READ ACROSS AMERICA WEEK! 2021

 

February 25, 2021

Dear Great Falls Families,

Next week is Read Across America Week and Great Falls is ready to celebrate thanks to our amazing library staff! Read Across America has always been an event focused on nurturing a love of reading, and has usually been celebrated alongside Dr. Seuss's birthday (March 2nd).  A couple of years ago the Read Across America organization and Suess's estate went their separate ways.  Read Across America's new focus is on diversity in reading (books, authors, and readers) throughout the year.  Check out their website for monthly focus activities. Great Falls has some fun things planned for next week! 

Diverse Book List

Our librarian, Mr. Dowe, and media-specialist, Jessie Mason have created a book list of diverse books that can be found in our Great Falls library. The list will continue to grow and staff and students are welcome to check out titles of interest!

Diverse Book Read Aloud Classroom

This interactive page includes links to read alouds that can be enjoyed at any time. 

Guest Readers

Classrooms are welcome to sign up for guest readers either in person or virtually on March 3rd and 4th. Guest readers include administrators, central office staff, community members, Baxter Memorial staff, and various special guests. 

“Read Your World” Book Display

There will be a fun book display going up in the stairwell area for the students to enjoy! All the books featured can be found in our Great Falls Library.

Monday, March 1st “A” Day “Favorite Book” Tag Day  Teachers will be asking their students to fill out a sticky tag with “My favorite book is ______.” The students will wear them throughout the day!

Tuesday, March 2nd “B” Day “Favorite Book” Tag Day  Teachers will be asking their students to fill out a sticky tag with “My favorite book is ______.” The students will wear them throughout the day!

Wednesday, March 3rd “A” Day Dress as a Book Character Day  Students and staff are asked to dress up as their favorite book character. Be creative and have fun!

Thursday, March 4th “B” Day Dress as a Book Character Day  Students and staff are asked to dress up as their favorite book character. Be creative and have fun!

I hope you will join us in the Read Across America fun! As always, please feel free to reach out to me at any time with questions and feedback. I am available through email at becky.fortier@gorhamschools.org and by phone at 222-1050.

Take care and be well,

Becky Fortier

Great Falls Principal

Jump Rope for Heart 2021

 

February 23rd

Dear Parents,

Great Falls will, once again, participate in the American Heart Association’s Kids Heart Challenge student exercise event! Throughout the years, our students have made tremendous donations supporting the American Heart Association!

 

Before our students ask for donations for the American Heart Association, they will learn (or review) the components of heart health, which are diet and exercise. Diet and exercise are critical elements of both the Physical Education Standards and the Health Standards. This donation drive gives Great Falls an opportunity to connect these concepts in a thoughtful way.  The students will also learn how the American Heart Association uses donations to help save lives through their education efforts and research.

In addition to providing money for the AHA, this student exercise event provides funds that allow us to enhance learning beyond the classroom.  It is our goal to provide children with a fun and engaging field day in June where students participate in wellness experiences outside of their regular PE classes.

  

Monday, March 1st and Tuesday, March 2nd  - AHA Packets will go home with the students.

March 1st- April 8th - Students will collect donations for the AHA. The donations can be made online at heart.org/KHC or returned to Great Falls. Cash or checks made payable to Great Falls.

March 17th - April 1st - Students will participate in the exercise challenge during PE class.

Donations are due back by Thursday, April 8th.

We recognize that each family’s ability to contribute at this time may be impacted and strained by a number of factors, notably those associated with the current pandemic we are experiencing.  Please know that a financial contribution of any amount is greatly appreciated, but not expected.  Thank you for supporting this amazing cause! 

Great Falls Feel the Love Family Fun Parade

 

February 2, 2021

Dear GF Families,

I am sure you are missing our community events just as much as our staff. Great Falls has always taken great pride in being a dynamic school community that offers many in-person opportunities to celebrate as a school family and we are missing face to face connections this year. As we continue to think of creative opportunities, we would like to invite you to our 1st ever Great Falls Feel the Love Family Fun Parade! 

Who: Staff will be playing music and decorating the bus loop with luminaries, plenty of glow in the dark items, and light displays for our families to enjoy and “feel the love”.

What: Students and their families are encouraged to decorate their vehicles with solar lights and more remembering that vehicles will be asked to turn off their headlights to enjoy the full effect of the light shows. 

Where: The Great Falls staff will be lining the bus loop and cheering our families on as they drive in from the top of the hill entrance, down the hill into the bus loop, and exit through the staff parking lot. See the map for details on the parade route. 

When: The parade will be held at Great Falls on Thursday, February 11th from 5-7 pm 

(Rain/snow date is February 25th). 

We’re excited to see you!

Wishing you love,

The Great Falls staff