Skip to main content

Gotha Update - Week of August 24, 2026

Posted Date: 08/23/26 (06:30 PM)
View Original Post


Gotha Update

2026-2027 Bring your “A” game!

Week of August 24, 2026

 
Community Connect: Support When You Need It
OCPS Community Connect is a free, easy-to-use resource that helps families find services available right in their community. Simply enter your preferred ZIP code to locate assistance with food and clothing, housing and shelter, counseling and mental health services, medical care, financial assistance, and more. Visit https://www.communityconnect.ocps.net/ to explore available resources.

Having Trouble with ParentSquare?
We know several families are experiencing issues accessing or using ParentSquare. You are always welcome to call the school for assistance, but if you are experiencing a user-specific or technical issue with your ParentSquare account, you can also contact ParentSquare Support at 888-496-3168 for help.

Stay Connected with Skyward
Parents and guardians should make sure they have access to the Skyward Family Access portal. Skyward allows families to stay up to date on important student information, including grades, assignments, attendance, schedules, and more. If you have not yet created your parent account, visit parents.classlink.com/ocps to get started.

On Time & Ready to Learn!
Beginning Monday, we will begin marking car riders and walkers tardy to school when they arrive late. Students must be in their first-period classroom by 9:28 a.m. Our goal is to protect instructional time and make sure students don't miss important learning at the start of the day. Please plan morning drop-off accordingly.

Bus Riders: We sincerely appreciate our bus families for their continued patience as Transportation works to improve service and arrival times. Students arriving late due to their school bus will not be marked tardy.
 

FAST PM1 Parent Letter

Your student will take the computer-based FAST PM1 for Reading on September 8th and Math on September 10th . For more details about the test(s) your student will take, including the timing of the test and how you will receive results, see the applicable Fact Sheet, posted to the Florida Statewide Assessments Portal. 
 
You or your student can interact with the online testing platform and review computer-based sample test items and certain released tests at home at https://flfast.org/families.html.   
 

Drop Everything and Read

On Thursday, August 27, Gotha will participate in Drop Everything and Read (DEAR)! DEAR is dedicated time during the school day when everyone pauses what they are doing, puts away the devices, and simply reads for enjoyment. It’s a great way to build strong reading habits while reminding students that reading can—and should—be fun!

We will follow a slightly altered bell schedule on Thursday to provide time for our schoolwide reading break. Students should come prepared with a book or other reading material of their choice and be ready to Drop Everything and Read!
DEAR Schedule
 

OCPS Code of Student Conduct Updates

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

Getting to class on time helps students start each period focused, prepared, and ready to learn. We are now logging tardies for class periods 2–7, and accumulating four tardies may result in lunch detention.

Please help us by reminding your student to move promptly between classes and arrive on time. A few minutes here and there can add up to a lot of missed learning!

Bear Bucks are Back! Students are already earning Bear Bucks for making positive choices, and beginning September 9, they’ll be able to spend them at The Grizz Store! 🐻💜

Help us stock the shelves with fun incentives for our Grizzlies! DONATE NOW: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1FQE1N0LHF8GD?ref_=wl_share
 

This Week at the School

Monday -
Tuesday -
Wednesday - Gotha Spirit Day!
Thursday - Drop Everything and Read - 1st Period
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

Get in the Grizzly Spirit! 🐻💜

Have you joined PTO yet? Become a Silver member or above by August 31st for your chance to win 2 Universal Orlando tickets! Plus, your membership helps us make an even bigger impact for our students and school. No volunteering necessary! (But of course we would love for you to volunteer but no pressure!)

Need some new Grizzly gear? Spirit Wear sales are still going on! Grab your favorites and show your school spirit all year long but especially on Wednesdays!

PTO Membership & Spirit Wear: https://gothapto.ptboard.com/

The next PTO meeting is September 4th at 9:30 AM! We’d love to see you there and you will be in the know of all the exciting things happening this year! Come join us!

Want to get more involved? We’d love to have you! Whether you have a little time or a lot, there’s a place for you on our PTO team. Email us at mailto:president@gothapto.org and jump in!
 

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
It’s A GREAT Day to be A Grizzly
 

 

Gotha Reminders