February Letter from the Principal

Dear Great Falls Families,

We hope you enjoyed yesterday's snow day, whether you spent it cozy at home, playing outdoors, or simply enjoying a moment of snowy peace. Our staff is still reminiscing about the wonderful time we all had at the Great Falls Winter Family Night! The turnout was fabulous, and the community spirit, smiles, and laughter made it such an enjoyable evening for everyone.

Next week, Narragansett will be hosting our next Great Falls PIE on Thursday, February 13th, at 6 pm. The topic is "Let Them Play: Navigating Childhood Beyond Screens," and the presentation will be given by Sarah Drury and Lindsay Hanson from the Gorham Alliance for Thoughtful Technology. That same evening, we'll also be hosting our make-up chorus concert here at Great Falls. It promises to be a fun-filled evening with two great events!

We're currently immersed in the Great Falls Read-A-Thon, with tons of fun challenges happening over the next week. Today, our staff showed their support by embracing crazy hat and hair day to celebrate exceeding 25,000 reading minutes! We're quickly approaching our next milestone of 50,000 minutes, so please be sure to enroll your child in the Read-A-Thon so we can track their reading both at school and at home.

As we head into February, winter vacation is just around the corner! Winter break will be from February 17th-21st. We hope your family has a wonderful and restful break!

Our hope is to keep families updated with the latest information and school events! The most important and up to date information regarding our school community can also be found in the Great Falls News from the Office which will be emailed to families every Thursday.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us at any time at becky.fortier@gorhamschools.org or deanna.etienne@gorhamschools.org.

Kindly,
Becky Fortier and Deanna Etienne
Great Falls Administrators

Happy New Year!

Hello Great Falls Families,

Happy New Year! We hope you had a relaxing and enjoyable break filled with cherished memories. We know transitioning back to school routines can be a bit tricky, so we've included some helpful resources to ease the process:

• Re-Establishing Your Child's Routine After Vacation (Thrive - Penn State): This article focuses on communication, positive reinforcement, and discussing any anxieties your child might have about returning. (Link)

• Smoothing the Transition: Getting Your Child Back to School After the Holiday Break (Testing Mom): This blog provides practical tips like adjusting sleep schedules, re-establishing routine activities, and preparing for schoolwork. (Link)

Looking forward to a fun and fulfilling 2025! Here are some important dates to mark on your calendars for January:

• Monday, January 6th: NWEA Winter Testing Window Opens

• Friday, January 10th: Great Falls Night at the Maine Celtics (7:00 PM) - Tickets Here: Link

• Friday, January 17th: Spirit Day! - Purple vs. Blue

• Monday, January 20th: Martin Luther King Jr. Day - No School

• Wednesday, January 22nd: Early Release Day (Dismissal at 12 PM)

• Thursday, January 30th: Winter Family Fun Night (5:30 PM - 7:00 PM)

For the latest and most important information regarding our school community, be sure to check the Great Falls News From the Office, emailed to families every Thursday. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us at becky.fortier@gorhamschools.org or deanna.etienne@gorhamschools.org.

We look forward to welcoming our students back to campus for a successful and exciting year!

Sincerely,

Becky Fortier and Deanna Etienne

Great Falls Administrators

November Letter from the Principals

 Dear Great Falls Families,

As the weather gets cooler, it's essential for all of our students to have warm winter gear. We want to ensure your child stays warm this season and can enjoy the fresh air and outdoor activities that winter offers. If financial resources are tight and purchasing winter items like coats, snow pants, boots, hats, and mittens is challenging, please contact our school social worker, Jaime Denham, directly at 222-1168 or via email at jaime.denham@gorhamschools.org for assistance. We understand this can be a stressful time of year, and we’re here to help.

Additionally, with the holidays approaching, we want to provide resources for families interested in sharing a meal with the community. Many local organizations are offering holiday meals in a welcoming, family-style setting. You can find details here: Local Holiday Meals.

