Yesterday our students had an opportunity to remember and honor veterans. In the afternoon, our fourth graders presented their Veteran's Day program where an Army and Air Force veteran presented the colors, fifth graders shared their essays about Veteran's Day and we saw photographs representing all of the veterans connected to Falling Waters. In the evening, our fourth graders invited their families and veterans they know to an evening program honoring veterans. We are so thankful for the service and sacrifice of all veterans.
It's tonight, Gretna! We hope to see you there!
Join us tonight, November 12, for an evening with Stephen Mackey as he shares “Five Things Students Wish Adults Knew…But Are Too Afraid to Tell Them.”
Plus, stop by the community resource tables to connect with local organizations offering information and support for individuals and families.
• Gretna East High School – Presentation at 6 p.m. (Community exhibits open at 5:30 p.m.)
• Gretna High School – Presentation at 7 p.m. (Community exhibits open at 6 p.m.)
You don't have to be a Gretna Public Schools parent to attend. Parents, grandparents, educators, coaches, and all community members are welcome!
Pick the location that works best for you, bring a friend, and join us tonight!
Join us tonight, November 12, for an evening with Stephen Mackey as he shares “Five Things Students Wish Adults Knew…But Are Too Afraid to Tell Them.”
Plus, stop by the community resource tables to connect with local organizations offering information and support for individuals and families.
• Gretna East High School – Presentation at 6 p.m. (Community exhibits open at 5:30 p.m.)
• Gretna High School – Presentation at 7 p.m. (Community exhibits open at 6 p.m.)
You don't have to be a Gretna Public Schools parent to attend. Parents, grandparents, educators, coaches, and all community members are welcome!
Pick the location that works best for you, bring a friend, and join us tonight!
Our Friday began with our monthly assembly and Guardian Groups. A few lucky students had their tickets drawn from positive choices at recess to earn a prize, we recognized our students of the month and then did some fun activities with gratitude in our Guardian Groups. We can't wait to see all the ways students show gratitude this month.
This morning we recognized our October Students of the Month. These students were seen exemplifying the trait of Responsibility. Way to go, Guardians! We are proud of you.
Gretna, we hope you'll join us next Thursday!
Stephen Mackey is coming back to Gretna on November 12, and you won't want to miss this conversation!
His presentation, “Five Things Students Wish Adults Knew…But Are Too Afraid to Tell Them,” is a great opportunity for parents, grandparents, educators, coaches, and anyone who cares about kids to better understand what young people are facing today.
There's more happening that evening, too! Community resource partners will be on hand to share information and connect families with local resources and support. Topics include mental health and wellness, child and family behavioral health, suicide prevention, mentoring, substance misuse prevention, food assistance, and much more.
You can attend the presentation at whichever location works best for you:
*. Gretna East High School – Presentation at 6 p.m. (Community exhibits open at 5:30 p.m.)
*. Gretna High School – Presentation at 7 p.m. (Community exhibits open at 6 p.m.)
The event is open to the entire community! Bring a friend and join us for an evening of listening, learning, and connecting.
We hope to see you there!
Stephen Mackey is coming back to Gretna on November 12, and you won't want to miss this conversation!
His presentation, “Five Things Students Wish Adults Knew…But Are Too Afraid to Tell Them,” is a great opportunity for parents, grandparents, educators, coaches, and anyone who cares about kids to better understand what young people are facing today.
There's more happening that evening, too! Community resource partners will be on hand to share information and connect families with local resources and support. Topics include mental health and wellness, child and family behavioral health, suicide prevention, mentoring, substance misuse prevention, food assistance, and much more.
You can attend the presentation at whichever location works best for you:
*. Gretna East High School – Presentation at 6 p.m. (Community exhibits open at 5:30 p.m.)
*. Gretna High School – Presentation at 7 p.m. (Community exhibits open at 6 p.m.)
The event is open to the entire community! Bring a friend and join us for an evening of listening, learning, and connecting.
We hope to see you there!
We are excited to welcome families to our fall Book Fair on November 5th, 9th and 11th from 3:45-5:30. Please remember to wait outside until dismissal has completed for the safety of our students.
Online shopping and eWallets can done using the following link: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/fallingwaterselementary
We had a lot of spooky fun at our Halloween parties! Thank you to PTO and the families who donated supplies or helped run the parties! Happy Halloween!
Gretna, You're Invited! Stephen Mackey Returns November 12
Gretna Public Schools, hosted by the Citizens' Committee, invites families and community members to an evening with nationally recognized speaker Stephen Mackey on Thursday, November 12, 2026.
Mackey will present "Five Things Students Wish Adults Knew...But Are Too Afraid to Tell Them," sharing insight into the challenges young people face and practical ways adults can build stronger connections and provide support.
Choose the location that works best for you:
Gretna East High School
Community exhibits open at 5:30 p.m.
Presentation begins at 6:00 p.m.
Gretna High School
Community exhibits open at 6:00 p.m.
Presentation begins at 7:00 p.m.
Both locations will also offer eighth-grade registration and community exhibits featuring resources for children and families.
Parents, grandparents, educators, coaches, and all who care about young people are encouraged to attend. Let's make time to listen, learn, and strengthen our community.
