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Gotha Update - Week of August 11, 2025

Posted Date: 8/10/25 (6:30 PM)

Gotha Update

2025-2026 be the ONE.

 

Week of August 11, 2025

Thank you to those of us who were able to join us for Meet Your Teachers last week. We had quite the turnout and it was exciting to see so many returning and new families and students! Tomorrow is the first day of school, and we are ready!

This is a busy week and I want to make sure everyone is prepared!

 
bus

Bus Riders

If your students is a bus rider, you will need to register at the OCPS Bus Registration Site.

If you need information about where your bus stop is and what time pick up and drop of is, please click here.

Middle School Devices and BYOD

Many of you had questions last week regarding laptops for students. As a reminder all OCPS provided devices will remain on campus this year. The students will not be bringing one home. Some of you have also been asking about purchasing a device for your student. I have included the OCPS Bring Your Own Device information. Though the document states a tablet is approved, please note that a tablet does not give the student the same user experience as a laptop.
car line

Car Rider Drop Off and Pick Up

If your student is a car rider, please be patient the first days of school as everyone gets used to new routines. I ask that you abide by the following:

  • Our parking lot is ONE WAY. Please do not attempt to turn around in the car line. The line goes faster if everyone follows the same path.
  • Students cannot cross across the car line. Students may only be picked up along the sidewalk side of the car line.
  • Please DO NOT pick up students on Gotha Road. Stopping on Gotha Road is dangerous for students. It also stops the car line from moving and prevent the buses from getting to the bus loop.

If we all follow the rules, the line goes very quickly. Once everyone knows how it works, we can clear the line by 4:25.

1st Day of School

When students arrive on campus Monday morning, 6th graders will report to the cafeteria, 7th graders to the courtyard, and 8th graders to the gym.

When they are dismissed from these locations at 9:22, they will move to first period. In first period they will receive a NEW copy of their schedule on blue paper. This is the schedule that will note any recent changes. THIS is the one they should follow Monday.

Please assure your student that there will be a NUMBER of adults around campus helping kids find their way the first week. Please help to ease any anxiety regarding passing from class to class. We are here to help!
 
Literacy

Literacy News

Did you know that the Orange County Library System (OCLS) has many resources available to students and educators through their Virtual Library Card, which is set up on Launchpad? Students can log in using their student ID# as the username and their date of birth (YYYYMMDD) as the password

While all students have access to several library resources through their Virtual Library Card, they can gain even more resources with a full-access library. Please help your student sign up for a full library to celebrate September as National Library Card Sign-Up Month. You can sign up for a library card on their website. Once it is submitted, they will create a library card number and email it to the email address listed on the registration form, so students will have a digital form that can be used for our website and new app!
 
PBIS

OCPS Code of Student Conduct Updates

Students will be reviewing the OCPS Code of Student Conduct on Thursday through their Social Studies class. You can review the Code of Conduct here.
 

This Week at the School

M 8/11 - FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
T 8/12 -
W 8/13 - GOTHA SPIRIT DAY - EVERY WEDNESDAY!!!!
Th 8/14 - Code of Conduct Review; Soccer Tryouts Begin!
F 8/15 -
 

Have a GREAT Week!

Follow us on social media, as we post frequently to Facebook and Instagram. Encourage your student to make choices that are confident, responsible, reflective, innovative and engaged, and as always, it’s a GREAT day to be a Grizzly!

Facebook - Gotha Middle School
Instagram - gotha_middle_school

Monica L. Emery, M.Ed.
Gotha Middle School
9155 Gotha Rd.
Windermere, FL 34768
407-521-2360
It’s a GREAT Day to be a Grizzly