Goddard Middle School - Littleton Public Schools

Web Site

News & Announcements Clubs & Intramurals Library	for Parents for Students for Staff

Twitter

Welcome!

Principal's Message

September 2010 newsletter

GMS FAQ's

Mill Levy

On July 29, 2010, the Littleton Public Schools Board of Education approved language for the item on the November 2, 2010 ballot that asks voters to approve a mill levy increase. The increase would generate $12 million annually for LPS and would help future education cuts from the state from being as detrimental, beginning in school year 2011-2012.

Since 2008, the nation’s economy has suffered and Colorado has been affected, as well. As a result of state funding cuts to K-12 public education (LPS receives about 60 percent of its funding from the state), LPS had to reduce its budget by about 10 percent, or $14 million, in three years. Class sizes went up, fees increased, two schools were closed, programs were cut, about 200 jobs were cut, and school supply budgets rolled back to the level they were 20 years ago. The school year was shortened by two days to accommodate two furlough days for all employees. All students have been affected by these cuts.

It is projected that the state will require similar cuts again from K-12 education in 2011-2012 and beyond. The Board of Education struggled with the idea of an election, but ultimately felt that it was necessary to move forward and let the community decide.

The mill levy increase would cost homeowners about six dollars per month for every $100,000 of actual home value.

The mill levy increase would allow LPS to:

Continue to provide academic excellence and an educational program of the highest quality and standards;
Maintain class size;
Provide a comprehensive education, including art, music, and P.E.;
Provide curriculum and instruction necessary for success in college, post-secondary education, and the workforce;
Maintain adequate numbers of well-qualified teachers;
Continue to provide students with a safe learning environment.

Additional information is available at www.littletonpublicschools.net (click on BudgetMatter$).

Hours

Office Hours
7:30 am-4:00 pm

School Hours
7:54am-2:43pm
9:54am-2:43pm (Late start days)

All new students to Littleton Public Schools must register at the Educational Service Center located at 5776 South Crocker, Littleton, CO 80120. Click here for more information.

Building Hours during school year:
All doors to the school will closed until 7:45 a.m. No students will be permitted into the lobby until 7:45 a.m. After 2:43 p.m.students must be supervised by a teacher or in attendance at an activity or intramural event.Only students eating breakfast are allowed into the cafeteria at 7:30 a.m. Students should enter through the cafeteria doors.

Upcoming Events

Friday, September 3, 2010
6th grade PR Squared assembly 8:05 a.m. in the Gym

About Goddard

Goddard Middle School is the second largest of the four middle schools in the Littleton Public School District, serves nearly 750 students and includes a staff of eighty. Many of our staff members are State Teachers of the Year and have been selected to be included in Who's Who in Among America's Teachers.

Our goals are to prepare students for an ever-changing world, to support the development of confident and caring young people and to model life-long learning. The school is composed of three neighborhoods with teams of Core teachers. Core and elective teachers integrate learning within the neighborhood during the student's three years at Goddard Middle School. Students have numerous opportunities for meaningful learning experiences, to develop self-respect and responsibility, to think critically, and to be assessed in multiple ways.

School Goal

To create a high-performing school that supports continuous learning, pride in individual accomplishment, and growth toward independence and social responsibility.

Video: Dr. Goddard

Video of Robert Goddard View video about Dr. Robert Goddard, the rocket scientist the school is named after.

Location of Visitors

Click on the GeoVisitors image to view where in the world visitors are coming from when they visit the Goddard Middle School website. The map is currently showing the location of visitors in the last 24 hours.

Magazine Sales

2010 Magazine Sale “Early Start” Program

Next week we will be starting our annual magazine drive and here is how you can get an early start today:
1 – Go to www.APHearst.com and register.

Our school code is: HELPGODDARD

2 – Send the email provided to all Friends and Family!

3—Print out Email “order” Confirmations and turn in with your paper orders!

Renew & Sell New or Gift Magazines

Parents, you can start now by ordering/renewing your magazines and gift items on line all year long. Your friends and family can also support our school by purchasing on line using a credit card.

Click on the banner below to order.

