8th Grade Scheduling and Testing

Believe it or not, our 8th graders are getting ready to make another transition.  We understand the anxiety that comes along with making a schedule for 9th grade.   Uncertainty is a word that comes with the territory.  We hope to alleviate some of the questions and concerns through a variety of programs beginning with classroom presentations by our counselors.  This will occur in your child’s Social Studies class during the week of February 8th.  The actual selections will take place at the end of February and early March.  Students will be bringing home their course selections for their parent/guardian review and approval.  Individual questions should be addressed by your student’s school counselor.  Please do not hesitate to address scheduling concerns.  (Click here for more information)

Future City Competition

Congratulations to the Goff School Future City Competition Team: Kaylee Berkun, Loren Hennessy, Noel Holloway, Mary Kate Jaromin, Courtney Lane, Matt Leville, Kitrick McCoy, Helena Masiello, Sarah Matzdorf, Zach Smith and Connor Weeks. On January 16, 2010 at Hudson Valley Community College the students presented their future city of “Cyclonia” and earned two awards: “Most Walkable City” and “Best Futuristic Personal Transportation System.” The students are involved in this competition through the Goff Middle School Enrichment Program taught by Ms. Colleen Masters.

The National Engineers Week Future® City Competition (www.futurecity.org) is an example of problem based learning with computer simulation.  It is an integrated, multidisciplinary, holistic approach to relevant issues and is a strong example of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics) education that addresses national and state academic content standards.  The program asks 7th and 8th grade students to design a computer model of the city using SimCity gaming software. The students research the challenge and write an essay and city narrative. They also build a table-top model of the city using recycled materials and prepare an oral presentation for the competition and show off the city. The challenge for 2009-2010 was to “create an affordable living space for people who have lost their home due to a disaster or financial emergency. The living space needed to use sustainable materials, have a low-carbon emissions footprint, and achieve the green ideals of energy efficient building.”

Sixth Grade Parents:
Please click here to view the two-page letter that has been mailed home regarding your child's first and second language preference for the 2010-2011 school year. Please complete the bottom portion of the form and return it to your child's homebase teacher by Monday, January 25, 2010.

Parent Drop Off Information
If you drop off your child prior to 7:50 a.m. they will wait in the main lobby until buses upload. If they arrive after 8:00 a.m. they will be required to report to the main office to obtain a tardy slip.

Picking Up Your Child at Goff MS
If you have arranged for someone other than a parent to pick up your child, please be sure to send a note including the individual's name and please be sure that they bring identification with them to the school. This request must always be made in writing. To ensure the safety of all our students, children will not be released to anyone other than a parent without a note and proper identification.

To read the complete Middle School Bulletin: Questions and Answers about the 2009-2010 School Year, click here.

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