We also recognize that gift-giving during the holidays can be challenging. To support our families, we’ve compiled a list of local and regional organizations that offer assistance with holiday gifts for children. Many of these resources have application deadlines, so if this support would benefit your family, please reach out to the agency directly: Local & Regional Holiday Gift Support.

We’re committed to keeping you updated with the latest school events and resources. You can also find important information in the Great Falls News from the Office, emailed to families every Thursday.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to us anytime at becky.fortier@gorhamschools.org or deanna.etienne@gorhamschools.org.

Warm regards,
Becky Fortier and Deanna Etienne
Great Falls Administrators

October Letter from the Principals

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Dear Great Falls Families,

Family conferences are just around the corner, and we can't wait to welcome all of our families back to campus! In conjunction with conference week, we are excited to host the Scholastic Book Fair on the stage area during the following dates and times:

• Monday, October 21st from 3:30-5:00 PM

• Tuesday, October 22nd from 3:30-5:00 PM

• Wednesday, October 23rd from 1:00-6:00 PM

• Thursday, October 24th from 3:30-5:00 PM

• Friday, October 25th from 8:00 AM-12:00 PM

We are so lucky to have many great family volunteers at Great Falls!  We greatly appreciate those who are able to give their time and encourage you to consider getting involved in our school community too! Perhaps you want to volunteer in your child’s classroom, clean up our gardens, or attend and support on a school field trip. If you're interested in any type of volunteering in our building, please fill out the form provided here.

Last week we kicked off our SOCKTOBER campaign and are excited to surpass our goal of collecting 1,000 pairs of new socks for Maine Needs!! Thank you in advance for your participation in this important compassion campaign!

Here are some important upcoming dates to mark on your calendar:

• SOCKTOBER - October 10th - 24th: Please bring in new socks for our "Compassion" campaign!

• Monday, October 21st: Kids Clubs Session #2

• Monday, October 21-Friday, October 25: Bus Driver Appreciation Week

• Wednesday, October 23rd: Early Release Day – students dismissed at 12 pm; PM Creative Arts

• Wednesday, October 23rd: Family Conferences – 1 pm-6 pm

• Friday, October 25th: Family Conferences – 8 am-12 pm

• Monday, October 28th: Kids Clubs Session #3

• Monday, November 4th: Kids Clubs Session #4

• Tuesday, November 5th: Staff In-Service Day/ No School for Students

• Friday, November 8th: Picture Retake Day

• Monday, November 11th: Veterans Day/ No School 

• Wednesday, November 13th: School Committee Meeting 7pm

• Monday, November 18th: Kids Clubs Session #5

• Wednesday, November 27th-29th: Thanksgiving Break and End of Trimester 1

Our hope is to keep families updated with the latest information and school events! The most important and up to date information regarding our school community can also be found in the Great Falls News from the Office which will be emailed to families every Thursday. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us at any time at becky.fortier@gorhamschools.org or deanna.etienne@gorhamschools.org. 

Kindly,

Becky Fortier and Deanna Etienne

Great Falls Administrators

Dear Great Falls Families,

As the school year begins, here are some important updates:

NWEA Testing:

• NWEA testing starts this week for grades 3-5.

• K-2 students will take NWEA-MAP assessments (Kindergarten will not be tested in the fall).

• These tests adjust in difficulty to accurately measure progress and are used to assess student learning.

Volunteering:

• Register HERE each school year to volunteer.

• Forms are on our website, and an annual online orientation is required.

• Register early to ensure timely processing of background checks for volunteering in the classroom or on field trips.

Attendance:

• Regular attendance is crucial for success.

• Planned absences can be excused with pre-approval using this designated form.

Upcoming Events:

• Back to School Picnic: Thursday, September 26th, 5:30-6:30 pm. Enjoy food trucks, live music, and face painting.

• Photo Day: Friday, September 27th.

