Letter from the Principal

Dear Great Falls Families,

We hope you enjoyed a restful and refreshing February break. We are so excited to welcome our students back on Monday and begin the next stretch of learning together. This time of year always feels full of growth, celebration, connection, and important milestones, and we are grateful to partner with you every step of the way.

Please mark your calendars for the following upcoming dates:

 Monday, February 23 – Welcome Back to School
Wednesday, March 5 – PTCFast conference sign-up emailed to families at 8:30 a.m.
Friday, March 13 – End of Trimester 2
Tuesday, March 17 – Great Falls Got Talent Auditions
Wednesday, March 18 – Conferences from 1:00–6:00 p.m. (Early Release Day)
Friday, March 20 – Conferences from 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Tuesday, March 24 – Partners in Education (PIE) Meeting with the School Committee at 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 26 – Grade 3 Family Breakfast from 8:00–8:25 a.m.
Friday, March 27 – Trimester 2 Report Cards Go Home
Tuesday, March 31 – Great Falls Talent Show from 5:00–7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 1 – Early Release Day

Spring conferences are an especially meaningful opportunity to celebrate your child’s growth and reflect on goals for the final trimester. We encourage families to sign up promptly once the PTCFast link is shared on March 5.

We are also looking forward to joyful community moments, cheering on our talented students during auditions and at the Great Falls Talent Show, welcoming our Grade 3 families for breakfast, and gathering for continued partnership through PIE. These events remind us how strong and connected our Great Falls community truly is.

Thank you for your ongoing support, encouragement, and collaboration. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions. We look forward to seeing everyone back at school and continuing the important work of learning and growing together.

Warmly,

Becky Fortier, Principal

Dear Great Falls Families,

February is a joyful and busy month at Great Falls, filled with engaging learning experiences, literacy celebrations, and exciting opportunities for our students. From reading challenges to career exploration, our school community has so much to look forward to, and we are excited to share what’s ahead.

This month, students will be diving into meaningful literacy experiences through our One School / One Author focus on Kate DiCamillo and participating in our schoolwide Read-A-Thon. These activities encourage a love of reading while building excitement and school spirit across all grade levels.

We are also thrilled to welcome community members into our building for the Great Falls Career Fair on February 3 and 4. This event gives students the opportunity to explore a wide range of careers, ask questions, and begin imagining possibilities for their own futures. It is always inspiring to see our students engage so thoughtfully with our presenters.

February also includes several special celebrations and milestones. We will recognize World Read Aloud Day, celebrate School Counselor Appreciation Day, and proudly support our students as they present at the School Committee meeting. Family events and field trips, including the Kindergarten Family Breakfast and the Grade 5 snow tubing field trip, add to the sense of connection and fun that makes this time of year so special.

Upcoming Dates and Events

NOW – February 13: Winter NWEA Assessments
NOW – February 13: One School / One Author: Kate DiCamillo
February 2–13: Great Falls Read-A-Thon
February 3 and 4: Great Falls Career Fair
February 4: World Read Aloud Day
February 5: School Counselor Appreciation Day
February 11: Great Falls Students Presenting at the School Committee
February 12: Kindergarten Family Breakfast; Grade 5 Snow Tubing Field Trip
February 14–22: Winter Break (No School)

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. We are grateful to share such a vibrant, engaged school community and look forward to a wonderful month ahead.

Warmly,
Becky Fortier and Deanna Etienne
Great Falls Administrators

Dear Great Falls Families,

We hope you enjoyed a restful, joyful winter break filled with time to recharge and reconnect. On behalf of the entire Great Falls staff, we are excited to welcome our students and families back as we begin a busy and meaningful stretch of learning together.

