Gotha Update - Week of October 20, 2025

Posted Date: 10/19/25 (6:30 PM)

2025-2026 be the ONE.

Gotha Update - Week of October 20, 2025

Congratulations to this week's Cambridge Learner Attributes Students of the Week. Jayla Santiago was nominated for being CONFIDENT, Laila Ward was nominated for being REFLECTIVE, and Grace Emerson was nominated for being ENGAGED.

CONFIDENT

RESPONSIBLE

REFLECTIVE

INNOVATIVE

ENGAGED

Photo ID

Safety and security has always been a top priority. When anyone comes to visit the school, they need to be prepared to present photo identification - both at the door and at the desk. Photo ID is needed when coming on campus or picking up a student. We know that we form great relationships with our community, and know many of you, however to sign visitors in or sign students out, we need a photo ID from the adult signing in or signing out.

Unity Day

Unity Day, the signature event of National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month, has been recognized in the United States since 2011. To participate in Unity Day, individuals, schools, communities, and businesses wear or share orange to unite for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion to prevent students being bullied.

UNITY DAY

Red Ribbon Week

Red Ribbon Week is an annual alcohol, tobacco, drug, and violence prevention campaign observed in October, primarily in the United States. It began in 1985 as a tribute to DEA agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena and has become the nation's largest drug prevention program. The campaign encourages awareness and participation in activities that promote a drug-free lifestyle.

Red Ribbon Week

Comprehensive Renovation Project

We are gathering information on what you want to see in the comprehensive renovation the OCPS facilities team is working with us on for our school. To do this, we use a communications engagement platform called Thought Exchange where we include staff and the community in a collaborative effort to discover and rank school building needs. WE ASK THAT YOU PLEASE ANSWER THE QUESTION USING THE LINK PROVIDED BELOW. The Thought Exchange question will stay open until Friday, November 28. Results will be provided to the OCPS project team planning the project and will be discussed at a future community meeting. Thank you for your time and consideration.

PLEASE CLICK ON LINK TO PARTICIPATE:

https://tejoin.com/scroll/505010794

Gotha Science and Engineering Academy

The application period for enrollment in Magnet and Scholastic Academy programs for the 2026-2027 school year will be open from October 13 through December 19, 2025. Families may submit applications electronically via the School Choice website beginning October 13.

We are proud to offer the Gotha Science and Engineering Scholastic Academy! Students being one of two tracks within the academy in 6th grade:

Marine Science

6th Grade - Oceanography

7th Grade - Weather and our Seas

8th Grade - Marine Science Honors (HS credit course)

Pre-Engineering

6th Grade - Chemical and Mechanical Engineering & Biomedical Engineering

7th Grade - Mechanical Engineering, Software Development and Electrical Engineering.

8th Grade - Circuitry and Digital Electronics

Literacy News

phon: sound - Microphone, phonograph, telephone

photo: light - Photograph, photocopy

port: carry - Export, import, portable

psych: mind - Psychology, psychodelic

quit: Release, let go - Acquit, tranquil

Vocabulary is important because it is foundational to reading comprehension, effective communication, and overall success in academics and life. A strong vocabulary enhances critical thinking, allows for more nuanced expression of ideas, and builds confidence in both written and spoken communication. It is a critical predictor of academic achievement and occupational success.

OCPS Code of Student Conduct Updates

As always, the OCPS Code of Student Conduct can be found HERE.

This Week at the School

Monday -

Tuesday - SAC Meeting @ 5:30 - Media Center

Wednesday - Wear ORANGE for Unity Day

Thursday - Red Ribbon Week Begins; Grizzly Greats Celebration (Invitation Only)

Friday - Red Ribbon Week Continues

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

2025 30th Anniversary Lipdub