Large School Banner
Enter this code HELPGODDARD

Goddard Gallup

18^th ANNUAL GODDARD GALLOP

The Fall 2010 Goddard Gallop is scheduled for Tuesday September 21^st , 2010. The rain day will be September 22^nd , 2010. The participants of the Goddard Gallop will have the option of running a 2.2 mile course through the Bow Mar neighborhood or walking a 1 mile course through the school grounds. The race will be for all Goddard students, parents, teachers and staff members, as well as for any Littleton community members who wish to join us. The event will start at 8:15 a.m. with the 8^th graders running, then at 9:30 the 7^th graders will run, and finally at 10:45 the 6^th graders will run. The participants will be rewarded with healthy festivities, prizes and awards.

Welcome to Goddard Middle School

Dear Students, Parents, and Guardians:

Welcome to the Goddard website. I encourage you to a few minutes to explore our site and familiarize yourself with all the information available. I also hope you will get of sense of what makes Goddard a great place for students to learn and grow.

The 2010-2011 school year marks my sixteenth year in Littleton Public Schools. I am delighted to be the principal of Goddard Middle School and I am looking forward to a terrific year for students, staff, and parents. I began my LPS career as a sixth grade math and science teacher at Goddard. Six years in the classroom were followed by five years as an assistant principal at Goddard. I spent three wonderful years at the elementary level as principal of Wilder, an LPS school that feeds into Goddard. I returned to Goddard as principal starting with the 2009-2010 school year. The start of every new school year is a welcome back with the promise and energy of new and returning students, families, and staff.

As principal, I will partner with staff, parents, and community members to continue to work diligently on five key goals:

To promote academic rigor and continuous growth in student achievement;
To support excellence in special instructional programs, including English as a Second Language, Gifted and Talented Education, Special Education, Reading, and Technology;
To improve communications with parents and our community;
To improve the appearance and physical condition of our school building and campus;
To continue to provide a safe school environment.

These goals provide the foundation for a first-rate school and will keep Goddard moving in a positive direction.

Each year brings on new learning for students and staff as well as new initiatives and programs. During the 2010-2011 school year:

The Inspired Writing project will expand to seventh and eighth grade at the middle school level. This means that all fifth through tenth grade language classrooms throughout the district will have Eee computers. These student laptops will help bring 21^st Century Learning to our classrooms.

The Public Education Business Coalition (PEBC) will provide a third year of staff develop to support our focus on writing in all content areas. Goddard is really fortunate to partner with PEBC to improve instruction and student achievement.

We are most appreciative of district and community support for these initiatives.

We are pleased to continue our focus on the following during the 2010-2011 school year:

First and foremost is our appreciation of the strong home and school connection. Once again we will partner with PTO to raise funds for student technology, document cameras for every classroom, and other student needs. Next time you are in the building, take a look at the climbing wall that was installed last winter and the new computers in the technology lab that were purchased over the summer. Both of these make a huge difference for students and were made possible by your generosity along with school and district support.

The “Positive Behavior Support” (PBS) program will continue to guide our efforts to promote positive, responsible, and respectful student behavior and build a welcoming school climate. Respect is the focus of our 2010-2011 PBS staff training and start of school PBS student activities. Goddard students and staff are PR²and proud of it!
Our teachers will continue to work together in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to improve instruction and increase student achievement. Thank you for supporting the late-start schedule to support our PLC work. Many of this year’s late-starts will be used for staff development in writing. Our partnership with the Public Education Business Coalition is the perfect match for our focus on writing.

Thank you for all you do to support your student and Goddard Middle School.

Kathleen Ambron

Principal

Supply Lists for Upcoming School Year

Click here to view the 2010-11 school year supply list. Remember to check the Back to School packet sent the first week of August for more information.

Attendance

Regular attendance at Goddard Middle School is expected. As educators and parents we know there is a direct relationship between good attendance and academic progress.

Please note: Goddard Middle School determines if an absence and or tardy is excused. The decision is made in accordance with state laws and district policy.

All absences must be reported to the school and can be done so by calling the 24 hour attendance reporting line at 303-734-6170. If necessary you may call Student Services at 303-347-7855 and report an absence.