January and February bring many opportunities for academic growth, celebration, and community connection. We are grateful for your continued partnership and support as we move through the winter months. Below are some important upcoming dates to help with planning:

January 5 – February 13: Winter NWEA Assessments

January 6: Grade 3 CogAT Assessment

January 21: Early Release Day

January 22: Grade 5 Family Breakfast; Elementary Chorus Concert

February 3 and February 4: Elementary Career Fair

February 4: World Read Aloud Day

February 5: Counselor Appreciation Day

February 11: Early Release Day; Great Falls students presenting at the School Committee Meeting at 7:00 p.m.

We look forward to welcoming families into the building for special events and celebrating our students’ learning, creativity, and leadership. As always, please be sure to check the Great Falls website for updates and additional details as events approach.

Thank you for your ongoing support, kindness, and collaboration. We are so happy to have our Great Falls community back together and look forward to a wonderful start to 2026.

With gratitude,
Becky Fortier and Deanna Etienne
Great Falls Elementary School Administrators

Dear Great Falls Families,

As we come to the close of the year and begin our Winter Break, we want to take a moment to wish your family a season filled with joy, rest, and meaningful time together. The weeks leading up to the break have been full of learning, growth, and celebration, and we are so grateful for the partnership we share with our Great Falls community.

During the break, we encourage families to continue checking the Great Falls Elementary website for updates and upcoming events as we prepare for an exciting return to school in January.

Looking ahead, here are a few important dates to keep on your calendar:

• December 22nd – January 2nd – Winter Break

• January 5th - February 13th - Winter NWEAs 

• January 6th - Grade 3 COGAT

• January 21st - Early Release Day

• January 22nd - Grade 5 Family Breakfast

• January 22nd - Elementary Chorus Concert

• February 3rd and 4th - Elementary Career Fair

• February 4th - World Read Aloud Day!

• February 5th - Counselor Appreciation Day!

• February 11th - Early Release Day

• February 11th - GF Students Presenting at the School Committee Meeting 7 pm

Thank you for your continued support, collaboration, and trust. It is truly a joy to serve this school community and to celebrate the many moments that make Great Falls such a special place.

Wishing you a warm, peaceful, and happy Winter Break. We look forward to welcoming students back refreshed and ready for the new year.

With gratitude and holiday cheer,
Becky Fortier and Deanna Etienne
Great Falls Elementary School Administrators

November Letter from the Principals

Great Falls Families,

I hope this message finds you well as we head into the Thanksgiving break. We are excited to share that all “News from the Office” information will now be located in one central place on our school website. You can find everything you need at:

https://greatfalls.gorhamschools.org/

This page will link all items that were previously shared every Thursday, making it easier than ever to stay updated. No more searching multiple places—simply bookmark our website and check in anytime for news, reminders, and upcoming events.

As we prepare for a stretch of busy and exciting weeks, here are a few important dates to note when we return:

• Monday, December 1st – Return from Thanksgiving Break

• Wednesday, December 3rd – Early Release Day

• Wednesday, December 3rd – Start of GHS Adopt a Classroom at Great Falls

• Thursday, December 4th – Grade 2 Family Breakfast

• Friday, December 12th – Trimester Closes; Report Cards Sent Home

• December 22nd – January 2nd – Winter Break

Wishing you and your family a warm, joyful, and restful Thanksgiving. Thank you for your continued partnership and support.

Sincerely,
Becky Fortier and Deanna Etienne
Great Falls Elementary School Administrators

October Letter from the Principal

Hello Great Falls Families,

It was so wonderful to see so many of you throughout the week during conferences! We hope you enjoyed being in our school and connecting with the amazing staff who spend so much time with your children each day. These moments are some of the most meaningful connections we make with our families, and we truly appreciate your attendance and positive participation. 💙

We’d also like to remind everyone that we highly encourage parents, guardians, and family members to complete the volunteer application and become an active part of our school community. We love having volunteers in the building—whether it’s helping in the classroom or library, assisting with special projects, or joining us for events like field trips and Field Day.

👉 Volunteer Application Form

We are also excited to join Narragansett and Village Elementary Schools for a special joint PIE (Partners in Education) meeting on Monday, October 27th. The focus of this meeting will be school safety—including our current plans and responses to safety situations. Our Elementary SRO, Officer Todd Gagnon, will be present to answer any questions you may have.

