GMS Newsletter Sponsored by PTA
Week of October 28th 2024
This week at GMS
Click here to see the complete GMS website calendar for more events and details
MONDAY, October 28
UIL One Act Play Competition Zone @ AISD Performing Arts Center thru Wednesday.
🎶GMS Choir School Fundraiser begins.🎶
Monster Mash Canned Food Drive continues! October 21st-October 29th. Details in Newsletter below.
TUESDAY, October 29
Band -Trunk or Treat @ Parking Lot by Goats - 6:00-7:00PM
WEDNESDAY, October 30
Special Education and Section 504 Empower Hour - More details can be found here. To register please complete this form. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd1-BSEyTT8H-52yrnrNholuPJrxLdVpwnF1pRxuzLErfkoIg/viewform
Theatre-UIL One Act Play Rehearsal 4:00-6:30PM @ GMS Cafeteria, Commons & Rm 327
🎷Jazz Band Fall Concert 6:30-7:30PM @ Bowie High School
🏀Girls Basketball 7th Grade GMS vs Kealing @ Kealing B-Team 6:00PM A-Team 7:00PM
🏀Girls Basketball 8th Grade GMS vs Kealing @ GMS B-Team 6:00PM A-Team 7:00PM
🏀Girls Basketball schedule can be found here.
THURSDAY, October 31
Theatre-UIL One Act Play Rehearsal 4:00-6:00PM @ GMS Cafeteria & Rm 327
FRIDAY, November 1
❗NO SCHOOL❗
Native American Heritage Month Begins
SATURDAY, November 2
Girl Scout Tree Workday - 7:30-11:00AM @ GMS Woods Behind Chicken Coop
Fall Festival Quiz Bowl Tournament 8:00AM-5:00PM
⚽Soccer - Kealing vs. GMS 9:00AM-12:00PM @ GMS
SUNDAY, November 3
MONDAY, November 4
AISD School Psychologists Appreciation Week begins today!
McCallum Fine Arts Visits GMS 1:45-2:15PM @ GMS Library
There Is Only 1 Gorzycki! 5:30-6:30PM (For incoming 6th graders and families.)
TUESDAY, November 5
❗No School❗(Staff Development/Student Holiday/Election Day)
Gorzycki Links
AISD Links
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.
PROP A - INFORMATION BELOW
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.
GNASHER NEWS is BACK
Gorzycki's news broadcast, Gnasher News TV, is back on the air and would love for all the GMS students to rep their GNTV pride with a t-shirt, a sweatshirt or both!
Visit the GMS Web store to order yours today! The pre-order is only available until November 1st, so don't wait! https://gorzycki.myschoolcentral.com Click on 'Student Store'
This is a fundraiser to support the Gnasher News TV program as well as the Movie Makers classes. Support our students in telling their stories and show your Gorzycki pride with one of these fabulous shirts/sweatshirts!
These are adult sizes. The classic off white shirts are the Bella Canvas brand. The TV logo will be on the front left chest area and the full Tiger logo will be on the back.
Thank you for your support! We ARE Gnasher News TV!
Give us a like and a follow on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-gg8Mi_nNc
UPCOMING AT GMS
🐅GMS SPIRIT NIGHT at TORCHY'S🐅
Make it Taco Wednesday this week October 30th and support GMS!
BAND TRUNK or TREAT
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!
TURKEY TROT
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.
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.
NEWS & CELEBRATIONS
Homecoming Week was a success and check out who’s coming home as this week’s Gorzycki Middle School BandPrincipal Players of the Week!
Put your hands together for the following GMS Band Members:
Drumroll please….
Vani K. from Honors Band!
Elsa G. from Symphonic Band!
Lex R. from Concert Band!
Makayla C. from beginner clarinet class!
Emmaline F. from beginner French horn class!
The above mentioned students were chosen as Principal Players because they always follow our GMS acronym:
Give 100%
Manage Yourself
Show Respect
Join us in congratulating our Principal Players for this week!!
Thank you for being outstanding members of the Gorzycki Band!! Kudos!!!
Order Your Yearbooks Now
Click on the photo below or the link to order your yearbooks.
FITNESS & HEALTH
Moxsquad: Fitness for Girls - Stronger Together, Confident Forever.
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
JOIN PTA!
Join the GMS Parent Teacher Association! Quick and easy, click the link below to join today!
Annual Dues: $10/individual, $5/staff
Then, like and follow our page! Members will receive a PDF of their membership card via email.
https://www.tigerpta.org/join-pta?fbclid=IwAR12yu0g6p97GWOwFsAv1PemVEISrOuYiH2BSlsz1cX3bghOwH00A7LnDBs
TIGER MART IS OPEN
Tiger Mart, Gorzycki's PTA-sponsored student store, is OPEN and ready to prepare your student for a great year.
What's Tiger Mart? Tiger Mart is the PTA-sponsored student store open daily during student lunches. We carry spirit swag for the entire family, strength and conditioning shirts, and miscellaneous school supplies. We are also where you can purchase your student's gray PE shirts. At least 1 PE shirt is required for all students, but we parent volunteers recommend having a couple on hand.
How can we shop? You can shop online at any time or students can shop in-person with cash or credit card during their lunch hours. Online purchases are available for student pickup 3 school days after the order is placed. Tiger Mart will also be open for in-person parent shopping on Locker Night (Thurs 8/22, 4-5 pm) and Back-To-School Night.
Where do Tiger Mart profits go? Right back into GMS! Our student store is a rolling fundraiser and all proceeds benefit Gorzycki students.
STAY CONNECTED
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 Google Meets - link to be provided.
- You can find all the dates of all the Coffee Talks here.
DONATE
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.
PROCESSES & PROCEDURES
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.
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:
- 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.
- 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**
- 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
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.
GORZYCKI PARTNER PROGRAM
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!
BENGAL PARTNERS
MALAYAN PARTNERS
SIBERIAN PARTNERS
TIGER PARTNERS
Gorzycki Middle School
7412 W. Slaughter Lane, Austin TX 78749 Phone 512-841-8600 Fax 512-841-8601