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Gotha Update - Week of December 1, 2025

Posted Date: 11/30/25 (06:30 PM)


Gotha Update

2025-2026 be the ONE.

Gotha Updated - Week of December 1, 2025

I hope everyone enjoyed the break. It was well-deserved by all. There are just three short weeks now until Winter Break and the end of the 2nd quarter. That’s right, we are already almost half way through the school year.

This week the students will participate in the second state performance monitoring assessment. These assessments in Language Arts and Math measure student growth from the start of the school year. This data will be important for teachers to plan and differentiate instruction to meet the needs of the students leading up to the end of the year assessments.
 

Athletics - Basketball Registration/ Tryouts

Basketball tryouts are coming up soon! Please review the information sheet and checklist on Aktivate (link can be found below) for full details. It is very important to complete all required steps to ensure your athlete is approved. Be sure to check your account and email regularly in case any corrections are needed.

Students interested in trying out for the Grizzly Athletics Basketball Team must be registered online by December 15th at 11:59 p.m.
Tryouts will take place January 7th, 8th, and 9th from dismissal until 5:45–6:00 p.m. Please note that this is a tryout-based sport, and not all students will make the team. We compete against other schools in our cluster, and transportation is not provided.

If you need information about practice schedules or times, please reach out to the coaches listed below.

For more information, please visit our website at Gothams.ocps.net, then click on Athletics. All information, physical forms, and checklists can be found there.

Girls Coach: Shantel.Johnson@ocps.net
Boys Coach: Josael.RamosPerez@ocps.net
Athletic Director: Michelle.Davis2@ocps.net
Literacy

Literacy News

Reading has a significant positive impact on middle school assessment scores by improving vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking skills, which in turn leads to higher scores across all subject areas. Students who read more, especially for pleasure, tend to achieve higher scores, with studies showing a strong correlation between reading engagement and academic success. 

Ensuring your student reads 20 minutes per night is a great way to help increase those scores.
 
PBIS

OCPS Code of Student Conduct Updates

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

As we move through a busy testing period and approach a long break, some students may feel increased stress or show changes in behavior. We kindly encourage families to take a moment to talk with their children about maintaining our shared school expectations during this time. If your student is experiencing stress or anxiety related to testing, please know that early release is always an option at your discretion. As always, you know I appreciate your partnership in helping our students stay focused, safe, and successful.

 

Testing Bell Schedules this Week

During testing season, our bell schedule is often altered. Please see schedules below:
Bell schedule
Bell Schedule
Bell Schedule
 

This Week at the School

Monday - Test Prep Bell Schedule
Tuesday - FAST ELA PMA2
Wednesday - Gotha Spirit Day!
Thursday - FAST MATH PMA2
Friday - PTO Meeting @ 9:30am; College and Kindness Day
 

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
 
 

Gotha Reminders