2008-2009 OCPS School Calendar Gotha Middle School Calendar

• From the Gotha PTSA - Save Your Subscriptions:
  SAVE YOUR SUBSCRIPTIONS! The Gotha PTSA will be running the QSP/Reader's Digest Fundraiser again next fall.....please save any subscription renewals you have until then and help support Gotha Middle School by ordering them through your student! There will be lots of great prizes for the students again and a Mega Event Inflatable Party for qualifying students after the fundraiser ends. Thanks for all of your support of Gotha Middle School! 
  
  
  

• 6th Grade Registration:
  Attention all parents of incoming 6th graders. The 6th Grade Registration form is now available here. Please print this form, complete it, and return it to either your elementary school's guidance counselor or directly to Ms. Gosline at Gotha Middle School.
  
  
  

• New 6th, 7th, or 8th Grader Students to Gotha (Updated Dates):
  A Reading placement test is mandatory in order to generate a schedule for students. The following dates are scheduled for a 10 minute reading placement test: Wednesday, July 23rd from 9am - 11am and Thursday, July 24th from 9am – 11 am. For further details you may contact our Reading Coach, Ms. Heath at 407-521-2360 x2253 or e-mail heathd@ocps.net
  

  
  
  
  

• Olympia High School ID Cards:
  Olympia High will be making student identification cards during the summer from 9-11 a.m. in the media center. They will keep the ID's until students come to check out textbooks in the media center in August.
  
  
  
  
• Gotha Middle School's Dance, Pep, & Step Team:
  Gotha Middle School's Dance, Pep, & Step Team (DPST) serves as a representative for Gotha Middle School, model a positive image, and promote spirit at school and community events.  If your child is interested in joining DPST, please contact Kimberly L. Hayes at kimberly.hayes@ocps.net
  
  
  
• Olympia High School REQUIRED Summer Reading:
  

  Dear Olympia High School Students and Parents,

  In an effort to support academic performance, a lifelong love of reading, and a community connection, Olympia High School proudly announces our 3rd Annual “2008 One Book, One Olympia Community” required summer reading title, The Wave by Todd Strasser. This book is based on a true incident that occurred in a high school history class in Palo Alto, CA, in 1969. The teacher was attempting to bring to life the mob mentality that enabled Hitler to control the minds of an entire nation. It frighteningly demonstrates how the powerful forces of group pressure can cause great harm to others.

  Every student in the school will be required to read The Wave. This is in addition to any summer reading assignment for specific programs or classes. A school-wide multiple-choice exam and writing prompt will be given to every student at the same time within the first few weeks of school.

  Olympia High School 's summer reading program forms an essential component of our school literacy plan and supports our learning community. We encourage you to enjoy this book over the summer. A limited number of the title will be sold in the Media Center for $5.00. Check your local bookstores and public libraries for availability. The Wave is widely available in paperback with the ISBN: 0440993717.

  Sincerely,

  Jenny Gibson-Linkh, Principal, Olympia High School
  
  
  

• Take the Summer Reading Challenge:
  During the summer students are encouraged to read the new Sunshine State Young Reader's Award titles for 2008-2009 that are listed on http://myssyra.org/ .
  
  

• Babysitter Training:
  SAFE SITTER (babysitter training) is a medically accurate, hands-on, class that teaches boys and girls ages 11 – 13 how to handle emergencies when caring for children. The course fee is $50.00. The classes are 2 days from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. Sessions begin June 13th. For more information, contact Health Central at 407.296.1440 to register.

• 2008-2009 Gotha Soccer Information:
  

  Prospective Soccer Players and Parents:

  Tryouts for the 2008 boys' and girls' soccer teams at Gotha Middle School will begin on Monday, August 18th. Tryouts will be held each day after school for approximately 2 hours. Please arrange to be picked up immediately after practice. The final team will be announced on Monday, August 25th. Our first game is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 3rd. The following items are required for a child to participate in tryouts: - OCPS Sports Screening Physical Exam Form filled out & signed completely. (Please make sure the physician has signed and stamped the form and that the parent/guardian and athlete have signed on the front page. If you do not have personal insurance on the athlete, you must write “none” under verification of insurance (page 3) and sign your name next to this area. - Risk form (initials required, do not just check; signature and initials required at end). - EMT card (emergency treatment card) - Addendum to Athletic Sports Screening Form - 2.0 cumulative GPA or above on a 4.0 scale or a 2.0 GPA or above in the previous semester. (Except incoming 6th graders). Students may participate in athletics only once each grade level. Note: Students must meet all OCPS scholastic, age and residence requirements. Please be sure to read the forms carefully and make sure they are filled out completely and signed in all places. A student will not be allowed to tryout with incomplete paperwork! If you have any further questions, contact Coach Wiedecker at 407-521-2360 ext. 2283. Please note that the above dates are given based on the 2007– 2008 school year and are subject to change. FORMS ARE AVAILABLE TO BE PICKED UP AT THE FRONT OFFICE.
  

• First Time Driver (D.A.T.A.) Online Driver's License Exam:
  

  Never had a Driver's License? All first time drivers in the State of Florida are required to take the Drug Alcohol Traffic Awareness (DATA) course before applying for their license. Take the 4 hour class at your convenience and from the privacy of your own home! By taking this course, you will learn about how alcohol and other drugs affect your ability to drive, laws and responsibilities, safe driving techniques, and how to increase your awareness on our roadways. You will also have the option of taking your driver's license exam online after completing this course (if applicable). Save time and take on-line! Go to www.ocpsdriver.com Support your school! A portion of the registration cost is given to the Orange County School System. This course is approved by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

  
  
  

• FREE Summer Immunizations, Health Screenings, & Backpacks:
  There will be FREE immunizations, health screenings, and backpacks given away on Saturday, July 26th, from 9AM to 2 PM at the Amazon Village Shoppes at 11100 East Colonial Drive. For more information, please click here.
  
  

• Parent/Student Online Grade Access:
  The website for parents and students to view grades from is http://parentaccess.ocps.net. If you need a replacement password, or have any questions about the online access, please call the office at 407-521-2360.
  
  
  
• SPEAKOUT HOTLINE: 1-800-226-7733

  The goal of the SpeakOut Hotline is to empower young people to positively affect their school and community through the anonymous reporting of criminal activity. SpeakOut Hotline was created to give students, adults and law enforcement a voice in the fight against school violence and juvenile criminal activity. The Hotline is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. SpeakOut tips, like Crimeline tips, are handled with the upmost security, sensitivity and seriousness. SpeakOut Hotline has no voice recorders or caller ID. A Hotline operator will never ask your name, age, school, address, or phone number. Your call is completely anonymous.

  
  

• Gotha Gram: To subscribe to the Gotha Gram, please click here to send an email to the webmaster, Craig Samuels.
  

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Together the Future is Ours!

Gotha Middle School is a student-oriented school that focuses on the whole child.
We promote a partnership between students, educators, parents and community to achieve our goals of:

	Academic excellence
	Character development
	Technological proficiency
	Preparing students for transition to high school and beyond!

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