October 26, 2023
Dear Great Falls Families,
By now you have likely heard about the tragic shootings that occurred in Lewiston last night. There will be extensive coverage of this on the news and much discussion about it in our community in the coming days. We want to assure you that the safety of our students is our top priority and that our school has a comprehensive safety plan in place. We work with the Gorham police and fire departments to regularly practice our safety procedures with students and staff through discussions and emergency exercises.
It is equally important for us to continue to work with our staff and ensure they are prepared to support our students in difficult times. We will have our counselors and administrators ready throughout the coming week to respond to students as needed.
Family members:
Reassure children that they are safe and make time to talk
Let their questions be your guide as to how much information to provide
Provide brief, simple information
Reassure them that their school and homes are safe and that adults are there to protect them
Observe your children’s emotional state. Some children may not express their concerns verbally. Limit television viewing of news coverage of the event and be aware if the television is on in common areas. Developmentally inappropriate information can cause anxiety or confusion, particularly in young children. And lastly, maintain a normal routine. Keeping to a regular schedule can be reassuring and promote physical health. Ensure that children get plenty of sleep, regular meals, and exercise.
We are troubled by events like what occurred in Lewiston and will make sure that the safety of your children is our number one priority. Thank you for your compassion towards our school community as we work together to cope and support one another. You will receive a letter from our Social and Emotional Team later today with additional resources and options for student support.
As always, please feel free to call if you have any concerns or questions regarding your child, or the steps being taken by our school to ensure their safety & wellbeing. We will be available through email today at becky.fortier@gorhamschools.org and deanna.etienne@gorhamschools.org and by phone when we return to school at 222-1050.
Kind regards,
Becky Fortier and Deanna Etienne
Great Falls Administrators
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