Holiday Message from the Principal

Dear Goza Family,

As we close out this year and prepare for the holiday break, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to all who help make Goza an amazing place to be.

While this year has been like none other, in the face of all the challenges we have faced, I am reminded of the resilience of our teachers, staff, kids and community. I am incredibly proud of the effort and perseverance demonstrated by our students and staff. In the face of these challenges, we have continued to work and grow together to promote learning for our students, while demonstrating grace to each other.

Parents, Thank you for entrusting us with your most precious gift. I am grateful to our wonderful, talented, creative, inquisitive, optimistic, resourceful, and resilient students. Often, they make us laugh, sometimes they make us cry, but always they make us think. Most of all, they make us better.

Today I am reminded about the bulletin board in our hallway. Grateful. A picture made as a community that captures our hands together; holding each other, remembering each other, and pausing for each other. This year has been one where we have stood together, linked arms and hands, and paused deeply for one another.

It is also during this time that I am reminded of my own good fortune to serve as the proud principal of Goza Middle School. My career as a public school educator has afforded me vast, varied and richly rewarding opportunities to teach and to learn from young people. I believe the faces of our children best express the true meaning of this holiday season. They radiate a sense of unbridled enthusiasm, untainted hope and unabashed joy for life and the opportunities that await them.

It is a privilege to be a part of your lives. Thank you from the deepest part of my heart for allowing me to share in their learning journey.

I hope that everyone has a safe and joyous holiday season with your family.

With Warm Regards

Tisha Hunter,

GMS Principal

Goza Girls' Athletics 1st Annual Turkey Trot

Goza's off-season Athletic Girls ran their first Turkey Trot Thursday, November 16, and dressed for the occasion as well. Looks like they had fun! Way to work hard GMS Lady Badgers!

Goza's Parent Group treats staff to lunch

Goza's faculty and staff were treated to lunch Wednesday, November, 29, by their parent group. Goza PATHS (Parents and Teachers Helping Students) provided them with pizza and sodas. We are so grateful for everything they do for us. From providing lunches every so often, to fundraising for our school, and providing snacks for Parent-Teacher Conferences; they do so much for us. Thank you PATHS!

Our Goza students, faculty, and staff are deeply saddened by the passing of one of our Special Education teachers, Mr. Eduardo Ortiz, Saturday, November 25.

Mr. Ortiz joined the Goza faculty this school year. He was a valued member of our team and his presence and his contributions will be deeply missed.

Our condolences go out to his family and friends during this difficult time.

Counseling services were provided for staff and students who may have needed additional support.

8th Graders build volcanoes

After studying volcanoes and the different types of volcanoes, students in Mrs. Christy Smith's 7th-grade science classes modeled a volcano by creating a chemical reaction between vinegar and baking soda.

Working in groups, students chose which type of volcano they wanted to build. The three types of volcanoes are Shield Volcano, Composite Cone, and Cinder Cone.

Volleyball fundraiser brings in lots of cash for ACS and Friendship Scholarship

Goza's teachers took on the 8th-grade girls in the last match of the fundraiser tournament.

Goza Middle School students and teachers took to the court in its annual Volleyball Fundraiser. Seventh-grade girls took on the 8th-grade girls, followed by the boys' game. Then it was the girls vs the boys. The 8th-grade girls came out victorious and got to play in a match against the teachers! The teachers won the match, 25-24, and claim that, "we went easy on the girls and just gave them the game."

We raised $825 for the American Cancer Society from admissions. Goza's Student Council raised over $1,000 from concessions sales for our operating budget and the Friendship Scholarship.

It was a fun and exciting morning! We had a great time!

6th Graders experience "Poop Lab"

What happens during digestion? This is the kind of inquiry the 6th-grade students at Goza Middle School have been exploring in their afternoon science classes.

Digestion begins with the first bite. We know this, but what happens as it moves through the body? Teachers demonstrated and explained the digestive process with unforgettable visuals. Students can now clearly communicate how the body turns food into nutrients from Start to Finish, literally. No one forgets the "Poop Lab"!