The following letter was posted on ParentSquare for all Goff Middle School parents/caregivers on August 21, 2024.
Dear Goff Middle School Families,
Welcome to the new school year at Goff Middle School! As the principal, it is with great enthusiasm that I greet you as we begin another exciting journey together. Our faculty and staff are deeply committed to supporting your child’s academic, social, and emotional well-being. We believe that every student has the potential to achieve great things, and our faculty & staff are here to ensure they have the tools, resources, and encouragement needed to succeed.
This year, we encourage all students to attend school regularly and on time. As you know, consistent attendance is crucial to your child’s learning and success, and it ensures they won’t miss out on valuable opportunities to engage with their peers and teachers. We also stress the importance of giving their best effort in everything they do, whether it’s in the classroom, on the sports field, or in their relationships with others. Treating everyone with respect and kindness is at the core of our school values, and we look forward to seeing these principles in action as our students strengthen old friendships and welcome new ones.
Arrival and Departure to School:
School begins at 7:40 am and ends at 2:40pm. In order to efficiently and effectively get students and buses into the building we encourage students to take the bus to school if possible. The back-up of traffic from the increase in parent drop-offs and pick-ups impacts our timely arrival and dismissal of our buses. Students are not permitted to enter the building or exit their vehicle prior to 7:40 am.
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If students do not take the school bus then students MUST be picked up and dropped off in the drop off/pick up lane. Please do not pick up students in the staff parking lot or on Gilligan Road. All vehicles have to enter at the entrance closest to Hayes road. Please pull forward as far as possible when dropping and picking up your child to make room for cars and buses when entering the parking lot. Our security team, SRO, and administrative team are present outside and in the foyer area at both arrival and dismissal times.
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If your student will be walking to and from school they must bring a note and turn their note into the main office. If your child plans to take the after school bus to the YMCA/Library you must also provide a note indicating permission to do so and give the note to the main office.
As we focus on creating an optimal learning environment, I want to remind you of our school’s policy regarding cell phones. To support students’ mental health, foster essential communication skills, and minimize distractions, cell phones are not allowed during the academic day and should remain in students’ lockers. We understand the importance of staying connected, but research shows that minimizing screen time during school hours helps students engage more fully in learning and develop critical soft skills such as face-to-face communication and problem-solving.
Please rest assured that there are phones available in every room throughout the school building. If you need to contact your child during the day, you can reach them by calling the school directly at (518) 207-2430. Our office staff will ensure that messages are promptly delivered.
Student schedules will be emailed out on August 26, 2024 after 3 p.m. Your child’s School Counselor is identified at the top of your child’s schedule. Please know that we have worked hard to balance our classes to ensure that all students have the best experience possible, therefore we are unable to honor schedule change requests. Students will receive their locker number and combination at the bottom of their schedule.
We are thrilled to embark on this new school year together and are confident that with your support, we can make it a successful one for all of our students. Let’s work together to make this year one of growth, learning, and lasting memories.
Welcome back!
Warm regards,
James McHugh
Principal
Goff Middle School