As we wrap up the first quarter, I want to take a moment to reflect on what an incredible start to the school year we’ve had! From engaging learning experiences and exciting school events to the tremendous support of our families and community, there is so much to celebrate at Gotha. I say it often, but I truly believe it—there couldn’t be a better middle school than Gotha!
Our students, staff, and families make this a special place to learn, grow, and belong.
As a reminder, there is no school on Monday, October 12. We will welcome students back on Tuesday, October 13, as we officially begin the second quarter. A new quarter brings fresh opportunities to set goals, build on successes, and make every day count. We encourage our Grizzlies to start strong, stay focused, and continue making choices that reflect the pride we have in our school.
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This week, we’re doing something a little different! Instead of recognizing individual students, we’re celebrating our ENTIRE GRIZZLY COMMUNITY!
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our families, friends, staff, and community supporters, we raised OVER $22,000 through our fall fundraiser!
As we prepare to embark on a major campus renovation project, these funds will help us enhance our spaces and ensure our students continue to feel safe, connected, and engaged throughout construction. While our campus may be changing, our commitment to providing an exceptional middle school experience never will!
We couldn’t be more grateful for the generosity, enthusiasm, and support of our Grizzly community. You continue to prove what we’ve always known—there’s no better middle school community than Gotha!
CONFIDENT
RESPONSIBLE
REFLECTIVE
INNOVATIVE
ENGAGED
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Vaping continues to be a concern among middle and high school students, and we want to make sure our Grizzly families have the information they need to help their children make healthy choices.
Vaping poses serious health risks to adolescents, including nicotine addiction and potential impacts on brain development, attention, and learning. Unfortunately, many vaping products are designed to appeal to young people, making awareness and prevention especially important.
We encourage all families to take a few minutes to talk with their children about the dangers of vaping. These conversations don’t have to be complicated! Ask questions, listen to what your child knows or has heard, and reinforce the importance of making healthy decisions—even when faced with peer pressure.
We’ve included a helpful resource, “Talking to Kids About Vaping,” to support these conversations at home.
Thank you for partnering with us to keep our Grizzlies safe, healthy, and focused on learning! 💜🩵🐻
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Reading at home is one of the best ways students can strengthen their vocabulary, comprehension, and overall academic success. Please encourage your student to read for at least 20 minutes each evening and talk with them about what they are reading. Looking for a great book? Explore the 2026–2027 Sunshine State Young Readers Award list for grades 6–8 for engaging, student-recommended titles! |
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As always, the OCPS Code of Student Conduct can be found HERE.
🐻 A Conversation About Respect
As we begin Q2, we’re asking families to help us reinforce an important message: Respect isn’t just about what we say. It’s also about what we do.
Talking during instruction, making unnecessary comments, arguing when redirected, and repeatedly disrupting learning are all forms of disrespect—even when students don’t intend them that way.
Our teachers deserve to teach, and our students deserve to learn without unnecessary interruptions.
Please take a few minutes to talk with your Grizzly about what respect looks and sounds like at school. Our goal isn’t just better behavior—it’s helping students develop the maturity, accountability, and consideration for others they’ll need well beyond middle school! 💜🩵
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Monday - NO SCHOOL
Tuesday -
Wednesday - On Wednesdays in OCTOBER We Wear PINK
Thursday -
Friday - College and Kindness Day
UPCOMING DATES
October 12: No School/ Teacher Work Day
October 22: Report Cards Q1
October 26 - 30: Red Ribbon Week
November 19: Connectivity Day
November 23-27: Thanksgiving Break
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Grizzly Groove Fundraiser Update
Our Grizzlies showed up in a BIG way for our Grizzly Groove Silent Disco FUNdraiser! Together, we raised an incredible $22,312, reaching 103% of our $21,500 goal! Thank you to our students, families, teachers, staff, and volunteers for making this fundraiser such a success!
Because we surpassed our goal, Mrs. Emery will be duct-taped to the wall, our school will celebrate with a cookies and pajama day, and Mrs. Emery and a surprise Gotha adult will get silly-stringed during lunch! Congratulations to all our challenge winners and top earners, too!
There’s still time to earn prizes! We’ve extended the donation deadline through Friday, October 16, so students can continue collecting donations and working toward their next donation-level prize. Whether they’re hoping for courtyard lunch with a friend, a Chick-fil-A gift card, or another prize on the list below, there’s still time to reach that next level!
To make sure donations count, visit MyBooster.com and be sure to select your student’s 7th period teacher when registering.
Thank you again for your incredible support of Gotha Middle School. We are so proud of what our Grizzlies have accomplished together! 💜
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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
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