📍 Location: Narragansett Elementary School Library
🕕 Time: 6:00–7:00 p.m.
🍕 Childcare and pizza will be provided!

We hope to see you there!

Warmly,
Becky Fortier
Principal, Great Falls Elementary School

Conference Sign-Ups Begin Tomorrow

Hello Great Falls Families,

It’s hard to believe we’re already approaching conference time! Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences are a wonderful opportunity for families to connect with teachers and for students to take pride in sharing their learning and growth. Please review the following information to help you prepare for this important event:

The purpose of conferences is to provide a one-on-one opportunity for you, your child, and their teacher to discuss academic progress and “skills for life.” Students will share examples of their work, reflect on their goals, and celebrate areas of growth. Since students lead these conferences, topics that are private or sensitive should be discussed separately with the teacher at another time. Please note that IEP meetings, even if held near conference dates, do not take the place of these student-led conferences.

Conferences will take place on Wednesday, October 22nd (afternoon and evening) and Friday, October 24th, though teachers may also schedule meetings within a two-week window to best accommodate families. You will be able to begin registering for your child’s conference on Wednesday, October 8th, through www.PTCfast.com.

We use PTCfast, an online scheduling tool, to make it easy for families to select the date and time that works best. Teachers will send home a notice or email with your class’s unique access link and code. Once you receive it, follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Click on the link (or enter it into your browser).
Step 2: Enter the class code provided by your child’s teacher.
Step 3: Choose an available time slot that works best for your schedule. (Unavailable times will appear in red.)
You’ll receive a confirmation email once your slot is reserved and a reminder closer to the date. If you need to make changes, you can log back in to adjust your time, provided it’s before the teacher’s scheduling cutoff.

At Great Falls, we’re proud of the high participation we see each year during conferences. These meetings are meaningful opportunities to celebrate your child’s hard work, growth, and progress. We look forward to welcoming you to the building soon!

Warmly,
Becky Fortier
Principal, Great Falls Elementary School

September Letter

Dear Great Falls Families,

At Great Falls, student safety and strong school connections are at the heart of everything we do. As we begin this exciting new school year together, we want to share some important updates and reminders.

The safety of our students, staff, and families is always our top priority. Throughout the year, we conduct 8–10 fire drills as well as other drills, including playground safety drills, to ensure that everyone knows how to respond calmly and quickly in an emergency.

To maintain a safe school environment:

• Locked doors at all times: All exterior doors will remain locked during the school day to ensure the security of our building.

• Volunteer clearance required: Only individuals who have completed the district’s volunteer clearance process may volunteer at school or chaperone field trips. This important step helps us keep all students safe.

• Click here to register: Volunteer Clearance Form. Thank you for partnering with us to keep Great Falls safe and secure.

Along with safety, connection is a vital part of our mission. We believe that strong, meaningful relationships between home and school create the foundation for a thriving learning community.

Here are a few upcoming opportunities to connect:

• Great Falls Family Picnic – This Thursday, September 25th | 5:00–6:30 p.m.
  Join us for an evening of food, fun, and community as we come together to kick off the school year!

• Great Falls Family Breakfasts
  Families are invited to join their child for breakfast in our cafeteria from 8:00–8:30 a.m. on designated grade-level dates.

• First Breakfast: October 9 – Grade 1 Families. Be on the lookout for a survey to RSVP.

Thank you for being such an essential part of our Great Falls community. By working together to prioritize safety and connection, we create a secure, supportive, and joyful learning environment for every child. If you have any questions about safety procedures, volunteer clearance, or upcoming events, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

With gratitude,
Becky Fortier and Deanna Etienne
Great Falls Elementary School Administrators

 Dear Great Falls Families,

Welcome back! We hope you’ve enjoyed a relaxing and rejuvenating summer. As we prepare to kick off the 2025–2026 school year, we wanted to share some important dates and helpful information to make the start of the year smooth and exciting for everyone.