Attendance Expectations for GMS

To view Goddard's attendance policies

W.I.N. Program

We are pleased to let you know that Goddard teachers will continue a program called “WIN" for the 2010-11 school year. WIN stands for Work in Now. WIN provides an opportunity for your child to finish assignments that were not complete when due. WIN is only assigned by a teacher. It is not an after-school homework program or study club.

How does it work? When a student has missing work and is assigned to WIN, he or she will call a parent. If your child does not reach you and leaves a message, it is assumed that he/she will stay for WIN unless you call to let the office know otherwise. Please call Student Services at 303 347-7855 if your child will not be staying for WIN. Students assigned to WIN are not allowed to attend sporting practices, games, clubs, activities or other after school events. If the parent excuses the student from WIN, the student will need to go home at the end of the school day. The student is expected to complete the missing work at home this same evening and normal Core rules will apply for the assignment.

Read more here

Our School

Goddard Middle School
3800 West Berry Avenue
Littleton, CO 80123

303-347-7850 Main Office
303-347-7855 Student Services
303-734-6170 24 hour Attendance Reporting

Mrs. Kathleen Ambron, Principal

August 2010 schedule

September 1, 2010

¨ Late Start

¨ 7^th & 8^th grade Track practice, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ 6^th grade Flag Football Club, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ Musical Rehearsal, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ 6^th grade girls Volleyball practice, 2:45-4:00pm

September 2, 2010

¨ Musical Rehearsal, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ 6^th grade Basketball, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ Chess Club Strategy session, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ 6^th grade Flag Football Club, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ 8^th grade Track Meet, EMS @ GMS, 3:15pm

September 6, 2010

¨ HOLIDAY – NO SCHOOL

September 7, 2010

¨ Magazine Sale 9/710 through 9/23/10

¨ 8^th grade on the Challenge Course

¨ PTO Meeting, 12:15pm

¨ Musical Rehearsal, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ 6^th grade girls Volleyball practice, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ 6^th grade Basketball, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ 7^th & 8^th grade Track practice, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ Tennis Club, 2:45-4:00pm

September 8, 2010

¨ 8^th grade on the Challenge Course

September 9, 2010

¨ Destination Imagination information meeting, 8:00-8:25am

¨ Newspaper Blog Club meeting during lunches

¨ 7^th grade Track practice, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ Chess Club Strategy session, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ 6^th grade Basketball, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ Musical Rehearsal, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ 8^th grade Track Meet, GMS @ PMS

September 10, 2010

¨ 8^th grade on the Challenge Course

¨ Chess Club, 8:00-8:25am

September 13, 2010

¨ 7^th grade on the Challenge Course

¨ NJHS Meeting, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ 6^th grade girls Volleyball practice, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ 7^th grade Track Meet, NMS @ GMS, 3:15pm

¨ Goddard Accountability Committee, 3:15pm

September 14, 2010

¨ 7^th grade on the Challenge Course

¨ 7^th grade Track practice, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ 6^th grade Flag Football Club, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ 6^th grade Basketball, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ 8^th grade Track, GMS @ NMS, 3:15pm

¨ Tennis Club, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ Musical Rehearsal, 2:45-4:00pm

September 15, 2010

¨ 7^th grade on the Challenge Course

¨ 7^th & 8^th grade Track practice, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ Community Service Club, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ 6^th grade Flag Football Club, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ 6^th grade girls Volleyball practice, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ Yearbook Club, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ ELA Workshop; Road to Middle School, 6:30-8:00pm

September 16, 2010

¨ 7^th grade on the Challenge Course

¨ Newspaper Blog Club Meeting during lunches

¨ Chess Club Strategy Session, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ Student Council Meeting, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ 6^th grade Basketball, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ 8^th grade Track Meet, PMS @ GMS, 3:15pm

¨ Musical Rehearsal, 2:45-4:00pm

September 17, 2010

¨ 7^th grade on the Challenge Course

¨ Chess Club, 8:00-8:25am

September 18, 2010

¨ Saturday School

September 20, 2010

¨ Encore Auditions and Call Backs, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ 6^th grade girls Volleyball practice, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ PBS Meeting, 3:00pm