• Parent/Guardian, Student, and Teacher Conferences: Conferences will be held over two weeks. We have allocated the evening of Wednesday, October 23rd, and the day of Friday, October 25th for K-5 conferences. You can schedule your conference via the PTCFast online scheduler starting Wednesday, October 9th at 8:00 am. All conferences will be in person unless otherwise requested.

Thank you for your support and cooperation.

Warm regards,
Becky Fortier and Deanna Etienne
Great Falls Administrators

Dear Kindergarten Families,

We hope you’re soaking up the summer sun and having a blast! As we get ready for an awesome new school year, here are some key dates and events to mark on your calendar.

For the latest summer updates and school supply lists, keep an eye on the News from the Great Falls Office. You can find the Kindergarten supply list HERE.

Important Dates:

• Monday, August 19th: The Great Falls Office opens! Our wonderful front office secretaries, Julie Murray and Kristal Goff, are excited to kick off a fantastic school year. Need assistance? Call us at 222-1050 or email at greatfallsschool@gorhamschools.org.

• Wednesday, August 28th: Kindergarten Screening for all registered kindergarten students.

• Friday, August 30th: No School.

• Monday, September 2nd: Labor Day - No School.

• Tuesday, September 3rd: Kindergarten Open House from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

• Wednesday, September 4th: First Day of School for Kindergarten!

We’re thrilled to welcome all our new and returning students and families for an exciting school year ahead. If you have any questions or need more information, feel free to contact us at becky.fortier@gorhamschools.org and deanna.etienne@gorhamschools.org. Don’t forget to add the Great Falls Family Google Calendar  to stay in the loop with our events.

Warm regards, 

Becky Fortier and Deanna Etienne
Great Falls Administrators

 

Summer Check In

Dear Families,

We hope this letter finds you well and enjoying your summer. As we prepare for the upcoming school year, we want to provide you with a schedule of important dates and events to help you plan accordingly. For updates throughout the summer, including school supply lists, please check the News from the Great Falls Office.

Monday, August 19th: The Great Falls Office is OPEN

Tuesday, August 20th: Optional New Student School Tours 1:00-3:00 p.m. by appointment

Wednesday, August 21st: Optional New Student School Tours 1:00-3:00 p.m. by appointment

Friday, August 23rd: NEW Staff Orientation

Monday, August 26th: Staff In-Service Day #1

Tuesday, August 27th:

• Staff In-Service Day #2

• Grades 1-5 Open House 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, August 28th: Kindergarten Screening

Thursday, August 29th: First Day of School Grades 1-5

Friday, August 30th: No School

Monday, September 2nd: Labor Day/ No School

Tuesday, September 3rd:

• School Resumes Grades 1-5

• Kindergarten Open House 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, September 4th: First Day of School for Kindergarten

We are excited to welcome new and returning students and families to the upcoming school year. If you have any questions or need further information, please contact school administrators at becky.fortier@gorhamschools.org and deanna.etienne@gorhamschools.org.  

Warm regards,

Becky Fortier and Deanna Etienne
Great Falls Administrators

Letter from the Principal

Dear Great Falls families,

As we approach the final weeks of this school year, I am filled with gratitude for the incredible journey we've shared together. It has truly been a remarkable year, filled with growth, learning, and countless memories. As we prepare to bid farewell to this academic year, I am delighted to invite you to join us for our end-of-year Great Falls Spring Fling event tomorrow evening. Let's celebrate our achievements and enjoy the festivities together!

Looking ahead to the upcoming academic year, I wanted to take this opportunity to share some staffing changes and new additions with you. While we bid fond farewells to our retiring staff members—Allie Rinkunas (Art Teacher), Patty LaRosa (2nd Grade Teacher), Jackie Taylor (2nd Grade Teacher), Laurie Tibbitts (4th Grade Teacher), Gregg Sands (5th Grade Teacher), and Joan Anderson (RTI Math Ed Tech)—we also eagerly anticipate the arrival of new faces who will undoubtedly bring fresh perspectives and enthusiasm to our school community.

