The following letter was posted on ParentSquare for all Goff Middle School parents/caregivers on August 15, 2025.

Dear Goff Middle School Parents and Guardians,

I hope you and your family had a relaxing, enjoyable summer filled with great memories. As we gear up for the start of the 2025–2026 school year, I want to extend a warm welcome back to all our returning families—and a special welcome to those joining the Goff Middle School community for the first time. We are truly excited to partner with you in support of your child’s journey through these formative middle school years.

At Goff, we understand that middle school is a time of growth, discovery, and transition. Our faculty, staff, and administrative team are fully committed to nurturing every student academically, socially, and emotionally. We’ve thoughtfully built programs like Transitions, Jumpstart 6, MAP 7 and 8, Life Skills, Academic Skills, ENL support, as well as 28 student-run clubs and our vibrant intramural athletics program—all designed to help every student thrive.

We believe that middle school is not just about preparing for high school—it’s about becoming thoughtful, curious, and compassionate individuals. Every day is a new opportunity to grow, and we embrace the idea that mistakes are part of the learning process. Through programs like Student of the Month, Character Education Assemblies, and our Be the Change Club, aligned with the No Place for Hate initiative, we aim to build a positive and inclusive school culture where students feel seen, supported, and empowered.

Regular attendance plays a key role in your child’s success, and we encourage families to prioritize being present and engaged. Consistent attendance helps students stay on track academically and socially, and it allows us to better support them throughout the year.

We also want every student to feel connected to school beyond the classroom. We offer a wide variety of clubs, service projects, and school events that provide meaningful opportunities for involvement. Last year, our Student Council and Peer Leadership teams organized community service drives, led Spirit Weeks, hosted Activity Nights, and helped coordinate our End-of-Year Awards Ceremony. These activities foster school pride, leadership, and a strong sense of community.

As a school, we continue to focus on building a culture of shared accountability—among students, staff, and families. We regularly analyze student data and meet in teams—including administrators, counselors, social workers, psychologists, and teachers—to ensure we are meeting the unique needs of every learner. This includes academic performance, attendance, and social-emotional well-being. You’ll also notice ongoing efforts to strengthen communication between home and school, so we can work together to support your child’s growth.

Goff Middle School has been buzzing with activity all summer long—from summer school programs to sports camps. Our custodial staff has done an incredible job preparing the building, and we are ready to welcome students back to a refreshed and energized school environment.

Important Information:

Student Schedules:

Schedules will be emailed during the week of August 25th. Your child’s school counselor will be listed at the top of the schedule. Please note: due to the extensive planning required to balance class rosters, we are unable to accommodate schedule change requests.

Lockers:

Students will be assigned lockers and will not need to carry backpacks throughout the day. Locker numbers and combinations will be included at the bottom of their schedule.

Distraction-Free School:

As you may be aware, New York State passed a law that prohibits all cell phones and internet-enabled electronic devices during the school day. While this is new for many schools across the state, Goff Middle School has been phone-free for two years and we have observed positive results in many areas including improved student behavior and a renewed focus on academics. There will be no change to our existing procedures at Goff. All students must keep their cell phones and other personal electronic devices stored in their locker during the school day. We will remind students of the policy at the start of the school year and work with them to maintain our positive school culture.

Arrival and Dismissal:

•  School hours are 7:40 AM – 2:40 PM.
• Students should not enter the building or exit vehicles before 7:40 AM.
• To ensure smooth traffic flow and timely bus schedules, we strongly encourage students to ride the bus.
• If driving, please use the designated drop-off/pick-up lane only. Do not use the staff parking lot or pick up along Gilligan Road.
• The parking lot entrance closest to Hayes Road must be used. Please pull forward to allow space for other vehicles and buses.

Walking or YMCA/Library Transportation:

• If your child will walk to/from school, a signed note must be submitted to the main office.
• Similarly, if your child plans to take the after-school bus to the YMCA or library, a signed permission note is required.

We are excited for another year of growth, learning, and new opportunities at Goff Middle School. Our doors are always open—please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s school counselor or the main office at 518-207-2476 with any questions or concerns.

Let’s work together to make 2025–2026 an amazing year for every student!

Warm regards,
Jim McHugh
Principal
Howard L. Goff Middle School