December 30, 2021
Dear Great Falls Families,
I hope you and your family enjoyed the winter break. I hope you found time to enjoy the holidays, read, play games, take walks, and re-energize for 2022. May 2022 bring us good health, happiness, and joy in our hearts.
Sledding: Exciting news! We will be adding sledding to our recess rotation. This means that it will be more important than ever that your child bring appropriate winter clothing to wear during recess. Warm winter gear includes snow pants, boots, coats, hats, and gloves. It will also be equally important for your child to keep an extra change of clothes at school in their assigned cubby in case they get wet. While we want our students to remain warm, dry, & comfortable, we do not have the resources to provide extra clothing to all those who may get wet during each recess each day.
Parent Connection Meetings: Beginning in the new year, we will be hosting Parent Connection meetings on campus. Our first meeting will be held on Monday, January 10th from 6 pm - 7 pm in the cafeteria. This first meeting will include a school tour and an opportunity to see all of the spaces that your children spend their days. Masks are required.
Winter NWEA Testing: NWEA-MAPS Tests (Northwest Educational Association - Measures of Academic Progress) is our district’s universal screening tool and recently adopted state-level assessment. The NWEA assessments will be conducted throughout the month of January in grades K-5. It is necessary for us to gather this data point to inform Response to Intervention supports and classroom instruction. The assessments are aligned to Maine Standards and allow us to collect longitudinal data. As always, your child’s classroom teacher is the best resource to keep you informed about how your child is progressing during this academic year.
Change in Close Contact Communication: Superintendent Perry will be reaching out soon with information regarding the change to the close contact quarantine rule. Beginning on January 3rd, communications of close contacts by the school will change. Instead of a personal phone call, the following will occur:
An email will be sent to the parent/guardians of each identified close contact. This email will include all important information such as the date of exposure, dates of quarantine (if needed) and clear guidelines for how to return to school and contact information for who to contact with any questions parents may have.
A text message will be sent to the parent/guardians of each identified close contact as well to ask them to check their email for more information.
Important Upcoming Dates:
- Monday, January 10th Parent Connection Meeting 6pm
Wednesday, January 12th Early Release Day - students dismissed at 12pm
Monday, January 17th No School - Martin Luther King Day
Wednesday, January 19th Early Release Day - students dismissed at 12pm
Wednesday, January 26th Early Release Day - students dismissed at 12pm
Wednesday, February 2nd Early Release Day - students dismissed at 12pm
Monday, February 7th Parent Connection Meeting 6pm
Wednesday, February 16th Early Release Day - students dismissed at 12pm
February 21-25 Winter Break
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. Happy 2022!
Take care and be well,
Becky Fortier, Great Falls Principal
