Happening This Week
Monday, September 8 - Day 1
Start of Fall VALLSS testing
Tuesday, September 9 - Day 2
Fall SGAs in Science and History
Secondary Complex Fire Drill
Wednesday, September 10 - Day 1
Fall SGAs in Science and History
Secondary Complex Lockdown Drill
Thursday, September 11 - Day 2
Fall SGAs in Science and History
Friday, September 12 - Day 1
Fall SGAs in Science and History
September is Attendance Awareness Month. ✅
It is essential for students to attend school on a regular basis. Not only is attendance required by law, it has a huge impact on a student’s academic success beginning in preschool and/or kindergarten and continuing through high school. Even as children grow older and more independent, families play a key role ensuring that children not only attend school but understand the importance of attendance as it relates to their success in school and life.
GAME ON! 🏆 #BeHere Attendance Challenge!
This week we kicked off our #BeHere Attendance Challenge to encourage all Eagles to show up, level up and stay in the game every day! Each grade level will compete to earn the best “record” by keeping their attendance strong. The grade with the highest attendance percentage will win weekly. At the end of the challenge one grade level will be crowned Attendance Champions!
Every day counts, and every student plays a key role on their team. Let’s work together to build great habits, celebrate success and help our Eagles win big this school year!
🎉 Surprise Attendance Pop-Ins! 🎉
To bring extra fun and excitement to our Game On #BeHere Attendance Challenge, we’re adding an additional twist—Random Classroom Pop-Ins!
At unannounced times, various staff members will “pop in” to classrooms to check if every student and the teacher(s) are present. If the whole class is in the game, the class wins a special surprise.
It’s a fun way to celebrate teamwork, boost attendance, and keep the energy high. Every day and every student counts—because you never know when the surprise pop-in might happen!
Tardy Sweeps - We will once again implement random tardy clean sweeps to ensure that our students report to class on time and maximize our instructional time.
Tardy clean sweeps may be implemented at any time during the school day, including the morning tardy bell at 9:00 am. Tardy sweeps will not penalize students arriving on a late bus. Should your child have an excused tardy due to an appointment, etc., please send your child into the building with a note to turn in to the main office. Parents, please discuss the importance of arriving at school and class on time with your child. We look forward to continued partnerships with our students, parents, and community members to uphold the standards of excellence at Goochland Middle School.
GMS Tardy Sweep Process:
After the tardy bell rings, we will announce that we will begin a tardy clean sweep over the PA.
All teachers will close and lock their doors once they hear the announcement.
Teachers will not allow students to enter the classroom and direct them to the cafeteria.
Teachers will not allow students to exit their classrooms during the clean sweep to enable our administrators to process the students caught in the clean sweep.
Once administrators have swept through the hallways and bathrooms, they will assign lunch detention to any students caught in the clean sweep without a valid SmartPass.
After administrators complete the disciplinary process, students caught in the sweep will return to their classrooms with a pass from the administration.
Once students have a tardy clean sweep pass, teachers will allow them into their classrooms.
Once the tardy clean sweep is over, administrators will make another announcement to inform everyone that the sweep has concluded.
GCPS Strategic Planning Survey
Dear Families,
As part of Goochland County Public Schools’ strategic planning process, we will be distributing four unique surveys in late September in order to gather broad stakeholder input:
to students in grades 6-12
to parents of GCPS students in all grades PK-12
to GCPS staff
to the greater Goochland community
Specifically, the student survey is designed to gain insight into each student’s individual school experience. All responses will be anonymous and reviewed only by our third-party survey partner Plan Forward, not by school or district staff. In turn, survey results will be shared with GCPS in summary form only to help guide planning and decision-making. No individual responses will be tracked or shared. We value every student’s voice and are committed to using this feedback to strengthen our schools and support all learners.
Please find a complete copy of the student survey here. Additionally, if you would like to learn more about the importance of using a third-party resource for the collection of stakeholder feedback, please see Plan Forward’s resource here. If you would like to opt out your child from participating in this survey, please fill out this Google form.
As always, thank you for your support of your child, their school experience, and GCPS.
Student Trip to France
Ms. Alvis is taking students on a trip to France, Summer 2027. There will be a virtual parent meeting for interested travelers on September 10th at 7pm. RSVP to attend. Email Ms. Alvis with questions.
Dance Camp (ages 7-12)
The GHS Dance Company class is hosting a Dance Camp on September 26th, a teacher workday. The camp will be held in the Middle School Gym from 9am-2pm.
Girls Softball
8th grade girls are invited to attend GHS softball workouts at 3:55 every Wednesday in September. All students must have a valid physical to participate. Bring your softball gear and please wear softball attire.
GMS ATHLETICS
VHSL Sports Physical REQUIRED in order for any student to participate in tryouts
Without a completed and up-to-date Sports Physical students will not be eligible to participate in GMS Athletics Program.
Forms maybe submitted to Mrs. Tracy Davis by email or students can drop them off in the office.
*For more information see the GMS Athletics Webpage
GMS PTSA