Great Falls Family Update & Upcoming Events

 

Dear Great Falls Families,

Report cards for Trimester 2 will be sent home with your child tomorrow. If you have any questions after reviewing your child’s report card, please do not hesitate to reach out. We are always happy to connect and support your child’s learning journey.

We also have several exciting events coming up at Great Falls, and we are looking forward to a fun and meaningful stretch ahead!

On Tuesday at 5:00 p.m., we will be hosting the Great Falls Talent Showcase. We have over 40 performers ready to wow us with their incredible talents, and it is sure to be a fantastic evening for our school community. In place of a ticket fee, we are asking families to bring a food donation for the Gorham Food Pantry.

That event also kicks off our annual Great Falls Food Drive, which will continue throughout the week. Our goal is to collect 1,000 food items to donate to the Gorham Food Pantry. At Great Falls, we know that Kindness Counts, and we are excited for our students to make a difference in the lives of others through this effort.

Please also remember that Wednesday, April 1st is an Early Release Day, and students will be dismissed at 12:00 p.m.

Our final grade-level family breakfast will take place on April 9th. Families of our 4th-grade students should be on the lookout for an RSVP and additional details for this special event.

We are also thrilled to introduce a brand-new family event: Creative Arts Around the World, happening on Thursday, April 16th. This special evening will celebrate and honor the many countries and cultures represented by our students and families. It will be a fun and engaging event filled with games, music, art, and more. We are so excited to bring our community together in this way and hope to see many of our families there!

Thank you, as always, for your partnership, support, and commitment to our Great Falls community. We are so grateful for all that you do.

Warmly,
Becky Fortier
Principal, Great Falls Elementary School

Thank You for a Wonderful Conference Week

Dear Great Falls Families,

Thank you for your time, partnership, and care during our recent parent/teacher/student conferences. These conversations are such an important part of supporting each child’s growth, and we truly value the collaboration between home and school.

We also want to extend a heartfelt thank you for the incredible luncheon. Your generosity and thoughtfulness meant so much to our staff. It was a wonderful reminder of the strong, supportive community we are so fortunate to be a part of.

As we continue to look for ways to stay connected and support families, we’re excited to share a new resource:

Meet “Ramsy the Ram” – Our New Digital Assistant 
Ramsy is an AI-powered chatbot designed to help you quickly find information on our district website at https://greatfalls.gorhamschools.org/.

What Ramsy Can Help With:
Ask Ramsy about lunch menus, upcoming school committee dates, or district policies.

Where to Find Him:
Look for the small star icon in the bottom right corner of any district webpage.

Need More Help?
If Ramsy can’t find what you’re looking for, you can click the mail icon within the chat to send a message directly to our staff.

Thank you again for your continued partnership and for all that you do to support our students and school community.

With appreciation,
Becky Fortier
Principal, Great Falls Elementary School

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