Mission: To Create a community that develops scholars with the knowledge, values and vision to become college and career bound.

Vision: To provide high quality instruction, increase student academic achievement, and develop our students holistically.

We will cultivate a premier learning community to foster globally responsive citizens, personalizing instruction for every student.

Therefore, we are committed to:

• Providing access to an equitable and high quality education

• Promoting citizens who contribute to the common good

• Supporting our students academically, socially, and emotionally

It's been a busy September at Gooch Elementary, and we are looking forward to an fun and educational October. We had the kick-off to this year's Speeding to Read challenge, and our scholars are very excited. Last year's Speeding to Read was a great success. Saturday Tutoring and Mentoring starts on the 7th of October with our wonderful partners at Greenhill, Hockaday and St. Marks. Basketball with Ms. Powell is off to an excellent start with much dedicated practice occurring. We are starting to use the kindles that were so graciously donated by the Jiv Daya Foundation in class with all of our 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students. The Home Coming Parade at W. T. White should be fun for all involved, so come and support Gooch on the 26th. Just a reminder that there is no school for our scholars on the 13th (Elementary fair day) or the 20th (Professional Development).

October marks the first month of grade-level performances, and this month we have the 5th graders performing on the 4th Wednesday of the month. They will be performing a play under the able direction of Mr. Perera and Ms. Powell. A huge thank you to all who have been volunteering with the PTSA. The movie night was a great success (despite being moved inside due to weather) and we are looking forward to a fun and fruitful year. If you are not already a member, please come and join. Parents, students, staff and community members are all welcome!

On October 26th, Gooch Elementary is competing for best float for the W.T. White Homecoming Parade. This year the theme is "Nightmare on Dub Street: Fear the Longhorn" Come march in the parade, join the fun, and cheer Gooch on.

We invite all neighborhood toddlers and siblings to come for our new monthly story time and craft on Friday the 27th of October from 9.30-10.30 a.m. Our wonderful librarian Ms. Kratz has a delightful book and craft picked out. Come and join us in the courtyard butterfly garden at Gooch.

October marks that time of the year when our Reading Buddies start back at Gooch in full force. We love that so many of our community neighbors take time out of their lives to come and spend time with their Reading Buddies at Gooch. The Reading Buddies program is now entering its 8th year, and it is one of the things that makes Gooch such a special little school. A big thank you to all our community members who participate in this program, especially our partner Holy Cross Lutheran and the wonderful Angie Nitz who makes it all possible.

October 2-6, Gooch Book Fair in the Library

October 5th, Our Principal for a Day is Meghan Dours of the American Heart Association

October 7th. First day of Saturday School, 2017

October 7th, Feeder Pattern Night for Football at Loos Stadium

October 12th, 4.30 - 7 p.m., Parent Teacher Conferences

October 13th, Elementary Fair Day, no school

October 20th, Professional Development day - no school

October 23-29, Red Ribbon Week

October 25th, Gooch PTSA general meeting 5:45 p.m. Play performance by 5th Grade to follow

October 26th, W.T. White Home Coming Parade @ 4:30 p.m.

October 27th, Toddler Story Time in the Garden - all welcome! 9:30-10:30 a.m.