Welcome to Gowanda Middle School!
Dear Gowanda Middle School Families and Community,
Welcome to a brand-new school year! The first days of school are always filled with energy, excitement, and maybe even a few nerves — and that’s okay. At Gowanda Middle School, we believe in the power of growth and resilience, and we will be reminding our students that “you can do hard things.”
Middle school is a time of challenges and big changes, but it’s also a time of incredible discovery. Our job is to support students through those hard things — academically, socially, and emotionally — and to celebrate their successes along the way. We want every student to know that they are not alone on their journey.
This year, we’re focusing on keeping communication clear and open. Families, your partnership is so important, and we invite you to stay connected with us. When home and school work together, our students thrive.
Most importantly, we’re looking forward to a year filled with both fun and learning. From classroom experiences to extracurricular activities and community events, there will be many opportunities for students to grow, connect, and shine.
Thank you for being part of our Gowanda Middle School family. Together, we’ll make this a year full of learning, laughter, and reminders that we can all do hard things — and do them well.
Principal Silleman
For students to participate in any extracurricular activities, a parent/guardian must attend the Mandatory Drug & Alcohol Parent Forum on Thursday, August 14, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
To print a list, click the link below and press Ctrl + P.
Darlene Silleman
Principal Grades 5-8
(716) 532-3325 ext. 5001
(716) 995-2127
David Smith
Assistant Principal Grades 5-12
(716) 532-3325 ext. 6003
(716) 995-2127
DID YOU KNOW?
• Students should miss no more than 9 days of school each year to stay engaged, successful and on track to graduation.
• Frequent absences can be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, struggling with school work, dealing with a bully or facing some other difficulty.
• By 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that a student may drop out of high school.
• By 9th grade, attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th grade test scores.
• Missing 10%, or 2 days a month, over the course of the school year, can affect a student’s academic success.
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