Great Falls students have been busy learning, growing, building friendships, and making wonderful connections throughout our school community. There is so much to celebrate, and we have plenty of exciting things ahead!

Looking Ahead at Great Falls!

• Tuesday, November 3: Staff In-Service Day – No School for Students. Don't forget to VOTE!
• Wednesday, November 4 – P.I.E. School Safety Event: 5:30 p.m. | Village Elementary School, 12 Robie Street | Families from Great Falls, Narragansett, and Village are invited to a special Partners in Education (P.I.E.) evening focused on school safety! Join us to learn about school safety procedures, emergency response protocols, and what families can expect during an emergency. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions. Pizza and childcare will be provided! We hope you can join us for this important conversation!
• Friday, November 6: Picture Retake Day for students who were absent or would like another opportunity for school photos.
• Monday, November 9: Kiki the Compassionate Kangaroo will be visiting our kindergarten classrooms to help our youngest learners discover what it means to show kindness, caring, and compassion.
• Thursday, November 12: Schoolwide ALICE Practice Drill. Students and staff will continue practicing important safety procedures in a calm, supportive, and age-appropriate manner.
• Tuesday, November 24: Last day of school before Thanksgiving break!

As we welcome November, we look forward to continuing our focus on kindness, compassion, gratitude, and connection. These are the qualities that make Great Falls such a special place, and we see them reflected in our students each and every day.

Most importantly, thank you for sharing your amazing children with us! It is truly a privilege to watch them learn, grow, and shine. We are grateful for the trust you place in our staff and for the many ways you contribute to our caring and connected school community.

At Great Falls, connection is the heart of learning, and together, we continue to make our school a place where every child feels welcomed, valued, and a true sense of belonging.

Wishing all of our Great Falls families a wonderful start to November!

Warmly,
Becky Fortier
Principal, Great Falls Elementary School

 Hello Great Falls Families!

October has been a wonderful month at Great Falls! Our classrooms are filled with learning, laughter, kindness, and opportunities for students to connect and grow. As we head into the next few weeks, I wanted to share some important dates, celebrations, and friendly reminders.

Wednesday, October 21 – Early Release Day & Connection Time: We are excited to kick off our first student Connection Time of the school year! Students will connect with peers and staff from different grade levels through fun activities that promote friendships, belonging, and community. After all, connection is the heart of learning!

October 21 & 23 – Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences: We look forward to welcoming families for fall conferences! This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate your child's progress and strengthen our home-school partnership.

• Wednesday, October 21: Conferences until 6:00 p.m.

• Friday, October 23: Conferences until 12:00 p.m.

Tuesday, November 3 – No School for Students: Our educators will participate in districtwide professional development focused on strengthening instructional practices, purposeful play, and creating supportive, regulated classrooms. It's also Election Day, so don't forget to vote!

Wednesday, November 4 – P.I.E. School Safety Event: 5:30 p.m. | Village Elementary School, 12 Robie Street | Families from Great Falls, Narragansett, and Village are invited to a special Partners in Education (P.I.E.) evening focused on school safety! Join us to learn about school safety procedures, emergency response protocols, and what families can expect during an emergency. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions. Pizza and childcare will be provided! We hope you can join us for this important conversation!

Socktober Success – Over 1,000 Pairs of Socks!: WOW! Thanks to the incredible generosity of our Great Falls families, we collected over 1,000 pairs of socks to support individuals and families in need! What an amazing example of our students putting kindness into action. Thank you for helping us make a BIG difference!

A Few Friendly Reminders

Fidgets and Toys: Please help us keep Nee-Dohs, squishies, and other toys at home unless specifically approved by a staff member as a learning or regulation tool.

Cooler Weather: Fall temperatures are here! Please send your child with appropriate outdoor clothing so everyone can comfortably enjoy recess.

Staying Connected: Continue checking communications from your child's teacher and Great Falls for important updates and opportunities to get involved.

We are so grateful for the kindness, generosity, and support our families show each day. Whether you're attending conferences, supporting school events, or encouraging your child each morning, you make Great Falls a special place!

Thank you for being such an important part of our school community!

Warmly,

Becky Fortier
Principal, Great Falls Elementary School