¨ 7^th grade Track Meet, EMS @ GMS, 3:15pm

September 21, 2010

¨ Goddard Gallop

¨ Encore Auditions and Call Backs, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ Flag Football Club, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ 6^th grade Basketball, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ 8^th grade Track Meet, GMS @ EMS, 3:15pm

¨ Tennis Club, 2:45-4:00pm

September 22, 2010

¨ Goddard Gallop rain date

¨ Encore Auditions and Call Backs, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ 6^th grade Basketball, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ 7^th & 8^th grade Track practice, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ Jazz Band Auditions, 2:45-4:00pm

September 23, 2010

¨ Magazine Sale ends

¨ Newspaper Blog Club Meeting during lunches

¨ Encore Auditions and Call Backs, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ 7^th & 8^th grade Track practice, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ Chess Club Strategy session, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ 6^th grade Flag Football Club, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ 6^th grade girls Volleyball practice, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ Jazz Band Auditions, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ Early Bird Conferences, 3:45-7:30pm

September 24, 2010

¨ Chess Club, 8:00-8:25am

September 27, 2010

¨ 7^th grade Track Meet, GMS @ PMS, 3:15pm

¨ 6^th grade girls Volleyball practice, 2:45-4:00pm

September 28, 2010

¨ Musical Rehearsal, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ 6^th grade Flag Football Club, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ Tennis Club, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ 6^th grade Basketball, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ 8^th grade Track Meet, NMS @ GMS, 3:15pm

September 29, 2010

¨ Late Start

¨ 8^th grade Track practice, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ Musical Rehearsal, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ 6^th grade girls Volleyball practice, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ Yearbook Club, 2:45-4:00pm

September 30, 2010

¨ Newspaper Blog Club Meeting during lunches

¨ Chess Club Strategy session, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ 6^th grade Flag Football Club, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ Student Council Meeting, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ 6^th grade Basketball, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ Musical Rehearsal, 2:45-4:00pm

¨ 8^th grade District Track Meet, LPS Stadium, 3:00pm

On-line Newspaper

Click here to view the latest version of our on-line newspaper

King Soopers Partnership

Everyone needs groceries, so why not let a percentage of your grocery bill benefit Goddard Middle School (at NO extra cost to you)?

With the King Soopers Neighborhood Rewards Gift Card, Goddard receives 5% of every dollar you spend at King Soopers on groceries and even gasoline!

How does it work?

· Purchase a $25 reloadable gift card by filling out the form (available on the Goddard website and in the main office)

· You receive your gift card from Goddard PTO worth $25.00

· Once your card is empty or near empty, present your card at the register PRIOR to purchasing your groceries or visit the customer service desk.

· Ask the attendant to reload your card with any value you choose, up to $500.

· You MUST reload your card BEFORE your items are scanned. The balance remaining on your card is printed at the bottom of your grocery receipt.

Every four weeks, King Soopers runs a report of all sales associated with the Goddard gift cards and mails us a check equaling 5% of our grocery purchases. Any funds raised will go to support adding document cameras to our classrooms.

It could not be easier!!! If you already shop at King Soopers, please support our school by joining this program!

Click here to read more about the details and to download the King Soopers form.

Box Tops

Goddard Middle School recently launched its 2010-11 "Box Tops for Education" fundraising campaign. This year, GMS set the goal of earning money through Box Tops to purchase more playground equipment.

Clip, the original Box Tops for Education program, allows schools to earn cash by clipping Box Tops from participating Box Tops products. Schools get 10 cents for each Box Top they redeem from General Mills. For a complete list of the hundreds of participating products,visit www.boxtops4education.com.

Collection boxes are located in the lobby near the main office.

PR Squared

PBS turns the traditional approach to school discipline on its head in that it focuses on teaching, acknowledging and celebrating positive behavior rather than simply punishing negative behavior. In other words… “Good!”

Goddard’s own spin on the PBS approach is “program developed by students andstaff. The goal of the program is to improve behavior in “problem” areas such as school hallways, playgrounds, classrooms and the bus, Goddard students came up with a set of guidelines for what they consider to be Positive, Responsible and Respectful behavior in each area.

Goddard students are PR ^2.To read more about PR² click here.