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Gotha Update - Week of August 17, 2026

Posted Date: 08/16/26 (06:30 PM)
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Gotha Update

2026-2027 Bring your “A” game!

Week of August 17, 2026

 
What a great first week of school! We are so proud of our students and grateful to our families for helping us get the year off to such a positive start. Thank you for your patience, flexibility, and support as everyone settles into new routines.

Here are a few important reminders and updates as we head into our second week:

Morning Drop-Off
Students should NOT be dropped off before 9:00 a.m. There is no supervision available for students before that time. Families who need before-school care should contact the school for information regarding the YMCA Before School Program. Learn more about the YMCA Before School Program

Schedules & Tardies
Our students did an awesome job navigating their schedules last week! We gave students the first week to learn the campus, find their classrooms, and get comfortable with their new routines.

Beginning this week, we will start marking tardies. Students have four minutes between classes, and they have already shown us that they can do a great job getting where they need to be on time. Keep it up, Grizzlies!

Car Line — We're Getting Better!
Thank you for your continued patience with our car line. We are already seeing significant improvement. Between Tuesday and Friday, we cut 14 minutes off the overall wait time! Our goal is to keep Gotha Road clear and traffic moving safely and efficiently. You can help by continuing to pull forward as far as possible in the car line and following the directions of staff members.

Every day, our students and families are getting a little more comfortable with our routines, and things will continue to get smoother.

Thank you for a fantastic first week and for being such an important part of the Gotha community. Here's to another great week!
 

Literacy News

Your student may not always come home with a long list of traditional homework assignments, but there is one kind of homework that is always worthwhile: READING!

We encourage every Grizzly to make reading part of their regular routine at home. Whether it’s a novel, graphic novel, biography, sports book, mystery, science fiction, or another topic that interests them, the most important thing is that they are reading.

Why Does Reading Matter?
Regular reading helps middle school students:
  • Build vocabulary and strengthen comprehension
  • Become stronger writers and communicators
  • Improve focus and concentration
  • Develop background knowledge across all subjects
  • Build the reading stamina needed for high school and beyond

Make Reading Part of the Routine
Families can help by encouraging students to set aside 20–30 minutes for reading each evening. Put down the phone, step away from the screen, find something interesting, and READ!

Not sure what to read? Encourage your student to visit our Media Center, talk with a teacher, or ask our media staff for recommendations. There is a book out there for everyone—we just have to help students find it.
 

OCPS Code of Student Conduct Updates

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

We’re excited to start handing out Bear Bucks to students who are making positive choices and demonstrating what it means to be a Grizzly!

Students can earn Bear Bucks for things like being responsible, showing kindness, helping others, being prepared, making good decisions, and contributing positively to our school community.

Students will be able to use their Bear Bucks for a variety of incentives and rewards throughout the year.

They’ll also have the opportunity to spend their Bear Bucks at “The Grizz,” our student incentive store, during lunches on Wednesdays!

We would love our families' help keeping The Grizz stocked with fun items our middle school students will be excited to earn.

Want to help? Use the link below to purchase and donate items for The Grizz:


Every Bear Buck is an opportunity to recognize a student for doing something right. Thank you for helping us celebrate positive choices and make Gotha a great place to learn!
 

This Week at the School

Monday -
Tuesday -
Wednesday - Gotha Spirit Day!
Thursday -
Friday -

UPCOMING DATES
September 7: NO SCHOOL: Labor Day
September 8: FAST ELA PM1
September 10: FAST Math PM1
September 21-25: Start with Hello Week
 

PTO Updates

Our Gotha PTO needs YOU! And before you start worrying about adding another meeting to your calendar, we want to clear up one important thing: PTO Membership DOES NOT Mean Meetings!

Becoming a PTO member simply means you’re supporting our school and staying connected. Members receive updates and information about what’s happening at Gotha and have opportunities to get involved when and how it works for you.

The PTO also has Gotha Spirit Wear available! Every Wednesday is Gotha Spirit Day, so help us fill the halls with purple, teal, and Grizzly pride! Need some new Gotha gear? We’ve got you covered.
Visit the Gotha PTO website to:
  • Join the PTO
  • Purchase Gotha Spirit Wear
  • Learn about ways to support and get involved
  • Stay connected with PTO news and information


Whether you join, grab some swag, volunteer when you can, or all three, your support makes a difference for our students and school!
 

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.
Principal
Gotha Middle School
9155 Gotha Rd.
Windermere, FL 34768
407-521-2360
It’s A GREAT Day to be A Grizzly
 

 

Gotha Reminders