Principal's Welcome 2023-2024

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Welcome back to the 2023-2024 school year. I look forward to the return of staff and students as we embark on a new year. Our teachers, counselors, nurses, administrators, and support staff will enjoy the sounds and sights of teaching and learning. September looks to be a much more normal opening than we have experienced over the last two years.

Our schools will once again offer students a wide variety of opportunities for exploring their interests and passions. In addition to standards- and research-based programs in the core content areas, all our students will have access to our visual and performing arts electives, physical education, and STEM programs. In addition, we have returned to live music and dance presentations, after-school sports and clubs, and ongoing social opportunities throughout the year.

We will begin our year by helping our students return to a school routine and supporting their social and emotional health. We know that strong social-emotional health is critical to academic gains. Therefore, we will once again prioritize student learning standards, assess students' understanding of skills related to those standards, and provide the support and scaffolding needed to help students progress.

I encourage you to remain involved with your children's education. There are many ways to stay involved. One of the most important things parents can do is to demonstrate an interest in their children's learning by monitoring their work and openly valuing education. Students need to know that "they can do it" with regard to their learning and their classes. They will hear that message at school as well.

One of the goals, as there are many for our students, is to ensure they are safe and can thrive in a school environment focused on academic achievement and behavioral success, as well as provide our students with the best Middle School experience possible. 

All of us at Garfield Middle School are eager and excited to begin the 2023-24 school year! Please find with this letter your child's homeroom, the 2023-24 School Year Calendar, the new time schedule for school, important dates, the Uniform Dress Code, Student Behavior and Department Guidelines, and other necessary forms of information. This information will be on our GMS website as well.
The Middle School doors will always be open for you to visit. I look forward to building relationships with all families and encourage you to become active members of your child's school. It is going to be a fantastic year.


Sincerely,

Garfield Middle School Principal
Richard “Riggs” Rigoglioso
[email protected]