GMS Newsletter Sponsored by PTA

Click here to see the complete GMS website calendar for more events and details

MONDAY, October 14

❗NO School❗

AISD Indigenous Peoples' Day

TUESDAY, October 15

🐅 6th GRADE HOMECOMING PEP RALLY 🐅 - 1:44 - 2:12PM (Students Only)

🏈 Football Game 🏈

B-Team 7th Grade - 6:00PM vs. O'Henry @ O'Henry (Away)

B-Team 8th Grade - 6:00PM vs. O' Henry @ GMS (Home)

☕Principal Coffee Talk☕ - 2:15-3:15PM via Google Meets

WEDNESDAY, October 16

Special Education and Section 504 Empower Hour - More details can be found here.

🐅7th & 8th Grade Homecoming Pep Rally 1:44-2:12PM (Students Only) 🐅

🏈 Football Game 🏈

A-Team 7th Grade - 6:00PM vs. Small @ Burger Stadium

A-Team 8th Grade - 7:30PM vs. Small @ Burger Stadium

🏐Volleyball Game 🏐 - A- Team Only Playoff 7th Grade GMS VS O'Heny 6:00PM @ Burger Stadium

UIL Tech Day Today or 10/17 - TBD 8:00AM-2:00PM @ AISD Performing Arts Center

Beginning Orchestra Rehearsal 4:00-5:00PM @ GMS Orchestra Room

THURSDAY, October 17

Theatre-UIL Set Rehearsal 4:00-6:00PM @ GMS Cafeteria & Rm 327

UIL Tech Day Today or 10/16 - TBD 8:00AM-2:00PM @ AISD Performing Arts Center

Girl Scout Tree Workday 4:00-7:00PM @ Woods Behind Chicken Coop.

🏀 7th Grade Girls Basketball Tryouts - 6:30-8:00AM - GMS Gym- ❗DATE CHANGE❗

⚽ 7th & 8th Grade Boys Soccer Tryouts - 4:00-5:45PM @ Bottom of the Field

FRIDAY, October 18

GMS 7th & 8th Grade Homecoming Dance 6:00-7:30PM @ GMS Commons & Cafeteria

👀 - MUST READ email sent from school on October 7th regarding all things Homecoming - It will answer a lot of questions. It includes Drop-off and Pick-up instructions and details regarding rules for the dance. Please share this email with your students so they understand the expectations in behavior. Please be kind to our volunteers!!!

Drama Club Mtg - 4:00-5:00PM @ GMS Cafeteria & Commons & Rm 327

🏀8th Grade Girls Basketball Tryouts - 6:15-8:00AM - Gym - ❗Time Change to BEFORE School❗

🏀7th Grade Girls Basketball Tryouts - 6:30-8:00AM - Gym ❗Date Change ❗

⚽7th & 8th Grade Boys Soccer Tryouts - 4:00-5:45PM - Bottom of the Field

SATURDAY, October 19

SUNDAY, October 20

MONDAY, October 21

AISD Transportation Employees Appreciation Week begins today!

Monster Mash Canned Food Drive begins today! October 21st-October 29th.

🏀8th Grade Girls Basketball Tryouts - 4:00-5:30PM @ GMS Gym

⚽7th & 8th Grade Boys Soccer Tryouts (After First Cut) - 4:00-5:45 @ Bottom of Field

TUESDAY, October 22

TMEA Region 18 Honors Orchestra Clinic and Concert (Times-TBD)

PTA General Membership Meeting 6:00-7:30PM @ GMS Cafeteria (Highway to High School)

Gorzycki Links

School Site

School Calendar

Daily Announcements

Bell Schedule 24-25

GMS PTA LInk

AISD Links

Parent Portal

AISD Calendar 24-25

Bus Stop Finder

School Cafe

We have raised $1650 of the $50,000 goal. Thank you to all who have donated. If you have not donated please consider donating, no amount is too small. It's only $39 per kiddo to get to our goal of 50K. We can do it! Let's ROAR!!! https://www.schoolpay.com/parent/mip/Md1d

GMS PTA TIGER FUNDRAISING DRIVE ROAR & ECHO!

Our GMS community is like no other and this is our time to show our commitment. Support GMS teachers, students, and staff with THIS ONE PTA fundraiser of the year. Let's raise funds with a ROAR!

Our audacious goal is to raise $50,000 for software, classroom necessities and teacher grants across GMS. To achieve this goal, we'll roar loudly, donate and share proudly with family, friends, partners, and employers to ECHO our ROAR!

