September Family Newsletter
July 13th, 2026
Welcome Back!
Dear GFE Families,
Welcome to the second nine weeks! We are excited to continue a great year of learning and growth at Great Falls Elementary School!
We have much to celebrate! GFE earned an Average overall rating on the 2025–2026 South Carolina School Report Card and an Excellent rating in School Climate and Culture! These achievements reflect the hard work of our students, teachers, staff, and families. We are proud of our little but bold school community!
While we celebrate our progress, we know there is more work to do. Our theme, “Dream Chasers: Turning Dreams into Realities,” reminds us that greatness requires hard work, determination, and teamwork. This achievement is not our finish line—we are just getting started!
Families, we need your partnership now more than ever! As we begin the second nine weeks, we challenge every family to make student success a daily priority. Ensure your child attends school every day and arrives on time, spend at least 20 minutes reading together each evening, review assignments and progress, and stay in regular communication with your child's teacher. Most importantly, encourage your child to give their best effort every day!
Our students cannot reach their fullest potential without all of us working together. When schools and families work as one team, our children succeed!
Thank you for believing in GFE and supporting our journey toward greatness. Together, we will continue turning dreams into realities!
At GFE, we don't just dream of greatness—we chase it!
With GFE Pride,
Dr. Padraic D. Hampton
Principal, Great Falls Elementary School
- Our Grading Policy has been updated for the 2026-2027 school year. Click the grading policy below. One of the biggest changes in the policy is that the minimum grade policy has been removed. For example, if a student receives a score of a 45, the 45 will be recorded in the gradebook and will be calculated in the final grade.
- The district this year is implementing a new retake policy where a student will only be able to take two MAJOR assessments across the grade level per nine weeks.
- If you have a classroom concern it is important for you to contact the "classroom teacher" prior to reaching out to the administration team. If the concern is not resolved, please reach out to the administration team.
- We hope that you are enjoying our new car tags. If your car tag gets lost or damaged, the replacement cost is $5.00 and can be purchased in the main office.
- ALL students are expected to adhere to our GFE dress code. If a student is outside of the dress code, parents will be contacted.
- Stay Connected: Review school and teacher communications regularly and reach out whenever you have questions or concerns. We want to work together with you.
- Academics: Ask your child what they are learning each day, review assignments and grades, and encourage reading and learning at home.
- Behavior & Expectations: Please continue talking with your child about making responsible choices, showing respect, and following classroom, cafeteria, hallway, playground, and bus expectations.
The safety of our students is our highest priority. Riding the school bus is a privilege, and all students are expected to contribute to a safe and respectful environment by following the GFE Bus Expectations.
GFE Bus Expectations
- Be on time at your assigned bus stop and ready when the bus arrives.
- Follow the bus driver's directions the first time they are given.
- Remain seated at all times with your hands, feet, and belongings to yourself.
- Use kind words and respectful behavior toward the driver and other students.
- Keep the bus clean by placing all trash in the appropriate receptacle or taking it with you.
- Speak in quiet voices so the driver can focus on safely transporting students.
- Keep all body parts and objects inside the bus at all times.
- Do not throw objects on the bus or out of the windows.
- Use electronic devices appropriately and only if permitted by district guidelines.
- Exit the bus safely and follow the driver's instructions when getting on and off.
Consequences for Unsafe Behavior
Student safety is non-negotiable. Failure to follow bus expectations may result in disciplinary consequences, including:
- Parent notification and conference
- Assigned seating or other behavior interventions
- Suspension from riding the school bus for a specified number of days
- Permanent removal of bus riding privileges for serious or repeated violations that jeopardize the safety of students or the driver
We ask families to partner with us by discussing these expectations with your child and reinforcing that riding the school bus is a privilege that comes with the responsibility of making safe choices every day.
