Welcome to Gotha Middle School!
Gotha Update - Week of 1/17/2022
Hello, Gotha families!
I hope everyone enjoyed the beautiful weather this weekend!
As you may know, the learning communities conducted ESE Parent Round Tables in October and November. After synthesizing the parent concerns across learning communities, the following trends surfaced:
• Concerns with limited staff
• Opportunities for parent training
• Accommodations carried out in all classes
• The need for more information related to student transition
In order to address these concerns, the ESE Parent Outreach Team made adjustments to ensure the needs of OCPS families and teachers are met. Although the team has limited control over many of the variables related to staff shortages, a teacher tool kit and several mini video series for professional development to help support and retain our current teachers has been developed. Additionally, family workshops have been added to our spring calendar to further support our families. During the January Parent Academy, the Parent Outreach Team will be presenting a workshop titled Ages & Stages, to address concerns related to student transition.
The Foundation for Orange County Public Schools proudly announces Top Talent 2022 and will be accepting Top Talent applications for performing arts now through January 31, 2022. Proceeds from this event benefit the Foundation and provide arts enrichment for students experiencing poverty or homelessness. The TopTalent Virtual “live” event will be held, Friday, May 6, 2022. Applications, waivers, rules and regulations and an audition “Tip Sheet” can be found at FoundationforOCPS.org. Check out this video!
Top Talent 2022- Accepting Performing Arts Applications
January 24-28th is Celebrate Literacy Week. To kick it off, consider attending this Virtual Author’s Panel featuring one of our favorite authors, Gordon Korman! This is a great chance to find a new favorite book for you or your young reader! The event takes place Saturday, January 22nd at 3:00pm. Click here for more information. Stay tuned for more information about Celebrate Literacy Week activities on campus.
Thursday January 20th students will participate in the 4th of five hours of instruction related to youth mental health awareness and assistance. More information can be found in this parent letter. We will be on an altered bell schedule (seen below).
SCHEDULE THIS WEEK
Monday 1/17 - NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Tuesday 1/18 - Character Lab Activities (all students); Incoming 6th Grade Visit - @ Westpointe ES
Wednesday 1/19 - Visit from Olympia HS (8th graders); Incoming 6th Grade Visit - @ Frangus ES
Thursday 1/20 - Incoming 6th Grade Visit - @ Windermere ES
Friday 1/21 - Incoming 6th Grade Visit - @ Thornebrooke ES
As always, be safe, be kind, and remember - It’s a GREAT day to be a grizzly.
Monica Emery
Principal
Reminders:
www.ocps.net
Office Hours
8:00a.m. - 4:30p.m. Daily
School Hours
9:30a.m. - 3:57p.m. (MTRF)
9:30a.m. - 2:54p.m. (W)