Dear CMS Community,
As we close out another wonderful month at Cody Middle School and transition into the holiday season, I want to take a moment to share updates, express my gratitude, and reflect on the incredible work happening in our school community.
Before Thanksgiving Break, our students earned a well-deserved celebration as part of a Friday Rewards Day, and I am happy to announce that it was an overwhelming success! In the weeks leading up to this, we saw remarkable improvements in students’ academic achievement and positive behavior. From the time we announced our Friday Rewards opportunity to the day of the actual event, we saw a 42% reduction in the number of failing grades, and we saw the number of students with at least one failing grade decrease by 33%! These achievements are a testament to the hard work of our students, the dedication of our staff, and the unwavering support of our families.
I am especially grateful to those of you who provided scholarships for students in need. Your generosity not only ensured that every student who was eligible could participate but your donations also exceeded our initial needs. If you donated, please be on the lookout for an email from me sometime before the Holiday Break, as I will share ideas for how we plan to use these extra funds to further benefit our students going forward. Your kindness and generosity made a difference, and it reminded me of how wonderful a school community we have when it comes to supporting our students. From the bottom of my heart and on behalf of our students, thank you!
In the spirit of self-reflection and improvement, this month at Cody Middle School, we will also be administering a Student Trust Survey to students the week of December 9 - December 13. This survey will provide our staff with valuable insights into how students perceive their relationships with principals and teachers, as well as their overall school experience. I have included a copy of this survey at the bottom of this message, so please feel free to contact me if you have any concerns or questions.
As a reminder, please encourage your student to check the Lost & Found, located outside the commons area near the gym before the upcoming Holiday Break. If your student is missing a jacket, a water bottle, or any other item, this is the place to look. All unclaimed items will be donated locally over the Winter Break.
Looking ahead, we are just four school weeks away from the end of the First Semester, which officially concludes on Friday, January 10th. Please continue to talk with your student about the importance of showing up every day, putting forth their best effort, and taking accountability for their behavior, their grades, and their learning. At Cody Middle School, failure is not part of the plan! Students with failing grades may face retention or the requirement to attend summer school, so finishing strong each semester is crucial.
As we move forward into the holiday season, I also want to take a moment to express my sincerest gratitude to all of our students, staff, and families. To our students, your growth, effort, and determination continues to be inspirational and it shows the type of character that our community expects. To our staff, your professionalism, positivity, and commitment to holding students to high standards both academically and behaviorally are unmatched. You are true difference-makers in the lives of our students. To our parents, guardians, and families, your continued support ensures that Cody Middle School remains a place where every student can succeed. As both a principal and a father of three young children, I am deeply thankful for the incredible community we share. Students who attend Park County School District 6 schools have a competitive edge over other students from across the state, and it takes all of us working together with a shared goal and purpose to make this a reality. Thank you, and thank you for allowing me to lead Cody Middle School as its principal!
On behalf of all of us at Cody Middle School, I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a season filled with joy and celebration. Thank you for making Cody Middle School an extraordinary place to learn and work.
Sincerely,
Jacob R. Gogan
Principal
Cody Middle School
