GothaMiddle School

Principal's Message

Update - Week of May 20, 2019

Hello, Gotha Families.  This is your update for the week of May 20, 2019.

We will continue with our Common Final Exams this week.  Monday will be periods 4 and 7, and Tuesday will be period 2.  Please make sure your students are reviewing any relevant information given to them by their teachers prior to those tests.  

We are back to normal Wednesday schedules.  These last two Wednesdays, May 22nd and May 29th, the last day of school, are short Wednesdays.  School ends at 2:54 on those days.

The YMCA Summer Zone begins June 3rd and runs through July 25th.  Summer camp is closed the week of July 4th.  All incoming 6th graders through outgoing 8th graders are welcome to attend.   All campers will receive breakfast, lunch, and a weekly field trip. Due to scheduled construction on our campus this summer, the Summer Zone will not be offered here at Gotha Middle, however a school bus will be provided to transport campers from Gotha Middle to Chain of Lakes Middle.  Applications are available in the main office and online. It is FREE to all Gotha Middle School students. Deadline to turn in applications is May 24th.

As we get closer to the end of the year, please remember that drop off and pick up procedures in the car loop have not changed.  Please do not drop your student off in the parking lot. All students should be dropped off on the school side. It’s a safety concern when students are walking across traffic to get to the school.   

Thank you to those parents who completed the AdvancEd survey for our school.  Overall, our parent scores are the highest they’ve been since the district initiated these surveys in the 2014-15 school year.  Thank you for all of your support!

Yearbooks can be purchased before school in the courtyard for $40.  If your student did not pre-order a yearbook, there is still time!

Olympia is having a meeting for any student interested in Color Guard next year.  The Informational Meeting will take place on Wednesday, May 22nd, from 6:00-8:00PM at the Olympia High School Cafeteria.  During this meeting students will learn about the Color Guard activity, what it takes to be a part of the program and learn how to use some of the equipment.  No experience is necessary. Students should wear athletic clothing and bring water. If they are unable to attend but would like information email Mr. Pickett at Jacob.pickett@ocps.net.

As many of you know, we have seen an increase in our students’ use of social media, and that use is not always positive.  In an effort to put some limitations to their access to social media and to reduce the number of distractions throughout the school day, we are tightening the policy on cell phones for next year.  The cell phone policy in the OCPS Code of Student Conduct states that “a student may possess a cell phone on school property, at after school activities, and at school-related functions, provided that during school hours and on a school bus, the cell phone remains off and is concealed. Violations of this policy may result in confiscation of the cell phone and/or other disciplinary actions.  If confiscated, the parent/guardian will make arrangements to pick up the cell phone from the school. At no time shall OCPS be responsible for theft, loss or damage to cell phones or other electronic devices brought onto its property.” We will be enforcing the “off and concealed” policy, and parent pick up is a possibility. Stay tuned for more information regarding the enforcement of this policy for the 2019-20 school year.  

Schedule

Monday 5/20 - Period 4 and 7 CFE

Tuesday 5/21 - Period 2 CFE

Wednesday 5/22 - Short Wednesday; Gotha Spirit Day

Thursday 5/23 - 8th Grade Awards

Friday 5/24 - 2019 Lip Dub

There is 1 1/2 weeks of school left.  Please make sure your students are completing all assignments and taking every opportunity to make up missed work.  We do not want kids having to come to summer school in order to be promoted to the next grade level. Please contact your student’s teachers if you have questions.  

Please stay connected to the school.  Follow us on Social Media. We update with information almost daily.  

I hope everyone had a BEAUTIFUL weekend.  As always, remember, it’s a GREAT DAY TO BE A GRIZZLY!

www.ocps.net