Mark your calendar for November 12!
Visit the News section of any Gretna Public Schools website for complete event details, addresses, and additional information.
Learn more about Stephen Mackey at https://mackeyspeaks.com/
Gretna Public Schools is proud of connect with community sponsors to provide the Gretna Backpack Program and the Holiday Assistance Program. You can sign up using the following links or contact Mrs. Hall.
Gretna Backpack Program: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Epz7QejIeqD1ERFUB46-E-0hm59zQQNCt4gp2T8JKNE/viewform?edit_requested=true
Holiday Assistance Program: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1CEBPVzCqmlMlvF18iQqyuOscvmAiV_3PtiRwEaN8xXA/viewform?edit_requested=true
This week third graders are playing a version of Chutes and Ladders to practice identifying primary and secondary sources during their library lesson.
Students had a fun ending to the week thanks to Falling Waters PTO and the Silent Disco. We saw some pretty amazing dance moves and a whole lot of smiles! 🪩 🎵
Thank you to Gretna Fire Department for teaching our students about fire safety.
It was a busy morning at Falling Waters! We started the morning off with our assembly where we reviewed the trait of Respect. We also had a drawing for students who were seen meeting GPS expectations at recess in the month of September. One student was selected from each grade level. Students then learned about our trait for October...RESPONSIBILITY - taking action and understanding the impact of our choices. Finally we moved to Guardian Groups to do a few activities with responsibility.
This morning we recognized our September Students of the Month. These students were seen exemplifying the trait of respect throughout September. Way to go, Guardians!
What an absolutely incredible visit we had today with author Justin Colón! Not only did we learn about being an author but we learned a little about bees, to never stop learning and how to be creative. Students had a chance to move, act, and of course QUACK! Justin also took time to visit every classroom and eat lunch with a few students.
This Is The Gretna Way - https://tinyurl.com/yc794t7m
What is The Gretna Way?
It’s more than a phrase. It’s who we are and how we show up for one another.
It’s our students supporting each other. It’s staff members lifting one another up. It’s families cheering our schools on. It’s community members stepping in to help. It’s choosing positivity, finding joy, and making sure the people around us know they matter.
The Gretna Way belongs to all of us.
We asked members of our Gretna community what The Gretna Way means to them. We didn’t give them answers or tell them what to say. We simply asked them to share their experiences with Gretna Public Schools.
What they shared is a powerful reminder of the culture we have created together.
Our students feel it. Our families see it. Our community believes it.
As we begin another school year, let’s continue to support one another, embrace our imperfections, choose positivity over pessimism, find joy, and spread it every day.
Because we don’t do it alone.
We do it together. And that’s The Gretna Way.
Take a few minutes to watch the video and hear from the people who help make Gretna Public Schools such a special place.
A special thank you to Jacht for helping us capture the voices, stories, and spirit that make The Gretna Way so special.
What is The Gretna Way?
It’s more than a phrase. It’s who we are and how we show up for one another.
It’s our students supporting each other. It’s staff members lifting one another up. It’s families cheering our schools on. It’s community members stepping in to help. It’s choosing positivity, finding joy, and making sure the people around us know they matter.
The Gretna Way belongs to all of us.
We asked members of our Gretna community what The Gretna Way means to them. We didn’t give them answers or tell them what to say. We simply asked them to share their experiences with Gretna Public Schools.
What they shared is a powerful reminder of the culture we have created together.
Our students feel it. Our families see it. Our community believes it.
As we begin another school year, let’s continue to support one another, embrace our imperfections, choose positivity over pessimism, find joy, and spread it every day.
Because we don’t do it alone.
We do it together. And that’s The Gretna Way.
Take a few minutes to watch the video and hear from the people who help make Gretna Public Schools such a special place.
A special thank you to Jacht for helping us capture the voices, stories, and spirit that make The Gretna Way so special.
What an amazing first day we had, Guardians! We loved getting to see your smiling faces and hope you enjoyed the day like we did.
A Warm Welcome to Our New Staff
We’re excited to welcome our newest members of the Gretna Public Schools family!
Journey Church recently hosted a breakfast for our new staff members, giving them a chance to connect, enjoy a meal, and begin getting to know one another as they start their journey with Gretna Public Schools.
Starting a new job comes with plenty of excitement and a few nerves, so having our community come alongside our new staff to make them feel welcome means a lot.
We are grateful to Journey Church for their generosity, support, and hospitality. Thank you for helping us welcome our newest Gretna Greats and for spreading the joy!
This is The Gretna Way in action.
Ninety-six of our special education paraprofessionals gathered at Gretna East High School for a day of professional development as they prepare to support students throughout the 2026-27 school year.
This is an incredibly committed group of staff members who bring compassion, patience, and dedication to their work every day. They are constantly learning, growing, and looking for ways to better support the students they serve.
Most importantly, they live out Gretna Public Schools' mission to unconditionally accept all students and maximize their potential.
We are incredibly grateful for the important role these staff members play in the lives of our students. Their work, their commitment, and the care they bring each day are a powerful example of The Gretna Way.
We loved seeing so many smiling faces and can't wait to get started with our 2026-2027 school year on Wednesday!