Office Reopening:
The Great Falls office is open. We invite you to stop in or give us a call for assistance with registration, enrollment, or any other questions. You can also reach our office team via email at greatfallsschool@gorhamschools.org.

Open House for Grades 1–5:
Join us on Wednesday, August 27th, from 5:30–6:30 p.m. to visit classrooms, meet teachers, explore creative arts, say hello to administrators, and connect with friends on the playground.

First Day of School (Grades 1–5):
Thursday, August 28th, will be the first day of school for our Grades 1–5 students. Supply lists are available on our site: GF News from the Office.

Important Early Release Days & Holidays:

• There will be no school on Monday, September 1st, in observance of Labor Day.
  
  

• Kindergarten Open House: Tuesday, September 2nd, from 5:30–6:30 p.m.
  
  

• First Day of Kindergarten: Wednesday, September 3rd
  
  

• Our first early release day is Wednesday, September 17th, with dismissal at 12:00 p.m.

Back-to-School Picnic:
We’re thrilled to announce our Back-to-School Picnic on Thursday, September 25th, from 5:30–7:00 p.m. Bring your family and enjoy an evening of fun and community connection!

Stay Connected:
To keep up with all things Great Falls, follow us on:

• 📘 Facebook: Great Falls Parent Connection
  
  

• 📸 Instagram: @great.falls.elementary.school
  
  

• 📰 Principal Blog: News from the Great Falls Principal

We are so excited to welcome our students, families, and staff back for another wonderful year. We look forward to partnering with you to make this a year full of learning, growth, and fun! If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out directly at becky.fortier@gorhamschools.org or deanna.etienne@gorhamschools.org.

Warmly,
Becky Fortier & Deanna Etienne
Great Falls Administrators

Welcome August! Important Great Falls Back-to-School Info

Dear Great Falls Families,

Welcome to August! The air today has a hint of fall, but there are still plenty of summer days left to enjoy before school begins. We wanted to take a moment to share some important dates and helpful information as we prepare for the upcoming school year.

The Great Falls office will reopen full-time starting Monday, August 18th. Please feel free to stop in or give us a call for assistance with registration, enrollment, or any other questions you may have. You can also reach our office team by email at greatfallsschool@gorhamschools.org.

We’re excited to offer optional school tours on Thursday, August 21st, for families and students who are new to Great Falls. A separate sign-up link was emailed last week, and we’ll do our best to accommodate all requests.

Open House for Grades 1-5 will take place on Wednesday, August 27th from 5:30–6:30 p.m. This is a great opportunity to visit classrooms, meet teachers, say hello to administrators, explore creative arts, and connect with friends on the playground.

The first day of school for Grades 1–5 is Thursday, August 28th. Supply lists can be found under the News tab on our school website: https://greatfalls.gorhamschools.org/ (Scroll down on the "News from the Office" page to view all lists.)

Please note there will be no school on Monday, September 1st, in observance of Labor Day.

For our Kindergarten families: Kindergarten Open House will be held on Tuesday, September 2nd from 5:30–6:30 p.m. The first day of school for Kindergarten students will be Wednesday, September 3rd.

You can view the full 2024–2025 district calendar here: School Calendar PDF

Our first early release day will be Wednesday, September 17th, with dismissal at 12:00 p.m.

We’re also thrilled to announce our Back-to-School Picnic on Thursday, September 25th from 5:30–7:00 p.m. Mark your calendars for a fun evening with our school community!

To stay up to date with all things Great Falls, be sure to follow us:
📘 Facebook: Great Falls Parent Connection
📸 Instagram: @great.falls.elementary.school
📰 Principal Blog: News from the Great Falls Principal

We are looking forward to a fantastic year ahead and building strong partnerships with each of you. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly at becky.fortier@gorhamschools.org or deanna.etienne@gorhamschools.org.

Warmly,
Becky Fortier & Deanna Etienne
Great Falls Administrators