Important Things to Know:

• Every dollar donated directly benefits GMS teachers and students.
• 100% of funds stay at OUR school for use in the 2024-2025 school year.
• Your donation is 100% tax deductible, and potentially eligible for employer matching contribution programs.

• Your donation is made securely through SchoolPay. GMS PTA or Gorzycki Middle School will NOT have access to your banking information.

• This is the ONLY major fundraising effort of the PTA, so please consider donating.

• Click on the pic or the link below for more information and to make a donation to our beloved school.

https://www.schoolpay.com/parent/mip/Md1d

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmZxW93QbfI

Prop A for Teacher Pay: What You Need to Know

Prop A is a ballot initiative asking voters to approve funding for teacher salaries and additional funding for our local schools.

If passed, Prop A will provide $41 million annually, including $17.8 million for teacher and staff pay increases so Austin ISD can retain experienced educators and support staff.

Early voting starts October 21! Make your voice heard. Visit austinisd.org/propa for more info.

GMS has replaced School Cash Online with a GMS Webstore please see/use the link below:

https://gorzycki.myschoolcentral.com/

This GMS Store will have all the fees associated with classes and events in one click.

Once you create an account go to "My Family" and add your students.

This is for Gorzycki Students only, in other words, if ya want a T-Shirt for yourself you should probably head on over to Tiger Mart. Once you've logged on simply click on the item associated with your student i.e. Choir, CTE Wheel, Science etc...then select your student and add to cart. These fees help the classes with expenses associated with the class.

PTA General Membership Meeting - Tuesday, October 22nd - 6:00PM @ Cafeteria

Highway to High School - The jump from Middle School to High School can be big and it will be here before you know it! Join us for a parent panel about navigating this journey.

• What will best prepare your middle schooler?
• What is the transition like?
• What will help my child succeed?

With Choice sheets due in February, you can get a jumpstart to prepare, 6th-8th grade parents can all benefit.

There will be 3 tryout days. All students are invited to BOTH Thursday, October 17, AND Friday, October 18 from 4 PM until 5:45 PM. An initial cut will be made after Friday, October 18.

The 3rd Tryout will be Monday, October 21 from 4 PM until 5:45 PM. A final cut will be made after Monday, October 21.

***All players will report to the bottom field to get checked in by the coaches***

All players must be picked up by 6:00 PM.

Parents/Guardians MUST fill out this Google Form HERE or use the link/QR code below to sign up their player for tryouts:

https://forms.gle/johL9YMfoQZDfcQP8

Girls Basketball Tryouts

All 7th and 8th grade girls trying out for the 2024 basketball season need to sign up through the Google Form below.

7th grade will try out before school on Thursday October 17 and Friday the 18th from 6:30 a.m. until 8:00 a.m.

8th grade will try out before school on Friday October 18th 6:15-8:00AM and Monday October 21st from 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.

Parents are responsible for dropping off and picking up their athlete. Please be on time.

In order to try out, each athlete must have a '24-'25 physical on the current AISD form (it must be dated on or after April 15th, 2024), emergency card, and all online forms complete before tryouts. If an athlete tried out for volleyball (or you already turned in all forms), all of this has already been taken care of and there is no need to resubmit forms.

If any forms are missing, your child will not be allowed to try out. If you are unsure, please have your child stop by the coach's office to check in.

1. Click HERE to sign up for tryouts.

2. 2024 - 2025 Physical - You can have your child come by the coach's office for a form as well.

3. Online Forms

If you have any questions, please email Coach Neary or Coach Peña for 8th grade and Coach Gaines or Coach Lindberg for 7th grade.

Tickets on sale now:
https://gorzycki.myschoolcentral.com (Click on Student Store)

To volunteer or donate: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0844A9AE2CABF5C25-51468479-homecoming#/

Knock knock!Who’s there?!

Boo!Boo-Who?

Don’t cry, it’s October which means it’s time for the annual Gorzycki Middle School Band Trunk or Treat!

Calling all ghosts, ghouls and goblins!! Join the GMS Tiger Band for our annual Halloween Trunk-or-Treat event on Tuesday 10/29 from 6-7p in the school parking lot!!

See link below to sign up to participate by decorating your trunk to pass out candy or to donate supplies!

https://www.signupgenius.com/.../30E0F45A8A72CA6F58...

Thanks in advance for your support and participation!