For the next academic year, our Kindergarten classes will be led by Mrs. Lyons, Mrs. vanLuling, Mrs. Brassard, Mrs. Jordan, and Mrs. Levesque. Welcoming our 1st-grade team will be Ms. Alves, Mrs. Bryson, Miss Ruff, and Mrs. Tole, while our 2nd-grade team will consist of Mrs. Sturgis, Mrs. Poulin, and Ms. Dupuis. Additionally, we are excited to introduce the 3rd-grade team of Miss Kein, Miss Davis, Mrs. Ferris, and Mrs. Kelly-Brewster, the 4th-grade team of Mrs. Sedenka, Mrs. Stanley, Miss Smith, and Mr. Henry, and the 5th-grade team of Mrs. Mullin, Mrs. Paolino, and Miss Frailey.

To facilitate a smooth transition for our students, Kindergarten through 4th-grade students will have the opportunity to meet their new teachers on Thursday, June 6th. Following these visits, you will receive a welcome email informing you of your child's assigned teacher for the upcoming year. We anticipate an exciting and enriching academic journey ahead, filled with opportunities for growth, discovery, and success.

In the coming week, you will receive a final letter from me, reflecting on the incredible achievements and milestones we've accomplished as a school community throughout this year. I am immensely proud of each and every one of our students, staff, and families for their dedication, resilience, and unwavering commitment to excellence.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership in ensuring the success and well-being of our students. Together, we will continue to inspire, empower, and uplift one another as we embark on this exciting new chapter.

With warm regards,

Becky Fortier

Great Falls Principal

May Letter

Dear Great Falls Families,

Happy May to our incredible school families! As we embrace the beauty of this month, filled with blooming flowers and warmer days, let's also celebrate the growth and achievements of our students. May is a time of renewal and reflection, and we are grateful for the opportunity to learn and thrive together. Let's make this month memorable with exciting adventures in learning and unforgettable moments of togetherness.

Parent Step Up Meeting: Tonight!! Join us for an informative event where teachers representing grades 1 through 5 will highlight key aspects of each grade level. This is your chance to gain insights into what the upcoming school year will entail for your child. Our teachers will discuss both social and academic expectations for each grade and will be available to address any questions you may have. This Parent Step Up event will be held on Thursday, May 16th, from 5:30 to 6:30 pm in the Great Falls cafeteria. Please note that while Mrs. Fortier will be attending her senior child's event, Mrs. Etienne will be leading the session. We look forward to your presence! If you are unable to attend, don't worry. The presentation will be shared widely in the days following the event.

Adopt a Classroom: On Wednesday, May 22nd we will wrap up our Adopt a Classroom experience. Great Falls Elementary School partnered with Gorham High School to establish a monthly mentorship between high school and elementary students. High school students have volunteered to dedicate approximately 1 morning a month assigned to a K-5 classroom. The partnership or “adoption of a classroom” was intended to create a caring relationship between and among students. We wanted elementary students to “aspire” to high school and beyond. By volunteering in Great Falls classrooms, each high school student made a commitment to be a positive role model, both in and out of school, for younger students. It has been a great experience!

Grade Level Field Days at USM: To celebrate the end of the school year, we will be facilitating 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 event is always a highlight of the year and it is the first time back at USM since the pandemic!

As field days approach, we just wanted to give you a heads-up about the University of Southern Maine's new parking setup for visitors to campus, including those attending field days. If you're volunteering or dropping by for K-5 field days, make sure you're aware of the parking fees. You can find more details on the parking website: https://usm.maine.edu/parking-services/

May 29th - 1st Grade Field Day 

May 30th - 2nd Grade Field Day 

May 31st - Kindergarten Field Day 

June 3rd - 3rd Grade Field Day 

June 4th - 4th Grade Field Day 

June 5th - 5th Grade Field Day 

Kindly,

Becky Fortier and Deanna Etienne

Great Falls Administrators