Registration for the THIRD ANNUAL CIRCLE C RANCH TURKEY TROT and KIDS MILE is live!!! Take advantage of the early pricing NOW! Link is below or click on pic.

https://eventdog.com/a/eventpage.php?eID=60269&fbclid=IwY2xjawFiMFJleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHTQjCSyrCUenWmIqdnqtZ5eb7Rbcd-ZeP7RvpU_fYxzzRxc98O01Wl5jaQ_aem_dPP8-ZhRqv9uRtMTHrGKWA

WHO: Divisions are: 6th-8th grade and Special Artist* The student's family must be a member of the Gorzycki Middle School PTA by Monday, November 4th.

If you are not currently a PTA member, please join here.

WHAT: This Year’s Theme is: ACCEPTING imPERFECTION

WHEN: Submission deadline is Monday, November 4th

HOW: Download the ENTRY FORM and see the Program Rules (including art category rules)

• Pick a category for your entry
• Submit entries via Google Form HERE!

*Students who identify as having a disability and may receive services under IDEA or ADA: Section 504 may enter in the Special Artist Division or grade division most closely aligned to their abilities.

Started in 1969 and a staple arts program in many schools, National PTA’s Reflections Program provides opportunities for recognition and access to the arts, boosting student confidence and success in the arts and life. Each year, over 300,000 Pre-K through 12th-grade students create original works of art in response to a student-selected theme.

​

ReflectionsⓇ is a National PTA Arts Program. GMS Students submit their entries to the Gorzycki Middle School PTA. After being reviewed by volunteers, entries may be selected go on to compete in the Austin Council of PTA’s level (all of Austin ISD), the Texas PTA level and even the National PTA level! In the selection process, greater weight is put on the interpretation of the theme, how closely the piece relates to the theme based on the entry submitted and the artist's statement.

Questions? Please contact pta.reflections@tigerpta.org

Please click here for more details.

Click on the photo below or the link to order your yearbooks.

https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/productBrowse/2368780/Gorzycki-Middle-School/2025-Yearbook/2024072404292273786/CATALOG_SHOP/?utm_term=All+Subscribers&utm_campaign=YBK_MER1382869710_SY25_Segmented_National_Previous_Buyer_S1_EN_20240816&utm_medium=email&utm_source=exacttarget&utm_content=Sec1_Hero_Button

Whether you are looking to get your daughter moving or complement her current sports and activities, Moxsquad is designed to enhance her overall fitness, confidence and community. Click on the photo below or the link provided to signup and get more details. https://moxsquad.com/

Baldwin Elementary is hosting a Trunk or Treat on October 26th and they are looking for students to volunteer at certain stations. It's a great opportunity to log some hours and have fun while doing it. Please check out the details below in the Signup Genius.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4CA9A72FA3FC1-51996648-volunteer#/

CALLING ALL TIGER FAMILIES!

Looking for a way to occasionally volunteer at GMS? Fill out the following form and let us know where you would like to help:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdK-myowPq96cjX9DDRy9vza7ENxE4fugJy-W_YQvwh37ZX0A/viewform

COMMUNICATION PLATFORMS

• Subscribed to the newsgroup: https://gorzycki.austinschools.org/our-school/email-updates
• Sign up to receive notifications for the Gorzycki Middle Campus Community Course at: https://aisdblend.instructure.com/courses/111130
• Follow the OFFICIAL GMS Facebook Page: Gorzycki Middle School
• Catch up with the latest student stories, events and news. It's everything Austin ISD, in your pocket. If you haven't already, download the app! You can find it on your phone in your app store via Google Play or Apple App.
• For Android
• For Apple

PRINCIPAL COFFEE TALKS
The first Principal Coffee Talk will be held Tuesday, September 10th at 2:15PM.

• Coffee talks will be held via ZOOM - link to be provided.
• You can find all the dates of all the Coffee Talks here.

BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION

Download the Box Tops for Education app and start scanning your receipts! Every little bit counts and adds up quickly for GMS. How do box tops raise money for your school, click here to read more. GMS contact: fundraising@tigerpta.org

POPCORN FRIDAY DONATIONS NEEDED

GMS Popcorn Fridays needs your help. All donations go towards appreciating the GMS teachers with popcorn, drinks and snacks. Please contact Kelly Granger at popcorn@tigerpta.org if you would like to donate.

UPDATED: SCHOOL TRAFFIC PLAN

Arrival: During the morning arrival and after school pickup, vehicles approaching the front of the school will be channeled into two lanes of traffic, the inside lane closest to the school and the outside lane closest to Slaughter (the middle lane will be blocked off so that students can safely walk up to the crosswalk). Buses will drop students off at the awning in the back of the school. Afternoon dismissal for car riders will be in the front of the school. Parents arriving early for pick-up will be expected to park in one of the two lanes behind the crosswalk. Parents will queue up behind designated markers. Parents are to stay in your vehicles.

ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL
Arrival: The building is open from 7:50 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Tardy Bell rings at 8:20. Upon arrival, 6th grade students will report to the cafeteria. 7/8th grade students will report to the Commons. Students are to sit on the floor in the Cafeteria/Commons area. Students must be supervised in the building outside of school hours.

Dismissal:. Students who stay for an activity/tutoring session should remain in their designated area with the Gorzycki staff member in charge of the after school activity. Parents should pick up their child within 10 minutes of a given activity ending time. Failure to be picked up in a timely manner may result in restrictions from after-school activities.

AFTER SCHOOL PICK UP PROCEDURES
Please follow the GMS procedures for arrival and dismissal from school. We ask that student pick-ups occur in the loop in front of the school. Stopping to pick up students on Slaughter is NEVER acceptable. To help reduce some of the congestion, we ask that if you are turning left on Slaughter after picking up your child, you enter the school using the left two lanes. If you are turning right on Slaughter, please use the right lane for student pick-up. This will help reduce the changing of lanes when leaving campus.

GMS also asks that you not use Allerton Avenue for student pick-up. GMS is trying to be good neighbors and the parking issue after school is creating very unsafe situations.

Parents and caregivers are not permitted to move the orange cones.

LOCKERS
All grade levels were issued lockers and a combination lock. Backpacks are not allowed in classrooms or in the cafeteria; students need to keep their backpacks in their lockers. Students can carry Chromebooks and notebooks to class in a Chromebook case.

MEDICATIONS ON CAMPUS
ALL MEDICATIONS ON CAMPUS REQUIRE DOCTOR'S ORDERS in addition to a parent authorization form. This means that all prescription and over-the-counter medications require a doctor's order and will not be allowed on campus at all without it. In the past, the prescription label on the bottle served as an MD order but AISD has changed the policy and now requires the MD order. Students are not allowed to self-carry ANY medication without doctor's orders and parent authorization.

Daily medications and/or emergency medications such as inhalers, epipens, seizure or diabetic medications can be dropped off. The medications cannot be accepted without the necessary paperwork completed. You may visit the GMS website at gorzycki.austinschools.org to print and complete all necessary paperwork. Please call the health room with any questions or to make other arrangements to drop off medication. Health Room # 512-841-8620, or email to jessica.bram@austinisd.org.

DROPPING OFF ITEMS AT SCHOOL
In order to assist students with self-responsibility and to keep classroom disruptions to a minimum, GMS does not make deliveries nor do we contact the student while they are in class to let them know that their item was dropped off. You may tell your student before school that you will be dropping off an item or you can email their teacher. The student will then have to pick it up from the front office. (delivery exceptions are contact lenses or glasses).

PERMIT TO LEAVE SCHOOL EARLY
When students leave school early, written permission from a parent or guardian is required. Please follow these steps:

1. The student must bring the note to the front office in the morning to receive a pink slip. Students who need to leave school early must be picked up before 3:15 due to traffic and parking availability.
2. The student will show the pink slip to the teacher when it is time to leave; the teacher will allow the student to go to the front office for parent pick-up. **Without a pink slip, students are not allowed to leave class**
3. Parent/guardian(s) must sign the student out in the front office before leaving campus. Please bring your photo ID.

REDUCED-PRICE MEAL SIGN UP
We encourage families who currently have reduced-price status to complete an AISD meal benefits application at www.SchoolCafe.com/AustinISD to ensure their eligibility through the entire school year.

Breakfast:

• Full Price: $2.00
• Reduced-price: FREE

Lunch:

• Full Price: $3.50
• Reduced-price: $0.40

SPORTING EVENT PICK-UP
Students are welcome to all Athletic events. Please remember that students are to be picked up from the event 10 minutes after the game is over. This is NOT a set time and can be anywhere from 8:00 - 9:00. Students who are not picked up on-time will not be allowed to attend future events.

The PTA works diligently to provide resources for our students, teachers and staff, but we can be more successful with the help of our many partners in the community! The Gorzycki Partner Program enables your business to have significant exposure and visibility in our community while providing vital funds to support our students. This opportunity is available to all businesses and families. Contact Susan Crum at partners@tigerpta.org with questions.

The PTA would like to thank the businesses that support our school!

Gorzycki Middle School

7412 W. Slaughter Lane, Austin TX 78749 Phone 512-841-8600 Fax 512-841-8601